Am I the only crazy one here that totally still loves his 1100 over his 1300?

**willie23** · 03-01-2013, 01:12 PM

Okay, its been over 4 years now of switching between my 05 1300 (26K miles) and my 02 1100 (77K miles). Both are bone stock. Yes, 99% of my riding is commuting to/from work, 70+ miles a day, 99% freeway. I ride my 13 for the first two days then the 11 the last two days (yea, blessed with a 4 day work week). I have been doing this for years now and my grin is the biggest when I climb on the 11. Yes the 13 has more power but candidly, that's it. I dislike the instrumentation (cant see it very well), dislike the short wheelbase for the freeway commute, dislike the suspension, dislike the uncontrollable idle of 2500 in the morning, dislike the higher RPM hence poorer gas mileage, etc. The ST1100 is to motorcycling as the SR-71 was to flight...way ahead of its time.

Cheers,
Bill in Phoenix

**st1300r** · 03-01-2013, 01:26 PM

you are not the only one crazy here

**Uncle Phil** · 03-01-2013, 01:37 PM

Wel, I'm rather fond of the old dinosaurs myself ...

**SupraSabre** · 03-01-2013, 01:38 PM

You'll have a number of folks here, agreeing with you!

For me, back in 2003, I went to a V65 Sabre (came off a V45 Sabre), instead of the ST1100 due to the power difference. In 2005 I bought my ST1300 and after a few mods (saddle and handlebar riser) I found that I was leaving the V65 Sabre in the garage and taking the ST all the time. So I sold both Sabres and have now put over 167K on the '05 ST.

Now what I find interesting about your comments :" I dislike the instrumentation (cant see it very well), dislike the short wheelbase for the freeway commute, dislike the suspension, dislike the uncontrollable idle of 2500 in the morning, dislike the higher RPM hence poorer gas mileage, etc."

Yes, sometimes they are hard to see. But one of the problems with the old V65 and V45 instruments, was that they looked horriable after a few years and you had a hard time finding replacements. At least with the ST1300's Instrumentation, I have replaced the cases (I've had a couple of the cases crack on me... I think from my accident) and it makes them look brand new.

I love the short wheel base, it makes the bike so much easier to handle when I'm busting traffic.

I have replaced the original rear shock, it wasn't working well after 100K.

The high idle usually only last for a minute or two. Got to let her warm up!

If I was worried about gas mileage, I'd get me a 700cc.

I love my ST1300 and having to do a lot of maintenance on my bike due to the high mileage, while comparing tearing the ST1300 a part VS a ST1100 a part, I think I'll stick to my 1300!

**Uncle Phil** · 03-01-2013, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by SupraSabre

You'll have a number of folks here, agreeing with you!
I love my ST1300 and having to do a lot of maintenance on my bike due to the high mileage, while comparing tearing the ST1300 a part VS a ST1100 a part, I think I'll stick to my 1300!

Hmm, I find removing the ST1100 tupperware a piece of cake - but then I've done a few times.

**SupraSabre** · 03-01-2013, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Uncle Phil

Hmm, I find removing the ST1100 tupperware a piece of cake - but then I've done a few times.

And I guess that's my thing... I can remove the ST1300 tupperware in my sleep, put all the hardware in one container and be able to put it all back together without blinking an eye...

**Slasher** · 03-01-2013, 04:10 PM

While I have never had a 1300, I do love my 1100!

**gmast1100** · 03-01-2013, 04:43 PM

Here's my 2cents. I'm on my 3rd 1100

and wife is on her 2nd 1100

. I did treat myself to a 1300

for a couple of months and was able to put around 8k on it

. It actually took that long

to figure out that my love with the 1100 was as strong as it was. Don't get me wrong, the 1300 was a good bike but after all those miles/smiles

on my 1100's, I realized that is was a GREAT bike .

And I'm will Uncle Phil

, the tupperware is much easier on the 1100 and I have done both of them. Maybe a couple times more on the 1100, well I'm lying there, I've done it many more times, but none the same, I did the 1300 quite a few times to put some farkles on it.

So without ruffling any feathers

, my vote goes to the dinosaur

-the ST1100. 'Nuff said

!!!!!!

**Slasher** · 03-01-2013, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Uncle Phil

Hmm, I find removing the ST1100 tupperware a piece of cake - but then I've done a few times.

Not to threadjack but...Uncle Phil, speaking of Tupperware, what is the secret to getting the side covers on? (The ones that cover the battery on the left and flasher/rear brake resevoir on the right). Seems that I end up flexing them to get them in but I've broken one of the posts off and had to repair a crack from the PO (both fixed with the crazy glue baking soda trick) that I'm sure was caused the same way. Is there a better way?

**DeanR** · 03-01-2013, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Slasher

Not to threadjack but...Uncle Phil, speaking of Tupperware, what is the secret to getting the side covers on? (The ones that cover the battery on the left and flasher/rear brake resevoir on the right). Seems that I end up flexing them to get them in but I've broken one of the posts off and had to repair a crack from the PO (both fixed with the crazy glue baking soda trick) that I'm sure was caused the same way. Is there a better way?

Many off and ons with the 1100 side covers. They always need that bit of flex and I always have my fingers crossed

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