Hello!!! Newbie Here!!!

[Wabbit38]

Found your Forum and decided to pop my head in the door. My name is Stan and I am 43yrs/o and 6'2" tall. Been riding since I was 10yrs/o on one thing or another. Last few bikes I owned were a 1982 Yamaha 650 Seca Turbo (still have it), a 2003 Yamaha FZ1 (nice bike, a little too race-minded for me at my age though), and a 2004 Kawasaki Concours(A bit antiquated and cheaply built, but utilitarian nonetheless).

I live in Florida, and yes I ride year-round, rain or shine (no snow here, and not trying to rub it in on those of you that live up north). I don't own a car. I am single, and don't see the need for it at this time. My Concours I used to refer to as my stationwagon! Plenty of room for grocery shopping. If it's too big to put on a bike, then you order it online and have it delivered (DOH)!!!

I am thinking about adding the ST1300 to my stable and getting rid of the Connie.

One question I have is why the ST1300 over the FJR1300? (Albeit I can SIT on a ST1300 in a showroom without ordering one!) I did sit on the ST and it is a comfy mo-fo, but I am concerned that it weighs about 100lbs more than the FJR. Even though tests in cycle mags and shoootouts between the two come up just about dead even.

Another question concerns whether I should buy ABS or standard? Since I have never owned a bike with a Linked Braking System before, I thought maybe that would be good enough?

I do like the facts that; The bags are over a gallon larger in capacity, the fairing has integrated low-set mirrors (My Connie is the same and I find the rear view unobstructed), the seat is adjustable, the instrument cluster is very informative, and let's not forget 3 year unliminted mileage warranty - as I tend to put about 30,000 miles a year on my bikes, and lastly for my friendly mechanic - The V-twin should be a bit less of a knuckle-buster come time for the valve adjustments or any other motorworks (I hope, cause time is money as far as labor goes.).

Any of you out there have need for Helibars or taller windscreens? Input would be greatly appreciated. :)

Stan
Palm Harbor, Florida

[tccox]

Both the FJR and ST are great bikes but all things being equal I'd buy (and did) buy the ST, However,,,,,,, With the problems I'm having trying to get Honda to do the recall work done on my ST, I'd buy the bike that I KNEW had a dealer near me with a excellent service department. If it was Yamaha I'd buy the FJR. A bike and its warranty is only as good as your dealers service department.

[Wabbit38]

TCCOX - Dealership locations are no problem here. Several within a 5 mile radius. What is this recall I am hearing about? If I buy the ST will they do the recall before I accept delivery?

Stan

[tccox]

Several Honda dealers around here also BUT none seem to be really good with STs. Make sure your dealer has a mechanic who can and has worked on STs.

If you're buying a 05 I think you're ok on the recall. They only apply to earlier model years. If you're buying a 04 make sure dealer does both recalls before delivery.

Recall Number 1

Make: HONDA
Model: ST1300
Type: ANY
Year: 2004
Recall Number: 04V568000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS HAS A GROUND DISTRIBUTION CONNECTOR THAT IS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED. SOME ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS MAY OVERHEAT AND SHORT, INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP.

Recall Number 2

Make: HONDA
Model: GL1800
Type: ANY
Year: 2003
Recall Number: 05V010000
Summary:
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. A SEAL IN SOME PCVS IS IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence:


ABS ???? I bought non-ABS but if I had to do it again I'd get the ABS. Just not that much price difference and you'd most likely get it back in resale value.

[dannyk]

The V-twin should be a bit less of a knuckle-buster come time for the valve adjustments or any other motorworks

I think you will find the ST has 4 cylinders not 2

[Wabbit38]

My bad on the V-Twin comment. I merely meant the configuration, not the quantity of cylinders. Should have stated V-4 I suppose. :) And by the way, I can get the non-ABS ST for $11,500.00 here. Makes me think about forking another grand for the ABS model.

As far as mechanics go, I'll take warranty work to the dealer, and trust anything else to my neighborhood mechanic that I found not only friendly, but highly competent and a heck of a lot cheaper as far as hourly rate goes.

[beastie]

The recalls are minor fixes and do not even affect all bikes. Most dealers don't have the parts yet, but guys who can ride are still riding. The 2nd recall (brake leakage) isn't much to worry about in the short term.

Granted some dealers are not as good as others, but some Honda dealers, maybe most, are fine to work with. Some also have a shortage of ST expertise, but there are 2 reasons for that.
1. There aren't many STs sold compared to other Honda models
2. They don't require much service, so the mechanics don't see them very often.

I have found that if you are friendly and courteous, the folks at the dealership will be too.

