I'm looking at changing bikes! I think it is ST1300 time

[MarkH]

I've had a lot of fun on the RF900R but I'm thinking I might prefer to be riding an ST1300.

Since I got the RF my situation has changed a bit.
I'm now working full time and have more money coming in and I'm running about 350km per week going to work and back, most of it open road.

What I'm looking at is more comfort for regular riding and for some long touring holidays (maybe NI in a year and SI the following year).
I had over 100 litres of lockable storage on my 400cc scooter and I really liked that, I'd like to go back to having some decent lockable storage.
Chain maintenance isn't all that much fun (currently need new chain & sprocket set, around four hundy).
I MUST have good reliability, not being able to get to work would be a big problem.

Basically:
I liked the comfort & riding position of my Burgman and also the lockable storage.
I like the bigger more powerful engine of my RF900R with the better open road ability.
Combine the 2 and the ST1300 seems to fit the bill nicely.

I'm looking at a 2004 with lowish kms, but I'll be adding about 20k per year on whatever I buy.
I'm planning on taking a test ride after work on Monday.

[FJRider]

Are you going to use it for the commute .. ???

[MarkH]

Are you going to use it for the commute .. ???

I would be using it for everything.
I loved the scooter for commuting around Auckland, but now I'm commuting on the open road (Morrinsville - Cambridge) and I want to use a bigger bike that will happily run 20,000km PA for year after year after year. Home to work is 35km and then back home is another 35km, 5 days a week gives the 350km per week and that is before going anywhere else.

With over $300 spare money each week after covering my costs (which seems like a lot to me because my finances were very tight for me in Auckland after the recession hit) I'm not worried about going to some smaller bike that is cheaper to run, I'm also not keen to pay 2 lots of rego.

[Akzle]

I'm also not keen to pay 2 lots of rego.

well boy have i got a solution for you!

Dereg the cunt and give it to me.

[Gremlin]

Well, STs have no problem racking up mileage, several guys have 6 figures on bikes with no problems.

It is heavier than the scoot you'd be used to, but it's certainly an open road tourer...

[nadroj]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=692213720

[pritch]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=692213720

Having ridden with both owners I can vouch for the way that bike has been treated. Seems like just yesterday that I was talking to the first owner about his then new acquisition,
2005? Bugga!

[MarkH]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=692213720

I'll add that one to my short list.

[Hitcher]

The cam whine will drive you nuts.

[caspernz]

Going down the old(ish) bike route, consider FJR1300 or if the budget allows it, Concours.

If you're gonna do serious clicks on an ST, best you remember the now outdated tyre sizes it runs...

[leathel]

The people I know that have the ST130's absolutely love them!

Not sure I like the std exhaust sound but thy seam to go very well :)

[Hitcher]

best you remember the now outdated tyre sizes it runs...

More "extremely oddball", rather than "outdated". They were oddball when the ST1300 first appeared in 2005 and time hasn't healed that.

[caspernz]

More "extremely oddball", rather than "outdated". They were oddball when the ST1300 first appeared in 2005 and time hasn't healed that.

I was trying to be polite, and I have about three days of that each month :killingme

But yep the weirdo (for 2014 anyway) tyre sizes are one reason why I didn't get an ST1300 :weep:

[KoroJ]

Wot cam whine?....nothing an MP3 or muzak through the GPS won't fix.

Extremely Oddball tyres?....the front is a little different to what other bikes run but they are generally readilly available in all the brands the other tourers use. (Just don't go near the Avon Storm 2 Ultras!)

The big tank is a beaut and biggest criticism is 'old and boring' because it hasn't been remodelled since 2003 and it's so easy to ride it even makes a Noddy like me look good.

[MarkH]

The test ride didn't happen, the owner grabbed his bike back from the dealer and now has decided not to sell it.
I still haven't had a chance to ride an ST1300 which is something I really need to do.
I work Sunday to Thursday so I guess that means a ride up to Auckland on Friday to test ride a bike.

If I confirm that an ST1300 is the bike for me then I'll either buy the one I test ride (if I'm happy with it and the deal is decent) or option 2 would be a trip to New Plymouth.
If I had already ridden an ST1300 I might have considered just buying the one in New Plymouth and not bothering with the trip to Auckland.

