Expected reliable lifespan (mileage) for ST1100?

[Northern Rob]

Hi, I drive a 93 ST1100. It's got 110K km on it (that's about 65k miles). I change the oil/filter every 3-5k miles, and put about 10k miles on it a year. Usually, half of my mileage is city commuting and the other half is touring. My favorite riding is my annual 4-5 day touring vacation. I'm really starting to itch for an ST1300, but my 93 is still running perfectly. Does anyone know what kind of mileage I should be able to reach until it starts to become unreliable for touring?

Thanks!

Rob

[dannyk]

I would think you are about 1/4 of the way there. If the bike is anything like the wings that I have owned, normal wear items like brakes, tires, and maybe wheel bearings or steering head bearings and a suspension rebuild at some time should be about it, the engine is bullet proof, kinda depends on how you treat it.

[Mellow]

I've heard the engine is good up to 250,000 miles. I've heard that, I know of some one that just sold one with 135,000 miles and said his bike was still running in perfect condition. I'm sure seals, final drives and some other items will wear out long before the engine.

[Killtimer]

Alan Hunt on the ST1100 list just had his final drive go out....... at 235k. I know of another that has over 225k, and many at 150+k. All distances in miles. :D

Steve

[Bones]

I used to have a Honda Pacific Coast and there were guys in the owner group with 250,000 miles on their bikes. Honda makes motors that last. So far I've replaced my Honda motorcycles not because they ran out of miles but rather because after 10 or 12 years the new models offer big improvements in design and performance. If you're happy with the ST11, 65k miles is nothing to worry about.

[number9]

Yes, the ST11 reputation for reliability and just running and running is 2nd to none as far as I am aware of. Here is a link to a great discussion on the "Real World Reliability" of the ST..... http://www.my-mc.com/messages/1/50008.html?1103674332

[jackpine savage]

... I'm really starting to itch for an ST1300, but my 93 is still running perfectly. Does anyone know what kind of mileage I should be able to reach until it starts to become unreliable for touring?

Thanks!

Rob

With your criterion for replacing your bike, you won't be able to get a new one for about 20 more years. :D

[Simon Soh]

i used to own an eight year old ST1100R with mileage of 69,000miles, she's still working well with me for another 80,000miles before i traded her in for a new ST1100Y.

very reliable engine & other components i should say, but got to be cautious with the charging system. for the those below 96' Nov produced models with 28Amp alternator r capable of frying the regulator. during the 80,000miles of my previous ST1100R i've burnt 4 regulators & 2 alternators... :mad: to make her touring fit, have a reliable workshop to check the oil seals & other o-rings or a top overhaul to make sure the head gasket & valve rods o-rings r in good condition. & also the final drive shaft oil seals. few of my guys has suffered leaking oil seals at the steam of the drive shaft to final drive.

with my ST1100Y now after 1 1/2 year old at mileage of 98,000km so far so good..! not a single bulb blow... ;)

[Horst]

So Soh, you're averaging 60,000 kms per year ? ... that puts you in the top 1% mileage kings around here ! .... wow ... :04biker: :04biker: :04biker:

[Northern Rob]

Ya Simon, I wish I could be getting that kind of mileage in a year! When I first bought a bike, it almost got me a divorce! I often sneak in a ride before the family wakes up... like a smoker trying to hide his habit! You're touching my pain, man...

If I learn how to "farkle" up the spouse so she chills out, the mileage will be going way up! (Tried diamond studs, don't waste your money).

Any suggestions on "wife management" would be much appreciated! (She's got a lot of miles left in her too, so the plan is to keep her instead of upgrading to a newer model). :lol:

[AgSTreak]

:03biker: Upgrading (or down) to a new wife is a hell of a lot more expensive than a new bike (I'm not speaking from experience, so what do I know).

