2006 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

milkmaster · Apr 30, 2016

It has been quite a while since I posted anting here. I was surprised to find my login still worked! I owned a blue 2004 and a beautiful red 2005 model St1300 in my past. I am familiar with most all aspects of those bikes. After a few years fighting health concerns and afterwards experimenting with the VTX cruiser bike element, I have come home. I found a local 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles on it. The bike is stock just like it came from the dealer. The owner says the bike has only been ridden a couple of times in the past year and why he decided to sell it. Besides tires and the obvious fluids etc, should I be concerned with anything because of the bike sitting? I see no leaks and the bike was kept in a home garage. I also would like to know or read about the changes I hear were made in the 2008 model vs the '04 and '05 I owned years ago. Did the 2008 model offer any improvement with the heat off the engine/radiator during the summertime? The only thing I don't like about the bike is the 2008 black color, but I can live with it. The seller is asking $6500.

BakerBoy · Apr 30, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

I thought 2010 models were black. 2008 are reddish.

Differences in 2008+ can be read here:http://stwiki.notonthe.net/twiki/bin/view/ST13/ModelYearChanges

No, no heat management changes in 2008+.

Paul · Apr 30, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

John is right, the 08,09 models were red.

milkmaster · Apr 30, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

I don't know what is wrong with me. The bike is a 2006. I knew that but wrote that whole question as a 2008. Must go with being nearly 57 years old is all I can figure.

ToddC · Apr 30, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

Ah yes...Tuxedo black....the fastest of all the colors!

An excellent choice my friend! Just change those fluids, plugs, check the valves and go ride that beast.

ToddC

etalors · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

Was the fuel properly stabilized with the bike sitting around, i.e. rust in the tank. Just throwing it out there, I am sure its fine.

RCS · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

I would go with abs. In addition, expect to purchase a new battery sooner than later.

BakerBoy · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

+17 on ABS. $6500 is too much for a non-ABS, 2006, my opinion. Should be in the low $5k range for non-ABS.

Rust in the lower tank is a showstopper, and is a potential for a bike stored in humid climate if it was left mostly unattended and nearly empty of fuel. But you can't check for rust without nearly empyting it of fuel and pulling out fuel pump from lower tank.

Otherwise, fluids, valves, hoses, tires, battery ... the usual for a ~10 year old bike or one that sat mostly unused.

milkmaster · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

I doubt the person selling it would want to allow me to pull off any component like a fuel pump before buying. Can I see the lower tank otherwise? I know about looking in the top tank of course. I am assuming he would let me take off the seat and look around it good or at least ask him to take it off.

JimGregory · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

I bought an 07 with 7000 miles last summer. It was fine and like new.

RCS · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

milkmaster said:
I doubt the person selling it would want to allow me to pull off any component like a fuel pump before buying. Can I see the lower tank otherwise? I know about looking in the top tank of course. I am assuming he would let me take off the seat and look around it good or at least ask him to take it off.

You may be able to determine rust another way. 15,000 miles is not much for a 9 year old ST1300. Is the seller the original owner, does he have service records that would indicate a level of maintenance, is the motorcycle currently full of gasoline (whatever the gasoline level is now may be your best indicator of how much gas was in the tank when it was stored)?

Gas tanks rust when stored for long periods of time with little gasoline in the tanks.

Igofar · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

I would at least insist that he allow you to remove the clutch and brake master cylinder covers to inspect the fluid in the systems to see if they turned Into mud sitting all that time! These would be the first two things you should flush and bleed if you purchase the bike.
I would also inspect the smc on the left caliper and do the inspection spin test.
IF the bike is going to need a battery, clutch and brake service, and possibly a replacement smc, it is a little over priced for a non-abs model.

Andrew Shadow · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

milkmaster said:
Can I see the lower tank otherwise?

This question got me wondering- would it be possible to drain the fuel and use one of those flexible inspection cameras through the filler tube where the hose from the upper tank connects?

