My first bike-Honda vtx 1300 or Harley Dyna Custom C??

I've looked since August 07 and narrowed it down to the Honda VTX 1300 C or Harley Dyna Custom C (both 2008) and ready to buy. I like them both, but the $5000 difference for the Harley (1st choice)makes the Honda look better. I've checked on Ebay (Harley's) but when you add on approx $800 for shipping, I think buying local make more sense, plus the added positive of buying from a local dealer.
Anyone had the Honda/Harley conflict? Any pros or cons/advise would be greatly appreciated.  

Greetings,
I was in the same delema as yourself a few years back, however, in 2004 I purchased a Honda VTX 1300 S model, and have since put on over 28,000 miles.  I know the S and the C models have some different equiptment on them, however you are talking the same bike here.  I have found my Honda to be extreamly reliable, balanced very well (through the mountians and twisties), with more than enough power to get you there and back.
 
Now as for the Harley.  I fell that (now) they put out a good product and, according to folks I ride with who have them, they say they are reliable and fun to ride, with just a bit more vibration in them, than I would care for.  All things considered, I'm with you on this one, I found it hard to justify the additional $5,000 plus, just for (in my opinion) a name plate.  If day in and day out proformance is important to you, buy the VTX.  If you are interested in a name plate, buy the Harley.    

Thanks!!
While I think the Harley looks sharper, the Honda price is hard to beat.
Did you keep the standard pipes or go with aftermarket? If so, who do you recommend?  

I hope you guys don’t mind but I’m going to give you a slightly different perspective.  After not riding for almost ten years I was in the market for a bike back in 2004.  Having owned several Hondas before, I was comfortable in choosing a VTX-1300C over the “name” brand because of price and quality.  I also thought the VTX was a great bike for the money.  It had good looks, plenty of power and was well balanced.  But I will admit that I was disappointed later when I found out that most of the chrome on the Honda was plastic instead of metal; one of the ways they save manufacturing costs I guess.

Fast-forward two years, several trips to the dealer for carburetor problems and 4600 miles later.  I decided to buy a new bike and could not get more than $5500.00 for my VTX selling it outright or trade-in even though it was in perfect shape and had some additional options added.  That was about 60% of what I paid for it.  To say the least I was disappointed with the way the Honda held it’s value.

Because of the value issue I decided to go with a Harley this time.  I was lucky and found a 2006 Road King Custom with a fuel-injected 1550cc Stage 2 motor, six speed transmission, a HD custom paint set and lots of chrome extras that a dealer had ordered for a customer who did not end up purchasing it.  It was a good deal on a great looking bike with more power, better braking, more comfort and that handles very similar to the VTX even though it is heavier.

This month after two years and nearly 10,200 miles I went to a dealer to go look at some of the new models that Harley had and asked what kind of trade-in they would give me on my bike.  To my surprise they were offering almost as much as I paid for it.  Now granted a lot of this is because of the options on my bike, the shape it is in and the fact that this model is not offered any longer.

Basically it comes down to this; you can’t go wrong with either choice depending on what you are expecting from your bike.  Both brands have good bikes but because of the market demand the Harleys cost more and hold their value better.  Best of luck with your decision!  

If you are looking for a bike to fulfill a desire to ride then get a Honda. Hondas are faster,  more reliable and it's unlikely you'll ever wear one out.
If you are looking to buy a life and acceptance from  harley riders, get a HD.

I've been riding 47 years.
I can have any motorcycle I want (I own 4)
I owned a harley once...
Never again!  
XCHOPPERS.COM - Everything for VTX & M109

Hello,Welcome to the biking world.I rode Harleys for years back in the 80s threw the 90s...lots of road side fixing..after 2 drive belts(this is a all day fix)and 500.00 in the shop if you are lucky.I changed to a Honda valk touring in 1999,had it for 6 years,coast to coast( NEVER A PROBLEM)thank God for shaft drive.now I ride Suzuki.I think any Honda,Suzuki,Kawasaki,Yamaha will be a good ride.but mainly get what fits you,and what you will have fun on..ride safe  

Get the Honda - I have well over 50,000 miles on my 1300 with no problems whatsoever. I ride daily - it;s not a garage ornament.
Cost - Pick up a lightly used one and save even more. There are a ton of bikes out there for with less than 5K on them. Not even broken in yet (for a Honda)

IMO - the image of your average HD owner has gone from Badass to Banker / weekend warrior / "Wild Hog" types. Embarrassing really. I laugh at them.  

