Ctx1300 to ST1300???

[red one]

I guess i'm just an old codger but man I remember Honda's great bikes like it was yesterday. You see my Honda store was just down the street and after high school that's where we went. I literally drooled over those 6 cylinder cbx's. Honda cx 650 Turbo's. I seen the 750 super sports when they came out. Cx 500 turbo's. I don't know if you young ones know it but the ST1100 was not Hondas first sport tourer. That's right. In the early 80's there was a fully faired bike with hard luggage that came from the factory that way. Based on the inline 6 cylinder CBX. This was when Honda was hitting it out of the park. Today they are just tredding water.

 

[UpArrow]

What is your view on the performance differences between the ST1300 and the your 2018 Goldwing?

(Disclaimer: I've never owned or ridden a true sport bike)

Well, I ride up Parley's canyon to Wanship or Henefer 5 days a week if the weather is good and I'm in town. 90% of the time I take the ST. With it's shorter wheelbase and faster roll-on response it's just a more fun bike for that ride.
The Wing is used for longer rides. ​

Though the Wing is only 80 lbs heavier it feels like a much larger bike than the ST due to the longer wheelbase. Where the ST is skittish and nimble the Wing is firmly planted plowing into even very stout winds. The suspension of the ST is supple but gives nice road feedback IMO. The Wing offers a fatigue-reducing smooooth glide but it's also a bit numb feeling on the road. I don't feel much connected to the riding experience on the Wing where I do with the ST.

In sport/auto mode the Wing would soundly beat the ST on a 100 yard race, but the ST has better roll-on response above 50mph depending on gear selected.
I love running the ST to 80mph in 3rd gear coming down the freeway onramp near my house if traffic permits. It's exciting.

To incite the Wing to deliver that kind of excitement brings with it a certain "brutish" element that I'm not fully comfortable unleashing 4 years into my riding career. I doubt I've had it above 4300 rpm to be honest.

"Horses for courses" and all.