RCS · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

Igofar said:
I would at least insist that he allow you to remove the clutch and brake master cylinder covers to inspect the fluid in the systems to see if they turned Into mud sitting all that time! These would be the first two things you should flush and bleed if you purchase the bike.
I would also inspect the smc on the left caliper and do the inspection spin test.
IF the bike is going to need a battery, clutch and brake service, and possibly a replacement smc, it is a little over priced for a non-abs model.

Great simple and quick indicators! There are sight glasses on both the brake and clutch master cylinders. Look through them when you sit on the bike. If they are brown, walk away. That means that these fluids have not been changed when they were suppose to and is a good indicator of general maintenance, or lack thereof.

wjbertrand · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

At that mileage, as long as it has had at least one oil change I don't think you have anything to be concerned about. As suggested, change fluids and keep an eye on the battery. At 16K, it's due for a valve clearance inspection.

-Jeff

Blrfl · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

Andrew Shadow said:
This question got me wondering- would it be possible to drain the fuel and use one of those flexible inspection cameras through the filler tube where the hose from the upper tank connects?

The heads on most inspection cameras are too big to make it around the bends at either end of the joint hose.

Probably the best thing to do is evaluate the bike on everything else and chop $250 off your offer to cover the uncertainty of having to clean out the lower tank. Even that's probably not a big risk; my bike does a lot of sitting these days and still manages to run fine.

--Mark

Igofar · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

The clear inspection windows on the master cylinders are often misleading, while they look clear and clean through the glass, you can open the top only to find out the fluid has turned to jello on the bottom of the unit.
I would ask for $500 off to start with if you find any issues with the smc ($150), battery ($100), and a fluid flush and service can run as much as $400 dollars (at a dealer...) but the folks here on the forum will help you with that....wink....wink...

Outbackwack · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

I sold my 2008 ABS with lots of Farkles for $6500. I'd be looking around $5000 for an '07 stock non-ABS if everything else checks out. Knowing the service history is very important here. Good luck!

Soontobeone · May 1, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

No one has mentioned that you will have a major service due at 16,000 miles. That includes the valve clearance check.

jmcarruth · May 2, 2016

Re: 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

milkmaster said:
It has been quite a while since I posted anting here. I was surprised to find my login still worked! I owned a blue 2004 and a beautiful red 2005 model St1300 in my past. I am familiar with most all aspects of those bikes. After a few years fighting health concerns and afterwards experimenting with the VTX cruiser bike element, I have come home. I found a local 2008 ST1300 with 15K miles on it. The bike is stock just like it came from the dealer. The owner says the bike has only been ridden a couple of times in the past year and why he decided to sell it. Besides tires and the obvious fluids etc, should I be concerned with anything because of the bike sitting? I see no leaks and the bike was kept in a home garage. I also would like to know or read about the changes I hear were made in the 2008 model vs the '04 and '05 I owned years ago. Did the 2008 model offer any improvement with the heat off the engine/radiator during the summertime? The only thing I don't like about the bike is the 2008 black color, but I can live with it. The seller is asking $6500.

This seller needs to get real on his price. I would not go over $4,000 on a 2006 non ABS bike, even at such low mileage, which has less to do with the condition of the bike that how well it was maintained. If you insist on this bike, take it over to Sloan's and let them give it a once over before buying it. There was an excellent ST mechanic named Corey there at one time. I will be glad to look at it, but I am about 150 miles from you.
Personally, I would hold out for an ABS model that comes from a known source or a member of this forum. There are some nice ones listed.

2006 ST1300 with 15K miles question...

milkmaster

BakerBoy

It's all small stuff.

Paul

Happy Saturday!

milkmaster

ToddC

etalors

RCS

BakerBoy

It's all small stuff.

milkmaster

JimGregory

RCS

Igofar

Andrew Shadow

RCS

wjbertrand

Ventura Highway

Blrfl

Natural Rider Enhancement

Igofar

Outbackwack

Howard

Soontobeone

jmcarruth