ST vs GL1800

[cenglebardt]

Recently totalled my '04 GL1800. Am thinking about getting an ST1300. How does the ST compare to the GL re handling and cornering clearance on twisty roads? Can the ST be riddern in a more sporting manner than the Wing? Thanks--Carl

[2005c6]

Carl, I own both a Goldwing and an ST1300. Yes, the ST is MUCH more of a sport bike. No comparison. The ST handles better and is quite a bit faster. It's still a heavy bike, and nobody coming off a crotch rocket will think the ST handles like a sport bike. But coming off a Goldwing it does feel like a sport bike.

If you have other specific questions I'd be glad to try to help.

[STnAV8R]

Carl, I own both a Goldwing and an ST1300. Yes, the ST is MUCH more of a sport bike. No comparison. The ST handles better and is quite a bit faster. It's still a heavy bike, and nobody coming off a crotch rocket will think the ST handles like a sport bike. But coming off a Goldwing it does feel like a sport bike.


I agree. I did a 2000 mile trip with a buddy who has an '05 wing, and we traded bikes a couple times on both freeway and curvy legs. Coming off the ST his Wing initially feels like a big heavy boat. Going back to my ST after a couple hours on the Wing, it felt very light, narrow, and quick. He had the same impression and, in fact, wanted his bike back after a couple hours of twisties on mine because he said he was "high" and was going to kill himself if he stayed on the ST. That bike just wants to go, he said. I was mostly following at a distance on the wing as I did not want to try to keep up with him.

[Ken]

Can the ST be riddern in a more sporting manner than the Wing? Thanks--Carl
I suppose that depends on you as a rider. I've seen some video clips of Yellow Wolf and Fuse on their Wings and they can ride the wheels off those things -- pipes dragging and all. I've also seen ST riders that are more conservative than some Wing riders. It's all in what you want, and how you want to get there.

[2005c6]

I suppose that depends on you as a rider. I've seen some video clips of Yellow Wolf and Fuse on their Wings and they can ride the wheels off those things -- pipes dragging and all. I've also seen ST riders that are more conservative than some Wing riders. It's all in what you want, and how you want to get there.

I'm on the Goldwing forum, and have also seen those videos. The question is, how much faster could those two ride a ST than their wings?

Sure, a great rider on a Goldwing can out drive an average rider on an ST. But either one of them will be faster on an ST than a Goldwing.

[Mellow]

Oh, I created a GL vs. ST forum a while back, I'll move this post there and you can also see the rest of the comments.

[Reiner]

I've got both a GL1800 (150.000 miles) and a new ST1300 (8100 miles).

The major reason for the ST was Honda's stance on the packaging of the new Wing for 2006 where you have to buy all other packages in order to have the privilege of buying ABS (GPS, Comfort, etc) - something that turned me away from the Wing for good.

Riding both bikes they are quite different in attitude. The Wing can be ridden very hard (which I do from time to time) without problems. At the same time the ST does that with more ease and has more cornering left. My wife now rides the GL and I let her lead the way while I follow on the ST. She's not driving slow either so a good way to compare the bikes.

My wife doesn't like the ST as much as the Wing since she feels more comfortable with the Wing. Moving between the bikes it's scary to jump from the Wing to the ST - it's feels like a crotch rocket at that point. Moving from the ST to the Wing it's like sitting on the sofa at home.

Overall I would say the Wing has the advantage for 2up riding while the ST wins in solo riding.

Reiner

[nm6r]

"Overall I would say the Wing has the advantage for 2up riding while the ST wins in solo riding."

I would have to disagree. We always ride 2-up. We had a GL1500 GoldWing. Besides the fact that we wanted something with some power and handling, it was too impersonal. The passenger is too removed from the rider. We test rode an ST1100 and GL1800 back to back. The ST1100 won hands down in power, handling and braking. We went from the ST1100 to an ST1300 and found an even more dramatic difference.

For just touring, solo or 2-up, the GoldWing is the best machine.

Overall, the ST rocks!

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

[Testosterone]

Obviously, you experiences are different than mine. The older ST1100 and the GL1800 are not even in the same class, so how can they be compared? They're both great bikes, but for different purposes and reasons. Even the ST1300 isn't a wholesale replacement for the GL1800.

You'll gain a fond appreciation for the GL after pulling a trailer in the mountains, and having all the comforts, amenities and technology it offers.

Even if you've ridden both bikes back-to-back it's hard to compare. The GL1800 can get up and scoot in a HURRY, and has a TON more torque and horsepower than my ST1100, but not the ST's maneuverability.

The ST is more fun for me when my wife doesn't want to ride. Although we have ridden the ST two-up several times, she obviously prefers the GL when she is a passenger. The comfort just isn't there on the ST, by comparison.

I'm not getting rid of either, as they each have their own niche for me.

[SteveST1300]

So what we are saying here is if your wife hasn't been on a Wing yet don't let her unless you want to own one?:03biker:

[Mellow]

So what we are saying here is if your wife hasn't been on a Wing yet don't let her unless you want to own one?:03biker:

That's very good advise..

[SpEd]

I've had two Wings, the 1500 and the 1800. Comparing the Wing to the ST is difficult because while they are both motorcycles, they are designed for hugely different purposes.

If you want to tour, pick up an 1800 or a 1500 as both are stellar rides.

If your primary focus is sport touring, then I don't think you will go wrong with an ST.

