Newbie shopping for ST1100 -- ABS?

[Eric-Jensen]

Turned 50, got a VA motorcycle learner's permit 30 years after selling my old Suzuki 550, and have the bug, bad. Cliche, I know, but what can you do? Some questions that are kinda tech, I guess. Here's the deal:

Contestant #1: '92 ST1100, non ABS. 65K, owned by a good friend, beautifully maintained, about $3500.

Contestant #2: '93 ST1100, ABS. ~25K, unknown owner (web listing), maybe $4000

Contestant #3: maybe a newer ST1100, maybe one of those ugly duckling BMW R1200GS. Either would have ABS, either would cost more. Big appeal of GS is that it's a tall guy bike.

Given my budget, #1 or #2 are likely winners in this race. I want ABS. I have the idea that Honda changed the ABS sometime in the ST1100 run, but can't find anything about that in FAQs, etc. I'd really like to hear about running changes (other than the alternator--that's one that comes through loud and clear!), particularly good/bad years, etc. I especially want to know if there are significant differences in the ABS design over time.

Thanks, and sorry for the newbie questions. EJ

[STeve1300]

I was thinking along those budget lines early on in my quest to return to 'cycling, then convinced myself that "this will be my last bike so buy a new one and make the damn payments". Thankfully those voices in my head won out.

Here is a message direct to your conscience from those same little voices....

"Hey EJ, you don't want someone else's problem bike, and certainly don't want your friend's cuz he needs it to go riding with you....buy a new one.... now is bargain time, check this thread http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5671&highlight=door ,1300s are lighter than 1100s, safety and comfort improvements have been made, you will ROCK, women will be lining up to get rides on it...."

OK, those voices do tend to get a little out of hand, but hey, you are 50, and I would bet at least one of those thoughts have crossed your mind...."go for it"

[Mark]

EJ,
Careful!
You're cruising into alternator problems by buying any ST1100 built before '96, the joke is; Tick, Tick, Tick, because it isn't an "if" question... just when... then you're looking at the $.6-1k area an repair time.
If someone replaced the stock oil cooled alternator with one off a '96 through '02 then you'll (okay, no absolutes here but you'll *probably*) will never have an alternator problem...

Mark

[Blrfl]

Contestant #1: '92 ST1100, non ABS. 65K, owned by a good friend, beautifully maintained, about $3500.

Contestant #2: '93 ST1100, ABS. ~25K, unknown owner (web listing), maybe $4000


Nothing wrong with noob questions -- you have to start somewhere...

If ABS is a must, I'd see if I could talk the owner of Contestant #1 into giving Contestant #2 a once-over if you have access to it (i.e., it's not in Kansas). The owner of #2 might be a lot more inclined toward a good test ride if the rider shows up on the same bike. A 25K ST is a low-mileage bike for sure, but over 12 years it would only reach an oil change interval every other year (~2,100 miles/year). That would lead me to question whether or not the oil was changed at least annually, how much time (and when) the bike sat idle and how it was stored and maintained during those times. I'm a great believer in the idea that things with motors need to be run to stay healthy.

If you can live without ABS, Contestant #1 would probably do you just fine. If the owner is a good friend then (a) he's probably not out to dump a problem bike on you and (b) he may be willing to help you out with it when you have questions or problems.

Neither year will have the improved ABS II package, which (if memory serves) was introduced in '95 or '96.

--Mark

(Edited to clarify the last sentence.)

[Horst]

If you can swing it, go for a '96-'02 ABS model ... in addition to ABS, you get stiffer forks, radial tires, and the big 40A alternator. The first models were '90-'95, the updated ones are from '96-'02. Your pick, all are great. :biker:

PS: Wineberry looks by far the best :D

[wjbertrand]

Nothing wrong with noob questions -- you have to start somewhere...

If ABS is a must, I'd see if I could talk the owner of Contestant #1 into giving Contestant #2 a once-over if you have access to it (i.e., it's not in Kansas). The owner of #2 might be a lot more inclined toward a good test ride if the rider shows up on the same bike. A 25K ST is a low-mileage bike for sure, but over 12 years it would only reach an oil change interval every other year (~2,100 miles/year). That would lead me to question whether or not the oil was changed at least annually, how much time (and when) the bike sat idle and how it was stored and maintained during those times. I'm a great believer in the idea that things with motors need to be run to stay healthy.

If you can live without ABS, Contestant #1 would probably do you just fine. If the owner is a good friend then (a) he's probably not out to dump a problem bike on you and (b) he may be willing to help you out with it when you have questions or problems.

Neither year will have the ABS II, which (if memory serves) was introduced in '95 or '96.

--Mark

Nope. ABS was introduced with the 1992 model (I had a '93 ABS model). The F/R braking was still of a non-linked design until '96 when the ABS II version was released however.