TS1300 or 1600 Nomad

[JerryB63]

Just retired and back on a bike after 40 years and a lot of hard miles. My wife and I are longing to get on the open road and move out of the flat lands of Oklahoma and see some shore line and mountains. We have been on a Suzuki C50 for the last five months to see if we could actually set on a bike for three or four hours and guess what, everything still works.

The Suzuki is a great bike, gets 50 mpg, runs like a rabbit and is really nice in town and parking lots. But it’s not what we want to set out on to the Blue Ridge Mountains or the west coast.

Gave up motor bikes at 26 to raise a family and always had standard bikes and a number of dirt track racers. Never thought I would own a cruiser, but do now and find the wind control kind of a problem. I really like what I read on the road test of the ST1300 but am a little concerned about the riding position for an old guy and also the passenger comfort.

We have several Honda dealers in the area, my dealer had a ST1300 a couple of years ago and want have another unless someone lays down the cash, although he has six new Wings on the floor. The largest area dealer has a 06 in a crate. I asked about how a guy could get a demo ride and he says sure, fill out the paper work, apply for the loan and we will put together. I sure not spending $16,000 on something I haven't ridden! Guess I going to have to find a used one to test ride.

Any old timers on the site that can tell me about the riding position compared to say a Nomad and what about the little lady on the back, if she’s not happy back there I am going to be in BIG trouble.

Jerry

[ShinySideUpAZ]

My opinion, if you are going to do mostly 1up riding, buy the ST. If you are going to do 40% to 50% 2-up, buy the Goldwing. Easy decision, don't break a sweat. I love my ST, and ride 2-up only about 30% of the time. I got to tell you though, the ST is a lot of work fully loaded with a weeks worth of gear and a loved one on the back. In this situation it's a joy on open freeway, but start having to move the ST with its high center of gravity in a fully loaded 2-up configuration around windy country roads and it becomes an aerobic excersise.

[bobsblu]

If you are going ride at leisurely paces and the curves dont excite you that much and you are going to be two up, look at the Yamaha Royal STar, a Valkyrie (used) Kawas Nomad, HD (if you like the Vtwins) Victory Tour Deluxe,(again if you like the VTwins) 1200C series of BMW (not made any more but the engine is the same parallel twin that BMW has been makeing for decades)


I have put 6k on my ST after buying a used 04 with 2k on it. We are the same age but I may have more recent experience. Dealer is everything in my opinion. Ridculous they won't give you a test ride. May have something to do with experience? Or just an A%^hole dealer. The Yamaha Royal Star Deluxe is more like the Honda Valkyrie except one is a flat 6 and the other a 4 cyclinder. Both put out a lot of HP. The Valk tourer is a very nice bike and you should be able to find some dealrs. The Valk interstate, likewise. Older goldwings are good, too. Keep in mind the bikes you are looking at are WAY more powerful than the SUZY. I had an Intruder 1400 (2003) and really liked it. Many do two up on it (1400) but Suzy also makes a couple of other touring cruisers as does Yamaha with their Road STar series. I am not a big fan of Kawasucki, mainly becausee of dealer in west Texas, altho I owner a few Vulcans. Honda has the biggest support system. If you want bells and whistles, the GW 1800 is excellent. It has a reverse and is very fast and very nimble. It is like a phat lady on the dance floor. It even has an electric reverse that is very handy. It is very heavy but easily righted if tipped over. I got tired of trying to figure out what car farkle I wanted on my GW 1800! CB, CD, GPS???

I am at the Blue Ridge now. I retired about 6 months ago and moved out here. Unbelievable riding. Almost look for a superslab to ride on!!! nnnnaaaahhhhhhhhh! I have riden the flats of West Texas, Eastern NM and been to both coasts. Ride what ever you can get comfy on and choose a dealer. You really cannot find a bad bike these days, again, IMHO. HD always had the best service in my area. I had two. Just could never get over the snarl on some of the HD riders, but other bike groups have that also.

You have to ask yourself do you want to look/feel cool or ride fast or ride super slabs for gobblin up large chunks of miles. And then what bike will do that for you. It's your $ and this should be a very exciting time!! You can look at my farkles and see what this old phart has put on Blu to make her comfy. Still, there is a forward tilt to my body and without an after market windshield, your passenger will get wind behind. I got used to the forward postion on a BMW 1200 C euro. Had it for 20K and it was great for me. That would be another suggestion is to look at BMW in OKC for the 1200CLC. There could be some good bargains on that one also. The discontinued bikes of BMW and Honda will never have a parts availability or repair issue.

