st1100 vs. st1300

[cookiedough]

If you had a chance of getting a 2002 honda st1100  50K miles vs. say a 2006 honda st1300 80K miles similarly equipped top trunk/side bags, etc. for around that 3K range both in good similar shape,  which one would you prefer to get?  Looks goes to the ST1300 for sure,  but the ST1100 looks like it has a much bigger seat, although flatter, and especially much bigger rear backseat for passenger.

I will have to test drive both of them and see which one I prefer.  Also see a very nice, although smaller,  2009 honda DN01 680cc V-twin automatic out very low mileage but thinking too low of seat height and would prefer shifting vs. an automatic for around same 3K range. 

Looking for a commuter bike mostly 1-up but still possible to ride 2-up at times and I think ergonomics for me is the key no matter what I get gotta be comfy on it being the #1 key factor.  That honda DN01 is surely a different looking bike than anything else out there that is for sure.   Wonder why Honda quit making them, probably because the ugly NM4 replaced it? 

[Hook#3287]

I remember when the 1300 came out, there were articles comparing it to the 1100 and the Yammie 1300.

Maybe you could find those.

You didn't mention price, that would make some difference.

[3fan4life]

I have no experience with the ST1100, but I have a ST1300.

The 1300 is excellent for a commuter.

The stock seat on the 1300 sucks, but other than that it's great.

The seat isn't a problem for my 30 min commute to work but after about an hour I'm squirming around and at 2 hours I've got to get off the bike for a few mins.

If you can find one that already has an aftermarket seat that would be a bonus.

Finding somewhere to stretch your legs out on a long ride is also an issue.

Mick O Pegs seems to offer the best solution but at $300 it's pricey.

[Serk]

For specs I'd take the ST1300 (And that's what I did) but be sure you test ride it very critically...

(If the ST1300 has the electric adjustable windshield, I'd choose it for that feature alone, seems gimmicky but I was surprised how often I actually did use that.)

Having not met you, (Yet!) I don't know, but if you have the typical Valkyrie rider bodily physique, the ST1300 riding style may or may not agree with you.

I wanted to like it so badly, but I just couldn't get comfortable on it, and always felt like the proverbial Simian attempting to procreate with a football...

Eventually traded the ST1300 for my Valkyrie Interstate.

Not poopooing the bike, if it fits you, it's an AWESOME bike. I just couldn't make it fit me.

[Hook#3287]

but if you have the typical Valkyrie rider bodily physique

Um, Brian, just what are you saying here?   

[cookiedough]

but if you have the typical Valkyrie rider bodily physique

Um, Brian, just what are you saying here?  

shorter, fatter, and not very young to put it mildly.  5'10" 280lbs. and middle aged not looking for a super fast bike but comfort is key.  I think the st1300 has it in looks dept. and speed/handling, but thinking the st1100 appears to be comfier and roomier at least in the saddle dept.  I will have to test ride both to decide or go newer but still used route say honda ctx700, but that is almost out for any 2-up riding.  both in the price range of 3-3.5K tops for all 3 bikes really.  

I did watch a youtube video comparing the 1100 vs. 1300 and the guy seemed to favor overall the 1100 more so comfort although the 1300 was faster and more agile.  The looks dept surely favors the 1300 though IMO.

I sat on an older honda st1300 at a dealership around 150,000 miles on it and still asking 3500, but that is a dealership.  I did not like the riding position on it though maybe they have changed in the newer styles or that one did not have handlebar risers on it leaning over is not my cup of tea.  And yes, that stock seat sucked on the st1300, at least on the dealership and with well over 100K miles on it, am sure was mushed down worn in more so than most.

I can ride my kids 2004 yamaha frj1300 has handlebar risers, but still leaning over much of any is not going to cut it for me for comfort.  comfort and reliability is key here.  

More so looking at anyone having either,  especially the older st1100 in terms of ergos and issues.

[hubcapsc]

I made a post a few years ago when my buddy Henry got an st1100... Britman
mentioned that there was one kind of st1100 (the one with antilock brakes, I think)
that people liked more than the other kind... st1100s are real nice, st1300s are for
sure good bikes. I have my doubts about being comfortable on either one, but
Britman went all over the country on his...



-Mike

[3fan4life]

but if you have the typical Valkyrie rider bodily physique

Um, Brian, just what are you saying here?  

shorter, fatter, and not very young to put it mildly.  5'10" 280lbs. and middle aged not looking for a super fast bike but comfort is key.  I think the st1300 has it in looks dept. and speed/handling, but thinking the st1100 appears to be comfier and roomier at least in the saddle dept.  I will have to test ride both to decide or go newer but still used route say honda ctx700, but that is almost out for any 2-up riding.  both in the price range of 3-3.5K tops for all 3 bikes really.  

