ctag's Washington-or-bust ST1100 affair

[ctag]

Hi,

I'm ctag, a Honda fanboy from Alabama. I love my Magna and CB500X, and recently found myself with a guest in the garage.



My friend rode down from Washington late last year to visit, and wound up leaving his 1991 ST1100 and flying home for a job interview. The plan is to ride it back up to him, but I'm not quite as bold about safety and the bike needs plenty of maintenance first.

I've already benefited greatly from this forum's information, and I really appreciate everyone who shares their knowledge here. This thread is just to keep me organized while I go through the things that need attention before the trip.

 

[ToddC]

Where in WA..?? T

 

[Sadlsor]

Where in WA..?? T

Never mind that, where in ALABAMA?!?!
I'm in Hoover / south Birmingham, and you should shoot me a DM. I know how to go north and south, and east and west, and also roundy-round.

 

[Obo]

Never mind the two of them... welcome to the forum! Glad to have you around.

 

[Larry Fine]

Are we talking Washington state or D.C.?

 

[JohnK]

Where in WA..?? T

Looks like Snohomish county based on the lower plate - Lake Roesinger. It’s going to be a great ride no matter which way you trek over. Once you get here, plenty of folk ready to welcome you and show you around. Like maybe NewStoc

Is the owner a member ?

 

[ctag]

Where in WA..?? T

That's a good question! I had to ask him. I'm headed to Snohomish, WA.

Never mind that, where in ALABAMA?!?!
I'm in Hoover / south Birmingham, and you should shoot me a DM. I know how to go north and south, and east and west, and also roundy-round.

Just moved! I used to be over by Athens, now I'm on the other side of Huntsville. I miss the open country roads up that way.

Never mind the two of them... welcome to the forum! Glad to have you around.

Thanks!

 

[ToddC]

Oh yeah.... Welcome from WA STate!! Snohomish is a nice town. North and east of Seattle. Due east of Everett.
If you are in E. WA on the way thru.... Don't forget the biker flop house..!!! Nice sunsets here...

 

[ctag]

Are we talking Washington state or D.C.?

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Washington State!
It'll be the longest road trip I've been driving/riding. I'm currently working to recruit my roommate to be a chase car (and lift home!), since he wants to check out some cities to move to one day.

Looks like Snohomish county based on the lower plate - Lake Roesinger. It’s going to be a great ride no matter which way you trek over. Once you get here, plenty of folk ready to welcome you and show you around. Like maybe NewStoc

Is the owner a member ?

Thanks!
I doubt he is, I'll chat him up about it though

Oh yeah.... Welcome from WA STate!! Snohomish is a nice town. North and east of Seattle. Due east of Everett.
If you are in E. WA on the way thru.... Don't forget the biker flop house..!!! Nice sunsets here...

I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

 

[ctag]

At the risk of turning this into yet-another-tire-thread, one of the larger items needed is new tires.



I've always preferred OEM for my vintage Magna, but that's city riding, and I don't have enough experience to prefer bias/radial or something like that.

Unfortunately the stock Dunlops (K505) on the frame sticker appear to be sold out everywhere I've checked. The sticker also mentions Bridgestone and Metzelers, which are brands I'm even less familiar with. And there are (lots of) others like Avons that I see around the forums. So I'm on the hunt for some touring tires that can make the trip safely without breaking the bank (aren't we all).

So far I've looked at:

Tire	Where I found it	Price (front / rear)	Available?
Bridgestone Battlax BT 023	Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 Will the Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 suit your car? Find the best tyre for your car read 38 reviews for the Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 and compare to other Motorbike tyres at tyre reviews www.tyrereviews.com	$140 / $180	Not in OEM size
Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31	Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 Tire for Motorcycles | BikeBandit Get low prices with fast shipping on {{ProductName}} for motorcycles. BikeBandit is your destination for OEM and aftermarket parts, gear and more! www.bikebandit.com Bridgestone Battlax T31 Sport Touring Tires | 25% ($63.42) Off! - RevZilla The Bridgestone T31 Tires offer sport and sport touring riders great wet weather grip and MSB technology that provides a planted, linear feel. www.revzilla.com	$140 / $160	In stock at Revzilla only.
Dunlop RoadSmart 3	Dunlop RoadSmart 3 Tires for Motorcycles | BikeBandit Get low prices with fast shipping on {{ProductName}} for motorcycles. BikeBandit is your destination for OEM and aftermarket parts, gear and more! www.bikebandit.com	$130 / $160	On backorder for both
Michelin Road Commander 2	Michelin Commander II Tires | 36% ($136.34) Off! - RevZilla Save 36% ($136.34) today when you shop RevZilla for your Michelin Commander II Tires! Free Shipping, Lowest Price Guaranteed & Top of the Line Expert Service. www.revzilla.com	$150 / $200	Not in OEM size
Metzeler Roadtec Z6	Metzeler Roadtec Z6 Sport Touring Tires | 49% ($91.56) Off! - RevZilla Closeout Sale! Save 49% ($91.56) today when you shop RevZilla for your Metzeler Roadtec Z6 Sport Touring Tires! Free Shipping, Lowest Price Guaranteed & Top of the Line Expert Service. www.revzilla.com	$120 / $140	Front not in stock
Metzeler Lasertec Bias	Metzeler Lasertec Bias Sport Touring Tires | 27% ($68.81) Off! - RevZilla The Metzeler Laser Tec Tires combine modern materials with a classic tread pattern. They are a perfect replacement tire for many Triumph Bonneville, T… www.revzilla.com	$130 / $190	In stock!
Dunlop K505 (OEM)	Dunlop K505 Motorcycle Tire for Motorcycles | BikeBandit Get low prices with fast shipping on {{ProductName}} for motorcycles. BikeBandit is your destination for OEM and aftermarket parts, gear and more! www.bikebandit.com Dunlop K505 Tires | 21% ($44.58) Off! - RevZilla The Dunlop K505 Tires are the original factory tires for certain Honda motorcycles. www.revzilla.com	$160 / $170	In stock at Revzilla
Bridgestone G547/G548 (OEM)	Bridgestone Exedra G547 OE Motorcycle Tire for Motorcycles | BikeBandit Get low prices with fast shipping on {{ProductName}} for motorcycles. BikeBandit is your destination for OEM and aftermarket parts, gear and more! www.bikebandit.com Bridgestone Exedra G548 OE Motorcycle Tire for Motorcycles | BikeBandit Get low prices with fast shipping on {{ProductName}} for motorcycles. BikeBandit is your destination for OEM and aftermarket parts, gear and more! www.bikebandit.com	$120 / $180	On backorder

