So I finally decided it's time to get a new bike. I had a budget and was considering a new 2017 Vstrom 650. Went to a local dealer and they didn't have one. Rode on to the next dealer, a Honda only dealer I knew had a used Concours. Sat on it, didn't like it. Owner mentioned he just got an ST1300 in and they hadn't even had time to prep it......
It was a 2005 with 35km. One owner who clearly had OCD as the bike is nearly showroom condition! Totally stock. All fluids changed and it's getting a new rear tire. $6400 Canadian. No wiggle on the price. Shop owner knew it'd be an easy sell (he's owned his Honda dealership for 30+ years). I told him I'd think about it. By the time I rode home I phoned him back and said I'd take it!
I really didn't plan on buying a bike until spring, this was just supposed to be an info mission! I definitely didn't plan on buying a 12 year old bike but then again I've always wanted a big, shaft driven ST bike. I had shaft drive for 12 years on my Virago and have really missed it. I hate having to service a chain. The ST1300 has always been a bike I've liked but when I last shopping for a bike in 2010 I just couldn't afford one. I still can't afford a new one seeing as I have two kids under 4. Condition is everything with these big ST bikes and I think I've found a fantastic example at a price I can actually afford! I'm sure I'll be keeping it a long time and hopefully packing the miles on it! I still see lots of late 90's ST100s here going strong with well over 100,000km on them so I'm sure I have nothing to worry about.
I go back tomorrow morning and do the paper work and pick it up Friday. I'll be heading out today for one last ride on my Bandit. I'll be hanging on to my Bandit until spring to sell it so I can get a better price. I'm thinking about keeping my Givi V46 top box from my Bandit for the ST.
It was a 2005 with 35km. One owner who clearly had OCD as the bike is nearly showroom condition! Totally stock. All fluids changed and it's getting a new rear tire. $6400 Canadian. No wiggle on the price. Shop owner knew it'd be an easy sell (he's owned his Honda dealership for 30+ years). I told him I'd think about it. By the time I rode home I phoned him back and said I'd take it!
I really didn't plan on buying a bike until spring, this was just supposed to be an info mission! I definitely didn't plan on buying a 12 year old bike but then again I've always wanted a big, shaft driven ST bike. I had shaft drive for 12 years on my Virago and have really missed it. I hate having to service a chain. The ST1300 has always been a bike I've liked but when I last shopping for a bike in 2010 I just couldn't afford one. I still can't afford a new one seeing as I have two kids under 4. Condition is everything with these big ST bikes and I think I've found a fantastic example at a price I can actually afford! I'm sure I'll be keeping it a long time and hopefully packing the miles on it! I still see lots of late 90's ST100s here going strong with well over 100,000km on them so I'm sure I have nothing to worry about.
I go back tomorrow morning and do the paper work and pick it up Friday. I'll be heading out today for one last ride on my Bandit. I'll be hanging on to my Bandit until spring to sell it so I can get a better price. I'm thinking about keeping my Givi V46 top box from my Bandit for the ST.