Main service: oil and filter (easy to DIY) Differential oil (DIY) Checking bolts for tightness (DIY). Valves (some DIY some dealer) but not done very often. I expect to take mine to the dealer for Warantee work and not much else. And I have a 7 year warantee. :o:

[AgSTreak]

The V-4 engine is smooooth and powerful, more than any sane person will ever need. Only the Goldwing is smoother. I have the non-abs STeed. These are the best brakes I have ever had, but I have never had a bike with abs. If the abs brakes are superior, they must be absolutely awesome. Even when leaning into a serious turn my brakes are confidence inspiring.
Either bike would be great for your needs. I have had no problems with mine whatsoever. I'm sure there are FJR riders that will tell you the same. Knowing all the facts, I would make the same decision. :hotpepper - john

[Kennedy]

I ordered the ABS and hope I will never use it but it is comforting to know its there. Minor recall on the bike which doesn't concern me in the least, when Honda gets the parts I am sure they will call me to come in for service. Great bike is all I can say.

[Bones]

FJR and ST bikes are complicated, high performance, sport tourers. The ST is one step up the tourer scale, the FJR is one step of the sport scale. Unless you're constantly riding at 8/10ths or better, I'd wager you'd be happier with more comfort.

Regarding Honda standing behind the product, I had some back-and-forth on the MSN site about Honda and my dealer. It seems people who have had bad experiences with dealers vent loudly on websites. I replied with my good experience with my dealer and Honda. I was amazed how many people got feisty about it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

The one product issue I've had with my ST was Hondaline heated grips which died after two seasons. I bought the originals mail order and installed them myself. When they died, I called Honda and my local dealer. Both called me back (having conferred with each other) and told me Honda would replace them at no cost.

Check the FJR sites and see what people are saying, too. Then make your own decision based on what works for you.

[Dave Wicks]

:) This has been a very helpful site for me, a new St 1300 /04, non-abs.. I had opportunity to ride the FJR quite a bit before I bought the ST.. Rode the FJR by myself, then put on about 300 km. with wife on back..Incredibly powerful, smooth, tough on neck and wrists I'm 56, good seat, goofy windshield, stable, but slow steering...Wife and I took test ride on ST, classy, lots of power smooth, good windshield, twitchy until suspension set up, once off side stand and moving 100 lbs disappears.. Not that far apart on mt. road, St quicker responding even though heavier. I considered how many miles per year, looked at my riding life left, bought the ST.. Concerned about longevity of such a high performance motor in FJR..My choice has been born out with the amount of exhaust valve guide failures on FJR's..Feel sorry for the owners.
I'm very pleased with my choice, Honda is behind the re-calls, electrical glitches...minor issue compared to sick motors...

[tccox]

BonesinMass

Would'nt you also get feisty if you'd been on the phone with Honda CS (and they've been great) and they've been calling your dealer, and you' had been going by your dealer personally for five weeks and were making no progress at all in just getting as appointment to get the recall work done ??? Sorry I've been venting but it is getting to be a bit frustrating.

I'm quite sure that some, most likely all Honda dealers are great and fully supporting the ST. But mine is'nt. JUst advising the new guy to make SURE the dealer near him is one of the good guys.

[Bones]

I think we're on the same page, tccox. What surprised me was not that people got feisty about dealer woes but that they got feisty with me for saying I had good experience. Sorry if that wasn't clear in my post. Anyway, hope you get things worked out to your satisfaction. Checking out a dealer before buying is a wise move.

[Hewhois]

Greetings!

Welcome to the site :)

I'm 6'2" w/34" inseam. The FJR seemed a bit too much toward the sporty end of the spectrum for me. The ST1300 is plenty sporty enough, I doubt I will ever be capable of maxxing out this bike in the sporty aspects. The ST1300 seems more tour oriented than the FJR, and I know I will max out the touring aspects of any bike I get. So, the ST1300 gets the nod from me.

Others have gone over the some of the other reasons I got the ST1300, so won't repeat them. Except that, if the bike is your daily ride in Florida, then the ABS brakes will be comforting to have on all those wet days you are out there riding. I commute to work on my bike, and it is my primary source of transportation, and I am very glad I have the ABS. Which, btw, seems to be better than the ABS I had on the 1150RT.

That V4 is smoooooth :)

What part of Florida?

[Wabbit38]

My Connie was a real BIOTCH to put up on centerstand. How's this ST as far as ease?

tccox - Don't let me get started on you about how p.o.'d I was at Kawasaki, not my dealership, as far as warranty goes... I will check out the dealership before I buy, and ask them about any recalls or warranty work and how they've been handling them.

HewHois - ABS sounds like a good choice too. I am on the Gulf Coast of Florida, just north of Clearwater, in Palm Harbor.

Sounds to me like my choice is clear. I'll post more once I purchase one. :)

Stan

[Wabbit38]

Hewhois - Tampa I see! Any way I can coax a free test ride out of you?! :)

Did you buy your bike in Tampa? I was looking at the dealership in Clearwater, and Barnie's in St Pete.

Stan

[Bones]

I'm 135 pounds and put the ST up on center with ease.

