Anyone Own an 04' or 05' ST1300 Honda?

[S2DOG]

I happen to be killing some time yesterday at my local BMW dealership and decided to walk over to the Honda dealer and take a look around.

I discoverd a sport touring bike there called an "ST1300". Nice looking bike and enough doo-dad's including an electric adjustable windshield.

Do any of you own such a bike and what are your pluses and minuses?

Thanks for your feedback! :D

[DaveDragon]

My Buddy James has an 04 (Blue) ST1300ABS and loves it.

We did our 12,000 mile trip this summer, LT & ST.
He has added a Rick Mayer Custom Seat, GPS and XM Radio as well as the heat management system (deflectors) and the Euro Top Case that matches.

A Very Nice Bike for $10k and change.

Here is a LINK (http://www.davedragon.org/Photos/Trips/Ride-About-2005/pics.asp) to our trip photos.

[garyj]

I happen to be killing some time yesterday at my local BMW dealership and decided to walk over to the Honda dealer and take a look around.

I discoverd a sport touring bike there called an "ST1300". Nice looking bike and enough doo-dad's including an electric adjustable windshield.

Do any of you own such a bike and what are your pluses and minuses?

Thanks for your feedback! :D

I changed bikes recently and looked seriously at the ST - a very nice bike. The big drawback for me is the heat issue. It really warms your upper legs. A friend has one and says the tank area (which is not actually the tank) gets too hot to touch. It's an issue Honda is working on and the '06 is suppose to be better. It cannot be bought with all the options that are available for the LT and RT BMWs.

[DaveDragon]

I changed bikes recently and looked seriously at the ST - a very nice bike. The big drawback for me is the heat issue. It really warms your upper legs. A friend has one and says the tank area (which is not actually the tank) gets too hot to touch. It's an issue Honda is working on and the '06 is suppose to be better. It cannot be bought with all the options that are available for the LT and RT BMWs.

James indicated the heat is no longer a problem with the Heat Management System of Deflectors. I didn't even notice he had installed them, they look stock.

[ATLDB]

I had a small amount of riding time on a 04 ST1300. Between the time I sold my PC800 and bought my RT1150. It was a friends that was out of the country so I rode it for a couple of months. The longest trip I took was from Atlanta, GA to Tallahassee FL via Columbus GA, so some highway some two lane.

Super Super smooth, its almost too smooth, heat was a serious issue, specially in south GA in August. The other thing I did not like was at any speeds above 70Mph the front end likes to wooble A LOT!!!.

Also the weight it is a heavy bike, heavier than the FJR, heavier than the RT, and I come from a PC800 so if I felt it was a heavy bike, it is!!!.

Anyway just my two cents. I would have one if there weren't others in the market.

[bustedknuckles]

Stew, take a look here. You may find some info you would like to know.

http://st-owners.com/

[messenger13]

I've only ridden it's ancestor, the ST1100. A very smooth and torquey bike. The old ST-purists still dog Honda big time for "screwing up their baby" with the 1300. But...you'll have that. The heat was a big issue, but it sounds like it's no longer an issue. I've owned 6 V4s . . . and once you take that ST1300 for a ride, you'll know why.

[lovetomotor]

I had one of the old ST1100's. Put 65,000 miles on that bike, very solid and reliable. It had it's share of front end wobble issues and didn't handle that great and it was a heavy bike. Joe I agree, Honda really screwed up the looks of the new ST. It is a great bike but it's in that sportier range of the FJR and the FJR eat's is for lunch. I looked closely at the ST1300 before I bought the LT but the LT was just a class above in amenities and it darn good looks.

[ronjrieth]

I recently sold my '04 ST 1300 to buy my LT. It is a great bike. I installed the wind deflector kit and a Cee Bailey windshield with a NACA duct in it and never had any heat issues. I rode with loafers and no sox in 103 degree heat and was not at all uncomfortable. The ST has a range of over 300 miles, plenty of power and the best weather protection of any bike I have ever owned including the LT I replaced it with. It is a smooth bike with only a few idiosyncrasies as mentioned above. To me the LT is an ST on steroids but better suited for two up riding than the ST and the primary reason I switched was for more passenger comfort.
The ST was more sedate than my FJR although not that far behind. If you are going to ride solo you should consider an ST...I think the sticker is closer to $15,000 than 10 though...and then there are the endless farkles.
The rumor is that Honda is gearing up for '07 and the ST would be a serious consideration.

[highroamer]

S2DOG,

I had an '05 STX1300A. Used it for local trips, commuting and long distance runs including South of France two up. No heat issue. That was fixed for '05 models onwards. Mechanically reliable. Great handling, tank range and luggage capacity. Brakes & lights excellent. Looked great too.

Issues (which eventually led to it being sold) were: Rock hard front suspension and too much weight on my wrists; seat like a plank; buffetting even with screen full up, clutch so heavy it caused pain after prolonged use. Display was hard to read at times.

R1200RT came next. Brilliant bike, period. Comfortable right out of the box. More economical by about 10mpg. Same luggage capacity and good looks and, once you got over the different feel, it could handle. Great engine sound. Much lighter overall made it easier at lower speeds. Came with all the goodies - ESA (a definite must have), cruise, heated grips and seats, radio/cd, that weren't on the Pan. Ok, there are some mechanical issues and BMW don't give a **** about their customers but I'd have another one way before another Pan. Just Fun whereas the Pan was compentant but souless.

Got an offer I couldn't refuse so it went to a friend who has now put 10,000 troublefree kms on it. I'm now enjoying a K1200LT. Though it's heavier it's also fun with surprisingly good handling. Much the same luggage capacity. Worse on fuel and tank range but still acceptable. Noticable differences are that the seat causes pain after a while (the RT's did not), not as nimble and funnily engine is noisier. Also miss the 6th gear.

Kevin.