View Full Version : Bought the wrong bike
lieu910
09-07-2005, 04:50 PM
I bought a VTX 1800F in April, and it's a great bike, but just not working out as being my only bike.
Highway speeds are exhausting and anything above 75 mph is like going 10 rounds with a heavyweight.
The extreme weight of this bike is an issue with me at low speeds, and I find the slouching seating position to be very fatiguing on my lower back. Long trips? forget about it. This is a bike to be seen on or take small day trips on.
Anyway, shoulda, woulda, coulda,. I had really been considering the ST1300, and chose the VTX instead. As much as I hate to admit it I chose form over function.
I remember some people telling me the ST1300 was too big for commuting. Hech, it's 100lbs less than my VTX!
Anyway, I may come full circle and get an '05 ST1300.
Horst
09-07-2005, 04:55 PM
At the local dealer, there are *five* used VTX's for sale, and have been for some time ! :rolleyes:
In contrast, a used Wing sold in a week, and an FJR and ST13 didn't last a week ... CBR's also move quickly ... just goes to show ya, after the (initial) thrill is gone ... well there ain't much left.
I think there's a blues tune in there somewhere ... :(
Burger
09-07-2005, 05:04 PM
I bought a VTX 1800F in April, and it's a great bike, but just not working out as being my only bike.
Highway speeds are exhausting and anything above 75 mph is like going 10 rounds with a heavyweight.
The extreme weight of this bike is an issue with me at low speeds, and I find the slouching seating position to be very fatiguing on my lower back. Long trips? forget about it. This is a bike to be seen on or take small day trips on.
Made the same mistake. Bought a Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad because it looked great. Like you say, a bike to be seen on but definitely not for serious riding. Now have an ST since last weekend, and I'm smiling again. Expensive mistake, but at least I've ended up on the right bike :)
Regards,
lieu910
09-07-2005, 05:06 PM
At the local dealer, there are *five* used VTX's for sale, and have been for some time ! :rolleyes:
In contrast, a used Wing sold in a week, and an FJR and ST13 didn't last a week ... CBR's also move quickly ... just goes to show ya, after the (initial) thrill is gone ... well there ain't much left.
I think there's a blues tune in there somewhere ... :(
I notice that also. It's evidence of the $3,000 bath I'll take to trade it in.
Mellow
09-07-2005, 05:12 PM
I think the ST is an excellent commuter bike... heck, I'm commutting on the Wing now with gas prices what they are...
lieu910
09-07-2005, 05:27 PM
Saturday, I just sold a 2002 1800 with a custom paint job and 12,xxx miles for $7600. Be prepared... it won't be pretty.
The deal I agreed to is my VTX and $3,000 for a non abs ST. It's the best deal I could get locally and seems pretty good considering book on the VTX is about $9,000. The ST lists for $13,999, so it's like giving me a trade in allowance of $10,999 for my X. I know it's a shell game, but that is a discount of over a grand depending on which book he is using.
Seem decent?
Rider
09-07-2005, 05:30 PM
Cruisers look really cool ... until you have to ride one on a trip of any distance.
crazykz
09-07-2005, 05:39 PM
I remember some people telling me the ST1300 was too big for commuting. Hech, it's 100lbs less than my VTX!
Use mine for commuting everyday it doesn't rain which means all but about 10 days this summer.
Curt
sherob
09-07-2005, 06:04 PM
I think the ST is an excellent commuter bike... heck, I'm commutting on the Wing now with gas prices what they are...
I commute everyday on mine... :D I get to work in a great mood... get home in a great mood... all's good! :D :bow1: :biker:
I remember some people telling me the ST1300 was too big for commuting. Hech, it's 100lbs less than my VTX!
Anyway, I may come full circle and get an '05 ST1300.
I haven't had my truck started since I bought the ST. Seriously,,,,not started. I've got 23 miles each way to work. Man the morning rides taking off about 7:30 are nice. (63-68 degr). So I don't know who told you it's to big for commuting. it's just right :D
Kempo-STer
09-07-2005, 07:33 PM
I commute everyday on mine... :D I get to work in a great mood... get home in a great mood... all's good! :D :bow1: :biker:
Same here man...Plus I get the Darth Vader looks with my gear on.. :headbang:
LandRover
09-07-2005, 07:46 PM
I live in Orlando ... I don't OWN a car. Wife does, but I don't drive it. Last 4-wheeler I owned was a p/u, and that was six years ago! ;)
Granted, I'm in a place I can do this, but I grew up in MA, and rode dirtbikes year-round. I like my bikes ..... the ST is a supreme commuter. It can go slowly enough to handle traffic, then crank it up when you clear the city. Wouldn't have it any other way ..... :D
nurseBob
09-07-2005, 07:55 PM
I think the ST is an excellent commuter bike... heck, I'm commutting on the Wing now with gas prices what they are...
