ST1300 lifespan ?

TourNut

TourNut

Joined
Jun 21, 2011
Messages
889
Age
72
Location
Ada ( Grand Rapids ) Michigan
Bike
'07 ST 1300 & '91 GW
As a new owner or a ST1300 , I have a couple questions : What is the average life-span of a ST , mileage -wise if it runs in synthetic oils , garaged and not abused while riding ? Is there a common mechanical weakpoint you have to watch out for ? Also is there a big national ST rally somewhere every year ?
 
I haven't heard of anyone putting a 1300 out to pasture for any reason other than a wreck. Our mileage awards list shows 21 1300s with over 100K, two with over 150K and two with 200K. These machines are designed and built to last a good, long time, and I don't think garaging it or -- dare I say it at the risk of turning this into an oil thread -- synthetic oil will make a whole lot of difference.

If I had to pick a weak mechanical point, it would have to be the U-joints on the drive shaft, and failures in those aren't even what I'd call a common problem.

--Mark
 
TourNut said:
Also is there a big national ST rally somewhere every year ?
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Look in the events forum, there's sure to be something in your neighborhood. Probably the largest rally is WeSTOC, (for Western STOC) which just concluded in late June in Nelson British Columbia. Next year's Rally will be in Golden, CO. There are many regional STOC events as well. There is NatSTOC which was intended to be a National gathering of STOC (ST Owners' Club) but I believe WeSTOC still draws more participants.
 
Coming events are shown on the left column of the home page, the entire list is under the events forum in FORUMS. Every STOC event is a national (even international) event as folks might show up from anywhere. WeSTOC is still the biggest, next year's event in Golden will probabley break records (as did this year's event in Can.) due to the more central location.

Mark mentioned the universal joint is a rare weak point, need to also note it's not fatal. I think everyone who has suffered that fault have been able to repair the bike in fairly short order.
 
My current plans (if everything keeps going the way it is) are to retire my 05 ST1300 some time in the next year and a half from long distance riding but continue commuting on it until it falls apart. That said, I figure around that year and a half time, I'll be looking for a new (maybe used) ST1300 for long disance rides! :D

i just don't want to push my luck too far since I've never had a bike with these many miles before, and I just don't trust it....but I have to admit, with 121K on it, it is still going strong! :woo
 
Most of us take better care of our bikes than our cars/trucks. It's just part of the process.

I just rebuilt the forks on STick over the weekend. She's showing 198,000 ++ and I wouldn't hesitate to jump on'er and head east right now. Maintenance, not miles, determines the longevity except for unforeseen circumstances.
 
Still probably haven't had enough st1100's die to figure out their mean time to failure :)
Pretty large detuned engine lasts a long time.

Most? failures are stuck thermostat, gritty wheel bearings, stripped windscreen mechanism, fuel sensor, fuel pump, occaisional u-joint failure.
Walk homes are pretty few.
 
st1300r said:
Still probably haven't had enough st1100's die to figure out their mean time to failure :)
Pretty large detuned engine lasts a long time.

Most? failures are stuck thermostat, gritty wheel bearings, stripped windscreen mechanism, fuel sensor, fuel pump, occaisional u-joint failure.
Walk homes are pretty few.
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So far I've been stranded once with a alternator failure (about 10 miles from home). That was back in December 2008, one month after the three year warranty was over. Thank goodness I had the extended warranty! :D
 
Over 100,000 on mind and the only thing that is showing its age are the suspension bits, I think that motor is good for another 100,000 even the way I neglect maintenance schedules. My first V65 Saber went over 160,000 and the only reason it died was because I stoped riding it after buying my first ST1100 IN 93. My original intention was to use the Saber for commuting and save the ST for trips but I soon found myself unable to forgo the more sophisticated charms of that little red vixen and well you know the story, first the battery went flat from neglect which led to carburetors getting fouled up and so forth and so forth.... My bad:(
 
squirrel Hunter said:
Over 100,000 on mind and the only thing that is showing its age are the suspension bits, I think that motor is good for another 100,000 even the way I neglect maintenance schedules. My first V65 Saber went over 160,000 and the only reason it died was because I stoped riding it after buying my first ST1100 IN 93. My original intention was to use the Saber for commuting and save the ST for trips but I soon found myself unable to forgo the more sophisticated charms of that little red vixen and well you know the story, first the battery went flat from neglect which led to carburetors getting fouled up and so forth and so forth.... My bad:(
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Yeah, my V45 and V65 Sabres both suffered the same fate...they started doing nothing but collecting dust, so I sold them both! :D
 
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