I did watch a youtube video comparing the 1100 vs. 1300 and the guy seemed to favor overall the 1100 more so comfort although the 1300 was faster and more agile.  The looks dept surely favors the 1300 though IMO.

I sat on an older honda st1300 at a dealership around 150,000 miles on it and still asking 3500, but that is a dealership.  I did not like the riding position on it though maybe they have changed in the newer styles or that one did not have handlebar risers on it leaning over is not my cup of tea.  And yes, that stock seat sucked on the st1300, at least on the dealership and with well over 100K miles on it, am sure was mushed down worn in more so than most.

I can ride my kids 2004 yamaha frj1300 has handlebar risers, but still leaning over much of any is not going to cut it for me for comfort.  comfort and reliability is key here.  

More so looking at anyone having either,  especially the older st1100 in terms of ergos and issues.

You and I are of similar size and build.

My back isn't the best and I was afraid that the riding position would be a problem for me.

It isn't.

My back didn't bother me at all on the ride back from Texas.

And it hasn't bothered me on any of my longer day rides.

The comfort of the stock seat has been my only issue.

I would like to sit back a little farther.

There are some aftermarket  seats available that are one piece instead of two.

I'm looking for a good one piece pan that I can have modified into a custom seat that suits me.

The ST1300 is a blast to ride.

It handles very well, I've even managed to drag the foot pegs a time or two.

I"ve told many people that it is an old guy"s crotch rocket.

It doesn't have the torque that the Valk has but it is definitely faster.

The ST1300 gets into triple digits much faster and easier than the Valks.

And they do it very easily.

[ridingron]

I like the looks of the 1100 more.

Other than a couple minor, easily fixed flaws that may show up, the 1100 is as bullet proof as the Valk ever thought to be. Many 1100 are verified at over 200 K miles with several at 400 K miles. Find a seat to make you happy, a set of Heli-Bars to fit your reach and a windshield to suit and then ride forever. I have about 300 K miles on 1100s with about 220 K miles on 1 of them. The post '96 ABS  brakes are superior not due to the ABS but the calipers. 3 sets of pucks per caliper instead of the 2 on the standard bike. If you get the non ABS bike, one change improves the front brakes. Install the ABS master cylinder. It has a different bore size.

The 1100 uses regular gas and the 1300 uses premium.

[The emperor has no clothes]

but if you have the typical Valkyrie rider bodily physique

Um, Brian, just what are you saying here?  

shorter, fatter, and not very young to put it mildly.  5'10" 280lbs. and middle aged not looking for a super fast bike but comfort is key.  I think the st1300 has it in looks dept. and speed/handling, but thinking the st1100 appears to be comfier and roomier at least in the saddle dept.  I will have to test ride both to decide or go newer but still used route say honda ctx700, but that is almost out for any 2-up riding.  both in the price range of 3-3.5K tops for all 3 bikes really.  

I did watch a youtube video comparing the 1100 vs. 1300 and the guy seemed to favor overall the 1100 more so comfort although the 1300 was faster and more agile.  The looks dept surely favors the 1300 though IMO.

I sat on an older honda st1300 at a dealership around 150,000 miles on it and still asking 3500, but that is a dealership.  I did not like the riding position on it though maybe they have changed in the newer styles or that one did not have handlebar risers on it leaning over is not my cup of tea.  And yes, that stock seat sucked on the st1300, at least on the dealership and with well over 100K miles on it, am sure was mushed down worn in more so than most.

I can ride my kids 2004 yamaha frj1300 has handlebar risers, but still leaning over much of any is not going to cut it for me for comfort.  comfort and reliability is key here.  

More so looking at anyone having either,  especially the older st1100 in terms of ergos and issues.

You and I are of similar size and build.

I would have guessed you at 220 tops ?

[3fan4life]

but if you have the typical Valkyrie rider bodily physique

Um, Brian, just what are you saying here?  

shorter, fatter, and not very young to put it mildly.  5'10" 280lbs. and middle aged not looking for a super fast bike but comfort is key.  I think the st1300 has it in looks dept. and speed/handling, but thinking the st1100 appears to be comfier and roomier at least in the saddle dept.  I will have to test ride both to decide or go newer but still used route say honda ctx700, but that is almost out for any 2-up riding.  both in the price range of 3-3.5K tops for all 3 bikes really.  

I did watch a youtube video comparing the 1100 vs. 1300 and the guy seemed to favor overall the 1100 more so comfort although the 1300 was faster and more agile.  The looks dept surely favors the 1300 though IMO.

I sat on an older honda st1300 at a dealership around 150,000 miles on it and still asking 3500, but that is a dealership.  I did not like the riding position on it though maybe they have changed in the newer styles or that one did not have handlebar risers on it leaning over is not my cup of tea.  And yes, that stock seat sucked on the st1300, at least on the dealership and with well over 100K miles on it, am sure was mushed down worn in more so than most.

