Hello

[Rupert]

Hi Everybody,
I'm an admirer of the ST1300, but feel obliged to say at the outset that I have a BMW at present, a K1200Rs, 2004. Nothing wrong with it yet, just fancy a change. I like Hondas, and have had VFRs for 7 years. I am thinking of going back to a Honda again, and hope to learn about the attributes of the ST1300 here, mainly by searching - so I probably won't post that much.

[Pred8tor]

Hi Everybody,
I'm an admirer of the ST1300, but feel obliged to say at the outset that I have a BMW at present, a K1200Rs, 2004.

Welcome - we won't hold THAT against you, Rupert!

I like Hondas, and have had VFRs for 7 years. I am thinking of going back to a Honda again, and hope to learn about the attributes of the ST1300 here, mainly by searching - so I probably won't post that much.

This is the place to learn about the ST alright! You'll find lots of info, but if you get stumped just ask - sometimes the search function can drive me nuts.

(or am I ALREADY nuts??? :nuts1: )

[Medicine Bear]

This is the place to learn about the ST alright! You'll find lots of info, but if you get stumped just ask - sometimes the search function can drive me nuts.

(or am I ALREADY nuts??? :nuts1: )

+1 on the search function.
Welcome, Rupert, and feel free to ask anytime. :)

Fred :03biker:

[Ken]

Welcome to the forum, Rupert!

[Tarheel_Rider]

Welcome. I feel welcome on the site as a BMW owner who wants to learn and know more about the ST, and although you won't post much on the ST, there will be plenty of opportunities to chime in based on your riding experience that can help all of us out. People here don't mind you asking questions, if there has been a recent post or a really good all points considered post in the past, someone will usually give you a link to it, but I've rarely (not sure if ever) have seen the common "use the search before you ask, dummy" statement you get on other boards. To me, the fun is seeing new members and owners come on board and learn, and amazingly enough each time a previously covered topic is raised, usually something has changed and new information is shared.

[Redeye]

Hi Rupert, glad to see another Brit on here. There's only a few of us but eventually we'll outnumber them and get the name corrected :D

It can get quite depressing at times, they keep going on about sunshine, and complaining about the heat :(

[racer1735]

Hi Rupert, glad to see another Brit on here. There's only a few of us but eventually we'll outnumber them and get the name corrected :D


The last time you Brits outnumbered us was in the last 1700's...then we threw some tea in the water, started drinking coffee, and the rest (as they say) is history.....

[Medicine Bear]

Hi Rupert, glad to see another Brit on here. There's only a few of us but eventually we'll outnumber them and get the name corrected :D

It can get quite depressing at times, they keep going on about sunshine, and complaining about the heat :(

Have you thought this out, Redeye? If you rename the forum it will be called:

(drumroll please)

Pan European ST
Alternatively, we could get some Italians involved and call it:

Pan European ST Owners

Fred :03biker:

[Rupert]

Thank you all for your courteous welcomes. I will try to contribute where I can, and promise not to mention bmw unless properly relevant to discussion.

[Putt]

Rupert,

Welcome!
It doesn't matter WHAT you ride, just as long as you RIDE!!

Putt..



Thank you all for your courteous welcomes. I will try to contribute where I can, and promise not to mention bmw unless properly relevant to discussion.

[tricky_micky]

Rupert

As Redeye posted, welcome to the forum and nice to see another Brit St owner on board.

I dont think we will catch up with our good friends over the pond, but at least the 'Brit Festation' is growing LOL :D

Maybe soon, we can organise an RTE somewhere !

All the best.

Mick

[Towjam]

Hi Everybody,
I'm an admirer of the ST1300, but feel obliged to say at the outset that I have a BMW at present, a K1200Rs, 2004. Nothing wrong with it yet, just fancy a change. I like Hondas, and have had VFRs for 7 years. I am thinking of going back to a Honda again, and hope to learn about the attributes of the ST1300 here, mainly by searching - so I probably won't post that much.Rupert,

Greetings from another (former) '04 KRS owner! I owned my '04 Zebra for about 6 months. It's a great bike but as you probably know from owning VFRs, Honda's V4 is the smoothest, silkiest accelerating 4-cylinder on the market and unlike the KRS, doesn't smoke like a mosquito fogger at startup. :)

