Short / Lightweight ST1300 Riders

nediaC

Joined
Feb 28, 2016
Messages
9
Location
CA
Looking to buy a ST1300. Found a 2004 Non-ABS 30k miles about 2 hours away from me for $5000.

I have some concerns that my height (5'7" 30' inseam) combined with my light weight (160lbs) would give me a lot of trouble moving the bike at low speeds and standstills. I don't think I would be able to flat foot with the ST.

I have never sat on a ST. The heaviest bike I've ridden is the Suzuki V-Strom. The only bike I have ridden that I can completely flat foot was a Harley. I had sports bikes but they were less than 400 lbs.

Any tips from fellow riders that is my height or shorter? Just wanted to hear some inputs before making the trip to check it out.
 
I am 5`7` and 30 inch inseam as well. My CB1000c and ST13 only allow me to put the balls of my feet on the ground,,, ie,, not flat footed. Good motorcycle boots with thick soles are a must,, especially for the ST. I used to be 160lbs,,, and wish I was again,,, but I think that it is just a matter of strength that matters and not weight. Low speed handling with the ST is a bit different than I was used too,,, and should be learned cautiously to avoid a slow roll. Cheers,, Cat`
 
Check greatdaytoride.com I think a stock seat with a spence mod can be a little lower than oem.
160lbs isn't an issue. 30" you won't be able to flat foot it but more than a few get along just fine. If you do sit on one in a show room make sure the seat is set to the lowest of it's 3 positions.
 
I am 5'6" and have a 29" inseam, and was on a VTX1300 I could flat foot before I moved up to the ST. It does take a little getting used to, but once you get a feel for it, it is easily manageable. I have learned to be very aware of where I stop, and where make tight maneuvers. Anticipation and planing is key, so you don't get caught unprepared. Once you work up a little confidence, it is easy. I bought my ST last fall, and have about 5,000 miles on it. I am on the balls of my feet also, but now it just does not matter, I have no problems handling this bike. You also want to see what it has for a seat, some of the after markets are taller than stock, those seats will not help you out planting your feet on the ground. Just something to ask about, well worth a seat swap to ride such a great bike.
 
RedNHST said:
I am 5'6" and have a 29" inseam, and was on a VTX1300 I could flat foot before I moved up to the ST. It does take a little getting used to, but once you get a feel for it, it is easily manageable. I have learned to be very aware of where I stop, and where make tight maneuvers. Anticipation and planing is key, so you don't get caught unprepared. Once you work up a little confidence, it is easy. I bought my ST last fall, and have about 5,000 miles on it. I am on the balls of my feet also, but now it just does not matter, I have no problems handling this bike. You also want to see what it has for a seat, some of the after markets are taller than stock, those seats will not help you out planting your feet on the ground. Just something to ask about, well worth a seat swap to ride such a great bike.
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This is my story, I came off a VTX1300 as well. I'm 5' 6", 29" inseam, 150 lbs. The seat on my bike is a Sargent and is slightly wider in the front which lengthens the reach to ground. I can touch the toes and balls of each foot on the ground. I wear Tourmaster Solution boots with a regular sole. Some people get thicker soles but I'm not yet to that point but I can see how they help. From the beginning I practiced slow maneuvers a lot, U-turns and circle eights, to build confidence and to me the ST1300 is easy to handle but it was intimidating at first. I can attest that a parking lot drop at slow speed will only scratch the tipover wing cover and I bought several of them building confidence. I pay close attention to where and how I'm going to park and always stop with the bars squared up and straight ahead. To push the bike around I slide a bit off to one side in order to flatfoot that side and just use one foot to move it in a kind of hop-along motion. Once or twice I got myself downhill slightly and couldn't move the bike back until I removed the seat and sat directly on the frame to duck walk backwards. That height is like a VTX! You will do just fine. I've owned bikes along with the ST1300 that have higher seat heights and the ST is almost easier though much heavier - it's hard to describe. My NC700X is at least an inch taller.
 
I think that if your quads are in decent shape not flat-footing shouldn't be a deal breaker. Picking where you stop is important. I can flat-foot the ST but not with much leg to spare.

Early in my riding I realized it's not good to stop with one wheel on the street and one on the driveway. Fortunately my 305 was much lighter than the ST.
 
How do you guys back up? Get off of the bike or compression front brakes to back up?
 
Very carefully. I try to avoid backing when possible. If it is firm dry ground you just have to trust your footing, and back up carefully.If it is on dirt or sandy/wet pavement, I will drop my my kickstand, hop off, grab the left handlebar, and left rear grab handle next to the seat, and back up by hand. I would rather hop off than get thrown off and have to pick the bike up. Once you have some confidence, it is easy. Just plan your stops, scan the area before you stop, and know the conditions before you put a toe on the ground.
 