Again...dealer dealer dealer and not necessarily in that order!!. Beware of smiles and promises that are too good to be true. It has been my experience that a dealer can greatly influence the joy of your motorcycling experience. You can get info on the dealers by friends who ride and some of these internet clubs.

How's this for a ramble??:22yikes:

[Gonzo]

I, too am your age and returned after several years. Briefly: she has to feel that she looks good, feels secure, and knows how to ride back there.
You need to take a Motorcycle Safety course or an Experienced Rider course, preferably together. The exercises and the knowledge gained are priceless.
Considering the accident rate for those of us in this age bracket who have not ridden for a while are not good, it's time and money well spent.
There's lots of info and advice on this forum, so please search around here.
Have a lot of safe and fun miles.
Gonzo

[STOnkin'aussie]

hey Jerry - both bikes are wonderful and deliver great comfort for your pillion. ST is a smidge harder to get on but once going is a far better ride.

I sold my 03' Nomad simply because it was unable to multi task like my ST is able.

guess if we were all millionaires we would have a couple different rides parked in the garage.

12810

[bcst1300]

I ride a lot 2 up on the ST and the seargent seat and back rest were essential for my wifes comfort. We have no issues with center of gravity as I am only 175 lbs and the wife is 115. That and the fact that we don't usually start a ride with anything in the top box. I like the position as i find cruiser positions are hard on my lower back but the ST position with Heli risers to be pretty good up to about 5 hours. Beyond that I am grateful for the highway wings as it gives the knees a rest. Even with my 32" inseam I put my seat up high to be easy on the knees. I don't think I would buy a cruiser but I could switch to a wing or BMW LT1200.

[SteveST1300]

I am a bit younger but do alot of 2 up riding on the ST and I disagree with the above post that the ST is a lot of work. I find it a pleasure to ride 2 up. Yes it is much more fun solo biut not a problem 2 up.:03biker:

[dduelin]

...the ST with its high center of gravity...

What the heck are you talking about?

[Erik]

If you are really going to tour than a cruiser to me makes no sense at all. Also I believe that a bike with ABS brakes should be almost mandatory.. They will at some point absolutely save your butt. My choices:

Honda Gold Wing ABS
BMW K1200LT

BMW K1200GT (the new one)
Honda ST1300ABS

You need to decide if you are a Touring guy or a Sport Touring guy.. The wing and the K12LT are the two best high performance touring bikes out there. The K12GT and the ST1300abs, are the best sport touring bikes. nod going to the new K12GT, but it is much more $$$ I would test ride them all. FYI BMW Dealers are VERY much about letting prospective owners test ride the bikes.Seems Honda dealers less so. Also I puposfully left off the Yamaha FJR1300.. great bike but even more sporty than the ST and K bike. Good luck.

[Danny C]

I've have 3 friends riding Nomads..............all very happy with the bike but I'm partial to Honda so the Valk would be my choice.

I'm a little guy (5'5") so riding 2 up would be a concern for me given that I haven't done much of it and I'm still getting used to the ST. But as far as the bike goes.............love the ST........a great blend of sport and touring attributes.

[ShinySideUpAZ]

Several People have taken issue with my "high center of gravity" statement. I will break it down for you. I'm 5'5" with a 29 inch inseam. Since the Goldwing is a flat opposing six the majority of the weight of the bike is in the first 10 inches up from the bottom of the frame. The ST, being a V4, the weight is much higher. Also the gas tank on a Goldwing is below the seat. On the ST it is a split tank design with much of the fuel above your knees. The effect of these is I have to pull the ST off the sidestand with the handlebars. I can sit on the Goldwing and pull it off the sidestand by just shifting my weight on the seat. The Goldwing is easier to move in parking lots, not just because of the low center of gravity, but it has a reverse. In a parking lot ride I found I could turn the Goldwing much tighter than the ST in a more controllable manner. My statements were simple. The Goldwing was designed with the thought of 2-up riding more than the ST.

