No longer "Considering" a ST1300, I picked one up Yesterday!!!!!!

[1000lbs]

I am thinking of picking up a ST1300 as a two up ride for the wife and I... I currently have a Speed Triple for myself and a Kawasaki Mean Streak that I set up for two up riding...  I was wondering if there is any thing I should know about living with one of these, and what maintenance is like on the ST1300s before I start looking to buy???  I hope to get to test ride one with the wife soon to get a riding impression, and I'm curious about what life with this bike is like aside from the ride...

Questions???

Is there anything specific I should watch out for when looking at used ST1300s???
Is there anything tricky about general maintenance (plastic removal, special tools, etc.)???
I see that valve adj. are scheduled @ 16K,  does anyone here do their own valves, and are they shim and bucket or wrench adjustable???  
How much do the dealers typically charge for the valve adjustment???

I'm 99% sure on this bike as my selection, and these are about the only questions I have left before I put my Kawasaki on the market and start looking for the Honda...

Thanks for the input...



 

[Ken]

Is there anything specific I should watch out for when looking at used ST1300s???
Is there anything tricky about general maintenance (plastic removal, special tools, etc.)???
I see that valve adj. are scheduled @ 16K,  does anyone here do their own valves, and are they shim and bucket or wrench adjustable???  
How much do the dealers typically charge for the valve adjustment???

Let's see if I can fire up the memory bank. I owned a ST13 for a couple seasons, a few years ago.

Used ST13's - yeah, the '03's had a recall for a wiring harness so you want to make sure that work was done. Also, the adjustable windshield on the '03 was an option (only came with the ABS model I believe) so if that's on your short list, keep an eye out.

Nothing tricky about maintenance on the ST13. There are the normal amount of push rivots to remove the plastic, but overall it's the same as wokring on any other plastic wrapped bike. Regular stuff like oil changes, final drive oil, etc are a piece of cake. Rear wheel removal is not fun however.

Many owners have done their own valve inspections/work. There is a great DIY write-up on this over on st-owners.com. Pretty sure they are shims. I don't recall reading anyone who found them to be out of spec at the 16K inspection.

The local Honda dealer here quoted me $325 to do the 16K maintenance, including the valve inspection.

Hoep this helps!

[Fred]

get thee over to ST-Owners.com for answers and opinions on all things ST1300.

[2006FJR]

Have you had a chance to ride an FJR?  

[desert_rider]

1000lbs is a noted bike whore - don't worry about valve adjustments, he'll just sell it before it's time to do them!  
Just kidding, I call first dibs on taking it for a spin!

[spd2918]

No worries.  

You might as well get an ABS model, because the price difference on used ones is very close.  I would try to find one with a factory top case with LED brake light spoiler.  Its very expensive to buy yourself.

+1 on your choice for 2-up riding.  It's passenger area is great, better than other big ST bikes, and more than makes up for the extra 50 pounds.  You may want risers and a Russell for 1K days (best $ I ever spent).

[SteveJones]

If you are looking for the bike *primarily* for two-up, and want decent handling, unless you and your wife are on the low end of the scale (pun intended) I recommend new springs up front (Sonic) and new shock/spring at the rear (Penske).  The ST is undersprung for 2 up with normal sized creatures and luggage, way undersprung for those of us on the hoofty side.

[Rambler]

Have you had a chance to ride an FJR?

I did and went with the ST.  

[Rambler]

The ST is undersprung for 2 up with normal sized creatures and luggage, way undersprung for those of us on the hoofty side.

My '04 hasn't worn out its springs yet, and I ride mostly 2-up.  I'm around 218# and the S.O. around 137#, and the bike has around 16k on the odo.  Springs will wear out eventually, but I don't think I'll have to worry about that for some time yet.

[SteveJones]

My '04 hasn't worn out its springs yet, and I ride mostly 2-up.  I'm around 218# and the S.O. around 137#

It's not a wear issue, it's undersprung when new.

My wife and I have an, um, more binding contract with gravity than you do... but I would about guarantee you that fully loaded 2-up even you are bottoming out your rear shock on occasion.

[Rambler]

but I would about guarantee you that fully loaded 2-up even you are bottoming out your rear shock on occasion.

Well, I don't believe it's happened yet, and I know when I've bottomed out on other bikes I've had.  I'm not saying it's not happening to you, but I just haven't experienced it on my ST yet.

[SteveJones]

Well, I don't believe it's happened yet, and I know when I've bottomed out on other bikes I've had.

Read these threads:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27682
http://groups.msn.com/ST1300US/reviews.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=63638.

The leftover payload, after oil, water and a full tank of gas, on an ABS ST1300 is 326 lbs.  339 for the non-abs.

The stock ST1300 is simply undersprung for 2-up riding with normal sized people and luggage.

[1000lbs]

Thanks for all of the input...  

get thee over to ST-Owners.com for answers and opinions on all things ST1300.

I did go over and found tons of useful info...  

Have you had a chance to ride an FJR?  

As desert_rider pointed out I am a noted bike whore, and become a bit obsessed when shopping for a new ride...  I will be keeping my eye open for a great deal on the FJR, BMW R/RT, and others as well...  But for right now I think the Honda will be my focus....  Everything I have read sounds pretty good, and I like the idea of the Honda V4 and the passanger accommodations on the Honda look to be the best in this bunch....

I will have to check out the heat and suspension of the bike when I get to take my test ride....

