Picked up a 2001 ST1100 with 85000 miles, regular maintenance always performed, runs great. I am planning on using it as a commuter, with regular service can I hope to use this bike for a while, or will it be a money pit? I can turn a wrench, but am seeing some parts might be hard to find. Thanks
Am I being realistic?
- Thread starter Klogger
- Start date
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Don't tinker with it just ride it and you should be fine.
At 85,000 you are facing a timing belt replacement at 100,000.
I now do a water pump replacement while I am in that deep and replace all the hoses.
I have over 1/2 million miles on ST1100s and they have not been 'money pits' for me.
At 85,000 you are facing a timing belt replacement at 100,000.
I now do a water pump replacement while I am in that deep and replace all the hoses.
I have over 1/2 million miles on ST1100s and they have not been 'money pits' for me.
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
Seems an unusual bike to me to choose for a commuter unless you have a really long commute, or you got it super, super cheap, or plan on doing some touring when not commuting.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
I commuted on mine back and forth to work all the time before I retired.
It was my preferred choice for transportation anywhere I was going.
IIRC, @SupraSabre commuted on a number of 1300's for years. He did an @Uncle Phil, accumulating 4 of them and riding one until it needed service, then he rotated to another. Sort of like serial monogamy...or maybe it was more like rotating thru his harem? 
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
sure, but you used yours for touring too...a lot of touring. If I was primarily touring I might choose a 35-40 mpg 700 pound 4 V with fairing and bags, but if I were primarily commuting, I'd choose a 500-pound twin or something..like an V Strom 650, or Kawasaki Verysy 650 or an NC 750 ... something lighter, more maneuverable, better gas mileage, fewer parts to replace
unless your commute was all freeway 75-100 miles one way ...
You CAN drive a nail with a maul, but a hammer might be a better choice
but that's just me
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Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
To a hammer, everything looks like a nail ...
To a motorcycle, everything looks like a ride!
I also used my ST for commuting, and did it for many years. I also used it for touring and found it fit both uses very well.
The times I ran it in the rain, snow and everything in between are hard to count. the body protection with the electric windshield was a comfort. For a 20 mile round trip commute it was great.
The reason for the ST and not the FJR was passenger comfort, my wife liked the STs back seat better than the others.
I cannot think of a reason not to use the 1100 for commuting at all, even if that is all it is for.
The times I ran it in the rain, snow and everything in between are hard to count. the body protection with the electric windshield was a comfort. For a 20 mile round trip commute it was great.
The reason for the ST and not the FJR was passenger comfort, my wife liked the STs back seat better than the others.
I cannot think of a reason not to use the 1100 for commuting at all, even if that is all it is for.
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- 12/04/AZ05 ST 1300s
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- 001034
I found my ST1300s to be perfect for commuting and touring! Over my years of riding, most of it was commuting anywhere from 15 to 120 miles and the last 12 years was 125 miles. I commuted on 72 Yamaha 250 Twins, a Honda CB450, a CB650 Nighthawk, a VF700 Sabre and two different V45 Sabres and a V65 Sabre. to me, I wished the ST1300 would have come 20 years earlier!
I'm sure that ST1100 will give you plenty of years of commuting. But like UP said, do the maintenance.
I'm sure that ST1100 will give you plenty of years of commuting. But like UP said, do the maintenance.
irunamok
Site Supporter
Well…I had very bad luck with my ‘01 when the alternator gave out on the fly ‘n ride home from Tennessee. Short version: fixed and riding great now. Old bikes…old parts to wear out. It was just bad luck for me. The bike is GREAT and I look forward so riding it every day. FWIW, I commuted for a while on an ‘04 Concours and it was a good ride and not too cumbersome for commuting. Similar ride to the ST1100.
I was VERY lucky to find the nearest dealer to my broken down bike which would actually work on old bikes. Many/most won’t repair a 25 year old bike. They suggest you find a local private mechanic—or fix yourself if you have the ability. There’s a ton of helpful info and members here for just about any repair you might want to do yourself if you have the interest.
Again FWIW, I also have an NC700X which is the perfect commuter bike. If I were still working, I’d take the NC rather than the ST for my commute. It’s lighter by about 200 pounds, more maneuverable, and much better mpg than the ST.
I was VERY lucky to find the nearest dealer to my broken down bike which would actually work on old bikes. Many/most won’t repair a 25 year old bike. They suggest you find a local private mechanic—or fix yourself if you have the ability. There’s a ton of helpful info and members here for just about any repair you might want to do yourself if you have the interest.
Again FWIW, I also have an NC700X which is the perfect commuter bike. If I were still working, I’d take the NC rather than the ST for my commute. It’s lighter by about 200 pounds, more maneuverable, and much better mpg than the ST.
Thanks for the input, I did pick it up cheap 1400. with an extra final drive, 5 different windscreens (anybody looking for a Madstad with small and large screens, would love to give someone a great deal) and two seats, stock and Corbin. I will also use it for a tourer.
