Road Test: Honda ST1100 vs. ST1300

[paulcb]

I ran across this old article from 2013 comparing the ST11 to the ST13. Nothing earth shattering, but still an interesting read.

Road Test: Honda ST1100 v. ST1300

Beloved of the happily middle-aged (and the police), unobtrusive, but more than capable of letting fly on a twisty road, Honda's ST1100 was a marvelous thing. Can the same be said of the ST1300?

www.visordown.com

 

[mortenk]

I thought for sure that there was more than 5 HP difference between the bikes. Certainly feels like a lot more to me! I have always read 125 HP for the ST1300, not the 115 HP listed here. Maybe that's at the wheel? Oh well - both so wonderful bikes that I have fond memories of these days

 

[Larry Fine]

He hinted at, but never answered: "So, for the last week I've had one of each: a late '02 ST1100 with ABS, and a fully-loaded brand spanker ST1300 direct from Honda UK. One, I have to say, I really don't want to give back. But I'm not telling you which just yet."

 

[SMSW]

He hinted at, but never answered: "So, for the last week I've had one of each: a late '02 ST1100 with ABS, and a fully-loaded brand spanker ST1300 direct from Honda UK. One, I have to say, I really don't want to give back. But I'm not telling you which just yet."

Sure he did, Larry. At the end he said he was in his 30's and what made the 1300 appeal to him was not likely what attracts older buyers. There were also other comments about why he liked the 1300.

 

[Larry Fine]

That's why I say he hinted; he never said "the one I want to keep is . . . "

 

[okckeith]

I’ve only rode one ST1100 as a favor for somebody wanting to buy it from out of state. Good bike I am sure. But the 1300 is far better for me. Just my opinion.

 

[docw1]

I've ridden each over 100,000 miles each. When I had the 1100, I didn't think i'd ever needs another bike. But when I got the 1300, there was no turning back.

 

[T_C]

An oil thread by another name...

 

[sky.high]

The 13 is much better bike, I could never own an 11, my legs are to long and knees press against the fairing, what more proof does anyone need to determine the better bike !

Honda did a wonderful job with the ST series, now I'm reminiscing and getting teary eyed, ah the good old days.

 

[paulcb]

An oil thread by another name...

I wonder if one could use the same oil in an ST1300 as they use in an ST 1100?

Boy, you guys will do anything for an oil thread, even create one out of nothing!

 

[Uncle Phil]

The 13 is much better bike, I could never own an 11, my legs are to long and knees press against the fairing, what more proof does anyone need to determine the better bike !

Honda did a wonderful job with the ST series, now I'm reminiscing and getting teary eyed, ah the good old days.

Perhaps someone who owns four ST1100s and has quite a few miles on rental ST1300s and could own a ST1300 if he wanted …

 

[Walleye]

He's impressed that the 1300 will wheelie but feels less stable at higher speeds. The 1100 will wheelie also, but with more effort, this is directly attributable to the 1100s 2 inch longer wheel base, add 2 inches to the 1300 or any bike for that matter and it will be much less prone to lifting the front wheel. Not really a factor for consideration in a sport touring bike. Curious as to the gearing between the 2 as the 1100 seems it could benefit from a slight gear reduction at times.

 

[Larry Fine]

Curious as to the gearing between the 2 as the 1100 seems it could benefit from a slight gear reduction at times.

You mean it would benefit if there was a way, or that there is a way? And I take it you mean higher gearing that would drop RPM?

 

[OldWingit]

I purchased new first year of both the 1100 and 1300 and rode them both for over ten years. The 1300 is so much more fun on a good back road, you don' t have to force it into the turn it just flows like a much lighter bike. Power shield, better brakes, a little faster, bags don't rattle, and much better knee room. How do they compare riding the slab to work and back ?, I have no idea, been retired for thirty years.

Ed Wing

 

[Larry Fine]

The 1300 is so much more fun on a good back road, you don' t have to force it into the turn it just flows like a much lighter bike.

I found the same to be true with my '01 after I raised the rear end substantially to compensate for my weight over the previous owner. The handling improvement was dramatic, and it feels as light as my '96 Nighthawk 750 does now.

When I bought the ST, it resisted leaning in response to counter-steering effort. It just wouldn't lean, as if it was compressing rubber. With the rear higher, the steering is light, tight, instinctive, and totally controllable and predictable.

 

[Bill Cleveland]

I’ve only rode one ST1100 as a favor for somebody wanting to buy it from out of state. Good bike I am sure. But the 1300 is far better for me. Just my opinion.

Thank you for doing that I bought that st and it is a excellent bike .I seen your post and did not remembered if I ever thanked you

 

[okckeith]

Thank you for doing that I bought that st and it is a excellent bike .I seen your post and did not remembered if I ever thanked you

Glad I could help you out. And glad you are enjoying the bike.
I still have my 1300 for now. 4 bikes in my garage is 2 too many. I’m probably going to sell mine and my DR 650. Both are very good bikes. I will miss them.

 

[Walleye]

You mean it would benefit if there was a way, or that there is a way? And I take it you mean higher gearing that would drop RPM?

Sorry Larry, I promise a [reduction] in response in the future. Wife's home ill and demanded we watch The Masked Singer Finally we recorded then had to get the 04 Honda Element emissions test, it passed, 190,000mi. Answer to your question, no. Many use the term lower and reduction differently. A reduction in the vernacular of the crowd I've ran with is a higher numerical ratio, as is downshifting from 5th to 4th is a gear reduction even though you are increasing the ratio of gear teeth driven. On a chain drive lowering the front sprocket from 18 to 17 teeth is a reduction, and will raise rpm, that is what I believe would benefit the 1100 greatly. It did wonders for the Harley 96inch when they went to the synchronized six speed in conjunction with a reduction in gearing, giving real world acceleration above what the slight power increase over the 88inch would appear on paper, a much livelier ride.

 

[Larry Fine]

On a chain drive lowering the front sprocket from 18 to 17 teeth is a reduction, and will raise rpm, that is what I believe would benefit the 1100 greatly.

Interesting, as I feel the opposite, and have occasionally tried to shift into sixth. One can always downshift when needed.

I added two extra front teeth on my '82 NH750, and have a sprocket ready for my '96 NH750 when change time comes.



Please spend every moment you can with her. Today would have been my lady's 72nd birthday; she passed about 2.5 years ago, after 19.5 years together. It was and is a rough day for me. Enjoy the holidays!

 

[Walleye]

Hope your wife recovers from her illness.
Did you enjoy the Masked Singer?

The Masked singer has entertainment value, the costume makers are awesome. I think the Misses has poisoned herself somehow, has a stomach bug, she had a flu shot? I did'nt, she has no entertainment value at the moment. Now its Friday and The Blacklist is finished til spring.