Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 20??

[George]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

True. We had to wait three years for the CB1100!

We had to wait a couple years on the original ST1100 as well.

They would have to improve the ergonomics of the VFR before I would ever choose one over an ST1300. The VFR is a fine bike but it is no Sport Tourer unless your 5'10 or less or don 't mind your legs cramped behind you. I personally like the fact that the ST1300 is kind of tank especially when you do some long hours sharing the interstate with trucks like I did today. I plan on keeping mine for a long time.

A VFR1200T will have different ergos than the T (my prediction.) If/when this bike hits our shores, I'll be in line. DCT.

FWIW, I've found that my FJR feels less affected by truck turbulence than my ST did, even though the FJR weighs 100 lbs less.

I've read this before about the 13. Gotta say tho, my ol' 750 VFR was very stable, never had a problem. I don't think it's a question of weight but geometry and aerodynamics.

 

[GlenT]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

FWIW, I've found that my FJR feels less affected by truck turbulence than my ST did, even though the FJR weighs 100 lbs less.

I've ridden both the ST11 and the ST13. I found the ST11 to be far more stable and track better in dirty air. They quickened the steering geometry on the ST13 to make it feel more sporty in the twisties. I find ST13 to be as twichy as my DL650 in dirty air -- despite it weighing over 150 lbs more.

I don't think that you could easily shave 100 lbs off the existing ST13. I'm just saying that many people would like any replacement for the ST13 to lighter. You read lots of complaints about the big ADV bikes being over 600 lbs. But coming from the ST13, most big ADV bikes will feel lighter and more manoeverable.

 

[st1300r]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

As much as I like my 2012 ST1300 I'd have to strongly consider trading her if the new bike came complete with a 100 lb pillion

You could have my ex but I wouldn't do that to a fellow rider LOL.

 

[sherob]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

You could have my ex but I wouldn't do that to a fellow rider LOL.

 

[Blrfl]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

I don't think that you could easily shave 100 lbs off the existing ST13.

You could, but I doubt you'd end up with a machine that feels anywhere near as solid or has the same bulletproof longevity. Sport bike motors (and probably chassis) have a much shorter lifespan because they shave out every gram possible in the name of going fast.

--Mark

 

[GlenT]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

You could, but I doubt you'd end up with a machine that feels anywhere near as solid or has the same bulletproof longevity. Sport bike motors (and probably chassis) have a much shorter lifespan because they shave out every gram possible in the name of going fast.

True, but I don't think the VFR1200 is a sports bike, per se. It just plays one on TV.

 

[Bones]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

I don't think the VFR1200 is a sports bike, per se. It just plays one on TV.

The term "sport bike" includes replica racers like the CBR1000RR and GSX-R750, naked bikes like the Triumph Speed Triple and Ducati Monster, sporty bikes like the FZ6R and Ninja 300, open class insanity like the Huyabusa and ZX14, gentlemen's express like the K1300S and the VFR1200F, and probably other street bikes I missed. Pretty vast category which the VFR occupies one specific place within.

 

[thumperjdm]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

The term "sport bike" includes replica racers like the CBR1000RR and GSX-R750, naked bikes like the Triumph Speed Triple and Ducati Monster, sporty bikes like the FZ6R and Ninja 300, open class insanity like the Huyabusa and ZX14, gentlemen's express like the K1300S and the VFR1200F, and probably other street bikes I missed. Pretty vast category which the VFR occupies one specific place within.

I'd say "gentlemen's express" is a very appropriate title. I grab the VFR on those days when I don't feel like folding my ever-aging body into my CBR.

GlenT--The VFR puts 151 hp and 81 lbs torque to the ground. Trust me, it is a sportbike...a big, relaxed, very fast sportbike.

 

[Blrfl]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

True, but I don't think the VFR1200 is a sports bike, per se. It just plays one on TV.

I was talking about sport bikes in general in the sub-500-pound bracket.

--Mark

 

[GlenT]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

I was talking about sport bikes in general in the sub-500-pound bracket.

Thought so, and that's what I was responding to...

BTW, IMO the ST13 has more power than I will ever use.

 

[Dinkie Diesel]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

gentlemen's express

Scott, that is a great "term." Would be a great name for a house of ill repute.

 

[Badger]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

I'd say "gentlemen's express" is a very appropriate title. I grab the VFR on those days when I don't feel like folding my ever-aging body into my CBR.

GlenT--The VFR puts 151 hp and 81 lbs torque to the ground. Trust me, it is a sportbike...a big, relaxed, very fast sportbike.

Yea absolutely, not near as fast as a 600rr or a 1000rr but the good thing is SINCE THEY DONT SELL MUCH, BRAND NEW 2010 MODELS SOLD FOR 10K A YEAR OR TWO AGO....

BTW 140 horse power and 79 torque.... Still better than st1300 though...

 

[Nevada]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

ST1300 is lacking on power.

Compared to what? It's got more power than any stock H-D, and more than the BMW R1200RT.

It does not look good as the other bikes.