I can ride my kids 2004 yamaha frj1300 has handlebar risers, but still leaning over much of any is not going to cut it for me for comfort.  comfort and reliability is key here.  

More so looking at anyone having either,  especially the older st1100 in terms of ergos and issues.

You and I are of similar size and build.

I would have guessed you at 220 tops ?

That's about the nicest thing that you've ever said to me. 

I'd love to see 220 again.

[Jess from VA]

Just stand farther away from the mirror.

Works for me. 

[cookiedough]

but if you have the typical Valkyrie rider bodily physique

Um, Brian, just what are you saying here?  

shorter, fatter, and not very young to put it mildly.  5'10" 280lbs. and middle aged not looking for a super fast bike but comfort is key.  I think the st1300 has it in looks dept. and speed/handling, but thinking the st1100 appears to be comfier and roomier at least in the saddle dept.  I will have to test ride both to decide or go newer but still used route say honda ctx700, but that is almost out for any 2-up riding.  both in the price range of 3-3.5K tops for all 3 bikes really.  

I did watch a youtube video comparing the 1100 vs. 1300 and the guy seemed to favor overall the 1100 more so comfort although the 1300 was faster and more agile.  The looks dept surely favors the 1300 though IMO.

I sat on an older honda st1300 at a dealership around 150,000 miles on it and still asking 3500, but that is a dealership.  I did not like the riding position on it though maybe they have changed in the newer styles or that one did not have handlebar risers on it leaning over is not my cup of tea.  And yes, that stock seat sucked on the st1300, at least on the dealership and with well over 100K miles on it, am sure was mushed down worn in more so than most.

I can ride my kids 2004 yamaha frj1300 has handlebar risers, but still leaning over much of any is not going to cut it for me for comfort.  comfort and reliability is key here.  

More so looking at anyone having either,  especially the older st1100 in terms of ergos and issues.

You and I are of similar size and build.

I would have guessed you at 220 tops ?

That's about the nicest thing that you've ever said to me. 

I'd love to see 220 again.

ME TOO!  I was pushing 220 coming out of college some 25 years and pushing 200 in high school.  Will never see 220 again, but would love to be down to 250 which is do-able..    So far the extra weight has not caught up to me yet, but am sure it will into my 50s and 60s.

[cookiedough]

I like the looks of the 1100 more.

Other than a couple minor, easily fixed flaws that may show up, the 1100 is as bullet proof as the Valk ever thought to be. Many 1100 are verified at over 200 K miles with several at 400 K miles. Find a seat to make you happy, a set of Heli-Bars to fit your reach and a windshield to suit and then ride forever. I have about 300 K miles on 1100s with about 220 K miles on 1 of them. The post '96 ABS  brakes are superior not due to the ABS but the calipers. 3 sets of pucks per caliper instead of the 2 on the standard bike. If you get the non ABS bike, one change improves the front brakes. Install the ABS master cylinder. It has a different bore size.

The 1100 uses regular gas and the 1300 uses premium.

good post - thanks.    Are you sure the st1300 recommends using 91 octane premium gas?  If so,  that will not be on my first buy list since is around 80 cents per gallon higher than regular gas.  My kids 2004 yamaha fjr1300 (similar bike) runs fine on 87 regular gas not premium, why the honda st1300?   The only cycle I run 91 octane premium non ethanol gas in is my 63 mpg scooter but have run 87 octane regular gas and runs o.k. with that but recommends premium.

[3fan4life]

I like the looks of the 1100 more.

Other than a couple minor, easily fixed flaws that may show up, the 1100 is as bullet proof as the Valk ever thought to be. Many 1100 are verified at over 200 K miles with several at 400 K miles. Find a seat to make you happy, a set of Heli-Bars to fit your reach and a windshield to suit and then ride forever. I have about 300 K miles on 1100s with about 220 K miles on 1 of them. The post '96 ABS  brakes are superior not due to the ABS but the calipers. 3 sets of pucks per caliper instead of the 2 on the standard bike. If you get the non ABS bike, one change improves the front brakes. Install the ABS master cylinder. It has a different bore size.

The 1100 uses regular gas and the 1300 uses premium.

good post - thanks.    Are you sure the st1300 recommends using 91 octane premium gas?  If so,  that will not be on my first buy list since is around 80 cents per gallon higher than regular gas.  My kids 2004 yamaha fjr1300 (similar bike) runs fine on 87 regular gas not premium, why the honda st1300?   The only cycle I run 91 octane premium non ethanol gas in is my 63 mpg scooter but have run 87 octane regular gas and runs o.k. with that but recommends premium.

It does require Premium fuel but at 45-50mpg it doesn't cost any more than riding a Valk.