I commute 110 miles per day on my ST. I find it's great both on the hiway and in the city.
Why not TRY selling it privately before taking it on the chin??? Then get the dealer that you're buying the ST from to do a courtsey trade.
basco
09-07-2005, 08:18 PM
I bought a VTX 1800F in April, and it's a great bike, but just not working out as being my only bike.
Highway speeds are exhausting and anything above 75 mph is like going 10 rounds with a heavyweight.
The extreme weight of this bike is an issue with me at low speeds, and I find the slouching seating position to be very fatiguing on my lower back. Long trips? forget about it. This is a bike to be seen on or take small day trips on.
Anyway, shoulda, woulda, coulda,. I had really been considering the ST1300, and chose the VTX instead. As much as I hate to admit it I chose form over function.
I remember some people telling me the ST1300 was too big for commuting. Hech, it's 100lbs less than my VTX!
Anyway, I may come full circle and get an '05 ST1300.
don't believe what people tell you. You can commute practiilay on any bike especially on the ST1300. I do and have 18k miles this year to prove it.
lieu910
09-07-2005, 09:16 PM
Why not TRY selling it privately before taking it on the chin??? Then get the dealer that you're buying the ST from to do a courtsey trade.
Can you explain what a courtesey trade is?
joeseedoo
09-10-2005, 05:28 PM
I live near Orlando. Cummute rain or shine on my FJR.
Great bike for cummuting but not a great long distance runner says the butt.
kingprawnokay
09-10-2005, 05:35 PM
Another vote for the ST as a communter. I commute every day on the ST. Very comfortable. I also favored commuting on it when I lived in Seattle. Great weather protection, warm in the winter, plenty of space, good low end grunt, stable in traffic...Although, I'm one of the guys on this site that has yet to find anything wrong with the ST. Something must be wrong with me.
CruisingDog
09-10-2005, 06:32 PM
Made the same mistake. Bought a Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad because it looked great. Like you say, a bike to be seen on but definitely not for serious riding. Now have an ST since last weekend, and I'm smiling again. Expensive mistake, but at least I've ended up on the right bike :)
Regards,
I had a Vulcan 1500 before mt ST. Vulcan was great for the desert rides but not a great commuting bike. I *REALLY* appreciate the ST now though. Function function function (and form!).
basco
09-10-2005, 07:51 PM
Another vote for a great commuter. I am using the same gas in my truck back in early april.
gstanfield
09-10-2005, 08:00 PM
Silly me, I actually use my VTX1300C for my "commuting" which is only around 10 miles each way so it's not a major thing. When the weather is really cold the ST gets ridden but as loing as it is above 35 it's the VTX. THe only time I really ride the ST is when I am going to be going more than 100miles before coming home, and even at that it is a toss up at times. I enjoy both bikes, but they are a lot diffrent and for me the VTX is more fun and has more appeal for around town and local riding, going to rallies and bike runs and such. When the open road presents itself and I am going on a long journey the ST wins every time. Lucky for us they make about a zillion diffrent bikes so that there is a bike out there for just about everyone, including all of my personalities :D
George
A courtsey trade is when you have a private buyer for a vehicle , say at $10K (stealer, I mean dealer is of course offering you $7K ) you trade in your vehicle against the new one for $10K and your buyer buys it immediately from the dealer for that amount, there by saving you the sales tax on the 10K. In most states sales tax is on the difference. So you get the tax savings of a trade in and get retail for the vehicle your selling, best of both worlds.
yoitsmatt!
09-11-2005, 06:29 AM
ive had so many bikes both comfortable and uncomfortable, but the st is by far the best bike ive owned! its been 55 hear in the morning and i still ride to work in a tshirt and shorts! my son loves it when i pick him up from football practice on it! my daughter is complaining that she needs a rack for her flags after colorguard practice!
i said you brother held that stupid french horn all the way home quit whining!
Kempo-STer
09-11-2005, 07:34 AM
ive had so many bikes both comfortable and uncomfortable, but the st is by far the best bike ive owned! its been 55 hear in the morning and i still ride to work in a tshirt and shorts! my son loves it when i pick him up from football practice on it! my daughter is complaining that she needs a rack for her flags after colorguard practice!
i said you brother held that stupid french horn all the way home quit whining!
