anyone thinking on moving on from st1300

[Kevd1967]

well mines 2004 model 6400 miles on it and there aint nothing out there for me and the wife , ive had bmw r1150rt and gs plus the r1200rt the newer models are a pain from bmw with having to take it to bmw to get the lights of the dash saying service me lol , it was one of the reasons for going back to honda easy life

 

[Blrfl]

. I will not elaborate any more on this subject for risk of offending some folks on this forum.

If that was directed at me, this is the thread to do it.

--Mark

 

[Gerhard]

I had a ST1100 for 12 or maybe 13 seasons and only did tires and brakes during that time. The last year of ownership the highbeam switch became unreliable in that it turned off the headlight completely when selecting the highbeam and there must have been a bad relay or something because the last spring the starter did not want to turn over. I remove the right side tupperware hit the starter and it turned over. Reassembled and the next ride same issue, this time I only hit the right side of the bike with my fist and that caused the starter to work. I kept the bike for another month or so and it never had any of those issues again. I think a few hundred dollars of maintenance would have cured everything on the ST but I was just ready to buy a new bike. Cherie finds the RT more comfortable than the ST so that counts for something as well.

Bought an 2012 RT and rode it for four trouble free seasons putting more than 70,000 km on. Went to Newfoundland, twice to the west coast and through Ontario, some of the northern states and Quebec, hoping for more trouble free kilometres.

Gerhard

 

[pastafasool]

I've loved Honda V-4's since '83 when I test rode a V45 Sabre and bought it. After 50+k miles, later I got an '85 V65 Sabre. Now a '10 ST with 54k miles. Great bike, just a little lacking in horsepower. I am very discouraged that Honda has not upgraded this bike but has spent lots of money on new variations of Wings and the CTX, DN-01 and others that I once read that Honda sometimes builds bikes for customers they wish they had.

I had an '08 FJR but the buzz at 75-80 mph lead me to the ST. The 6th gear may eliminate that, and so I am very interested. Until word of the 2016 FJR came out there was nothing else I liked better than my ST.

I just wish Honda had updated the ST with a variation of the newer VFR 1200 motor, or something. Anything. Maybe they will, but I can't wait forever.

 

[dduelin]

I supplement the new bike itch with a new lighter weight second bike every few years but the ST1300 still does everything I want a big sport touring bike to do. Ergonomically it fits me perfectly and I can easily maintain it. I can ride it a couple hours on Saturday morning or two days to California as easily and comfortably.

Honestly I'm afraid of spending a lot of money for something else and not like it as well so I'm sticking with it for a while yet. I recently bought a spare ST1300 with 67,000 miles but at 158,000 miles I can't seem to wear the first one out.

 

[ST-DocLizard1]

2004 with 52K.........................this is my last Sport Touring Bike at age 70.

Got an '03 and '06 919 as lighter mounts when the need arises.

 

[Gizmo]

I've owned my '07 since it was new and I have 149,000 kms on it. No plans to change, except for some needed maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape.

 

[Allen K]

Well I've moved on to a 2015 K1600gt which I dearly love. I still grin every time I push the button on that thing. I think it might have been Bones who very accurately described it as "mechanical Viagra". But having said that, I'm also coming back. A local dealer here has a brand new 4 year old one on the floor that's calling out to me. Even though the ST has not been updated, I still think it's the best looking of all the sport touring bikes. Plus all the things others have already mentioned in this thread makes me really miss the ST 1300.

 

[SanDiegoDan]

I love my St1300 overall... especially the power and smoothness and comfort and the smokin' deal I got on it. I've added a few things myself and the previous owner sure farkled it up real nice for me (and I'm assuming he maintained it well, too).

Here are the things that I don't like that might make me switch bikes:

1. the weight... I feel it more and more now. when I first got it I was amazed at how the weight seemed to disappear once underway, but now I notice how heavy the bike is quite frequently when riding. of course it has always been a beast to move around in the garage and driveway.

2. the windscreen is just so ugly. I love the functionality of the adjustable screen but I can't stand the looks. I may trim the plexi waaay down but for now I try to approach her from the back because the view from the front brings me down. the adv bikes get away with windscreen ugliness because of their whole 'function over form' theme, but the rest of the ST1300 is so darn sleek and pretty that the big screen sitting an inch out from the body doesn't fit in. Anybody ride with no windscreen at all? Or a screen that is trimmed way down? I just found this thanks to an earlier thread... the tinted shorty may be what I am looking for http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/ST1300prod.html

3. the weight

 

[T_C]

Anybody ride with no windscreen at all? Or a screen that is trimmed way down?

