It is overheating. Comes up to 3 bars after about 5 miles of riding and then immediately skips to full heat with a flashing top bar.
Hi Scottie:
Welcome to our forum community.
@SMSW gave you a good tip in post #5 above, when he provided a link to another thread with a discussion of overheating. Do take the time to review that discussion.
To troubleshoot your problem, you need to approach it in a "logical order of probability" manner - this to avoid chasing down unlikely causes whilst missing the most likely causes. So, here's a list of things that I would look at, in the following sequence, if I had your problem:
1) Check the coolant level in both the overflow bottle (just ahead of your left foot) and at the radiator cap. To get to the radiator cap, you will need to remove the fairing panel on the right side (not difficult). If you find the coolant level in the radiator is below the very top of the cap, be aware that you will need to fill it, put the cap on, start the engine, rev it a little bit, stop the engine, and refill it again. You will need to do this several times.
2) Check the condition & attachment of the hose that goes from the overflow tit at the top of the radiator cap to the overflow bottle. Make sure it is properly attached at each end, and not obstructed.
3) Inspect the overflow bottle - make sure it is properly filled. There are marks embossed on it, but they can be difficult to see if the bottle is dirty. It's an easy job to remove the bottle and clean it, then highlight the embossed marks with a black marker to make it easier to check in the future. That requires removal of the right faring panel - the process is pretty much the same as removing the left fairing panel.
4) Once you are certain that the radiator is full of coolant and the overflow bottle is appropriately filled, and the hose between those two is correctly fitted and not obstructed, then (and only then) should you start checking the radiator fans for proper function. That's easy to do. Put the bike on the center stand, start the engine, and leave it alone for about 10 minutes. It's quite easy to hear the fans whirring when they come on - which they will eventually do if the engine is idling and the bike is not moving forward. If the fans operate, that rules out any problem with coolant temperature sensors.
5) If the coolant levels are known to be correct, and you have confirmed that the fans work, but you still have the overheating problem, then (and only then) should you consider investigating the thermostat.
My guess is that you have low coolant. Do come back and let us know what you find.
Michael
PS: Like
@SMSW said, go to a Honda
automobile shop to buy a jug of premixed Honda Type 2 coolant. Chances are that it will be cheaper at the auto dealer, and chances are that a Honda auto dealer will be closer to you than a Honda moto dealer. The ST 1300 requires a special type of coolant, and since you are new to the bike, the safest thing to do is just use the Honda Type 2, rather than going shopping for an aftermarket brand that meets Honda specs.
PPS: Here's a link to a post that explains how to remove the fairing panels:
ST1300 - Fairing Removal