Hey MAtt,
Your gonna get nailed for the t-shirt and shorts comment. I can feel it comin :eek: :scared2:
Fireball18
09-11-2005, 09:06 AM
When I had my ST1300 I commuted to work as often as possible. Wintertime presented some insurmountable challenges. Anyway, I found the ST to be a superb commuter--comfortable, tractable, quiet and smooth, as well as easy on gas. The larger gas tank on the ST, however, was a mixed bag for me. Mostly it meant that I only had to gas up every other time the others did (we normally ride with a group of folks on other bikes) so it was no big deal to us as we never do the "tank to tank" thing anyway.
I now commute to work on my Gold Wing. I find the Wing to be just fine for riding in any environment, even in town. Many say it's just too big and heavy for intown riding, but I guess since I've been riding full sized touring bikes for nearly 20 years, it's not big deal to me. It's what I've been used to. In fact, when I sold my ST and got the Wing, my initial impression was "Man, this is one big motorcycle." But about 5 minutes later that all went away and everything was back to normal.
I've gotta say, the ST is probably the best all-around motorcycle made. It's got everything going for it, and the negative aspects are all easily dealt with aftermarket. It's got form and function, all in one package, and that's something. Cruisers (and I like cruisers) are great and, for the most part, are goodlooking bikes, but most seem to be lacking for the LD part of riding, and I'm not an in-town type of guy. I endure it for the sole purpose of getting out of town. The ST really does everything well. The reasons for going back to a Wing have nothing to do with the ST itself.
Hoping to get to Colorado for WeSTOC next year. I'll be the one on the yellow 1800 Wing.
MikeP1300
03-08-2006, 04:49 PM
Quick, before they realize what happened.
A buddy did the same thing. Lost his butt on a vtx18, felt much better after getting the '05 ST.
Most of the folks that jumped on the vtx18 when they first came out got ripped off pretty bad by mother honda when they started selling new bikes for a lot less. When I bought my '04 ST the dealer was selling the all the vtx1300 he had for $1000 less than cost. What does that tell you?
The deal I agreed to is my VTX and $3,000 for a non abs ST. It's the best deal I could get locally and seems pretty good considering book on the VTX is about $9,000. The ST lists for $13,999, so it's like giving me a trade in allowance of $10,999 for my X. I know it's a shell game, but that is a discount of over a grand depending on which book he is using.
Seem decent?
Scarman
03-08-2006, 05:16 PM
Just sold my 03 Roadstar Warrior and moved on to an ST. My Warrior was a great bike. Fun to mod and as quick as can be. It was a real attention getter and not too bad to ride any distance with a Corbin seat. Still muscle cruiser meant gas guzzler. Planning my trips so I could find fuel every 100 miles was getting on my nerves. The Warrior is a great bike, but not really ideal for the riding I like to do.
It's nice to be back on a sport touring bike. I'm looking forward to some long rides up into Yosemite and the Kings / Sequoia area this year. I won't have to plan my rides around gas stops and I won't have to worry about shaking all the pine needles out of the trees from the sound of my exhaust.
I think Chris and I have been using the bikes more than we thought...
Chris went out to use the F150 yesterday evening... dead battery. :-)
Mark
2005RedRider
03-10-2006, 09:52 PM
Leiu910,
You might want to take a look at this discounter's website before you make your ST purchase:
http://www.southernhonda.com/new_vehicle_list.asp?sid=_SID_&Manufacturer=1&Category=1&CatDesc=Motorcycles
Dale
Nothing runs like a STeer!!!
:mcrider:
Elmo
jdpfms
03-11-2006, 04:01 PM
ive had so many bikes both comfortable and uncomfortable, but the st is by far the best bike ive owned! its been 55 hear in the morning and i still ride to work in a tshirt and shorts! my son loves it when i pick him up from football practice on it! my daughter is complaining that she needs a rack for her flags after colorguard practice!
i said you brother held that stupid french horn all the way home quit whining!
Tee shirt and shorts, huh. I bet you never left skin on pavement before. ATGATT is my recommendation, but it is your skin and your life. I've left skin on pavement before and hope to never do it again. But if I do go down, it is gonna be cordura or something else that stays on the pavement and not the skin. Gear is easier to put on your body than new skin is!!! No flame, since it is totally your choice, just advice which is easily tossed aside at will.
JDP
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