04 ST1300 : 50,000 Miles Report

[Acadian Rider]

Bought new in April 2004.  

Before buying this bike I was looking for a reliable and comfy sport-tourer that would be good for two-up riding.  It also had to have a shaft drive.  No more chains for me please.  At the time, Honda was offering the ST1100 and VFR but by that time we knew that the upgrade to the ST1100 (i.e. ST1300) was imminent.  

When the 03 came out, one of our two local Honda dealers got a demo for the summer and I took it out for a ride with and without Susan on the back.  The first thing she said when she got off was that you couldn't even compare it with what I had at the time (Shadow).  To her it was night and day.  

Having a soft spot for Honda products I decided that I would buy one but would wait and buy the second year model when I heard that the 04 would come with an electric shield even without the ABS.  If I had to do it over again I would probably buy the ABS model anyway.  

So far this bike has delivered.  It has been rock solid reliable and the only issue as far as I'm concerned is that it is a tad heavy, especially in a parking lot.  However, once you're moving it hides its weight very well.  

Here's what I have done on it in 50,000 miles:  

Oil changes - 15
Air Filters - 3 + original
Spark Plugs - 2 sets + originals
Front tires - 5 + original
Rear tires - 8+ original
Gear oil changes - 3
Rear brake pads changed once
Valve adjustments - Twice - First time everything was within spec and second time two valves needed adjustments


I dropped the bike twice.  The first time it was in a parking lot and I replaced the plastic cover on one of the tip over bars.  Total cost was $24.20 taxes in.  The second time the bike wasn't even moving. I dropped it on the lawn mower and it broke a mirror.  Total cost for the mirror was $85.33 taxes in and the lawn mower is still running.

I have yet to flush the coolant and the clutch fluids.  The transmission oil is the engine oil.  

Much has been written on the coolant leak of the ST1300's but for me, it's not a big deal.  So what if it leaks a little bit of coolant when it is stored in the winter.  
Next time I take the plastic off to check the valves (next week), I'll make sure that everything is tight with all the hoses.  It doesn't leak in the summer.  

This bike is not going anywhere soon.  It's a keeper until I start having reliability issues with it.  When that happens, I'll probably buy something very similar.  

Edited to add one oil change, one front and one rear tire.  Found two more invoices.  

  

[Acadian Rider]

Range:  

I forgot to mention that this bike has the range for long distance touring.  On my recent trip to the 08 STN National, I got as much as an indicated 360 miles on a tank of gas.  The longest that I have ever gone is 375 miles.  Obviously at warp speeds it won't go that far but it will always do an easy 300 miles unless I am really beating the crap out of it.

It gave me an average of 50.20 U.S. mpg on the recent trip to the 08 STN National.  The fact I was a good boy   and that there was a heat wave did help.

Someone said at the National that the ST in ST1300 means super tanker.  

The only negative on the fuel is that it needs a more expensive higher octane fuel.  

[Against The Wind]

Ya ya ya, but it won't do 878 kmh will it?  

[Acadian Rider]

Ya ya ya, but it won't do 878 kmh will it?  

In the winter it only does 850 kmh going uphill in a snow storm but no problem in the summer.  

[leveredge]

Very glad to hear. I bought my '07 ST1300a last June and have about 13k miles on it now. I've got it set up pretty good for me now. Top box, heated grips, fender extender, Corbin seat, tank pads. The only thing I've not done is cruise control. I think I'll do that myself this winter. This is a great motorcycle as far as I'm concerned. Sounds like I'll have some good years ahead of me!

[e4gulf]

My 05 ST 1300 only got 33 mpg city on my 22 mile round trip commute which is why I sold it to get a V-Strom 650.  Now I get 49 city and 52 highway.  I really don't need to go 130 mph anymore to merge into traffic. Haha!

[jakieboy]

My 05 ST 1300 only got 33 mpg city on my 22 mile round trip commute which is why I sold it to get a V-Strom 650.  Now I get 49 city and 52 highway.  I really don't need to go 130 mph anymore to merge into traffic. Haha!

 

[leveredge]

My 05 ST 1300 only got 33 mpg city on my 22 mile round trip commute which is why I sold it to get a V-Strom 650.  Now I get 49 city and 52 highway.  I really don't need to go 130 mph anymore to merge into traffic. Haha!

I think the 33 mpg and 130 mph merge might have been related? I get mid 40's mpg with my ST13 solo and low 40's mpg two-up. I would say that I drive like a grand ma but she passed me this morning.

[dduelin]

My 05 ST 1300 only got 33 mpg city on my 22 mile round trip commute which is why I sold it to get a V-Strom 650.  Now I get 49 city and 52 highway.  I really don't need to go 130 mph anymore to merge into traffic. Haha!

Sounds like you had a stuck thermostat. I see low to mid 40's unless I am really wringing it's neck. I don't commute it's all fun riding. You save 52 gallons a year in a 20K year though and probably have cheaper insurance too. I might add a Wee Strom but no way swap for one - just me.

[jakieboy]

Range:  

I forgot to mention that this bike has the range for long distance touring.  On my recent trip to the 08 STN National, I got as much as an indicated 360 miles on a tank of gas.  The longest that I have ever gone is 375 miles.  Obviously at warp speeds it won't go that far but it will always do an easy 300 miles unless I am really beating the crap out of it.

It gave me an average of 50.20 U.S. mpg on the recent trip to the 08 STN National.  The fact I was a good boy   and that there was a heat wave did help.

Someone said at the National that the ST in ST1300 means super tanker.  

The only negative on the fuel is that it needs a more expensive higher octane fuel.  

I love this about the ST1300. I did 320 miles of canyons and mountains this past weekend on 6.7 gals, for nearly 48 mpg! And still had a gallon of reserve left!  
The super tanker name fits and I don't mind running premium as most performance bikes I've had required it any way.

[leveredge]

Super Tanker. I'm going to use that one. LOL! Fits in more ways than one.
I almost ran a guy out of gas a few weeks ago when we were riding. He stopped for fuel. I had better than a 1/2 a tank left. Sometimes I forget the range I have. He fueled up again when we got back into town. I waited untill the next morning going to work.

[jimmy]

Someone said at the National that the ST in ST1300 means super tanker.  

 

Thank you, I'll be here all week!  And don't forget to tip your waitress!

All kidding aside, the ST1300 has some serious range.  It's a good thing it is comfortable to ride.

[basco]

I don't have any problems with leaking but the sensors and thermostat is much to be desired.

[Acadian Rider]

I'm not 100% sure but I think that my thermostat is still working as it should.  The temperature gauge goes to 3 bars as it should.   It seemed to be working fine earlier this year in the colder temperatures. We'll see when it gets cold again very shortly.   Is it a big job to replace?  

Regarding the sensors, which ones go bad.  I haven't heard that but then again I don't spend much time on the ST1300 board.  

 

[basco]

I had mine done under warranty. Both the sensor and the thermostat went and the shop did have the bike for a few days.