[Lon]

As desert_rider pointed out I am a noted bike whore, and become a bit obsessed when shopping for a new ride...  I will be keeping my eye open for a great deal on the FJR, BMW R/RT, and others as well...  But for right now I think the Honda will be my focus....  Everything I have read sounds pretty good, and I like the idea of the Honda V4 and the passanger accommodations on the Honda look to be the best in this bunch....

I'd say it's comparable to the R/RT for passenger comfort, and you can probably get the R/RT with a heated passenger seat from the factory.  The R/RT has a 500+lb load cap (ready to go, full of gas, blah blah) compared to 326.  (Even my R1100S has 460-ish...)  BMWs have very beefy components, except maybe the final drive

The Honda's engine is pretty neat though - it's got plenty of go.  Handling-wise, the ST1300 is heavy.  It's ~150lbs heavier than the R/RT and ~225lbs heavier than my current and previous bikes...

[Rocket_Cowboy]

With a name like 1000lbs, I'd say you're ready for an ST1300, because that's about what they weight. But don't worry, once you let the clutch out, it'll only feel like it weighs 740lbs.  

I had an '04 ABS model. I'd say if you were looking to pick up something new, anything '05 and higher and you should be golden. With the '04's, there were two recalls to worry about, and the '03's had three recalls. Only the wire harness recall on the 03's was something even remotely significant, the two other recalls had to do with a ground block issue (never knew anyone who had the problem, parts were change preventatively) and a linked brake issue affecting all Hondas (again, never knew anyone with that problem).

I agree 150% with Steve ... as a primary two up machine, you WILL want to upgrade suspension. It doesn't have to happen day one, but you'll be a whole lot happier if you get some beefier springs on there. Never had any complaints comfort-wise with the ST when riding 2-up.

Maintenance is super easy. It's nice having those valve covers stick out to the sides for you ... almost as easy as doing maintenance on my RT. The only time you'll really cuss the ST is if/when she starts spitting coolant, because it's kind of a bitch getting to all those hose clamps that were so nicely placed on top of the engine v, behind the radiator, and underneath the throttle bodies. While you're in there adjusting host clamps, you might as well install the non-factor MCCruise cruise control for some serious touring comfort.

I liked my ST1300 better than the FJR as well, both for engine performance and 2-up comfort, granted that was the old model FJR ... I've not ridden the new FJR since they removed the time bomb from the valve train and fixed the furnace under the bodywork. Some people complain of engine heat, but I never saw it on my ST1300. The ST was no hotter than the Hayabusa I also used to have. I still don't regret selling the ST for the RT, but the RT isn't for everyone either. Oh yeah, and police officers won't pull you over if they catch you wheelieing the ST1300 ... they won't believe their eyes either. Don't ask me how I know.

[GRN]

Oh yeah, and police officers won't pull you over if they catch you wheelieing the ST1300 ... they won't believe their eyes either. Don't ask me how I know.

I knew you were a squid at heart!    How's things Charlie?  

For two up handling the ST13 and the RT are both hard to beat... I would take either if it weren't for  my strong preference for the V4, it makes up for any of the much smaller, and easily overcome details. I just can't warm up to the R's, I tried again last fall and would still take the K first, but not over the ST13.

My bride and I run a pretty aggressive two up pace, she's a trained rider and a very technical pillion... I'm not sure there is a better all arounder for two up than the ST13, maybe a few as good, but not any better. YMMV, ride safe  

[Rocket_Cowboy]

I'm not sure there is a better all arounder for two up than the ST13, maybe a few as good, but not any better. YMMV, ride safe  

The RT is better off-road (by far) than the ST1300, but that's been the only real big surprise for me after moving from the ST to the RT.

Things are good here, just WAY to busy with work again. Haven't been on the bike for anything substantial yet this year ... and it's starting to affect my attitude. I've got to rectify that soon. Should be headed down to Big Bend here in the next week or two to get that corrected.

[Silverbird]

I put 1000 miles on my Dad's before he sold it.  Depends on what you are looking for but not only is it mammoth heavy but is too much of an all-arounder for my tastes.

[Oilhed]

I did and went with the ST.  

Can you elaborate?  I've heard the ST is great but the FJR does everything better and then some.  Of course the ST might be more maintenance free and smoother than a sedan.  Some people don't like that.

[1000lbs]

Thanks again for all of the input...  I got a pretty good buy on an 04 in Vegas last week and rode it home yesterday...  

After putting about 350 on the last two days I know I made the right choice...  I'm loving the V4 and the wife is much happier on the ST than my last cruiser...  All of my past bikes have been cruisers or nakeds, I'm very impressed with how this thing cruises at higher speeds... It's like the bike does not give the sense of going a steady 90+mph (wind, vibration, noise, etc.) it just goes...  And the fuel range is great, especially when you are going over 200 miles of desert with no gas stops...
  

Of course the ST might be more maintenance free and smoother than a sedan.  Some people don't like that.

 This along with some of the finer points of the ST is why I chose it...  If I want to really tear up some twisties, I still have the Speed Triple...  This is more for My wife and I to travel on and still allow me to have some fun along the way...  

With a name like 1000lbs, I'd say you're ready for an ST1300, because that's about what they weight. But don't worry, once you let the clutch out, it'll only feel like it weighs 740lbs.  

 I took it for a ride throught the twisties to day and the weight was a non-issue... Besides, after heaving around a VTX 1800 (that was the inspiration for 1000lbs, bike + rider) for a few years this thing is a piece of cake