Just my personal opinion, but here's my comparison of the KRS and ST (based on my recollection of the KRS):

1. Handling: Both the ST and the KRS are relatively heavy bikes. The ST is heavier than the KRS but actually has a lower center of gravity - I attribute this somewhat to the underseat gas tank and the fact that the V4 is better balanced in the frame - no laying flat like the KRS' brick. The ST definitely turns-in better. I distinctly remember the KRS feeling like it was fighting me in the twisties. In fact, this was one of my primary reasons for getting off of it. As far as straight line acceleration, they're pretty close - the ST being a little smoother by nature of the V4 counter-balanced engine. Up until owning the ST, the KRS was the smoothest shifting bike I'd ever owned - but I never did get use to the rattle of the dry clutch. The ST on the other hand, is actually a smoother, quieter shifting tranny and the wet clutch is quiet. Note though that compared to the KRS, the ST's clutch is quiet a bit heavier and believe it or not, there's the lever is not adjustable. (Not sure why Honda skimped on this when they do include an adjustable lever on the VFR. GO figure.)

2. Ergos - The ST has more relaxed ergos with only a slight bit of forward lean. More comfortable for distance than either the KRS or VFR. I won't comment on the peg placement because that's going to be dependent on your height (I'm 5'6" so mid-mount pegs fit me fine.)

3. Weather/wind protection - The KRS (and the R1200RT I owned) offered great rain protection for my legs. I haven't had a chance to ride the ST yet in rain so I can't compare. However, the ST has the "mother of all windshields" and offers far better wind protection than the KRS or the VFR. The ST also has a larger fairing, two glove boxes in the fairing and the sidebags are larger than what's available for the KRS due to the ST having a lower exhaust can. I do miss the KRS' heated grips and accessory socket.

4. Fit/finish - toss up. Both BMW and Honda are known for their attention to detail. Since you've owned both a KRS and VFR, I'm probably preaching to the choir.

5. Reliability - My ST is new so I've not yet run into any reliability issues (knock on wood). I had no problems with the KRS (except for the characteristic smoky startup).

6. Dealers - I don't know about the UK, but in the US, BMW has a minuscule amount of dealers compared to Honda. And, there have been a number of US BMW dealers ceasing operation during '05 - in part due to BMW's tightening of dealer requirements for '06. The result is little or no price competition for sales and few choices for service.

If you have any specific questions about comparing the KRS and ST, shoot me a PM and I'll get back to you.

Welcome to the board!

[BC Rider]

Hi Rupert:

You should read this http://www.bamarider.com/The%20Motorcycle/rt_or_st.htm if you have not seen it yet. This fellow has both the ST1300 and your current ride.

[Towjam]

Hi Rupert:

You should read this http://www.bamarider.com/The%20Motorcycle/rt_or_st.htm if you have not seen it yet. This fellow has both the ST1300 and your current ride.Not exactly. This fellow has a 1200RT (boxer engine). Rupert has the K1200RS which has BMW's previous generation inline-4 engine (referred to as the "flying brick").

[BC Rider]

oops - Thanks for the correction.

[Rupert]

Hi Towjam, Thanks for the comparison. You seem to have covered just about everything. I had a test ride on an ST 1300 about 2 years ago, (and liked it) and I will be going for another test when the weather gets a bit warmer here. The reason I bought the KRS instead of the ST1300 then, was that there was a fair bit of adverse publicty at the time about high speed weaving. I have posted about this separately - seems it is largely resolved now.
Thanks again,
Rupert

[RON S]

WELCOME RUPERT !

[Towjam]

Hi Towjam, Thanks for the comparison. You seem to have covered just about everything. I had a test ride on an ST 1300 about 2 years ago, (and liked it) and I will be going for another test when the weather gets a bit warmer here. The reason I bought the KRS instead of the ST1300 then, was that there was a fair bit of adverse publicty at the time about high speed weaving. I have posted about this separately - seems it is largely resolved now.
Thanks again,
RupertI haven't had a chance yet to test the high speed capabilities of the ST first hand - but I'm looking forward to the chance to do so. :D

I will say that at full throttle (~140 mph), the KRS felt totally planted - no weaving or head shake of any kind.