[ellipsis]

...my advice may be off the wall and a complete 360 degree turn but why not free the spirit, break the mould, put your best foot forward and get yourself an ST1300 :hug:...let us all know how it worked out on the night...

[nzspokes]

I would be fitting racks to the RF.....

[george formby]

I would be fitting racks to the RF.....

You sure?
Them ST's is sleepers..

<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xtg7kb" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xtg7kb_bart-s-run_auto" target="_blank">Bart 's run</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/dm_504e3dbb94ad6" target="_blank">dm_504e3dbb94ad6</a></i>

[nadroj]

Come on down - there's a bed here if required.

[STJim]

The test ride didn't happen, the owner grabbed his bike back from the dealer and now has decided not to sell it.
I still haven't had a chance to ride an ST1300 which is something I really need to do.
I work Sunday to Thursday so I guess that means a ride up to Auckland on Friday to test ride a bike.

If I confirm that an ST1300 is the bike for me then I'll either buy the one I test ride (if I'm happy with it and the deal is decent) or option 2 would be a trip to New Plymouth.
If I had already ridden an ST1300 I might have considered just buying the one in New Plymouth and not bothering with the trip to Auckland.

Last time I looked Honda Hamilton had a second hand one in their show room. You should give Peter Bryant a call on 07 8389299.

[Mo NZ]

I was offered an ST 1300 as a loan bike when my ride was in the shop chasing a fault.
I was impressed with the bike it truly was a sports/tourer.
I'm 6'2 and had just enough leg/knee room with virtually no wriggle room. Raising the adjustable seat to the top notch helped.
I found the riding position was not what I look for in a bike these days, with the slightly forward position, preferring my feet under my hips and no pressure on my arms at all,
and a more upright riding position to compensate for my aging chassis. There was masses of storage room with the detachable bags and top box.
Looking at the bike it looks like it would be relatively easy to do basic maintenance and so forth. There seem to be a few on the market with various prices and mileage. I am aware of more than 1 that has done very high k's with only the usual maintenance and are still running flawlessly. It appears the only down side may be the wheel size and tire choice limited.

[MarkH]

Last time I looked Honda Hamilton had a second hand one in their show room. You should give Peter Bryant a call on 07 8389299.

Yep, that was the one.
I went in on Monday to find that the owner of that bike had taken it home earlier that day and when Peter gave him a call he said he decided he wasn't selling it.
It really was bad timing for me, if the owner had gone in on Tuesday he would probably have found that the bike was sold to me.

[Mo NZ]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?sort_order=13_ desc&search=1&cid=1255&sidebar=1&rptpath=1-26-&39=Tourers&40=Honda&153=st1300&9=1000%2C1500&24=0%2C0&51=0%2C0&sidebarSearch_keypresses=2&sidebarSearch_suggested=6

[shafty]

Nice choice Mark, I've had 500 km + from a tank and never a hassle with tyres

Will send you a PM

Shafty

[MarkH]

I guess that means a ride up to Auckland on Friday to test ride a bike.


Unless of course I get a phone call telling me about a bike coming in that might be just what I want.
Charcoal 2007 ST1300 with 38,000kms on the clock - good price and decent trade in offer for the RF.

This is one you wont see on trademe, I test rode it less than 1 hour after it came in and I've taken it home.
I think I'll give them some money rather than give the bike back.

I kinda like how the 1300cc V4 engine runs, plenty of lazy power from that compared to the RF.

[oldman_rider2013]

Have you taken a FJR1300 for a test ride? Got one ready to go if your interested.

[shafty]

Have you taken a FJR1300 for a test ride? Got one ready to go if your interested.

Yes, a lovely bike Old'in, and yours is excellent value too

[STJim]

Unless of course I get a phone call telling me about a bike coming in that might be just what I want.
Charcoal 2007 ST1300 with 38,000kms on the clock - good price and decent trade in offer for the RF.

This is one you wont see on trademe, I test rode it less than 1 hour after it came in and I've taken it home.
I think I'll give them some money rather than give the bike back.

