[louvel1]

Hello All,

I commute 160 miles RT daily. I have had many bikes though the years, but I ridea Burgman 650 to work for the last 4 years and have about 80K miles on it so I am looking for something else to ride and I am down to 2 choices, a used 2006 honda st 1300 with 29k miles or a 2002 LT with 30k miles. How is a LT for daily commuting, any of you ride an LT as a commuter? What are the drawbacks, i.e. maintenance cost etc? I know the ST is not a toruig bike but it is other choice nonetheless. Any info or suggesstion I can get I would greatly appreciate.

Thanks,

LV

 

[deputy5211]

What kind of commute do you make? Conditions? Freeway? Secondary roads? Traffic density?

Get the LT. I use it for everything from local trips to the store, cross-country trips, two-up through the twisties, and everything in between.

It helps if you are comfortable doing your own wrenching. The LT is a machine, and dealer services can be expensive (true for most bikes).

 

[K12smitty]

LV,
Compared to the Burgman either of these bikes will be a huge step up in comfort. The BMW is better for touring but even though it is also a heavy bike the ST may be better in around town situations. I am on my second LT and am comfortable riding it in all conditions. Don't let the talk on this forum talk you out of the BMW, because this is mainly a forum for maintenance and repairs and when people are working on their bikes they are not usually full of praise. LOL If your commute is mostly on open roads or interstates you will love the LT.
Ride Safely,
Steve

 

[Gruivis]

I know the ST is not a toruig bike but it is other choice nonetheless.

I'd have to differ with you on that point. The ST1300 is definitely a touring machine. It's got a huge gas tank, wind protection and good size saddle bags.

I think where the LT will beat it is with the heated seat & grips, integrated comm system, GPS and an even larger fairing for improved weather protection.

The stock ST lights will be better than the LTs.

I'll be curious to hear your thoughts after you had a test ride on both.

Greg

 

[gary45]

always done a lot of city driving with my BMWs, they need a good run on the highway periodically

 

[FremontLT]

I think you should go with the Honda. You live in California, where lanesplitting is legal, and you can remove the side cases from the ST, making it narrower. Side cases are permanently fixed on the LT. Another benefit of the Honda: less top heavy than the LT, which makes it easier to maneuver at low speed.

You will miss the maneuverability of the Burgman with both bikes.

The LT is a better tourer; ST a better commuter.

The only thing that would have me favoring the LT is cruise control. If you have carpal tunnel, like I do, then CC is a huge benefit ... especially on an 80-mile(!) commute.

BTW ... 80,000 miles on the Burgman? Wow. Any trouble in that time? I think scoots are the ultimate commuters.

 

[Foiler]

I commute 12 RT on my LT and I love it. Nothing like BLASTING some heavy metal while going 95 down the freeway (all 3 miles of it :rotf: ) first thing in the morning. Heck today I wore the wrong gloves and almost had to turn on the grips! For me the LT is just fine for commuting, running around town, grocery store, loops around CO, etc. If I was riding 80 miles each way I would be MUCH happier :bmw: :bmw: . Cost to have others work on this bike is high, and since my bike is my only transpo I cant just tear into her and try to figure things out as I go, but in my 19,000miles on her it has been trouble free.

 

[westvandude]

I haven't ridden the ST1300 but my buddy has an ST1100 and I rented one in Palm Springs for 3 days.

It's definitely lighter and a bit more nimble than my LT. Power is about the same. I like the brakes on the LT better. LT is bigger no doubt.

I'm no Honda expert but my buddy's ST1100 is carb'd and we've had those ******** piece of **** carbs off about 6 times now and it's still running on two cylinders even with new coils, etc. Who knows... maybe the ECU is fried.

Anyway, if the ST1300 isn't fuel injected, stay away.

If you ride during cool weather you'll wonder how you ever did without the heated seat and grips.

I do my own wrenching. The ST has it's own set of idiot assembly design.... try an ignition coil replacement and you'll be swearing like you've got turrets. Took 12 beers for that job.

 

[George_S]

I think the Honda will be a better fit for you coming from the Burgman. The Honda is 185lbs lighter than the BMW, and it has a bigger gas tank, what with you doing 160 miles a day that means less stopping for gas, obviously. I don't know if it has a heated seat or grips, but I don't think you would need those all that much in southern California. Plus, the Honda is 4 years newer which probably means easier to get parts a few years down the road and that a dealer will consider it a "current" model and would work on it longer. And the Honda should cost less to maintain than the LT. It's not just miles, it's years and how a bike was maintained that determine future reliability to some extent. BMWs are reliable, but you still can't beat a Honda for reliability, IMO. My '78 CB400 Twin still looks and runs like it did when new.