[dannyk]

Wife management, ask her what she wants out of life and the marriage. Is it reasonable? Tell her what you want out of life and the marriage, is it reasonable. If you can't come to some kinfd of a mutual agreement no amount of money will keep her happy, send her packing and start over, without a woman, then you won't have to answer to anybody but yourself. If your lucky/unlucky she may chill out, but if she doesn't life is to short to be miserable, from experience. Told mine my rear will be in the saddle you can come with or stay home, your choice, but my butt will be in the saddle, that was 31 years ago and she's still here and I couldn't be happier.

[Northern Rob]

Well, that sounds like sage advice Danny. I was hoping to use the "its starting to get old and unreliable" line to justify a new bike...but based on these posts, the ST is disappointingly reliable. :rolleyes:

[Horst]

... have you tried just getting her a nice helmet & gear and putting her on the back of your nice ST11 ... while my SO would rather have the old Wing back, she came to understand my needs and the ST11 is *way* more comfy than the Beemer was :-) ... that was on purpose .. he he :D

[Kennedy]

Get her as interested in riding as you are and its made in the shade for the rest of your life. My wide loves to ride back seat.

[number9]

My wife loves to ride as well. Everytime the ST fires to life she wants to be on the back, and usually is. We ordered some riding gear from Motoport and she talks about it all the time...."I can't wait until our gear gets here, I'm excited". I kind of dismissed it after we placed the order due to the 7 week delivery time, but she talks about it all the time.

[Northern Rob]

I'm really glad you guys have supportive spouses!

My gal has somehow convinced herself that riding a bike means certain death. The fact that I and a lot of my "middle aged" buddies have signifcant mileage and are still living doesn't seem to calm her down. I get the "someone has to raise the kids when you're dead" line. You guys don't get that kind of stuff??? She says she'll start to ride when the kids are out of the house (15 yrs). By then I'll need a Goldwing or a trike or something! :eek: :D

Hey, well riding solo ain't so bad!

[dannyk]

Rob you could always point out the fact of how many people are killed in cars every day, but then you get the argument of thats differn't, so just go and ride and enjoy the time with the bike, don't look like your going to win the battle anyway. 15 years from now the statement will probably be I'm to old to ride that thing, and what will the neighbors think.

[AgSTreak]

Danny, you don't know how right you are. I stopped riding to help raise the kids, after my wife stopped riding with me (guilt??). Now that the youngest is 17, my wife says she's too old and her hips can't take it. Well the good thing is I didn't have to buy a GD (or is that GW). I lost a great riding partner but came out of it with a great bike. Enjoy your family (first passion) but don't give up your second passion!! :03biker:

[Simon Soh]

hi Horst,

now she's 1 1/2YO, at exactly 1 YO she clocked exactly 70,000km, it includes a trip to Northern Thai(Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Chiang Saen aka Golden Triangle total --> 6,700km from Singapore), unaccountable Southern Thai weekend ride. :D

i wont say i'm the mileage king :p i just ride for the sake of interest & love of it, just ride..! :cool:


So Soh, you're averaging 60,000 kms per year ? ... that puts you in the top 1% mileage kings around here ! .... wow ... :04biker: :04biker: :04biker:

[Simon Soh]

hi Northern Rod,

i will say no women agreed on things when they r not into it, my wife too made hell of fuss after i replaced a new ST1100Y without consenting her, but what the crab, it's my own funds. :mad:

u too can ride more often if u can get ur wife involved into our motorcycling community, she will slowly learn how to appreciate it but be with the correct companies of good riders & ride defensively, once the impression of safety is performed, the rest is...... ;) for a start bring her for short day trips, as soon as she got into it u will have more chance to ride with or without her tagging along, trust me bro.. :D

good luck.. :04biker:

that's me at Mae Hong Son Loop, Northern Thailand last month.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/pfd790b40e488a4b579c999ce58ab5e48/f53cbce7.jpg

me & my previous ST1100R 2002
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid134/pbbdd2d83739b5bb278b57c22da417839/f7719311.jpg

the family of STOC Singapore.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/p070e30213db2775fd2587677d6871ce2/f6da5e30.jpg


Ya Simon, I wish I could be getting that kind of mileage in a year! When I first bought a bike, it almost got me a divorce! I often sneak in a ride before the family wakes up... like a smoker trying to hide his habit! You're touching my pain, man...