THANKS FOR THE REPLY GUYS..I HAVE NEW DEVELOPMENT IN MY HONDA VTX 1300 C VS HARLEY DYNA CUSTOM C DECISION.
HERE IT IS MID JANUARY 08 AND I JUST GOT A CALL FROM THE LOCAL HARLEY DEALER AND THEY ARE WILLING TO DROP THEIR PRICE BY $1000 (SLOW SALES AS I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND) AND IT IS THE COLOR I WANT...
ON THE HONDA SIDE, THE SAME COLOR I WANT IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THEIR 2008 MODELS AND THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THAT HONDA IS VERY SLOW IN BRINGING NEW YEAR MODELS, BECAUSE THEY FLOOD THE MARKET AND WANT THE DEALERS TO SELL OFF THEIR INVENTORY, BEFORE THE 2008'S ARRIVE. EXPECTED DATE OF THE 2008'S IS IN MAY.
I'M STUCK ON MY CHOICE COLOR BECAUSE IT MATCHES MY 1972 VW CONVERTIBLE BUG. I COULD WAIT A COUPLE OF MORE WEEK TO SEE IF I COULD GET MORE $ OFF THE HARLEY..NOT SURE IF I WANT TO WAIT TO MAY-JUNE 08 FOR THE HONDA..  

Its funny you guys were talking about this several months ago. I'm pondering the same issue. 1300 VTX or the VROD. I've been a Honda guy for over 20 years, but haven't been riding for 10. Now, because of friends with Harleys trying to convince me to buy a Harley, I decided I wanted a new VROD. This was until I drove a new night rod and a late model Fatboy. Well I wasn't impressed. I'm the type that wants to ride to work every day (about 30 mins.). Garage queen I dont want. Now if I was worried about resale, then yes I should buy the Harley. But now I want to ride a reliable, smooth bike and put tons of miles on my next bike. So crap with the resale. I'm now looking at two mint condition low mile VTX's for only $7500 to $9000 with lots of options. I think I will buy what I want. Not what my buddies think I should have. That old cliche says that most people have to buy 3 motorcycles to get to the bike they really want!  

Buy the Harley. You'll love it.  

why?  

You buy a Harley because it is more than simply a motorcycle. It is a lifestyle, perhaps an institution.
Owning a Harley makes you feel different. Sometimes it brings out the inner "badass" other times you just feel "connected". You connect with a huge family of riders - a world-wide sense of community. You can see it at Sturgis, Daytona, Laughlin any local weekend show and shine and most importantly you see it on the road.
Besides all that, the bikes are great. The new powertrain is torquey and responsive - the Delphi fuel injection is spot on. The 6 speed tranny is slick and strong plus you will never run out of options in terms of customising or just plain old riding accessories. The engine can be hopped up as your riding skills grow, plus there is also a huge aftermarket for parts and service down the road.
The new bikes come with a 2 yr warranty, which is good as gold - HD really know how to look after people, plus there is financing through HD Credit, which is pretty usefull because you can finance all your accessories through them  - and an extended warranty up to 7 (yes SEVEN) YEARS.
So there you go. Oh and do not forget resale value...
And no, I do not work for a Dealership!  

Your posting on the Motorcycle Cruiser web page asking whether to buy a VTX1300 or a Harley Dyna. Have you ever even read Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine? I don't remember ever reading a comparision test between these two bikes. Of the comparisions I have read in the magazine, the Harley rarely wins. The Harleys (at least it seems to me) always finish 2nd or 3rd.
The best advice I could give is to go to all the dealers you can, sit on all the bikes you are able to, and buy the bike that fits you. It doesn't matter what make or model it is, it's got to be comfortable for YOU to ride. If it's not comfortable you won't enjoy it as much.  

Harley has the best resale value by far. Not only is it the best investment;it has the most class.Another question here is can you be proud to ride a honda ?? Get what you really want;don't compromise.  

if you really want to choose between these bikes ride them both. then go ride a Victory Vegas. forget about resale, that's a crock. the market is flooded with harleys, you have to ask yourself why. buy your bike to ride not sale later. i have 48,000 miles on a 04 victory vegas, not one single problem. i've owned every kind of bike out there. the Victorys are far the best in quality (jd powers and personal experience). and they are American made.  
if the house is a rocking don't bother knocking, just come on in...SRV