St1300 vs BMW A very hot topic!

[hondast1300]

I have an ST1300 and a R1100RT. When people ask about the bikes I compare a new corvette to a 55 Chevy pickup. Lately I've been spending time on the BMWMOA forum instead of here. I will be riding my ST to the BMWMOA rally this week. Then a loop around the Gaspe peninsula. Down the coast of New Brunswick. Then around Cape Brenton, out to Digby neck and home to New Jersey from Halifax. I have no concerns about the bike at all. I can run until the tires wear out. Meanwhile at the BMWMOA forum: 1> there're plenty of people worrying about weather their bikes will get them home. 2> people are astonished at the cost of basic service. 3> people are observing a shrinking dealer network. Be happy, a little engine heat isn't going to cause the transmission or final drive to fail. And I never hear of ST's leaking gasoline, running rough or surging. The real horror: BMW ABS 3 is fail passive. That's right when (not if but when because they do fail if the battery voltage falls below a threshhold during the self test) the ABS fail light illuminates on a post '02 BMW the servo assist becomes inop. Yep, you're rolling and the brakes don't work.
I love my ST.
robert:bow1:

[HankSTer]

Hey Robert,
thnx for the info. I had heard about this prob with bmw abs. Wasn't quite sure of how it happened and now I know. And the expense... wow, I dont' like the expense of the hondas I've had, and they've been great! lol

Regards,

[Keith_UK]

DANG Robert! - thanks for being so open-handed and downright objective.

How refreshing?! :)

[TPadden]

I heard all BMW computers will shut down in Y3K and Honda guarantees theirs until Y3.5!

What a troll!!! :rolleyes:

Tom

[tccox]

Robert

Just a minor correction here. I owned a 2002 R1150RA with servo assist ABS brakes. Hated them. But they do still work upon ABS failure or even cutting the ignition off (don't ask) They work, just pedal and lever effort are a lot higher. Sorta like losing power assist on your car.

BMW dealers

At least around here are a LOT LOT better than Honda dealers. And there's at least 4 within easy driving distance of my house.

Never had any relibility problems with my Beemers, well except for the Coolant leak on my K75, and , well that little thing with my 02 Roadster spraying fuel on my boot and hot exhaust pipe. Even planned on getting a R1200RT, until I rode one , Bought the ST1300 instead and never had any regrets.

[gec343]

I ride a 04 BMW R1150RT. I love the bike, but am really tired of those valve adjustment every 6000 miles. Also, I've had a couple of problems, transmission oil leak, ABS modulator failed and had to be replaced under warranty. I have 24,500 on the bike now.

I am seriously considering selling the RT to buy a new ST1300, or I may wait for the 08 ST.:04biker:

04 R1150RT
77 R100/7
98 Whizzer motorbike
03 Bajaj Scooter/sidecar

[scootac]

For me the biggest reason not to buy another BMW to replace (or supplement my '81 R100RT!) was the lack of dealers! Being in central PA, I have at least a 2 1/2 hour ride to get any BMW dealer. And when you are traveling in the less populous areas of the country, as I prefer to do, you may be states away from any BMW dealer. I still have my airhead and don't ever see getting rid of it, but don't like the direction they are forcing dealers to go with separate showrooms and the snooty attitude when you ride in on a bike older than most of the people working at the dealership.
Lucky enough to have the best of both!

Scootac:04biker:

[Bob Hughes]

I happen to really like the BMW K1200GT with it's 150 hp 4 cylinder. That said I think that their suspension is made for rougher pavement (that's just my guess) because when I sit on it I can bounce up and down in a really wierd way but the BMW rep at Daytona says that's the way it is and it tightens up at speed.

However, while we have plenty of dealers here in Florida my wife and I ride through flyover country on a regular basis and the lack of a national dealer network (and an extra $10,000 per bike) makes me a very happy Honda rider. Motorcycles, I like them all.

[Sailormilan2]

I live in a town of 300,000+ population, and the nearest BMW dealer is 120 miles away.

[Papa Bear]

Me? I really like the RT and thought of buying one when I got the ST. What stopped me other than price? Nearest dealer is an 8 hour ride away and I would be surprised if there are even a dozen dealers in all of Canada. :confused:

PB

[bobclift]

I sold my 2004 R1150RA for my 06 ST. The BMW was just great for a naked sport bike and, on the open road IF properly outfitted (Parabellum Scout fairing, Aerostich tank wings, etc) it was pretty decent. I had a hard time with BMW's (expensive) service (one small local dealer who couldn't be bothered with customer service). The next dealers are 4 hours away in Tampa, Daytona, Orlando or Atlanta (2). I rode a new R1200RT and a new K12OOGT (at Biketoberfest 2006) before deciding to move onto an ST.

I had a 2000 Honda Valkyrie before the BMW which was a really nice cruiser.

I've concluded motorcycles are like fishing rods - you can't go into the Gulf fishing for cobia with a one-weight spring creek fly rod!

That said, I now believe my ST is the best of all worlds. Ideal for everything - maybe not quite - but as close as it gets and that's darn good!

