ST1300 ownership 3 months later

[Hitcher]

After three months and 9,000km what do I think of the ST1300?

I reckon it takes about 8,000km on any bike to get in touch with its "vibe", and the ST has been no exception.

As a long distance tourer and pillion platform, it's hard to beat. Most of the published reviews do this bike justice. But there are some things that reviewers don't talk about:

The ST is a real handful in a decent crosswind. By "decent" I mean 60kmh and upwards. This wind loading affects the front of the bike predominantly -- it's not like there's an even pressure along the whole side.

The screen is noisy. There are some riding conditions when I get a lovely smooth ride behind the screen but these are the exception rather than the norm. My pillion also complains of noise and screen buffeting. I am thinking seriously of fitting the electric screen (if I can get one) and seeing if this helps. I may also get a local screen maker to build me one with a top lip (a bit like the ST1100s screen) and see if this helps.

The engine whines at low speed. Maybe louder pipes would help drown this out...

And the hardest thing to get used to after having always ridden carburettored bikes, is the fuel injection. I've got the hang of this now, but the throttle is extremely sensitive to the touch and is hard to hold a steady power through corners, rather than on/off/on/off.

Other niggles are minor -- like having to lock the panniers before you can remove the key. A real drag when you're packing and unpacking the bike. And having a front wheel size that's as rare as rockinghorse ****.

But apart from that, I love my Big Red Honda!

[Bones]

Regarding the hassle with locking your panniers, lots of ST riders have made knobs with keys embedded. They stay in the locks until you remove them. I got copies of my key made by the local locksmith, then cut them to length and glued the shafts inside black plastic caps (from bottles of stir fry oil) using epoxy. Made one for each pannier and another for the left fairing pocket. As made, they are too short to fit in the ignition so they can't be used to steal the bike. If I ever want better security, I just take them all out and lock them inside a pannier. If you don't want to make your own, a supplier was making them to order, although I didn't particularly like the choice of knobs. Anyone else know the link?

[nm6r]

Hitcher, I couldn't understand how you could be getting wind noise, buffetting, etc. Then it all became clear to me when you stated you are thinking of fitting the electric screen. Save yourself the hassle of experimenting with alternatives, fit the electric unit. I couldn't even imagine not having infinite adjustability. 1/4" makes a tremendous difference. You will be able to adjust it all the way down when it's hot, bring it up until you just begin to feel backpressure, etc. The retrofit kit costs somewhere around $500 US. A chunk of change but money very well spent according to US riders that have done it.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[CruisingDog]

So here's the reason for you having to remove the key from the pannier. It would be really easy to ride off with the pannier unlocked and possibly have it open in transit!!

Anyone who's had soft bags will probably recall at sometime not doing up the straps on the bags and having stuff fly out! This usually happens when you're doing a long journey and you're tired towards the end of a long day. You know .... gas up, pee, get some water, get on bike, ride, swear co'z all your ****'s flying on the road as you leave the gas station for the nearest Motel!!

I keep 1 key active for this reason!! Spare gets hidden or given to my buddy for safe keeping. As a matter of fact we usually swap our spare keys with each other.

[Hewhois]

You don't have to close the side bag to lock the mechanism and get the key out.

[basco]

Also, if I pack for a long trip, I take the bags off the bike, and then lock it up with it open. You can get more stuff inside.

[Dave Wicks]

:04biker:
I concur with many of the feelings you have had with the bike. It's twitchiness is much impacted by rear suspension set up. This is a very quick steering bike..check your tire pressures...I have purchased a Cee-Bailey 6in wider..stock height on electric adjuster set-up..also have CalSci deflectors..My wife got really whipped last fall by wind..I was fine. Came off Cruiser I got whipped..she got none. Once spring arrives going to test new set-up..see what the wind does..We get big winds on the Plains..My Vulcan cruiser was dead stable...lot's of weight, big rake on front end. St has rake like sport bike..short wheel-base compared to BMW and FJR..I have not done major trip with this bike..got it last fall have 2,800 km.s on it..Can't wait to get it in the mountains..New Zealand must have some great roads..Read article on John Britten what an amazing creative man..such a loss..

[Hitcher]

:04biker:
I concur with many of the feelings you have had with the bike. It's twitchiness is much impacted by rear suspension set up. This is a very quick steering bike..check your tire pressures...I have purchased a Cee-Bailey 6in wider..stock height on electric adjuster set-up..also have CalSci deflectors..My wife got really whipped last fall by wind..I was fine. Came off Cruiser I got whipped..she got none. Once spring arrives going to test new set-up..see what the wind does..We get big winds on the Plains..My Vulcan cruiser was dead stable...lot's of weight, big rake on front end. St has rake like sport bike..short wheel-base compared to BMW and FJR..I have not done major trip with this bike..got it last fall have 2,800 km.s on it..Can't wait to get it in the mountains..New Zealand must have some great roads..Read article on John Britten what an amazing creative man..such a loss..
Good feedback, thanks. I'm pretty diligent about checking tyre pressures -- 42psi front and rear, as Honda-san recommends.

In terms of reducing twitchiness by adjusting the rear suspension settings, would more or less help? I've currently got it set about midway which is OKish on most roads.

I've got a few write-ups of tours we've done on New Zealand roads (with some pix) which I'm happy to post if people are interested in reading them...

[Dave Wicks]

:04biker:
Cycle Canada tested the bike and found it way too twitchy. Then they set up the (rebound) more towards the hard not the spring pre-load then begin to load up the pre-load bit by bit. Seems to put more load on front end but does have a dramatic impact on wind..truck wake twitchiness. What tyres are you running? Do you have a tail-trunk? I wonder if the wind-buffetting is causing our arms to move enough to impact steering??Chase the set-up on the back, you will eliminate most if not all the twitch :)

[Hitcher]

:04biker:
Cycle Canada tested the bike and found it way too twitchy. Then they set up the (rebound) more towards the hard not the spring pre-load then begin to load up the pre-load bit by bit. Seems to put more load on front end but does have a dramatic impact on wind..truck wake twitchiness. What tyres are you running? Do you have a tail-trunk? I wonder if the wind-buffetting is causing our arms to move enough to impact steering??Chase the set-up on the back, you will eliminate most if not all the twitch :)
I will experiment. Big winds are a fact of life in these parts. Tyres are Bridgestone 020s. I would prefer to be running Metzeler Roadtec Z6s, but a rare-as-rockinghorse-**** front wheel on an ST significantly limits tyre choice, unless you order months in advance of replacement.