Beware the Beholder. (especially the center eye...)

It is too heavy, heaviest of all...

Lighter than the K1600GT and K1600GTL.

Has nothing as far as gadgetry except the temperature gauge.

Linked brakes, power windshield.

Even vfr1200f is on the heavy side for a sport bike (how honda thinks of vfr1200f) so maybe v4 is not the engine for bikes. Maybe if they come up with an inline 4 like cbr engine, that will fix the problems??

Unless Honda is building a race/race-replica, they build heavy. It's "a Honda thing". Honda, a company that makes more motor vehicles than ANY other company in the world, has had at least two model/families with V4 engines in production since the mid 1980s. Methinks if the V4 wasn't "the engine for bikes", they would have abandoned it long ago. As would have Yamaha (V-Max, anyone???) and Aprilia.

 

[Nevada]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

A couple of years ago, I owned a '79 GL1000. At the time the Gold Wing was introduced, it was billed as the heaviest production motorcycle ever made. It had a dry weight of 589 lbs. The GL1000 was the most stable motorcycle in heavy crosswinds that I have ever ridden. And I don't think anyone would argue that it was not the most comfortable ride for both rider and pillion in its day.

The ST13 could stand to lose 100 lbs.

The '79 GL1000 was unfaired, and the dry weight of an ST1300 is easily under 670lbs. With ABS. And sidebags. And a windshield, power, 1, each. Oh, and in 1979, the motorcycle manufacturers weren't exactly known for stellar accuracy on their weight claims...

I doubt very much that the GL1000 "was the heaviest production motorcycle ever made", although I would believe it was the heaviest ever to come out of Japan at that point.

Like you though, I do believe the ST could lose some weight. 50-100lbs would be good, more than that, nope. Me likes the stability.

 

[flyfisher]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

The GL1000 was the most stable motorcycle in heavy crosswinds that I have ever ridden.

....today while I was waiting for my ST1300 to have yet another front tire replaced (another story, 6500 miles on a PR3 that wore SQUARE....wore the softer shoulders off and the stiff center line was like a table edge)....enough rant on the tire....anyway, to make a short story long they have a collection of classic bikes....one of which is a 1975 GL1000 identical to my first one....he says "you want to ride it? We take it for a spin every couple weeks just to keep the cobwebs off it"....after wiping the drool off my face I took it for a 25 mile spin in 35 mph winds....and it was incredibly stable....brought back so many memories....just the unique sound alone was a rush...damn thing still goes around corners too.......OK, back to regular programming....................ff

 

[Blrfl]

BTW 140 horse power and 79 torque.... Still better than st1300 though...

And an '09 'Busa makes 179 and 102. Is your point that larger numbers on the spec sheet make it better?

--Mark

 

[DaveST]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

....today while I was waiting for my ST1300 to have yet another front tire replaced (another story, 6500 miles on a PR3 that wore SQUARE....wore the softer shoulders off and the stiff center line was like a table edge)....enough rant on the tire....anyway, to make a short story long they have a collection of classic bikes....one of which is a 1975 GL1000 identical to my first one....he says "you want to ride it? We take it for a spin every couple weeks just to keep the cobwebs off it"....after wiping the drool off my face I took it for a 25 mile spin in 35 mph winds....and it was incredibly stable....brought back so many memories....just the unique sound alone was a rush...damn thing still goes around corners too.......OK, back to regular programming....................ff

The guy I bought my XR from had a '70's GL which was a beautiful thing. Back when they were a 4. He kick started it for me to listen to it in his garage. Just 'cause. Kick lever comes out right angle to the bike. Awesome stuff!

 

[Bones]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

Scott, that is a great "term." Would be a great name for a house of ill repute.

I can't take credit for it, neither to describe a VFR-esque sport bike nor a brothel. But I agree, a great way to classify the VFR1200F and K1300S.

 

[GlenT]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

The '79 GL1000 was unfaired, and the dry weight of an ST1300 is easily under 670lbs. With ABS. And sidebags. And a windshield, power, 1, each. Oh, and in 1979, the motorcycle manufacturers weren't exactly known for stellar accuracy on their weight claims.

Agreed. Mine had the full Vetter Windjammer III touring kit on it, so I'm sure it didn't weigh under 600 lbs. But the point is that you didn't have to put all that stuff on it, whereas the you can't take it off the ST13. You could tour the original GL1000 with just a windshield. Compare the dry weight of the GL1000 to today's GL1800. It sure didn't get lighter.

That GL1000 with the Windjammer fairing had the best wind management of any bike I've ever ridden, including the R1200RT -- and the windshield was fixed in place. And it had the most comfortable seat (although not the stock seat) which was the 'king and queen' aftermarket seat that everyone seemed to put on them. Butt ugly, but comfortable.

 

[George]

Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?

Honda, a company that makes more motor vehicles than ANY other company in the world

Attribution, Nevada?

I've read many times Honda makes more ICE motors than any other company, but they don't (by a long shot) all go into vehicles.