I kinda like how the 1300cc V4 engine runs, plenty of lazy power from that compared to the RF.

Sounds like a good choice to me. I have just clocked up 55,000 kms on mine with no difficulties. As I am based in Hamilton would be happy to meet for a coffee on a Saturday morning

[MarkH]

Well, my profile is now accurate - I own a 2007 ST1300 with 38 thou kms on the clock.
I had a test ride and then the salesman asked if I wanted to take it home, so I did.
Riding to work at 4am was the clincher, no numb frozen cheeks or running nose, instead I raised the screen and my face was warm as.
I've ridden it in fairly heavy traffic in Hamilton, at slow speeds, at higher speeds (nothing illegal of course :innocent:) in cold air and in warm air - I'm really liking how this bike feels and rides.

My RF + $9k was the deal and that isn't too bad when the '07 is basically the same bike as the '13 and 38 thou kms doesn't really knock much off the lifespan of the bike.
New the full price is $26k and the discounted price is $22k - if I bought a new one then in a couple of years it would have lost a lot of value.

This is an expensive week, I've also laid out $1,200 for a new Schuberth C3 Pro helmet.

[MarkH]

Sounds like a good choice to me. I have just clocked up 55,000 kms on mine with no difficulties. As I am based in Hamilton would be happy to meet for a coffee on a Saturday morning

We might have to sort out something, maybe even a ride out to Raglan or wherever?

[george formby]

Good call. Enjoy. Spent a bit of time on a mates ST1300 & a lot of time on an ST1100. They reward good riding. Just ask the UK cops before they overloaded them.

[Mo NZ]

Happy days indeed.

[STJim]

We might have to sort out something, maybe even a ride out to Raglan or wherever?

There is often an informal meeting on a Saturday morning at the Verandah café at Hamilton lake if you are interested. Send me a pm with your cell number.

[MarkH]

Well, I've had a decent bit of riding today on my new machine.
Rode to Hamilton and got a nice new WoF (no charge for that) and also got them to put a relay in for the Hot Grips - damn things were still on when I turned the key off, not having that shit.
Then I rode to Auckland (nice day, couldn't not go for a decent ride) and grabbed a Give E-55 Tech top box from MotoMail - it looks GREAT on my Charcoal coloured bike!

The bike came with a 42l (I think) top box and I really wanted a bigger one, this one is real nice:
http://www.eurobike.co.nz/images/products/1026-large.jpg

It is good having a 55 litre box which lets me put in more than just a helmet, it'd be good for doing a run to the wholesalers for a decent amount of piss!

[nzspokes]

Well, I've had a decent bit of riding today on my new machine.
Rode to Hamilton and got a nice new WoF (no charge for that) and also got them to put a relay in for the Hot Grips - damn things were still on when I turned the key off, not having that shit.
Then I rode to Auckland (nice day, couldn't not go for a decent ride) and grabbed a Give E-55 Tech top box from MotoMail - it looks GREAT on my Charcoal coloured bike!

The bike came with a 42l (I think) top box and I really wanted a bigger one, this one is real nice:
http://www.eurobike.co.nz/images/products/1026-large.jpg

Ive got one of those boxes. Great things. I had a crash with my Bandit with it on. Bike slid and the box held most of that side off the road. Bike sadly was a write off but the box is now on my Hornet. It happly stays there to double the open road speed limit. Tested on a racetrack of course. The Chinese one I bought to start with dissipated somewhere around Beachlands....

[MarkH]

I was just updating my profile on ADVrider forums and noticed that in 2008 when I set up that account I filled in the "Dream Bike" field with "ST1300".
How does it feel to now be ridding my dream bike? Fuckin' awesome!

I did about 380km today and this ST is definitely a lot better for that distance than my RF was (for me).
There is plenty of power when I want it, but it seems to use less gas than the RF900 did, not bad for a heavier bike, maybe the newer tech and EFI making the difference.

I was fucking with the clock, trip meter and FCD and somehow I've got it showing my fuel consumption display in l/100km, I'm having trouble changing it back to km/l.
Does anyone know the trick to doing this?
The owners manual says to hold the FCD button for 2s, but that isn't changing it.

