I wont say top heavy. I will say it is a handfull especially at low speed such as parking lot or 180 degree turn at a stoplight. The brakes on an 1800 are formidible and will stop NOW. Honda has linked brakes and even so an X rider needs to feather the front hydraulic brake lever. I enjoy my 1800, the best rides are hiway/freeway at 65 to 80 mph!