Honda VTX 1800 Retro Cast vs Harley-Davidson FXSTSSE3 CVO Softail Springer (2009)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Honda VTX 1800 Retro Caststacks up against the Harley-Davidson FXSTSSE3 CVO Softail Springer. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Honda VTX 1800 Retro Cast | Harley-Davidson FXSTSSE3 CVO Softail Springer |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2004 | 2009 |
| Price | $12,999 | — |
| Engine | 1795 cc | 1800 cc |
| Torque | — | 135 Nm |
| Weight | — | 329 kg |
| Seat height | 27 mm | 26 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 L | 5.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Double disc | Double disc. 4-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Single disc | Single disc. 2-piston calipers |
| Tires | 150/80-R17 / 180/70-R16 | 130/70-R18 / 240/55-R18 |
Honda VTX 1800 Retro Cast vs Harley-Davidson FXSTSSE3 CVO Softail Springer — which should you buy?
Picking between the Honda VTX 1800 Retro Cast and the Harley-Davidson FXSTSSE3 CVO Softail Springer usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Honda VTX 1800 Retro Cast brings its published horsepower, while the Harley-Davidson FXSTSSE3 CVO Softail Springer counters with its own power figure at 329 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: