Sport Tourer

[Tundra]

As some of you know, I've been looking hard at Sport Tourer's for a while. I've done all the research I can and am still undecided. I have asked on some of their boards and they can be as strongly opinionated as us.
   My question to those that have more knowledge in this area is, which would you choose and why? What advantages of one over the other? I am torn between the Yamaha FJR and the Honda ST-1300. I tried to work out a deal with a fella in the VRCC classifieds, he won't reply or send pictures. I know the FJR has more HP. I'm looking for comfort and reliability. I know these bikes won't win any good looks contests and won't turn heads like a Valkyrie. I still want one.
  Forgot to mention, there's one of each for sale locally, accessorized as I would do. Both are meticulously maintained and spotless machines. I don't want price to be a factor in my decision, I want to choose the right bike. They both have good ratings and "claim" to lead and set the bar for other Sport Tourers. One has to be better than the other?

[MOPMan]

Since you mentioned 'comfort' I would lean toward the ST1300 because there are Mick-O-Pegs for the ST but not the FJR.  Take a look at these spring loaded highway pegs that allow you to stretch your legs down (on the straight road) and then retract for the curves.  www.ridingiswonderful.com/id66.html

[..]

The FJR is a SPORTS tourer. The ST is a sports TOURER.

After nearly 80,000 miles on my ST I have no complaints.

I have added a few accessories  

Bygdawg crash bars, Cheap JC Whitney detachable trunk, Cigarette lighter socket under seat, Compass, Crampbuster, Double Powerlet by rear suspension adjuster, Fenda-Extenda, Handlebar risers, Headlight modulator, Headlight protector, Hyperlite rear brake lights, Kuryakan bullet lights mounted on front forks, MCL Highway blades, Mag-Knight tank protector, Nelson Rigg tank bag, Rear brake light modulator, XM Radio

Doing a valve check is a PITA BUT I haven't had to replace any shims yet. It's certainly not as easy as checking the Valkyrie valve clearances.

Flushing the coolant can make you use words your Momma wouldn't like. It's certainly not as easy as flushing the Valkyrie.

Having linked brakes makes it a longer job to flush the brake fluid BUT the brakes are great.

Rear tire life averages about 8,000 miles. Front 10,0000. M.P.G. averages about 42 and premium is required/needed.

Detachable saddlebags are enormous. Bike looks terrible with them off.

I have these fitted

http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=7&gclid=CNr_gLCA-6UCFQHs7QodpHV9oA

[torch1972]

I had anST, was a very good bike except for the heat generated on your nads. The newer FJRs dont have that problem. Also a minor pick is that the ST1300 sounds like George Jettson is whizzing by.

[Jess from VA]

Doug, I am with Britman on this...I think the ST is the better choice for cruising comfort.  While the FJR has more power, the ST will still walk away from the Valk.  I think if you wander out to a couple dealers and sit on them (in the riding position with the kickstand down), you will like the fit of the ST better. 

Now, while doing this, go sit on the R1200RT too.... money is the issue on this choice.  A decent mile R1150RT used is also an option.  The other issue on Beemers is service costs.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I love my St1300. I second most of what Britman says. My tires last lots longer because of where I ride. I use regular gas all the time.

The ST is as Britman kinda said, more for comfort and the FJR more for excessive speed. The ST will only run 110 at a fast idle all day while the FJR runs 125 at fast idle and a Valk 90 using the same standard of "work". Many say the ST is more sit-upright then the FJR.

If you're a Honda man go ST but you will likely need a Russell seat and bar risers to ride the bike to it's potential. I've put 35,000 on mine this year and wish I had more time to ride.

Raymond

[Marcel]

Well you wil kick yourself in the pants, if you don't check out the New Concours 1400 a well.

Cycle World rates it highly, not that your other two choices ar not right there in the thick of things,

but you should really check all three out.


I have no dog in the fight, altough i will say Honda seems to usually but not always have great

fit an finish.

[..]

Well you wil kick yourself in the pants, if you don't check out the New Concours 1400 a well.

Cycle World rates it highly, not that your other two choices ar not right there in the thick of things,

but you should really check all three out.


I have no dog in the fight, altough i will say Honda seems to usually but not always have great

fit an finish.

Concours 1400 is a tire eater. It's also 9 inches wider than the ST across the saddlebags.

[Tundra]

Thank you all I'm going to look at/ride a Black ST-1300 with painted top-box and other accessories Saturday Christmas Day. I think I'll either love it, or hate it ???

[Jess from VA]

I have two buds that ride STs.  As noted by Britman, I think most will like taller risers... but you don't replace them, you add a spacer under them (not a heck of a raise, but some).  And get ready for narrower bars.

[¿spoom]

Not really what you were asking, but if you stumble across a clean low-mileage ST1100 you might want to consider it also. I've never ridden the 1300 (or even sat on one) but a friend had an 1100 and I was very impressed when I rode it. He had over 100k miles on it when he sold it due to poor health and very little maint. Nothing ever broke, just the usual renewal stuff as the miles piled up.

[highcountry]

I have a FJR 1300 but haven't ridden the ST1300.  I changed my riding position by getting peg extensions and risers which puts me in an upright posture.  I added a Sargent seat.  The FJR is a super bike with ABS linked brakes, great power, 45 MPG, and great handling.  Very low maintenance which I do most of myself.  I changed the coolant and oil without any real drama.  Another nice feature is the electrically adjustable windscreen.  Excessive heat is not an issue with the Gen IIs.  Go to the FJR forum and ask your question.  There are a number of riders there that have experience with both bikes.

http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?

With luggage:


Without luggage:

[F6Dave]

How about the new BMW K1600 GT?  That's the sporty one without a trunk.  The looks are growing on me now that pictures and videos are all over the web.  And, 160 HP along with an inline 6 is not a bad thing!

[Jess from VA]

Problem with the 1600 Beemer is price:

By Motorcycle.Com Staff, Dec. 20, 2010
BMW Motorrad Canada has released pricing for its 2011 product lineup including the new six-cylinder K1600GT and K1600GTL tourers.

The 2011 BMW K1600GT is priced at CN$24,100 while the more upscale K1600GTL gets a retail price of CN$27,225. At the moment, Canada is the first market to receive pricing for the two new K bikes.

At 160 ponies, it would be fun to ride.




Me, I like the R1200RT(P) police: (new ones are only $20K) (used one with only 1150 miles at local dealer is only $13K)

[TearlessTom]

I would have to agree with everyone here. Just an FYI the ST is a heavy bike with the weight up high. Add the bars as Britman suggest. I never dropped mine after adding the bars.

Almost all ST owners have dropped their bikes in the parking lot at some time.

I had a Sargents seat which was comfortable and wide and could go all day on it and have. But the bike really start to fit me when I had Spencer modify my stock seat. I liked it so well I sold my Sargents seat.  He cut the front down so it is narrower and makes it easier to flat foot the bike.

Never had another problem with it.

I wish I had never sold it.!!!!

Oh and don't worry about the FJR being more powerful...the ST could scare the bejesus out of me. I had wheelied it on more than one ocassion.

[Tundra]

Again, Thanks for all the great input...One of these at a dealer, 2006 without the police lights, but same bike. They want $14,000 for it. That's more than twice what an 06 should bring

[solo1]

I had an ST before the Valk.  My money would be on the ST.

BMW's are too much money.