If I learn how to "farkle" up the spouse so she chills out, the mileage will be going way up! (Tried diamond studs, don't waste your money).

Any suggestions on "wife management" would be much appreciated! (She's got a lot of miles left in her too, so the plan is to keep her instead of upgrading to a newer model). :lol:

[Kennedy]

I'm really glad you guys have supportive spouses!

My gal has somehow convinced herself that riding a bike means certain death. The fact that I and a lot of my "middle aged" buddies have signifcant mileage and are still living doesn't seem to calm her down. I get the "someone has to raise the kids when you're dead" line. You guys don't get that kind of stuff??? She says she'll start to ride when the kids are out of the house (15 yrs). By then I'll need a Goldwing or a trike or something! :eek: :D

Hey, well riding solo ain't so bad!
Safety features built into every ST which I am sure you have told your wife about.
Great acceleration giving you the ability to speed away from a dangerous situation.
Great maneuverability to go around a dangerous situation
UN believable brakes for the times that you just have to stop that big *** ST in a hurry.
As we as riders know any of these can actually save your life.

[Horst]

... Northern Rob, as others, I also stopped riding for a few years while my two were very little. That was 10 years ago, and my brother is at about your stage now. Looking back, I missed riding terribly, but got back into it soon. The key to getting her calmed down a bit is to go on a few group rides with other couples - try the local Gold Wing clubs, seriously ! ... dont ride with the CBR600 crowd or she'll vomit.

After a couple of those, try a solo (two-up) ride over to Whistler, or to Hope and back via quiet Hwy 7 to Harrison Hot Springs ... stop for a java or whatever you guys like ... before you know it she'll be hooked. :) :)

[Schavlan]

What about the wimpy 28 amp on these high mileage bikes ?
Evidently no problems.
I REALLY wish I could get a straight answer...........................

[Mark]

What about the wimpy 28 amp on these high mileage bikes ?
Evidently no problems.
I REALLY wish I could get a straight answer...........................

The straight answer! Now that is funny, how can any of us know how long a 28amp alternator will last?
Think of the classic bell curve.
There are people who will never have any alternator problems (even though they use *extra* electrics).
And there are those who had the voltage regulator fry quickly.
The top of the curve is somewhere around 55k miles.
Repair of the 28amp may not be the most cost effective method... think replacement/upgrade with a 40 amp unit if you have any problems at all with your 28 amp system.

Mark

[STeveGray]

She says she'll start to ride when the kids are out of the house (15 yrs). By then I'll need a Goldwing or a trike or something! :eek: :D


OK, where's JR when we need him? I'm only 10 years older but JR's a lot more than 15 years older. Nowhere is it written that you stop enjoying the twisties (ergo -- need an ST) because you get old. No Goldwing or trike in my foreseeable future! :p:

[Simon Soh]

hi Mark,

since day 1 of my ST1100Y(Aug 03') now reading mileage of 140,000km, show no plm with original 40AMP alternator, guess Honda has made quality improvement. ;)

before then I used a 94' ST1100R 28AMP model alternator, it fried few regulator, once on overseas bike trip, later she was diagnosed with detriorated alternator again within 24mths OTR with only 80,000miles...

just my piece of experience only..... ur call..

The straight answer! Now that is funny, how can any of us know how long a 28amp alternator will last?
Think of the classic bell curve.
There are people who will never have any alternator problems (even though they use *extra* electrics).
And there are those who had the voltage regulator fry quickly.
The top of the curve is somewhere around 55k miles.
Repair of the 28amp may not be the most cost effective method... think replacement/upgrade with a 40 amp unit if you have any problems at all with your 28 amp system.

Mark

[Mark]

hi Mark,

since day 1 of my ST1100Y(Aug 03') now reading mileage of 140,000km, show no plm with original 40AMP alternator, guess Honda has made quality improvement. ;)

before then I used a 94' ST1100R 28AMP model alternator, it fried few regulator, once on overseas bike trip, later she was diagnosed with detriorated alternator again within 24mths OTR with only 80,000miles...

just my piece of experience only..... ur call..

