What is the highest mileage per tank possible on a ST1300?

Dan G. Luce

Dan G. Luce

Joined
Oct 8, 2018
Messages
10
Age
77
Location
Pompano Beach, Fl 33060
Bike
2003 ST-1300
65mpg at 40mph in 5th gear x 7.7 gal = 500 miles per tank!

The ST1300 has a two-element fuel-tank which lowers the center of gravity and provides an exceptionally large 7.7 US gal fuel capacity. This normally gives 42mpg and a range of 320 highway miles at 70mph.

I rode the Dalton Highway north of Fairbanks Alaska in July 2010. Extremely slippery, calcium chloride saturated mud required me to intentionally drive in high gear at low speed to eliminate over-torque, wheel slip and subsequent face-plants. The trip computer consistently registered over 65mpg while I averaged 30-40 mph for 450 miles up from Fairbanks through Cold Foot over the Brooks Range and 5,000 ft Atigun Pass, to Dead Horse on the Arctic Ocean. I then returned 450 miles back to Fairbanks. These conditions (low speed + high gear) extended my one tank range from 320 to 500 miles.

The ST1300 was absolutely trouble-free for the entire trip, my only issues being tire wear/failure, multiple headlight filament failures, broken mirror glass, a mud-encapsulated radiator, altitude-induced air in brake lines, and a broken belly fairing.
Not too bad for 13,000 miles and successful completion of an extreme long distance ride from Key West and back. The IBA calls the ride from Key West Fl to Dead Horse Ak and back "Ultimate Coast to Coast to Coast Insanity".

Ultimate Coast to Coast to Coast Insanity.jpg

Alaska Sukakpak Granite Mountain on Dalton.jpg

Dan at Alaskan Highway mile 0.jpg
 
Kudos, Kudos and some more of the same.
What a trip, riding on hardcore slime on a ST, for hundreds of miles. I bet your arms ached and I should think you had eyes like saucers at the end of it.
Now here's a question,"if you ever forget about this trip enough to want to do it again, what would you do it on"?
The ST.
BMW GS.
KTM Adventurer.
Honda Africa Twin.
Or other?
I remember a joke about Alaska, I'm sure you know it better than I do, it went something like.
The tour guide tells all his clientele to wear little bells on their lapels so the bears can hear them.
They dutifully oblige.
And don't forget to look out for bear crap.
How do we know it's bear?
It's full of little bells!
Drum roll and symbols.
Upt'North.
 
I've heard that one a bit differently. How do you tell the difference between black bear scat and grizzly bear scat? Grizzly bear scat smells like pepper and has little bells in it. :rimshot1:

Great ride!
 
My wife and I rode to Alaska 2-up in 2000, on a 97 Goldwing. My IBA ride in 2010 was solo on the ST1300, except for a few Hoka-Hey HD riders on their way from Key West to Homer Ak. In the soggy summer of 2010, the ST1300 was the only road bike to make it past Cold Foot, 250 mi short of Dead Horse and the Arctic Ocean. My son and I plan to go in 2020, on road bikes again, but when it is drier.
 
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Highway STar said:
And on a stock seat no less. You, Sir, are truly an Iron Butt rider!
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Sargent Seat looks similar to stock, but well designed and keeps ST1300 rider comfortable for 300 continuous miles. Dan Luce

docw1 said:
Congratulations on your trek! Sounds great, but 500 miles at 40 mph--I could never keep it that slow for that long.
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Riding cross-country in the West, you will find long distances between fuel stops and unpredicted closures. In the far north, you have sun light 24/7 but truck stops run by The FIrst People only open between 10am and 6pm. Knowing how much you can stretch range by slowing down is a valuable Plan-B.
Also, 40mph can be downright relaxing on scenic byways like Natches Trace, Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, cheap thrills...

Upt' North said:
Kudos, Kudos and some more of the same.
What a trip, riding on hardcore slime on a ST, for hundreds of miles. I bet your arms ached and I should think you had eyes like saucers at the end of it.
Now here's a question,"if you ever forget about this trip enough to want to do it again, what would you do it on"?
The ST.
BMW GS.
KTM Adventurer.
Honda Africa Twin.
Or other?
I remember a joke about Alaska, I'm sure you know it better than I do, it went something like.
The tour guide tells all his clientele to wear little bells on their lapels so the bears can hear them.
They dutifully oblige.
And don't forget to look out for bear crap.
How do we know it's bear?
It's full of little bells!

Drum roll and symbols.
Upt'North.
Click to expand...
 
Dan, you were on a ST1300 in 2010, but you just joined this group same day as this post, are you still riding? Still on the ST 8 years later? I'm wondering how many miles you had on yours?

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You too can be a Mud Master. The urge to steer in extremely slippery conditions is overwhelming, but you will fall! Even to go straight, keep repeating "relax, smooth....." over and over. If the road is even slightly banked or crowned, your front tire will tend to gravitate downhill. The lightest Counter-Steering pressure will bring you back to intended line. The ST1300 has enough torque to allow higher gears at moderate speed without losing needed traction or stalling. Relax.
BTW, this works on ice and snow, oil spills, and skid pads...

Dave.David said:
Dan, you were on a ST1300 in 2010, but you just joined this group same day as this post, are you still riding? Still on the ST 8 years later? I'm wondering how many miles you had on yours?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
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?
 
Dan G. Luce said:
?
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Dan, you were on a ST1300 in 2010 when you did that IBA ride.
According to your profile you just joined this group, 2018, Oct 8, same day as this post, are you still riding a motorcycle?
Still on the ST1300 8 years later?
I'm wondering how many miles you had/have on your ST1300 ?

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Dan G. Luce said:
I am 70 now, and still actively ride my 2003 ST1300 as an MSF RiderCoach for mtii.com. It is "new" again with 20,000 miles on the clock.
I am a longtime member but changes to IP and email address make me "new" again too.
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Apologies if my "newness" made me look like a idiot because I assumed I had all the info. Happy to learn you and others in the same age bracket are still riding, still hope for those younger, thank you.

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Congratulations on a great adventure. I envy your free time.
I'll have to retire before my trip goals can happen but my current retirement plan is to work until I'm dead.
 
OK - Nice ride and award from IBA.
Congrats. 13K from KeyWest! WOW.
SO, what is the BEST time or season to hit the Dalton Hwy. when it is High & Dry ??
My '07 is coming up on 170K miles.
It wld. be a great to do that round trip to Prudhoe.
THANKS
 
ESB said:
OK - Nice ride and award from IBA.
Congrats. 13K from KeyWest! WOW.
SO, what is the BEST time or season to hit the Dalton Hwy. when it is High & Dry ??
My '07 is coming up on 170K miles.
It wld. be a great to do that round trip to Prudhoe.
THANKS
Click to expand...
Watch the weather. Go in summer but long periods of rain are BAD, High risk if wet saturated ground.
You need minimum of 2 dry days each way to make good time, four 250 mile legs. The ONLY fuel is in in Fairbanks, Cold Foot, and Dead Horse, 250 miles apart.
Good food, Motels and camping are always available in Cold Foot. Good food and Motel only in Dead Horse (hungry bears!) Wait out wet weather. It is wise to take extra time to rest at one or more of your fuel stops. Visit free visitor center/museum in Cold Foot, and fascinating town nearby, Wiseman. Dead Horse is as non-scenic as it's namesake. Skip the tour (expensive) unless obliged take a freezing dip or collect Arctic Ocean dirt.
 
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