Are you sure it was a stock windscreen? I'm maybe an inch or so taller than you and the stock windscreen is not what I'd call 'right' in my line of sight, but maybe our definitions vary. If I look straight out level with the ground, the top of the stock windscreen is a few inches below that line of sight. So for anything I'm looking at while riding, the screen is not in the way at all.
Stumpy legged rider eyeing an ST1100
- Thread starter Morrissey
- Start date
Are you sure it was a stock windscreen? I'm maybe an inch or so taller than you and the stock windscreen is not what I'd call 'right' in my line of sight, but maybe our definitions vary. If I look straight out level with the ground, the top of the stock windscreen is a few inches below that line of sight. So for anything I'm looking at while riding, the screen is not in the way at all.
While you likely won't find a decent ST1300, of any year, for anything less than $5,000, you can find a number of decent ST1100's these days that go for as little as $2,500. Mind, I said decent. Some with more wear and tear have been seen for $1,500. Bang for the buck is still the 1100's forte.
just to add to cjames' comment.... at 30" inseam you are close to the edge of what is needed. At 29" (I am shrinking as I age) I am darn close to the limit of movability.
Things I find MOST important:
1. Never wear slick soled shoes! Hiking boots with an aggressive tread have done well for me.
2. Watch where you are putting your feet! Gravel, anti-skid or chips as they are called locally, sticks, slick leaves etc are your enemy. Note the numbers of tip-overs listed by everybody! Most of those happen when standing still or coming to a stop!
3. Potholes are also your enemy. Step into one when you are stopping or as I did on another bike, step into one in the dark and down you go. Grease slicks or anti-freeze leaks the same!
4. NEVER park facing down any kind of slope unless you can ride forward. Facing upslope is gonna be much easier on you and your self-image. Rolling backwards is much easier than pushing backwards.
5. Learn how to lift your scoot by your self. You CAN do it! Take a safey course if one is available in your area, even if you already ride.
6. Corbyn seats are much lower, but wider. Perhaps others as well. You can figure it out. Spread 'em.
7. The 1100/1300 is an extremely reliable bike. And those tip-over covers are cheap and really easy to replace!
Things I find MOST important:
1. Never wear slick soled shoes! Hiking boots with an aggressive tread have done well for me.
2. Watch where you are putting your feet! Gravel, anti-skid or chips as they are called locally, sticks, slick leaves etc are your enemy. Note the numbers of tip-overs listed by everybody! Most of those happen when standing still or coming to a stop!
3. Potholes are also your enemy. Step into one when you are stopping or as I did on another bike, step into one in the dark and down you go. Grease slicks or anti-freeze leaks the same!
4. NEVER park facing down any kind of slope unless you can ride forward. Facing upslope is gonna be much easier on you and your self-image. Rolling backwards is much easier than pushing backwards.
5. Learn how to lift your scoot by your self. You CAN do it! Take a safey course if one is available in your area, even if you already ride.
6. Corbyn seats are much lower, but wider. Perhaps others as well. You can figure it out. Spread 'em.
7. The 1100/1300 is an extremely reliable bike. And those tip-over covers are cheap and really easy to replace!
b.carez
Bill Carez
That's how I do it too John. Works well for me and I feel like I have better control that way.
+1!........taking nothing away from the 1300STeed, but pretty much different riding positions between the two for any long haul. More forward weight on bars than I can do anymore on the 13
, but that's just me.
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
LOL! Not if I'm the addressed... :lol:
Cause those who claim the right to operate automotive, have the duty to take care of its technical conditions (i.e. oil levels, tire pressure) as well as to learn how to park that darn thang...
...that's lived equality...
(In return I'd never ask for things like pressing shirts, cooking, etc... as I can do that all very well by myself... and won't have to bear the any nag about it afterwards...
)Now back to our regular program... ;-)
Are you still single Martin, or are you gonna ask that gal to marry you? That's when saying "yes dear" becomes a smoother over of many issues!
On those rare occasions where I need a "reverse gear", I ask for assistance (if available) by asking them to PULL on the rear rack rather than push from the front. I'm concerned that an over-zealous helper may push too hard and damage something.
If help is not available, here's a technique that I've used that you may be aware of... grab the front brake, push forward loading the forks and then immediately pull backwards while releasing the brake. That little bit of momentum from the loaded forks is good for a couple of inches. It may take many repetitions, but it's better than just being stuck. Unfortunately, this technique doesn't work as well with linked brakes, but it does work.
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
...PROUDLY! Yes sir! :-D
Not gonna happen, ever... not with that legal situation... (and not with the issues they all have these days)...
Trust me, all the "yes dear" as well as any impulse to "smoothen" things have been completely depleted by the many who'd challenged me over the years...That's when saying "yes dear" becomes a smoother over of many issues!
Seriously: the gals asked for equal rights and I'm fully behind that they shall have that, 1000%... I live emancipation... to the dot...
:grin: back OT:
I'd also never push on "soft parts" of a bike like fairing, headlight, etc... gabbing the passenger handles is the way to assist...
But far better: dismount, right hand on the seat, left on the LH handlebar, lean forward and just push that rig wherever you need it to go.
I beg to differ. A year ago last August ( a year and a half+ ago) I was at a Guzzi rally talking w/ someone about my then new lust for a ST 1300 (and before I bought mine). He told me he had just bought an 03 with around 65K miles on it for $3500. He was going to pick it up on the way home. I saw it last august (6 mo ago) at the 2014 rally and it looks fine to me - not new, but in good to very good condition. The windshield had a crack and could be replaced, but I thought the price was right - if not downright cheap.
And yes, I ride my ST to the guzzi rallies proudly - along w/ guys who ride Suzy's, Harleys, Yamma's, a few Can Ams, and of course, a whale of a lot of Moto Guzzis - from Ambassadors up to the newest....
I use a different strategy. I put my hip against the seat and lean the bike on my butt with hand on the handlebars (sidestand is down). I push against the seat to lift the stand off the ground and pull on the handlebars to back up the bike. Or I push forward on the bars. I don't feel comfortable moving the bike with it upright - it is too easy for it to get away from me and fall away from me.