New ST1100 Rider

RideOrTieDye

RideOrTieDye

Joined
Mar 30, 2026
Messages
3
Age
48
Location
Orlando
Bike
1997 ST1100
Heya all! I'm so glad to have found these forums.

I just made it home with my new to me 1997 ST1100. It was some 3700 miles cross country from Sacramento to Orlando.

The PCH was a wonderful ride but the interstate highways were a bit tiresome with the crazy crosswinds. I think the front tire needs replaced due to the funky ridge from riding approx. 1k miles with the bike at a 45°angle to the road fighting the winds.

I'll post up the story behind my bike soon. I picked it up from another member here in the forums.. Thanks Ray!

The bike doesn't need much, mostly just need to sort the handlebars and possibly build a custom saddle for my boney arse. The left fork blew a seal, which I'm sure was caused by the roads I choose but I'm also leaning to maneuver around the bumps/holes for less wear/tear on the ST. I daily my 250L Rally and I hunt the road for the bumps etc because 12 inches of suspension.

So yeah, time to change the engine/drive oils plus order the fork rebuild kit along with upgrading the front spring for riding with a pillion. Rear shock upgrade next month.

Here's a couple pics of my ST1100 with my other rides and a pic from my ride back.

Cheers!!

Morgan aka RideOrTieDye
 

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Welcome - I own 8 ST1100s (3 runners, 5 parts bikes) and 2 of my runners are 1997s.
All of my runners are the ABSII 'variant' - one of which started life as a standard and I converted it.
I've ridden over 1/2 million miles on ST1100s and know a little bit about them ... ;)
 
Thanks for the warm welcome! I've read and heard many good things about you Uncle Phil.. That is quite the collection of ST's mate! Do you have other bikes as well?
Love what you guys did for your usernames @ChriSTian_64 and @St-Gerard 😎

I'll be getting busy with some maintenance and upgrades to my ST this month.

Looking into the fork swap upgrade because not only do I ride a LOT but I want to beef up the front end to handle the bad roads all over America better than the standard 41mm tubes. Plus the 43mm forks offer cartridge tuning, which is much better than damper rod tuning.

Also sorting through the handlebars and seat. I feel much more comfortable when further up on the "tank" versus when I slide back to the bump. I feel I'm reaching slightly too far in that position.
I'm average height (about 6') but only weigh about 165 in full gear.

The bike has a laminar lip windshield that is great.. But possibly a couple inches too short as I'm a tad taller than the PO. Looking to sort that before my next planned long ride.

I've got lots of reading to do to catch up on these bikes and thankfully my bike was very well maintained. Def looking forward to meeting other ST riders over the coming years.

Hope you all have a most wonderful day!
 
RideOrTieDye said:
Are those fog lamps I spy on your ST?
Click to expand...

Fog Lamps ? No.

48387.jpg


I also want to beef-up a bit my front suspension. I have bought new fork springs, from progressive. Lots of folks highly recommand them as a very worthy upgrade.
https://www.progressivesuspension.com/product/1465/fork-spring-kit

Indeed, there is a lot of knowledge and help here. You're at the right place. ;)
 
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