[MarkH]

I was fucking with the clock, trip meter and FCD and somehow I've got it showing my fuel consumption display in l/100km, I'm having trouble changing it back to km/l.
Does anyone know the trick to doing this?
The owners manual says to hold the FCD button for 2s, but that isn't changing it.

Nevermind, downloaded a different owners manual (2006 police bike) and it explained it properly. Need to set FCD to not display FC and then hold the FCD button for 2 sec.

For those that want to see what my bike looks like:
294619

[Wingnut]

Nevermind, downloaded a different owners manual (2006 police bike) and it explained it properly. Need to set FCD to not display FC and then hold the FCD button for 2 sec.

For those that want to see what my bike looks like:
294619

Good shit man. Bike looks mint. Enjoy that new bike period. Looks like it may be an extended duration going by your comments so far...

[allycatz]

We have just bought an ST1300 as of 8 weeks ago. Initially love it but its a very different ride than our GSX1400 which we still have. The new bike is fully kitted out with panniers and topbox and Ive found its quite claustrophobic sitting on the back compared to the 1400 ( that could be a Honda thing tho as Ive found pillion seating less on a CB1300) My partners boys have nick named it the scooter and refuse to even sit on it. It is a quieter bike a tad whiny but you get used to it. The one big issue we are finding is the space between footpegs. I have to keep my feet well back on the pegs and make sure they are not on the pegs when my partner parks/moves the bike or thers not enough space to manouvre without getting feet mixed up (I dont have big feet eiither) We plan on doing a longer trip on it next month and will see how it goes otherwise it will be back to a Hyabusa.

[MarkH]

Status Update:
After ~4 weeks I've now put over 2,000 kms on the bike and here are my thoughts:

I'm loving the bike and really glad I bought it.

I thought it would be good and it is as good as I thought it would be . . . actually it is a bit better than I thought it would be:
I didn't expect to get better fuel economy but I can go to work & back for a week on $48 where the RF900R cost $60.
The electric screen is so damn good, more useful than I thought it would be - down for hot daytime, up for cold mornings, lowered a bit if it is foggy and the screen mists over. It really is great that I can adjust the screen while riding to suit what I need at that minute.
I was expecting the extra weight to be a bit of a disadvantage, but really I don't even feel that weight while riding.
I didn't realise how good the low speed manoeuvrability would be - it is better than my RF900R was for low speed U-turns and carpark riding.

I don't mind the sound, it actually sounds quite good when I'm giving it some juice.

Overall it meets or exceeds my expectations and I'm planning on running up a whole heap of kms on it.

[insane1]

well done sir would have looked really hard at one of those, if Richard at botany Honda had a good one may just have bought a new one instead of the vfr 1200 but all goodman happy miles t come.

[6ft5]

Good for you man, looked at the ST1300 also but didn't like the forward position, leaning on the wrists. Settled for the Triumph Tiger 1050 SE instead. Best of luck and may see you on the road one of these days

300077

[george formby]

We have just bought an ST1300 as of 8 weeks ago. Initially love it but its a very different ride than our GSX1400 which we still have. The new bike is fully kitted out with panniers and topbox and Ive found its quite claustrophobic sitting on the back compared to the 1400 ( that could be a Honda thing tho as Ive found pillion seating less on a CB1300) My partners boys have nick named it the scooter and refuse to even sit on it. It is a quieter bike a tad whiny but you get used to it. The one big issue we are finding is the space between footpegs. I have to keep my feet well back on the pegs and make sure they are not on the pegs when my partner parks/moves the bike or thers not enough space to manouvre without getting feet mixed up (I dont have big feet eiither) We plan on doing a longer trip on it next month and will see how it goes otherwise it will be back to a Hyabusa.

Interestin. My mate part ex'd his ST 1300 against a new Hayabusa. After a decent two up test ride. The pillion said yes!
I've mainly ridden ST's solo, two up was a blat to the bar so does not count. The more miles I did in a day the better I liked the bike.
Looking forward to a decent fang on the new Suzuki.

I have to admit to liking big days & the ST had me happily looking over the horizon. My current bike pulls the same trick but with far less authority.
Proper mile munchers.
Again, enjoy.