It looks like most reviews for Avon that are over a decade old are good, whereas more recent ones are less positive.

I've heard some good things about the Z6, and more importantly it looks like they're a common tire for the ST110. But only the rear is in stock...

 

[Larry Fine]

Same as Sport Touring T31?

Did you mean to link to T32s on the last one? If so, yes, but with improvements.

 

[ctag]

Did you mean to link to T32s on the last one? If so, yes, but with improvements.

Thanks! No, I got confused by the title wording of Battlax vs Sport Touring, I see they're the same T31 for both.

It looks like T32s are pretty new still. I don't see them for sale online anywhere yet.

 

[Al st1100]

Thanks! No, I got confused by the title wording of Battlax vs Sport Touring, I see they're the same T31 for both.

It looks like T32s are pretty new still. I don't see them for sale online anywhere yet.

you can get t31s at Dennis Kirk for under 200 for the pair after rebate of $50. good tire should last 8-10k much better overall than the 023.

 

[Larry Fine]

It looks like T32s are pretty new still. I don't see them for sale online anywhere yet.

That's funny. I have a pair in my front hallway right now.

 

[ctag]

you can get t31s at Dennis Kirk for under 200 for the pair after rebate of $50. good tire should last 8-10k much better overall than the 023.

Thanks Al! At that price I think I've found my tires right there.

Starting to pencil in the route. It looks like my roommate may be a chase car as far as Denver, CO and then turn back.

This picture is if he goes the entire trip. Otherwise I think I'm flying home.

This weekend I want to get the old tires removed, and take a look at the leak in the clutch system.

 

[ToddC]

Looks like alot of super slab riding. It is the fastest way.
I84 thru Salt Lake is kinda crazy at rush hours. Always some sort of construction going on. Everytime I have taken that slab I have found that once you are away from the cities, the traffic is always 10 over the limit. And the limit is 75 in many areas. Makes for a fast but exhausting ride, for me anyway.
Do you have time to take a day or two more and enjoy the opportunity that is presenting itself...?? Just a thought.... Lots of two lane highway that is less traveled and only a little slower.
T

 

[ctag]

Thanks for the heads up!

I was just trying to figure that out. I'm hoping to take off work the week of May 24th, which would give me May 22-31 with the two weekends plus Memorial Day (hopefully only as a buffer day). I'm not sure how far I'll be able to go consecutive days in a row like that. Planning a shakedown trip with my roommate to find out.

Just going off of Google's estimate I'd need 5x 8-hour days to get up there, which would leave 2 or 3 days to visit and then fly back.

On my Magna I try to avoid interstate as much as possible. Would much rather take this trip at 55mph and get to see some places along the way, but I don't expect I'll have the time.

 

[Obo]

80 hours (assuming 70mph for the 5100miles) in 10 days. Add in breaks to fuel up yourself and the bike and to bio out yourself and you're looking at at least 9 hour days. I think you'll actually be looking at longer days than that based on previous travels. Traffic delays and breaks add more time than you'd expect. There's also nothing worse than having to push yourself on days that you are tired to make up for lost time on previous days.

That's an aggressive time frame if you're not a frequent rider.

 

[Pop-Pop]

Looks like alot of super slab riding. It is the fastest way.
I84 thru Salt Lake is kinda crazy at rush hours. Always some sort of construction going on. Everytime I have taken that slab I have found that once you are away from the cities, the traffic is always 10 over the limit. And the limit is 75 in many areas. Makes for a fast but exhausting ride, for me anyway.
Do you have time to take a day or two more and enjoy the opportunity that is presenting itself...?? Just a thought.... Lots of two lane highway that is less traveled and only a little slower.
T

If u ride that st, u just might have to buy one!

 

[aniwack]

Did I hear someone wanting their own ST??