[Danny C]

Several People have taken issue with my "high center of gravity" statement. I will break it down for you. I'm 5'5" with a 29 inch inseam. Since the Goldwing is a flat opposing six the majority of the weight of the bike is in the first 10 inches up from the bottom of the frame. The ST, being a V4, the weight is much higher. Also the gas tank on a Goldwing is below the seat. On the ST it is a split tank design with much of the fuel above your knees. The effect of these is I have to pull the ST off the sidestand with the handlebars. I can sit on the Goldwing and pull it off the sidestand by just shifting my weight on the seat. The Goldwing is easier to move in parking lots, not just because of the low center of gravity, but it has a reverse. In a parking lot ride I found I could turn the Goldwing much tighter than the ST in a more controllable manner. When I rode the Goldwing in some twisties with my girlfriend on the back it took less effort to control the bike. This was very evident in switchbacks. My statements were simple. The Goldwing was designed with the thought of 2-up riding more than the ST.

Being of same height and inseam.....couldn't agree with you more.

[Spencer]

I have a VTX set up allot like the Nomad
The difference for me is the cruiser is great for low (under highway) speed
touring. While the ST is the choice for highway, or higher speed "spirited"
touring. Night and day between the two.
It is interesting how much the ST's center of gravity can be changed with
rider position. My wifes ST has the seat lowered by about 2". Just that
shift in weight makes it feel lighter, and handle quicker compared to mine?

Ride safe, Spencer

[naturally wired]

:-) First off welcome to the site!....even if you don't decide on the ST1300 I hope you stick around awhile!:-)

The St1300 is my two ...ride in any weather machine (.)....it does so much, so well !

two things I would tell you to add to the ST if thats the way you end up going .....risers for you !...a top box or back rest for your lady!...

your position without the risers is a little forward....but the risers will take care of that.......the back rest or top box will make her feel more secure!!!


One last note "Keep Shopping"....your cost on a 2006 abs should be no higher then $12800 plus tax and $11900 for non abs......


:-) Good Luck and please keep us in the loop on your decision:-)

[vintagemxr]

I put about 10,000 miles on a Kaw 1600 Classic before I sold it. Nice bike, much more leisurely to ride than the ST1300 but not nearly as good on wind protection, carrying capacity (added hard bags), handling, or plain old performance. The ST definitely gets the nod for eating the miles and handling the curves, especially two up. I will say that the Kaw is easier to handle at low speeds by virtue of it's low seat height though.

[crinteastwood]

Jerry - My 2 cents for what its worth. Just traded off my 04 ST on a 06 Nomad. Yes I miss the extreme power and speed, handling and sheer rush of cranking your right wrist and hanging on. That said, I am able to put just as many miles in a day and appreciate the seating position more on the Nad. The lower seat height is a plus too - not dismissing the ST though - she was a fantastic touring bike, but most of my riding is done in the flatlands and the Nomad feels more at home there. I still have the same carrying capacity (almost) and just bought a new trunk off of ebay for only $100. - its not a Givi, but it sure was a good value for the money. For myself, the decision was "give up some, but gain some" - I don't regret my choice but as has been said before - it sure would be nice to be able to have a full stable of different rides. Go with the ST and you will be happy - go with the Nomad and still smile - tough choice for you.
Ride safe
Mick

[Ken]

I was a former VN1500 rider, which is basically a stripped down version of the Nomad. Mine was equipped with a Mustang saddle, hard National Cycle bags, passenger floorboards, extra lights etc etc. Its downfall for me was threefold:
- lack of decent range
- lack of alternator power
- feet forward riding position

IMO, you are better off to ride long distance with the standard riding position. YMMV - there are certainly a TON of cruiser riders that go very long distances and love it.

[Tarheel_Rider]

How do I say this delicately? If you and your wife are thinner, two up on the ST is great, if you are well rounded, take from personal experience, you need a little more room and that might move you to the Nomad or GW or LT. If you are shorter, then the Nomad or GW tends to be the better options, if you are taller, the LT can be a great choice. Enjoy the decision process, ride them all, and stay around and let us know what you learned and decided.

[cheezewhizz]

you need the wing if the extra dollars arent an issue

[saaz]

I know someone just traded an Intruder on a Nomad. Loves it, very well set up for touring out of the box.