 

[ATFLT]

I traded my 99LT for an 09ST1300. The ST is the best bike for me but I loved my LT and if there was a dealer anywhere close I would still have it. For commuting I would say the ST is the better choice for most as the LT is a bit top heavy coming to a stop. The LT is more comfortable for most people for touring. For me I prefer the ridding position better on the ST so I find it an excellent touring bike.

 

[FremontLT]

Honda STs have been fuel injected for some time ... since they migrated from 1100 -> 1300 (I think).

I haven't ridden the ST1300 but my buddy has an ST1100 and I rented one in Palm Springs for 3 days.

It's definitely lighter and a bit more nimble than my LT. Power is about the same. I like the brakes on the LT better. LT is bigger no doubt.

I'm no Honda expert but my buddy's ST1100 is carb'd and we've had those ******** piece of **** carbs off about 6 times now and it's still running on two cylinders even with new coils, etc. Who knows... maybe the ECU is fried.

Anyway, if the ST1300 isn't fuel injected, stay away.

If you ride during cool weather you'll wonder how you ever did without the heated seat and grips.

I do my own wrenching. The ST has it's own set of idiot assembly design.... try an ignition coil replacement and you'll be swearing like you've got turrets. Took 12 beers for that job.

 

[eyesurgeon]

I guess I'll be the dissenter here and say stick with a burgman for pure commuting needs. They are great commuting machines and the cost of ownership and keeping it on the road is a fraction of the LT. Hauling a huge LT to work and back every day is totally unnecessary, it's way too big for an efficient commuter.

 

[kc5ero]

I commute on my 05 LT almost every day and truely enjoy the ride. Since I carry my laptop home each evening, the large to case is put to good use!

 

[jwacree]

I'm wondering about the cost of tires LT vs ST vs burgman

 

[taylorjn]

If possible, ride 'em both. Then you will know for sure. Test ride may be enough, longer if possible. I/we did. Ended up with the LT. Twice.

Ride what fits best for you. All 3 are good machines.

 

[WildernessJeep]

I commmute about 35 miles (one way) a day, probably 90% of the time on my LT. Mixed riding, mostly surface streets and highway, with a nice curvy blacktop mixed in for good comfort. I love it. I love being able to stop by the grocery store on the way home and have enough room to fit my workout bag and groceries at the same time. 50 MPG, easy maintenance, and plenty of support here for anything that stumps you.

My only rule is that I don't generally leave the house in the morning if it is actively raining. Other than that, the LT has good comfort, plenty of weather protection, and is user friendly.

Go with the LT.

 

[ebear695]

LV, you are in luck, have all three in my stable. i LOVE all three, each one is very different. The Burgie is by for the easiest of the three to ride, twist and go....gogogo. I love the smiplisity of this ride, 45-50 mpg and as fast as you care to go. lots of cargo space but a little rough on the freeways, probalby something that you have gotten used to.

The ST is an awesome ride, one that will do everything on the road, super performance, great mpg, very comfortable, very fun to ride and very dependable. But, the bike lacks factory assesories.. but most of the comfort one can be placed on the bike and work reasonably well, cost of maintainance is moderate but very DIY friendly, just like the Burgie.

The LT, defenatly the king of the road of the three. Again a do everything bike, at highway speed noting more comfy, and can get 50mpg from your house to LA. Add the cruz control and music, cargo and the protection from the fairing. It is hands down the winner. However, the cost of repair is high, if it happens! Many dont have any problems with these bikes, but if you do, $$$ for the fix, is it worth it maybe.

Any of these three bike are about the same entry money for the years you are talking about. Maintainance is about the same, oil, fluids and tires. Major repair (clutch's, cvt's), LT is the most expensive, then the Burgie (cvt) and then ST (wet clutch), Burgie and ST probably same tire wear, Lt with the Metzlers will go 10,000 mikes.

Winner with any of the three, test ride see which one tickles you!

 

[louvel1]

You have all given me great advice with many valid points. After test riding both the ST and the LT I have decided on the LT. The comfort is unparalleled hands down. I loved the ST when I tested it but then I tried the LT and was blown away. Like one of you said, after riding the Burgie for as long as I had I was used to the roughness. But seeing as I commuted on a HD before th Burgie the Burgie felt like a and after commuting on a Harley the Burgie felt like a Cadillac for a long time. Well I feel like that again except the Burgie is now the Harley (I sitll love the Burgie though).

Anyway, I am picking the LT up on Friday turns out the LT only has 26k miles and not 30K and the owner had his local bmw dealer do the 25k service 1k miles ago. I was concerned about the cost of service etc. but I will be doing that myself as I have on all other bikes I have owned.

Thansk again to all.

 

[Gruivis]

... but then I tried the LT and was blown away.

That's what I'm talking about! :dance:
Congrats on selecting the finest touring bike on the road.

Greg

 

[wa1200lt]

Great choice! You will find yourself looking forward to your daily commute!

Loren