Hello all, just celebrating the arrival of my new-to-me ST!
I've been a long term V4 fanboi, including a FV500F, followed by some 4th and 5th gen VFRs.
After selling my last 5th gen several years ago, I had been looking at sport tourers, and this bike popped up at a great price 5 miles away from me. Just under 40k, the PO has just done a service on it and is a really cool guy to talk about cars, motos and bicycles.
Its an 05 with just under 40k miles. Looks to be in good condition, I'll need to do some scratch repair, polishing of bodywork and some Avalon King ceramic coat. I've ordered a set of GoldWing hard bag protectors.
As a bonus, its almost the same color as the family Bolt transporation appliance.
Hello fellow Ohioan! I got a 2003 ST1300 a couple months back and
it's been a blast.
Quick things that I did and have been thrilled about so far.
Added a CarPlay/AndroidAuto unit. It was less than $100 from Amazon and I've had no issues with it. Wires in really simply, and connects to a helmet com. I can keep my phone in my pocket, or a tank bag when I eventually get one, or the top box, or wherever, keeping it from the elements, and control music, navigation, calls, etc.
I've also added a USB port and battery gauge to the right-side fairing, almost directly out from the battery. It replaced a 12V cigarette lighter socket someone had installed, but if you're going to do it you'll need to make a hole. I strongly suggest picking up a step drill bit set from Harbor freight for this so you don't leave scratches everywhere trying to get a spade bit to bite like the prior owner had.
Mine came with a Bestem TBox 929, which is unfortunately discontinued. It has LED lights pre-installed, and they now function as an ignition-activated extra tail light. Visibility never hurt anyone. Inside the box I added a fuse box and some branch-out circuits. Another USB port to the inside of the box, a USB port external to the box so a passenger could plug in, a big bluetooth speaker can be set up, whatever. The tail lights are run through the fuse box, and so is a light inside that's turned on by the lid to the box opening. If the lid is closed, the light is off.
The whole top box has a waterproof industrial connector fed to it, so it can still be removed in seconds if you want it off for whatever reason.
Largely, the same thing can be achieved with any of the Givi Monokey top boxes or its clones on Amazon. Unfortunately Givi feels that adding a few LEDs to their already-$400 top cases should cost another $100, so your mileage may vary. I can't find any TBox 929s on eBay at the moment or else I'd heavily suggest it. Freaking love the box.
Also, looks like you've got a Sargent seat on yours, which has me properly jealous. That's the next project on mine, I think. That or cruise control...