Yep.. just be prepared for a whole lot more press to the chest.

Did a little write-up here.

 

[GBChief]

I love my 07 ST. No mechanical problems, just routine maintenance after 53,000 miles (I bought it with 10,700 on it). I wish the same could be said about my body.

I traded in a 2013 Burgman 400 for a 2015 650 Burgman several weeks ago and, considering the space in my limited garage and the cost of insurance, I think, with much regret, I’ll be getting rid of the ST.

To boil it down: it’s the weight. I call it the “pushability” factor. I’ve got to be able to manhandle it in and out of my garage. The ST is a living demonstration of Newton’s First Law; an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalance force. At age 67 and not of great stature, my personal “unbalance force” is getting taxed to the max. I considered a sidecar but my driveway/garage won’t allow it.

I’ve ridden the ST to a couple of NatSTocs from Murfreesboro and also to Daytona and Key West a few times. It’s a wonderful and reliable machine. If I had Jay Leno’s garage and bank account, I’d keep it.

I’ll still pay attention to this forum and try to make an appearance at some ST events (maybe disguise the Burg to look like an ST???) but, to my regret, I see life without my ST.

 

[SupraSabre]

A...NO!

Let's see, '05 ST1300 and put 174.3K miles before selling to my son. Bought a wrecked 2004 with 31K miles, restored it and have put another 37K on it (in my shed wait new water pump). Bought a wrecked 2010 with about 1,500 miles, added another 34K after restoring (in the garage fixed some minor issues along with coolant hoses)and waiting for me to put it back together). Then I bought a 2004 with unknown mileage, (maybe 15K) fixed it, using it for commuting. I have put at least 17 to 18K on it so far. Then I bought a BRAND NEW 2012 ST1300 and have about 1,300 miles on it.

So with four bikes right now and putting over 260K on ST1300s since Nov 2005, I have no intentions on ever changing. I will be selling a couple of them later this year, just so I don't have to spend all my time working on them!

 

[PFD023]

I supplement the new bike itch with a new lighter weight second bike every few years but the ST1300 still does everything I want a big sport touring bike to do. ..................................................

That's the ticket right there! Now I just have to convince my wife.

 

[coolbreez1]

Let's look at the perspective of "length of riding season". If you live in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, you've got a couple of hot months, then a good 9-10 months of riding season. For many of us up north, your bike is gonna sit for 5-7 months;

I can't justify spending 20k or more dollars on a long distance vehicle that's gonna sit in the garage for half the year. I'm happy with my ST13 for now.

 

[JimGregory]

My 07 has only 10 or 12 thousand miles. I got it last summer. I switch on and off between it and my BMW R100RS airhead. I love them both.

 

[Outbackwack]

I did move on. I now own 2 Suzuki Vstrom 650's (2012 & 2013) and really love the 300 pound weight loss and 55-60 mpg.

 

[BakerBoy]

I've a 2004 that I bought new, now about 62k miles. I've been looking for a replacement for a couple years, not because I don't like it or that I think the bike isn't good and reliable, but partly because I'm bored with it and partly because life is too short not to look at options and partly because it is a lot of bike (weight). Frankly I just can't quite get certain of what I want--yet every time I ride the ST I still enjoy it and I'm comfortable with it. Further adding to my consternation is that I don't ride enough given many other time commitments and enjoyments. Also, I've had several other bikes over the same time, and the ST has been the keeper every time.

I've tried to buy a couple different FJR1300ES' last year, but l've paused now as the FJR may not be light enough. The BMW RT is interesting, but I've experience with BMW, and they put me off. I've considered others, but I'm just not interested in other makes/models.

My wife sees me waffling, showing her various bikes, and she just says "Is that bike what you want? Just buy one already! Or I'll get it for you if you tell me." Lol....good problem to have.

 

[bigdawg]

I loved my years and miles on my 2002 st1100 and 2006 st1300. However, I bought a 2015 f6b and got hooked on the more luxurious ride, radio and cruise control. Since then I've been hooked on "luxury touring" and traded my beloved st's in for a BMW k1600gt and a Victory Vision. Obviously, the weight of the st's didn't bother me as I now have 3 bigger bikes. Love each of the new bikes for different reasons. I will consider a new st if they update it. Great machine.

 

[Blrfl]

the adv bikes get away with windscreen ugliness because of their whole 'function over form' theme

The ST does form-follows-function in a lot of places. Your pipes aren't triangular just for looks.

--Mark

 

[scootac]

I did move on. I now own 2 Suzuki Vstrom 650's (2012 & 2013) and really love the 300 pound weight loss and 55-60 mpg.

And that would be the direction I would go when I get the itch.