ST 1100

[Joe]

My son is getting a 1996 Honda ST 1100.  
I know nothing about this ride.  What are your
thoughts?

[Scoop]

As far as I know, a good reliable sport tourer, with the emphasis on touring.  Very comfortable.  I almost bought an ST130, but thought it was a bit too "car-like", but that's just my opinion.  Depending on what he wants from a bike, he should be happy with it.

[knobby]

Well, I just picked up a '92 ST1100, but have only rode it on a test ride home.  So far I like it, and so does my girlfriend.  Don't have a lot of time on it yet, but it seems to be a comfy bike that seems to handle well. That's all about I know so far.
-joe

[Joe]

He's going to use it to get to work,
about 50 miles each way.

[GerryPetrecca]

Well, I just picked up a '92 ST1100, but have only rode it on a test ride home.  So far I like it, and so does my girlfriend.  Don't have a lot of time on it yet, but it seems to be a comfy bike that seems to handle well. That's all about I know so far.
-joe

Hey Joe!  congrats on the new addition.  Was that the one at the dealer the you were telling me about??

Gerry

[knobby]

Hey Joe!  congrats on the new addition.  Was that the one at the dealer the you were telling me about??

Gerry

Hey Gerry,
How ya been? Yup, that's it. Thanks. I never gave that guy a call about the other ST. I chose to stick with this one. Seems to run good. We may take it for a short ride today if time permits.
-joe

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

A good, solid machine, if a bit old mannish.  Less old mannish than a Concours, though.

Should be great for what you said he wants to do with it.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Very nice touring bike  

[FlowBee]

He's going to use it to get to work,
about 50 miles each way.

Let's see... 100 miles/day x 200 days per year...  20K/yr... he will replace the water pump every 4 years.    

Valves should need to be checked every year. Adjusted maybe every other.

The engine should last 8 to 15 years without major issues.  He needs to be sure to lube the drive splines EVERY tire change.  Keep the undercarriage clean to prevent exhaust rot.  

The engine is very understressed.  It won't break. The wheels are strong. The whole thing is a tank (hence the weight).

So long as he treats the thing like a precision machine and changes the oil/fluids/etc regularly it will last a long, long time.

[MacGyver]

Let's see... 100 miles/day x 200 days per year...  20K/yr... he will replace the water pump every 4 years.    

Valves should need to be checked every year. Adjusted maybe every other.

The engine should last 8 to 15 years without major issues.  He needs to be sure to lube the drive splines EVERY tire change.  Keep the undercarriage clean to prevent exhaust rot.  

The engine is very understressed.  It won't break. The wheels are strong. The whole thing is a tank (hence the weight).

So long as he treats the thing like a precision machine and changes the oil/fluids/etc regularly it will last a long, long time.

+ 1

[RBEmerson]

A good, solid machine, if a bit old mannish.  Less old mannish than a Concours, though.

Should be great for what you said he wants to do with it.

Uh, we've agreed on points in the past but on this one...  nah.  In the past week my Concours and I have knocked out almost 1,000 miles in conditions ranging from bright and sunny to close to a frog-choker rain to running late at night, on anything from twisty back roads to I-95, and at speeds from seriously legal in school zones to... very, very, very fast.  The Concours is old mannish?  These two are for you!

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

Uh, we've agreed on points in the past but on this one...  nah.  In the past week my Concours and I have knocked out almost 1,000 miles in conditions ranging from bright and sunny to close to a frog-choker rain to running late at night, on anything from twisty back roads to I-95, and at speeds from seriously legal in school zones to... very, very, very fast.  The Concours is old mannish?  These two are for you!

Come on, RB!  I love the Connie, and put 67K on my 99 before I sold it last year.  But it is an old man motorcycle.  I think that when I bought mine (at 29) I was the youngest person to buy one, ever!

[RBEmerson]

Even if what you said were right (and it isn't!  ), I'll remind you of a comment made by (among others) Robert Earle Clarke: "Old age and cunning will beat youth and enthusiasm any day".  I kinda reckon Bobby Clarke of the "Broad St. Bullies" Flyers knows what he's talking about, and has the Stanley Cup rings to prove it.  

[jadziadax8]

Come on, RB!  I love the Connie, and put 67K on my 99 before I sold it last year.  But it is an old man motorcycle.  I think that when I bought mine (at 29) I was the youngest person to buy one, ever!

Nope, that would be my husband, who has one at the tender age of 24.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

Nope, that would be my husband, who has one at the tender age of 24.

Well, that makes me feel better!

RB-
Please note that my saying it's an "old man's bike" isn't a knock on the Connies performance or capabilities.  It's really a comment on styling (which I like, by the way.  Especially in Candy Amaranth Red Micah or whatever our "Barneys" were/are) that is rather dated.  The Concours rarely got a second look, but the chics dig the Sprint.  And I need all the help I can get.  

I'll agree with you on the "old age and cunning" bit, too.

[ridingfar]

Rock solid, over engineered, many go 120k to 180k miles w/o opening the engine/clutch. Great commuter and/or one-up long distance mile muncher. Now dated looks were ahead of it's time in 1991, still highly functional. Weak oil cooled alternator on '91 through '95 models can be upgraded to newer air cooled heavier duty one that was standard on '96 through '02 models.

I've never heard of a water pump going out on a 1st gen ST if you use phosphate and silica free anti-freeze.

Best on open roads and sweepers, although it handles better than a bike that big should and will surprise many on sportier bikes in the hands of a capable rider. Long and heavy with tall gearing and a 7.3 gallon tank it will excel at reliably taking you from point A to B with little fanfare whether it be commuting or the Iron Butt. Can be found with relatively low miles at bargain prices. Strong owners group borders on cult-like support for both 1st and 2nd gen models.

[astrogt]

    i think of the st1100 as one of the best all around bikes ever made. very smooth and reliable, dosent care to be ridden agressively or you can putt around on it. a set of radial tires will really wake up the handling though. used as a police and first responder bike all over the world, the st1100 is still being made in a police version so parts are readily available. i just completed a saddle sore 1000 on  mine. i did 1100 miles in 18 hours in far more comfort than my gl1500 goldwing. i have a 01 st1100 and i love it......clay

[RBEmerson]

 
One last detour...  

"Amaranth Red Micah" is the official name for the '99 paint job - "Barney purple" is closer to the truth.  

And, yeah, the lines of the Concours are not the "velociraptor" look of many bikes now in production.  Which may or may not be a bad thing.  But then, I still like Craig Vetter's Windjammer line of fairings, too.  The "babe magnet" thing...?  Not an  issue - I landed the one I was after.  


We return you to the Honda ST1100 thread, already in progress.

[smiling johnny]

ST11's are great bikes.  If you're going to do any real mileage, it's tough to beat it. Spring for a used Corbin seat and a set of Helibars, though.  The stock bars aren't really wide enough to get good leverage, and the stock bar cover is a little too 1979 Oldsmobile.  I really liked my '98. Got rid of it because I felt bad not putting real mileage on it.  Kids do that, though.

[chesthing]

To anyone with experience, how is the ST1100 2-up? how does it handle bumpy roads and such?