If you want to see some dirt, pick up a V-Strom or one of the Beemer rides.

I wouldn't compare any of the above scoots to each other.:biker:

[texxter]

I've had two Wings, the 1500 and the 1800. Comparing the Wing to the ST is difficult because while they are both motorcycles, they are designed for hugely different purposes.

If you want to tour, pick up an 1800 or a 1500 as both are stellar rides.

If your primary focus is sport touring, then I don't think you will go wrong with an ST.

If you want to see some dirt, pick up a V-Strom or one of the Beemer rides.

I wouldn't compare any of the above scoots to each other.:biker:

That's a good point. On the other hand, most of us don't buy a bike for a single purpose, but for a multiplicity of uses, with one perhaps being dominant. I value a motorcycle that does its intended function well, while allowing secondary uses without much pain. I don't think it would too practical to commute on a GL-1800, but I commute on the ST every day and it does a terrific job. So while the GL-1800 is optimized for long distance touring, the ST does that quite competently and allows more for a fun commute or short Sunday ride. Nothing against the Goldwing, but I really like the versatility of the ST - it's more of a general purpose bike.

For what it's worth.

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

i've gone down the same road, no pun intended. After my '02 GL1800 got totaled, I went with the ST. I rode one up 99% of the time anyway, and I was looking to shed some of the weight the Wing had. I loved the Wing, it's just that I bought it for two up riding. Using it for a daily commuter and tossing it around in the twisties took a bit of work.

I went with an '05 ST and never looked back. It's a very different feeling bike, but it's still very stable, quick, nimble, etc. I took it on a 3000 mile tour this past summer and was very pleased with everything but the stock seat (since replaced with a Sargent).

Some of my threads on the subject:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4439
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4907
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5246
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5265

[Diggers1300]

You'll gain a fond appreciation for the GL after pulling a trailer in the mountains, and having all the comforts, amenities and technology it offers.


While I can appreciate the GL (and will probably own one someday), I've pulled a trailer in the mountains, had all the creature comforts and amenities that we (mainly the SO) wanted, all from the seat of my ST (see avatar)!!

As far as the technology goes, the ones that I'm intereSTed in can be added to the ST with the added benefit (read "fun") of inSTalling them myself.

Now that having been said...

I do have a fond appreciation of the GL. My dealer has been trying to sell me one for years. He even made me take several teST rides ( yep, twiSTed my arm :D ). He says when I'm ready to slow down come talk to him. By that time I'll probably need a trike. (Yes, made me teST one of those too :rolleyes: )

Too each his own. I can see a GL in my future. but right now it's ST all the way!

[SpEd]

but I commute on the ST every day and it does a terrific job. So while the GL-1800 is optimized for long distance touring, the ST does that quite competently and allows more for a fun commute or short Sunday ride. Nothing against the Goldwing, but I really like the versatility of the ST - it's more of a general purpose bike.

For what it's worth.

Another good point by you too Paco. But it's funny how my "experience" or maybe "perception" is different. I enjoyed my commute on my Wings too. It was an excellent commuter bike. The radio was great and I loved riding it everywhere. That's the reason I added a Starcom Advance at Christmas time. I grocery shopped on the Wing, hauled a trailer behind it, and rode it to every place I'd take the ST, or any bike for that matter. I think its something we all share here.

Face it dude, we're bike whores. It appears to be a common affliction around here. LMAO!!

[Fireball18]

The Gold Wing was intended to be a 2-up, luxury touring motorcycle. My problem is that I've got a bit of the sporty side to me, and I tend to throw my 1800 around quite a bit. Handles great.

I've been riding the big touring rigs for nearly 20 years, and I'm so used to them that they no longer seem to big to commute with (I do) or ride in town. So it's all in what you get used to. Couple years ago, I decided to downsize when when my wife announced that she no longer wished to ride on the back because it was too much fun to rider her own bike. I got rid of the Wing and bought an ST and was very happy with it. My wife ended up with an ST the next year and loved it. Outside of a bit of extra heat, I could find no evil in the ST1300. We both ended up selling the ST's due to physical problems--me with arthritis in my hands and her with rheumatoid arthritis that made it difficult for her to ride--painful, in fact.

I now have another Wing and she has a Suzuki Burgman 650--a wonderful, very fun motorcycle, BTW. I love riding it.

My analysis in comparing the two is that the Wing is a touring bike that is sporty and carries 2 comfortably, as well as tows a camping trailer effortlessly. The ST1300 is a sporty bike that is touring-competent--a mileage eater supreme in my experience. Not much for pulling a trailer (a heavy one, that is, because of the frame design) but is reasonably comfortable riding 2-up.

Have fun making your decision.

[Dave Austin]

I own a 2005 GL1800a (silver met) and a 2003 ST1300a (Grey or silver met). My wife primarily rides the ST and I the Wing. Now and then I do ride the ST and I really like it. Its quick and handles very nicely. However, I am pretty spoiled by the Wing. On a long trip my preference is the Wing. Of course my wife will be on the ST so I guess we are lucky enough to have the best of both worlds. I find that I sit up on the ST and I sit in the Wing if that makes any sense. My wife has not learned to ride the Wing yet. That will happen sooner than later. This way we can just change out bikes on a trip if we decide. I do enjoy taking the ST for a nice long ride.

Both are excellent Honda products. I have to say the ST will out run the Wing. The great thing is they both take the same oil filter! Makes life easier. JMHO.

Ride like your life depends on it-

Dave