Honda Sabre (VT1300CS) key quick facts
- Honda's 2010 US manual for the Sabre and Sabre ABS states that the motorcycle has ignition keys and steering lock keys, and that a steering lock key number plate is supplied.
- There is no HISS or immobilizer section in that manual.
- The ignition switch is on the left side of the bike and has only ON and OFF positions; it does not lock the steering.
- The seat has no lock. It is held by bolts reached after the side covers come off.
- The helmet holder at the left rear and the fuel fill cap both use the ignition key.
Honda Sabre (VT1300CS) key types by year
| Years | Models | Key type | Chip | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Sabre (VT1300CS), Sabre ABS (VT1300CSA) | mechanical cut keys: ignition key and steering lock key | no | No immobilizer section in Honda's 2010 US owner's manual. For a later model year, tell us the year and which keys you have and we confirm. The 2010 manual's Quick Reference page has a line for the ignition key number, and a steering lock key number plate comes with the keys. |
Why a Sabre owner may be holding two different keys
Most motorcycles lock the steering through the ignition switch. The Sabre cannot, because Honda put its ignition switch down on the left side of the bike, behind a styled cover, where it only switches the electrics on and off. The steering lock is a separate cylinder at the right front of the frame, up by the steering head.
Honda's 2010 manual is explicit that these are worked by different keys. Its lost-key page begins by saying the motorcycle has ignition keys and steering lock keys, and it shows a steering lock key number plate. The parking instructions tell you to turn the handlebar all the way left and insert the steering lock key in the lock. If a used Sabre came to you with a single key, find out which one it is before you need the other.
Need a key for your Sabre?
Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked.
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Lock by lock on the VT1300CS
- Ignition switch, left side: ignition key, turned right for ON
- Steering lock, right front of the frame neck: steering lock key, with the handlebar turned fully left
- Fuel fill cap: ignition key turned clockwise; the cap snaps back into the filler neck to lock, then the key comes out
- Helmet holder, left rear: ignition key turned counterclockwise to release the holder pin
- Seat: no key. Bolts and collars under the side covers hold it, and the document bag is on the rear fender beneath it
- Side covers: pull off by hand. The owner's manual bag is inside the right cover
- Tool kit: clipped to the ignition switch case, behind the ignition switch cover
Practical trouble spots on this layout
A low-mounted ignition switch gets a different life from one on top of the triple clamp. Honda's manual recommends a fabric or leather key ring with only the key on it, because a metal ring or a bunch of extra keys can mark the ignition switch cover as you ride.
A separate steering lock key is easy to leave in a drawer and forget, especially when a bike changes hands. If your steering is locked and the key is gone, do not try to turn the bars against it. A locksmith can make a key for that cylinder on its own.
Because nothing on the Sabre hides behind a keyed seat, your papers and tools are reachable without a key, but so they are for anyone else. Keep the key number plate at home, not on the bike.
What we do when Sabre keys are lost
Tell us which key you are missing: the ignition key, the steering lock key, or both. We ask for photo ID and the registration or title, then cut the key or keys at the motorcycle. The ignition key is tested in the switch, the fuel cap and the helmet holder. The steering lock key is tested in the neck lock.
Honda's manual says a dealer without your key number will probably have to remove the ignition switch assembly to find it, and that you would need to transport the motorcycle to them. Having the key made on site skips the transport. There is no electronic step on this bike, so once the key turns, you are riding.
Where to find the key code
Honda's 2010 manual shows a steering lock key number plate supplied with the keys and tells you to store it in a safe place. The Quick Reference page at the back of the manual has a space for the ignition key number. If neither was kept, the manual suggests asking the dealer that sold the bike, who may have the number on record.
What to have ready
Have this ready when you call or text
- Year, make and model of the bike
- Where the bike is parked
- Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
- Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)
Honda Sabre (VT1300CS) key FAQ
Does the Honda Sabre 1300 need a programmed key?
No. Honda's 2010 US manual for the VT1300CS describes plain ignition keys and steering lock keys, with no immobilizer. A correctly cut key is all the bike needs.
Why does my Sabre ignition key not fit the steering lock?
Because Honda's manual lists a separate steering lock key for this model. The ignition key works the switch, fuel cap and helmet holder, and the steering lock at the frame neck has its own key.
I only have the ignition key. Can you make the steering lock key?
Yes. That lock can have a key cut for it separately, at the bike. Bring proof of ownership as you would for any key.
Is this the same as the 1980s V45 and V65 Sabre?
No. This page is about the VT1300CS cruiser that Honda introduced for 2010. The earlier V4 Sabres are older plain-key Hondas with different locks.
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Services for this bike
- Lost Motorcycle Key, No SpareNo key at all? We make a working key at the bike.Details →
- Motorcycle Key ReplacementNew keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes.Details →
- Transponder and Immobilizer Key ProgrammingChip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer.Details →
- Motorcycle Key Duplication and Spare KeysA spare now costs far less than a lost only-key later.Details →
- Motorcycle Ignition Repair and ReplacementSticking, worn or damaged ignitions repaired or replaced.Details →
- Broken Motorcycle Key ExtractionSnapped key removed and a new one cut from the pieces.Details →
- Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag LocksGas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks.Details →
Related guides
- Motorcycle Steering Lock Explained: How It Works and JamsA steering lock, called a fork lock by Harley-Davidson, is a bolt that holds the front end turned to one side so the bike cannot be wheeled away in a straight line.
- Cruiser and Touring Motorcycle Keys: Bags, Forks, FobsYes, keys for cruisers and touring bikes can be replaced, and on most of them it is a mechanical job because the key is a plain cut or barrel key.
- Bought a Used Motorcycle With No Key? Here's What to DoA used or auction motorcycle without keys can usually get new ones, but plan on the full all-keys-lost process and bring the signed title or other transfer paperwork plus photo ID, since a locksmith or dealer has to tie you to the VIN.
- Ducati Asking for a PIN Code or Showing an E-LOCK ErrorA Ducati that opens a PIN screen at switch-on is telling you the key was not acknowledged and that a PIN was stored on the bike at some point.
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