I'm currently riding a nice '94 ST1100A with under 40k on it. I'm intrigued by the ST1300, and wonder if it's worth upgrading to one. My current ride is in great shape and runs awesome. Anyone care to weigh in?
Is that not the answer to your question?My current ride is in great shape and runs awesome.
not in the universe I rode in, maybe they held up better in GA than in CA.I was riding BMW's at the time, which were, in their day, MUCH more reliable than Jap bikes.
In the 60's and 70's, BMW's were generally the most reliable bikes made. No chains to adjust/lube/replace, BING carbs, which were far ahead of the Keihin units of that time, leading shoe drum brakes, easy maintenance , etc. They were raced most successfully in long, endurance style races, where the BMW's often won by attrition.not in the universe I rode in, maybe they held up better in GA than in CA.
Maybe because I keep mine in the garage and covered at night when on a trip, but the plastics on both of my 97's and my 02 are fine (especially the parts that I've had to replace over the years to my indiscretions ... ;-)) Also, they get cleaned at least once a year whether they need it or not and never waxed.Thanks for the thoughtful comments, guys.
My main concern with the 1100 is the fact that it's 22 years old. Some of the plastics are beginning to dry out, and I'd be bummed out if I put a bunch of $$ into extras only to have it start falling apart afterward.
the time frame may be the differing factor then, I was talking about from the late '80s and beyond (since your original comment about seeing a ST1100 while riding BMWs at the time)In the 60's and 70's, BMW's were generally the most reliable bikes made. No chains to adjust/lube/replace, BING carbs, which were far ahead of the Keihin units of that time, leading shoe drum brakes, easy maintenance , etc. They were raced most successfully in long, endurance style races, where the BMW's often won by attrition.
Paris/Dakar was a good example.
I can't speak to BMW reliability in Ca, but elsewhere it was pretty darn good.
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