[Hewhois]

The ST1300 takes more effort than my 1150RT did to get up on the C-Stand, but it's not gut wrenching hard or anything like that. Long as you use proper technique and use your leg muscles to lift it up and back.

Sorry, but in some ways I'm selfish :D No one rides my bike but me (and mechanics when I'm not looking). But you are welcome to sit on mine and see me ride it around, and of course I can talk your ear off about it as well :)

Are you free Monday Nights? Every Monday night in Wesley Chapel the local SCRC chapters have a bike night at the Beef-o-Brady's in the Kash-n-Karry parking lot off of SR54 and just west of I75. Starts around 7pm, ends around 9pm. I'm there almost every Monday night since I live nearby. There is a slow race every week that I enter and actually won last week on the ST1300. Come on over and see if I can repeat :)

EDIT: Forgot to answer that I got the ST1300 at Motorsports of Tampa, only about 15 minutes from my house.

[Don Webster]

Hi Stan
Traded in my 02 Concours for 03 St1300 have not been sorry. The St is better in every respect. ST seems lighter to me but I know it is not. I do not have the abs brakes but they are so much better then the Concours you can't hardlet beleave it.

[Wabbit38]

Hewhois - I don't blame you, you greedy bastage! :a13: I work second shift but most weeks I have Mon and Tues off. I don't want to show up on my lowly Turbo though. Looooong story about the Kaw and my FZ-1, but right now I only have the Turbo.

Saw your thread about Florida roads... you ever end up at the Hess station near 50 in Brooksville on Sunday mornings/afternoons? I used to go on monthly rides with the Yamaha gang a while back, but work stopped that for the most part.

Stan

[Hewhois]

Stan,

No bike is lowly ;)

I work 11am-10pm, and have Fri, Sun & Mondays off. Sometimes I do a ride that ends at the Beef's Bike Night, and sometimes I do a night ride that leaves after Beef's Bike Night. If you want to get together for a ride sometime on a Monday, be glad to hook up with you.

Yep, 98/50 and Sping Lake. Was there yesterday in fact. Lots of nice bikes there, but I was the only ST1300 :D

[Dave Wicks]

I'm 160 soaking wet,sit behind a desk lots..fairly fit, run etc.. but I'm not that strong anymore. I put the ST up on centerstand all the time..very easy..Mine does not have ABS...but the linked brakes are pretty invisible. Lot's of front brake with front lever, good stopping power with rear peddle alone..but man used together this thing squats and stops...Had linked on old Gold Wing, very little on hand brake...this is a vey sweet system. I always use front and back..make it habit..helps make it happen when you need it..20 ft. can save your life...I think the weakest part of owning a jap bike is the occasional poor dealerships. I think Harley is stronger that way, but listen to the Harley guys, there's places they don't like as well. Positive attitude does help in the communication areas with dealers....Love the red on the 05's. Mines blue, next winter it will become Corvette yellow or Black....Should mention one area of concern with St and FJR..windshield noise and buffeting of passenger, after riding cruisers for years...it ain't bad, but it's not a Wing..

[curmudgeon]

I find the ST1300 to be very easy to put on the centerstand. I rented a R1100R once and consider them similar in that respect. On the other hand my ST1100 takes a real technique to get that bugger up on the stand.

Phil

[tccox]

Not bragging but I'm a 52 year with a heart condition and I ALWAYS use the centerstand .One of its best features is ease of centerstand use. Along with the wonderful brakes, amazing power, smoothness, handling, comfort and so on and so on.

[Wabbit38]

Thanks again for all the input guys! Looks like this'll be my next bike. Now to haggle for the best price! :)

Stan

[curmudgeon]

Wabbit 38 check this forum discussion on price.

http://groups.msn.com/ST1300US/general.msnw?action=get_threads&all_topics=0

[ST_Jim]

You guys have left out the fact that the ST has integrated tip-over wings. On the FJR a simple parking lot tip-over can cost you a new fairing! Yeah, everyone puts some kind of frame sliders on their FJR's, but it still is vulnerable.

When I compare the ST's weight and maneuverability to my old FJ1200, I find the ST vastly superior - except when trying to paddle backwards up a hill. You have to be very careful how you park the ST1300. Don't ask me how I know. :o:

Jim

[Wabbit38]

ST_Jim -

Not too worried about my parking technique. My Concours taught me a lot about what not to do...lol

I also like some of the factory goodies for the ST, like those add-on pads and deflectors and of course the bag liners. I think I read somewhere in here that the bike should come WITH the knee pad set? Even so, those little add-ons don't cost all that much. Try buying add-ons for an FJR1300! Let alone you get a 3 year/unlimited mieage warranty-That's what I call backing your product!

Not sure about getting the fairing deflectors, but I like the miror deflectors. Anyone have them? Do they deflect air away from the hands at all?

Stan