Being retired finally, don't commute, but what I have found after commuting on a bike for to many years to count. The bigger the bike the less I got tailgated. 1100s are comfortable and quiet, reliable. Only thing I find slightly challenging is parking, yeah they are a bit on the heavy side. Made a square plate to put under the side stand, with a long wire attached so I don't have to reach down to pick it up. I hang the wire around the clutch lever to make sure I pick up the plate. Only thing that seems to be expensive is the Tupperware, and they wear tires faster than my Gl650i and CX650E did. Mind you Dunlop had a deal on a set of Roadstar 3's for 300 Canadian, which I have put 10,000 kilometers on , still have rubber ( need to measure how much is left) handling is good, and traction in the rain good too. Of all the bikes I have owned I would be taking the ST1100 if I was commuting. Happy riding G
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
To easily solve the sidestand footprint, I bought these -
https://sm-motofeet.com.pl/en/50-st...EkZzAkdDE3NjIwMjM1OTkkajYwJGwwJGgxNzQyODg3OTA.
They are a great piece of kit, fit nicely and do not interfere with the working of the sidestand.
https://sm-motofeet.com.pl/en/50-st...EkZzAkdDE3NjIwMjM1OTkkajYwJGwwJGgxNzQyODg3OTA.
They are a great piece of kit, fit nicely and do not interfere with the working of the sidestand.
I may be interested in this. At checkout it says free shipping...with no personal info yet entered.
No info on this seller/company either.
Would Amazon be an option for these? or elsewhere?
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
I don't know - I ordered them directly from them with no issues.
Whether the new tariff situation comes into play I have no idea.
I live in tropical south east Asia in a small island city state, been commuting on my 00’st since Jan2000 till now(07-16 less riding due work), occasionally used as touring to neighboring countries.
In city center you might have some choice words due to bad traffic and countless traffic lights, but we’re allowed to lane split. I commute ~50-60km/day 5days a week.
270kkm odometer, St11 are very reliable and rarely/seldom has any major issues except wear and tear if all the routine/recommended maintenance(belts/pumps/hoses) are done. I’ve had once major 40A alternator breakdown/dead, rest are minors. These bikes likes to be riden, not parked.
I think you’ll be ok in the north east.
I would be more apt to use a smaller bike in your commute, a 400 cc or smaller would be my preference.
I watch the video of the eastern cities and I like the scooters more and more.
But, I am not from there and don't trust the popular video to give me a decent showing of what is really overseas.
I watch the video of the eastern cities and I like the scooters more and more.
But, I am not from there and don't trust the popular video to give me a decent showing of what is really overseas.
Any bike can be used for commuting. But not every bike is suitable for every kind of commuting.
I started out commuting to Boeing Everett, which was a 15-20 minute commute. No big deal. I rode a Kymco Bet&Win 250 for 11 months of ownership. My boss at the 11 month point in time told me that two weeks from now, I want you in Duwamish, which is in the south end of Seattle. My commute went from a short stint on the freeway to 37 miles each way, rain or shine. I traded the Kymco in on a Suzuki Burgman 400 scooter.
The Burgman would easily do freeway speeds and had both a full fairing for rain and cold protection and a 62 liter underseat storage space. My laptop backpack fit nicely with room to spare under the seat. Gas mileage was up in the mid-60s. I rationalized my riding gear purchases by comparing that 65 mpg vs the 15 mpg at best that I could get from my car. Two weeks was a new riding jacket, an Olympia AST2. Another week and a half was the Olympia Dakar pants that I still have.
Could I do that same commute with a bike that weighs...700 lbs wet? Sure. But that bike averages about 40 mpg per Fuelly. And as the years went by, my commute went from a 35 minute ride to an hour and a half...with all that extra time being in stop and virtually stopped traffic. Which bike would you rather choose for the commute? The one that weighs 300 lbs more?
If I had a wide open commute with traffic speeds around 70-80 mph, the ST1100 makes perfect sense. If I had a commute with an average speed of 35 miles per hour...I'd rather use something smaller. The NC700X or even better, the NC750X makes perfect sense to handle either commute.
As for the OP's original question...B-52s are still flying that are perhaps older than you. Why? Because when they break, they get fixed. I'd look at the most likely causes of breakdowns and buy some spare parts as insurance.
Chris
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
Well, by weather protection given (allowing choice of more civil clothing), payload capacity ad well as the safety given by 'visually impressive stance' I'd disagree...
Also my GF would not have commuted on her small, "naked" Kawa ER-5, whilst she's doing it almost year round on the 'large', hence rather humiliating NT700VA...
humiliating???
I'm missing what is humiliating about the NT700VA. I actually had a BMW owner come up to me at Mt. St. Helens to ask what BMW model it was. Full fairing. Excellent wind management. Comfortable riding position. Shaft drive. Built in luggage with a pass-through.
Chris