Simon,

Your experience is exactly what everyone who rides with a 40amp finds, total reliability.
And it sounds like your 28 amp was typical too, fried whenever it felt like it...

Glad to see you can get in *real* mileage!

Ride them safe,
Mark

[Simon Soh]

hi Mark,

original red color Yuasa battery came with new bike was sulphated before my trip to Northern Thailand last month, I didnt ride for few days for few weeks eversince I got a new part time job.

in order to prevent any hiccup for my trip I replaced a fresh new Yuasa battery. so I guess a healthy battery will help to prolong alternator shelve life. ;)

Simon,

Your experience is exactly what everyone who rides with a 40amp finds, total reliability.
And it sounds like your 28 amp was typical too, fried whenever it felt like it...

Glad to see you can get in *real* mileage!

Ride them safe,
Mark

[BigTom]

I guess this is a good a place as any for my first post. I have a little experience...

My first wife made me agree to sell my MC's when we married (1973). That is part of the reason there was a second wife. Then there was a third:), but one thing has remained constant....I'm going to ride.

I've owned the ST 1100 for 2 weeks, and have about 1200 miles on it. 'Course I took a 400 mi. test ride:) I am fortunate to live in a place where I can ride every day. It is replacing a Yamaha Venture in my stable, what an up grade. I'll get about 30,000 miles on MC's this year, 20-25,000 on my roadie. I'd like to think that I'd get more on my KLR, but it seems I need to work, too...

Is good to be a member, here. Is really nice to find a strong support group for my habit:)

[number9]

Welcome Tom. You should go over to http://www.st1100.org/ and get your self a STOC number. Also, get yourself setup on the ST email liST and take a look at http://www.my-mc.com/cgi-bin/discus.cgi?pg=topics for other great ST1100 resources.

The ST1100 is a great bike and I am sure you are already aware of this. I see you have a KLR as well. We have another member here who also has a KLR and is from TX I think. I have been getting the hankering for a DS bike and like the KLR from the things I read about it over on http://www.advrider.com/forums/


Don't know where you are located, but you should try and make it to one (or more) of the STOC gatherings this year. You will meet some great guys and learn lots about your bike.

[number9]

Also see here http://www.st-riders.com/st1100/member.cfm

[BigTom]

Thanks for the great sites and info! Not to mention the welcome:)

I really like the ST. I mean I really like it. So far, so good in all things. It's been a while (CB750) (oops, there has been an XL or two in the dirt) since I owned a Honda, no particular reason. Maybe a lacluster local dealer as much as anything. My riding buddy put 12,000 mi on an ST 1300 a couple of summers ago (he buys and sells some), so I had a pretty good idea. He took this bike on trade for an SS Impala he sold...trade to me, of course. He made a good deal, I made a great deal, and the guy was really happy with the SS.

I did get an STOC#, 6114. When I figure out how to put a signature line and avatar here I will. I am not overly bright. I'd love to think about WESTOC, but I need to schedule my time really carefully. Tuesday is a big day for me, professionally. I hope to have a replacement trained up by summertime, but for right now, I am stuck on Monday and Tuesday. My partner and I are the only full time employees, per our choice. In fact as we worked last night, we considered the merits of a new contract. It is a big store, and a weekly job, good money. The downside is the time it will take and another day on the schedule. We both like our time as much as money.

I love the KLR. I have an A11. That would be a '96. The A15 is a Kawasaki numbering technique. Means A model (no signifigant changes) 15th year. This year is A21. The color changes every year. I think this years Connie is an A23. I considered a Connie before the ST1100.

If you really want to know about the thing try:
http://www.klr650.net/forums
Is a pretty darn good forum, they shoot straight and talk about the problems and help to solve them. They seem to be a lot like this place. Another good site for general info is:
http://www.klr650.marknet.us/
This is a private, personal site that has a lot of info and all the links. He is an active member of the KLR net forum, too.