BTW, I'm keeping my BMWMOA membership for the magazine which has great articles not necessarily all of which are related to BMWs.

Whatever you ride - be safe! Bob

[TPadden]

I ride a 04 BMW R1150RT. I love the bike, but am really tired of those valve adjustment every 6000 miles.


You mean valve check :) ! The valve check/adjustment on an oilhead couldn't be easier (screw and locknut with no tupperware to remove) and although I check them every 6,000 miles my R1150RS hasn't needed any adjustment in the last 20,000 miles.

BMW, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, MV Agusta, own them all and they're all good! My favorite is whatever I rode last. :D

Tom
Weeki Wachee, Fl.
Gainesville, Mo.

[BlaSTr]

I heard all BMW computers will shut down in Y3K and Honda guarantees theirs until Y3.5!

What a troll!!! :rolleyes:

Tom

That's because the clocks in the Honda computers run 7% fast. :rolleyes:

[UNTMatt]

I happen to really like the BMW K1200GT with it's 150 hp 4 cylinder.

I like the 'busa with it's 180 pony i4 and $6k smaller price tag. I'll take it in white.



Beemers are good bikes and ride the one that fits you...and your wallet.

[George]

You mean valve check :) ! The valve check/adjustment on an oilhead couldn't be easier (screw and locknut with no tupperware to remove) and although I check them every 6,000 miles my R1150RS hasn't needed any adjustment in the last 20,000 miles.

BMW, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, MV Agusta, own them all and they're all good! My favorite is whatever I rode last. :D

Tom
Weeki Wachee, Fl.
Gainesville, Mo.

STick hasn't required a valve adjustment in 110,000 miles. ;^)

[TPadden]

STick hasn't required a valve adjustment in 110,000 miles. ;^)

Oh yeah - no R BMW has ever had a stuck thermostat! :bow1:

Tom

[Rolando]

I'm new to my grey 2003 ST1300 which i love. Previous bike was a 1993 BMW K1100LT. One single drawback i find is i feel the suspension is hard on the ST. Roads here in Mexico are far from all smooth. Potholes everywhere and rough surface more. Is there a way to make the suspension on the ST softer? I get a pain in my lower back unless i stand half the time and i cant stand when my wife is on board and she is most of the time. I'm hoping to find a solution. Any pointers as to riding position, form or mods would be very welcome. Thanks.

[BlaSTr]

I happen to really like the BMW K1200GT with it's 150 hp 4 cylinder. That said I think that their suspension is made for rougher pavement (that's just my guess) because when I sit on it I can bounce up and down in a really wierd way but the BMW rep at Daytona says that's the way it is and it tightens up at speed.

However, while we have plenty of dealers here in Florida my wife and I ride through flyover country on a regular basis and the lack of a national dealer network (and an extra $10,000 per bike) makes me a very happy Honda rider. Motorcycles, I like them all.

I agree with Bob. I had a chance to get an 06 K1200GT with 1000 miles on it for a very good price. Even got the Honda dealer to put gas in it, a plate on the back, and told to go ride. It is a great ride. I liked all but 3 things: insurance was far more than my ST; the problems encountered with the shaft drive during the 07 IBR (and confirmed by discussions with other BMW owners); and most importantly, a warranty that was even close to the 3yr/unlimited mileage of the Honda.

So, I'm more and more pleased with the ST and it'll take some major changes before I buy another.

[jasonJonas]

I'm new to my grey 2003 ST1300 which i love. Previous bike was a 1993 BMW K1100LT. One single drawback i find is i feel the suspension is hard on the ST.
have you tried adjusting the pre-load, rolando?

[Rolando]

have you tried adjusting the pre-load, rolando?

Pre-load all the way out and still feels hard and leaves me with a back ache.

I've just discovered the damping screw however, so will take a note where it is and try a softer position. Didn't know it existed.

Many thanks. :bow1: :D

[nm6r]

Pre-load all the way out and still feels hard and leaves me with a back ache.

Of course it feels hard. You don't have any suspension if the preload is all the way out.

Depending on your weight, try adjusting around half way. You will need to adjust it higher when riding 2-up and even higher 2-up and loaded.

Ray

[jasonJonas]

Pre-load all the way out and still feels hard and leaves me with a back ache.
hmmm... if by out you mean on it's lowest position, then try half way and see where that gets ya. it may not be a matter of suspension, but perhaps one of ergonomics - seating, arms and legs position.

[Rolando]

Many thanks for your help to all.

Adjusting the damping screw really makes a difference.

I also found the procedure to properly set the preload, measuring the suspension without weight, with only me and with my wife. It should go down only 25% of the way.

The suspension feels much better now.

Happy riding.

[05ST1300ABS]

I happen to really like the BMW K1200GT with it's 150 hp 4 cylinder. .

I like it too. But for me I like to look at the USED ones. There was an 06 used for 14,500 recently and if I wasnt so committed to the ST1300 I may have sold it. I still may get a K12GT but it wouldnt be for at least 3 more years.