5'8" -ish, 29" inseam and where, when and how you come to a stop is vitally important initially until you master your beastie. As those above have stated it's something that you have to work at and perfect. I initially had the Spencer mod done, which helped a bit. The bike is set up with some adjustments for seat height (L, M, High) and you'll need to make use of that feature. I'm currently sitting a Sergeant and yes it is a bit wider, which means it's not as easy to hit terra firma. However, I do like the comfort and I've learned to adapt. Another option: Seth Lamm can mod your seat to thin out the frontal area, as well as lower. I had this done on my VFR and it does make a difference.
Good luck and continue tapping into the amazing knowledge available on this site. It's certainly been a big help to me.
 
nediaC said:
How do you guys back up? Get off of the bike or compression front brakes to back up?
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I am a man of slight build. This may sound and look silly but I do it off the bike. I worked for a year at a dealership and had to push the bikes out in the morning and back in the evening. I rather look like a dork pushing my bike than tipping over. Two schools of thought here. One is keeping both hands on the bars and bike in gear.. clutch in I use my hip on the saddle and a gentle nudge with my hip to get her moving. If it is flat I take it out of gear From the left side of the bike always left (side stand) and one hand on the bar and the other on the passenger grab rail(preferably) seat as well but that is slick give a gentle push on the grab rail to get her moving. Try not to cross your legs or feet. Side step at first. Footing is important here. Loose ground and unsure footing will end in a drop. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE STANDING ON. hope this helps best of luck.
 
One good thing is to have a good pair of boots without a smooth sole, you need boots with tread on them that has lots of lugs and traction on them to make sure your feet don't slide as easy.
 
I am 5'9", 31" inseam, 180lbs. With a Corbin Close I can flatfoot.
Backing up sometimes can be a problem if you are not very mindful of where you park. The trick is to let gravity work for you.
If I were you I would be more concerned about standing starts on steep inclines.
 
I dropped my bike a couple of times over the years when I took off at a curved road... but at the last moment realized it was not the right moment... Especially at low speeds handling can be quite tricky. When the bike is going to fall, there is no way of stopping it. Better to drop it gently and pick it up again...
 
Well I bought the bike. It's definitely heavy lol.

I guess I just have to be mindful of where I am riding.

Even the slight incline of my driveway gives me a hard time when I park it.
 
Congrats on buying the bike.
I'm A little less than 5'7" and have a 29" inseam. I got an st1300 last April, and have an st1100. I tried a Bill Mayer seat that I got from the board. It's height was okay on the seats low setting but only slightly better for my rear on trips than stock. I tried a Laam that I had the same results with, okay for height but not good for my riding fun. I finally broke down and got another Russell Day Long seat and I'm extremely comfortable but more height challenged. So I ended up getting by sheer happenstance some logging/firefighting boots with a big sole and heel. I'm much more comfortable with the height issue and can reach the ground safely enough with some hip wiggling to make it work. I'm still careful though stopping, parking, especially when it's hot out and I'm tired.
I've tipped it over twice, once by myself on a really sloped roadway, and another in a gas station with a little help from a 72 Chevy pickup. I've ordered some gold wing tip over bars and an adapter so I don't break anything on the bike this season ( from dropping it).
I think bydawg bars are also a great option that many here have taken advantage of having. Either way don't sweat it if you drop it it's no big deal.
 
I am also looking into the goldwing guards. I KNOW I'll eventually drop it, especially if I ride it to places I'm not familiar with. But.. that's ok. It'll just hurt my ego a little.
 
sorry guys Im 6'6" i have the other end of trying to get enough room. but NediaC. Something you might consider is watching the video on how to "pick up" the dropped ST.. It's actually pretty easy if you do it right.. I would say get a friend and lay it on some padding and practice picking it up before you end up at a light trying to do it on your own in a hurry and hurt yourself.

I like many others on the sight have dropped the bike.. Mine was dropped in the garage with the bike off because my girlfriend decided to walk up behind the bike while I was putting it on the center stand. Instead of smacking her with the back of the bike I pulled it towards me and laid it down.. and of course she looked at me and asked.. "why did you drop your bike".. next time Ill just smack her with it.. :D
 
I also am 5.6 and a 30" inseam, I can get toes on the ground, so parking is extremely planned, low speed cautious, pavement with sand or gravel can be a serious problem so much cation is required, but we all know all that machine is moving all the joy that comes with that makes it worth while!
 
It can be a good practice to train yourself recovering from dropping the bike. Just gently place it on the side and then try to upright it again. Better to do that at you own garage instead during busy traffic ;-)
 
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