ST1300

[Ken 11861]

I ordered a NEW 09 ST1300A  1st time I ever bought a bike without selling or trading my old one. My 01 Valkyrie is still #1 with 67,950 miles on her, I would have been afraid to give her up.
I appreciate all the help I got here on: "Second bike survey", "ABS" brakes & "tourer"s.
I looked at BMW, Honda, Yama & Kawi. The Connie 14 was just too tall for me I really tried to make it work because all the writups have been awesome for almost 2 years. In the end my hardest decision was between the FJR1300 & the ST1300. I was fortunate to find 2 dealers that allowed me extensive test rides, I wish the test rides were not so hard to come by.
1st I drove the ST about 15 miles rural/highway, the next week I rode an FJR about 40 miles. Finally I went back & rode the ST again about 15 miles that clinched it. They were both used models but they ran great.
I ordered the 2009 cause I want the "Red" one. I was surprised that there are very few ST's on the showroom floors, I saw 08's & 09's without ABS & one 2010 w/o ABS. Same with Yamaha, one dealer had a new 09 FJR & another dealer said a 2010 FJR was coming in soon. Sign of the times.
OH! - I bought the bike from one of the dealers that offered me a test ride (I think that is something to reward & acknowledge), actually the same Honda specific dealer that I bought my 01 Valkyrie from new in 01.    2 thumbs up for : Green River Honda , Gill, MA
  Thanks again for all your input

[Spirited-6]

Ken, congrats on your ST1300. What a great bike!!!! And congrats to your Dealer for loving past customers and furture ones. 

[Cruzen]

I have been looking at that ST1300 for some time and appreciate hearing your comments.  While this might not be the proper board, maybe you can sneak in you riding impressions once you get yours on the road.  I currently ride a Magna around town and on less than 125 mile trips and use the Valk for everything else but I keep looking at that ST1300. I like having the option of a second bike especially in the Summer when it is just too hot to ride the Valk.  The Magna motor is still hot but not as hot as the Valk.

Some of the local cops are now riding ST1300’s and they like them much better than what they had been on previously.  Honda however has had issues with the way some of the police departments hang all that extra garbage on the bike and then complain about how it handles.  They now have a web site devoted to how the extra toys are to be mounted.

Do you ride solo or 2 up?  Do you go out for more than a weekend.  The luggage on the ST1300 seems a bit small for extended trips and I do not do laundry while on the road.

[Daniel Meyer]

Did you get the "hover" option?

[Ken 11861]

Yup! mostly weekends & 2 up. I think the General board in fine with an ST demo ride result. I got started looking at the ST1300 from info I got from the guys here on VRCC.

[valkmc]

I to am looking for the 2nd bike. I currently have a 98 standard with around 70,000 on her. She will stay. I like the Connie and have test rode it twice, I also like The BMW 1150 or 1200RT but I am worried about service and maintenance.

I have not test drove the ST1300 but have sat on it and it seems a little small for me to take on extended trips.

Was size the only reason you decided against the Connie? The only negatives I have read about it are tire wear or lack of a long lasting tire for the rear of it.

[TearlessTom]

I just sold my 03 St two weeks ago. One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make but as you said times are tough.

It is one great and bullet proof bike.  Once you get the seat adjusted properly and the suspension dialed in it will ride even better.

Check out the ST-Owners.com website for tons of info and friends.

Look for Ravens post on how to set up the suspension.

Look for Spencer for seat modification.  He can re-mold both seats, make the nose of the drivers seat a bit narrower so it is easier to flat foot the bike. Very reasonable prices. I have had him do my Valk, ST, and VTX.

BESTEMS makes a trunk for about $100.  good quality for the price. Not as pretty as the Honda trunk but $600. cheaper.

You will want some sort of back rest if riding 2-up alot to keep her from sliding off on hard acceleration.

Also be ware of wheelies when two up. Very easy to do with extra weight on back of bike.  (don't ask how I know this.)

Tom

[Big Rig]

Ok,

Someone better post pictures of all these bikes, because I am having a hard time remebering what each one looks like....

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Congrats Ken, welcome to club Honda.

Get you some helibar risers and the handlebars will feel almost like the Valkyrie in angle. Still a bit more forward but I like it. Find some G.W. take off stock drivers footpegs and gain an inch in leg room. They are cheap $10.00 and fit right on.

Raymond

[Master Blaster]

The C14 is super awesome, and you can lower it easily.  I slipped the forks 1 in, and put the Dog Bones from my ZX14 on the rear.  Added a Corbin with Smuggler and its perfect.  Also put on the Helibar blocks to make the reach more comfortable.  I had been looking at the ST also when the C14 came out.  Having the ZX14 clenched my decision.  A set of Buel pegs lowers the foot position a couple of inches also without compromising cornering clearance.

[Ken 11861]

Yes "Valkmc" I found it too tall for me, a tad of a stretch to get a leg over, hard for me NOT to kick the high bags & I could not put my feet flat down. No dought the Connie is rated just terrific in a lot of bike magazines for the last couple years. Try it out !!!

[highcountry]

Congrats and enjoy your ride!

[Chattanooga Mark]

Congratulations on the ST1300 purchase. That's been one of my must have bikes for a while now. If my wife didn't want to ride I would have bought an ST1300 w/abs instead of the Interstate. I like the 2007 model and the silver paint.

All the best,

Mark

[Duckwheat]

I am curious to get some updates over the next year of how you do, and what you think.

When I came back from Alaska the last time I got the hots for another bike. ST 1300, FJR, And Connie were on the list. Did not feel my big ass fit that well on one and bought a Tourer.

Feel really comfortable on the Valk, but liked the ST better than the other two.

DW