Topic: Opinions wanted (and appreciated) (more on this bike)

[Steve F]

I'm wondering what you all think of the Honda ST1300.  I'm reading the other threads lately thinking that alot of you know about other bikes besides our beloved SOHC's.  What do you know about the engine.  Is it crap?  How does something like the ST1300 handle and how reliable and such.  You really don't see many of them on the road, and I don't know of anyone that owns one.  I was thinking about getting one since the Gold Wing is a little out of my reach for now. 

[Uncle Ernie]

Good handling depends on what you're used to and what you expect.  They are bulky and heavy for going down to the corner for a bag of doughnuts and the Sunday paper. My opinion on that one.  Otherwisw, they are rolling anvils dependability-wise.  VEry comfortable with so-called "sporting" intentions.     OK- whatever.  For the highway, the couple of guys I've known who own them, love them.  L O V E them.   I would think there would be a Yahoo group or some specific website for them.  Rider magazine should have back-articles you could order.

[736cc]

My best buddy owned a  ST1100 and then a ST1300, I rode them both and either bike is a magic carpet ride! It feels VERY sporty w/ slight lean-foward riding position, extremely comfortable, supremely reliable (100,000 miles a piece-o-cake) you can't build a better all-around bike for sport-touring. The 1300 is faster but the 1100 has no flaws in comparison. Only thing I'm not thrilled w/ is the styling and exhaust note.

[Steve F]

Thanks for the replies, guys.  I'm not totally fond of the styling either, especially from the rear with the detachable bags bumping way out, wonder what it looks like without the bags(?).  What about the available anti-lock brakes (ABS) on the ST1300A?  Any thoughts there?  Is it worth the extra bucks?  I'm gonna look for maybe a used one in the Chicago area.

[Magpie]

Steve, go here for some advice/information on the ST1300. http://www.st-owners.com/  Many riders rave about the ABS - they love it.
The only issue appears to be heat, some are HOT to ride.  Ask the PO about it. I have a ST1100 and it's a great bike either solo or 2 up. Smooth, quiet and quite fast for me. I prefer the look of the 1100 over the 1300 but that's just me. It's an older guys sport bike and the number of accessories or farkles is endless. When you're shopping for a sport touring make note of what will get damaged when it falls over. Don't laugh, many ST owners belong to a not so exclusive club of slow speed tip overs. The bike is heavy and takes some getting used to. The ST's have tip over wings on the sides. The grey plastic things on the sides that hide "crash" bars. When mine went over in a friend's driveway I expected the worst - mirror, bags, fairing to be scratched. Nope. It just laid there on the edge of the tires and the tip over wing. Because I didn't want anyone to see the scratch on the plastic cover I paid the $28 for a new one. Other sport touring bikes, not so lucky. A magazine dropped a FJR and it was a $1700 repair estimate. The new BM'ers are reported to be a lot more.
And, I think the ST compliments my 750!
Cheers,
Cliff.

[Sam Green Racing]

Steve, I met a guy who had a ST1100, he said it was the best long distance bike he had ever owned, he covers 630 miles each weekend in all weathers.

Sam.

[ProTeal55]

Hey Steve !
Not to hijack your post but don't forget about this years Mods Vs. Rockers event !!
 

[bill440cars]

       Ya know Steve, by your posting this thread, I'm getting pretty educated on the ST models. I'd seen them around, but didn't really know that much about them.


        magpie, your ST1100 really is a sharp looking bike. Thanks for posting it.

                                               Later on, Bill  

[Steve F]

Hey Steve !
Not to hijack your post but don't forget about this years Mods Vs. Rockers event !!
 

No worries, mate.  I'd love to make it again this year   Can't wait for some decent weather, as you know I love to ride, and this winter crap is really getting old.
Gott go now, and clear the driveway off. (mumbling......frikkin winter, g d snow....frikkin cold air.....sh--t!)

[Steve F]

       Ya know Steve, by your posting this thread, I'm getting pretty educated on the ST models. I'd seen them around, but didn't really know that much about them.


       
                                               Later on, Bill  

I agree with ya there.  I didn't know of anyone that had one or even knew somebody with one, and so far the replies have all been positive.  Q: do the side bags have enough room for a spare full-face helmet? (Just in case I spot a damsel in distress that needs a ride, of course).   
My wife likes to ride too (on the back since she has no interest in learing to "drive" a bike), but can't ride on my 'ol '76 750F since she broke her tailbone a few years back.  I'm hoping that se'll be able to tolerate the seat on the ST1300 better.  Right now, her limit is about a half hour max.

[Magpie]

Thanks Bill! I'm as anal about the ST as I am my 750! it's a great bike and almost as rare as a 750 on the road.

Steve, I can't speak for the 1300 but the bags on the 1100 will not hold a helmet. Many ST'ers end up with a Givi trunk. The 52 litre one will carry 2 full face helmets. Perhaps a help for your wife is an Alaska sheepskin buttpad. It's helped my wife be more comfortable on the ST.  Look here http://www.alaskaleather.com/ 
The 750 seems to have gotten smaller for the 2 of us of maybe we've somehow gotten bigger. Anyway, I think the ST1100/ST1300 are great bikes. I just like the 1100 better.
Cliff.
Sorry, couldn't resist one more picture.

[CrisPDuk]

I only got my licence last year, and the instructor who taught me used an ST1100, he reckoned it was the best all rounder he'd ever owned, it had over 120k miles on it this time last year (probably nearer 200k by now), and, typical Honda, still felt tight as a drum, unlike the heavily learner abused GS500 I was using he obviously wasn't as image concious as Magpie though the plastic covers on his wings were battered to death

[Steve F]

Was out cruisin last night, and stopped in at the Honda dealer in Sycamore, Il.  Just had a look at the new ST1300 last night.  I'm not really set in getting it as of yet, but I sure liked what I saw.  I sat on on and was a bit surprised at how "mushy" the rear end felt.  The sales guy assured me that they can be adjusted to whatever I like with the twist of a knob.  Also found out that the detachable bags WILL hold a full face helmet as demonstrated.  I'm thinking now of how to scrape up the nearly $15K...    Since the bike on display wasn't serviced yet, I couldn't take it for a test ride.  maybe next week?

[bryanj]

If its the same engine as the pan european available in UK dont forget it has a toothed rubber cam belt that needs changing (like the wings)

[Steve F]

Thanks for the heads up on the timing belt.

Q: What's up with the dealer charging like $600 for the 600 mile check up on a new bike?    Is this really necessary or is it just a money maker for the dealer.  What if I said "no thanks", would that cancel out the warranty?