So that isn't an issue for me.

[..]

I used regular for over 130,000 miles.

You will get some knocking if you try to accelerate from low rpm in high gear.

Otherwise it was a pretty constant 42 mpg average. A wide variety of riding and speeds.

I would not want to ride one far it it wasn't fitted with risers.

[carolinarider09]

There is an ST Forum you might visit and ask their opinions.

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/

[Earl43P]

No risers = no bueno

I run 87 octane a lot, commuting to work.
Then I’ll run a tank or two of premium over a weekend/trip and remember how much difference that makes. The ST1300 has a knock sensor. As said, don’t lug it at low rpm and 87 octane works just fine.

I never intend to own another long distance carbureted motorcycle. That’s why I bought an ST1300 over the better looking ST1100.

[..]

1300 saddlebags are capacious and removable.

[semo97]

I have had a 1300 for 12 years. I have ridden both. 1300 is a bit taller and is top heavy. On them both you need pull back bars with risers, they both can put off engine heat. Stock seats just suck no matter what if you are going long distance. I have Russell Day Longs made for all my bikes not cheap. Getting a leg over a 1300 can be challenging if your short. I like the 1300 fast, fuel injected, smooth and handle very well, bags come off, adjustable wind shield, less wind back pressure and good all around wind protection. Both reliable.  You can get a lot of info on the st forum but remember they are a little bias toward there bike just like this forum.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Some just can't handle a ST1300. They get ST1100's. I ride a ST1300. Bought new and now has 268,000 miles.

[cookiedough]

Some just can't handle a ST1300. They get ST1100's. I ride a ST1300. Bought new and now has 268,000 miles.

268K is impressive - WOW!   I cannot fathom how one would put that many miles on any cycle even if from the south where you can ride 9-10 months of the year vs. up here 6 months tops (in no rain).

One can handle pretty much any cycle as long as can touch the ground.  The key is controlling that power and not doing anything stupid.  Am sure I could handle a Vmax or Busa,  but would tend to get into more trouble with those bikes....

[..]

My 1300 liked to run at 85mph. All the time. Seemed to be its most natural rev/mph.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

268K is impressive - WOW!   I cannot fathom how one would put that many miles on any cycle even if from the south where you can ride 9-10 months of the year vs. up here 6 months tops (in no rain).

One can handle pretty much any cycle as long as can touch the ground.  The key is controlling that power and not doing anything stupid.  Am sure I could handle a Vmax or Busa,  but would tend to get into more trouble with those bikes....

yes we get to ride at least 9 or 10 months a year way down here in the deep south. It was a pretty mild January and February, did a couple loops around the "homelands". All these pictures of all the Florida county court houses (67) (except the Key West marker) were made since Jan. 1st. this year.

https://youtu.be/aNNLkqwnHAA?

[solo1]

I bought a new ST1100 in 1994 and added helibars for a better ride.  Fuel mileage was great 47-50 at highway speeds.  Handled great but the seat was so/so.

I didn't like the special headlight bulbs, different and more expensive than standard.  Changing the oil absolutely sucked!  Lots of plastic to remove.  I, personally, had problems with fingers going to sleep. The guy that bought it next didn't.

I traded it for a Valkyrie in 1996.  Much better bike for me except for the fuel mileage, not a big deal.

[The emperor has no clothes]

268K is impressive - WOW!   I cannot fathom how one would put that many miles on any cycle even if from the south where you can ride 9-10 months of the year vs. up here 6 months tops (in no rain).

One can handle pretty much any cycle as long as can touch the ground.  The key is controlling that power and not doing anything stupid.  Am sure I could handle a Vmax or Busa,  but would tend to get into more trouble with those bikes....

yes we get to ride at least 9 or 10 months a year way down here in the deep south. It was a pretty mild January and February, did a couple loops around the "homelands". All these pictures of all the Florida county court houses (66) (except the Key West marker) were made since Jan. 1st. this year.

https://youtu.be/aNNLkqwnHAA?

Is it legal to park on the sidewalks in Florida ? How bout taking up 2 spaces ? (Probably gives bikers a bad name when pedestrians can’t get by)

[Willow]

yes we get to ride at least 9 or 10 months a year way down here in the deep south. It was a pretty mild January and February, did a couple loops around the "homelands". All these pictures of all the Florida county court houses (66) (except the Key West marker) were made since Jan. 1st. this year.

https://youtu.be/aNNLkqwnHAA? 

Nice collection.  I've sometimes wished I lived somewhere like Florida but my life partner has explained to me that unless someone moves her grandchildren we aren't going anywhere.

[3fan4life]

My 1300 liked to run at 85mph. All the time. Seemed to be its most natural rev/mph.

When I rode mine back from Texas it loved to cruise along at 80-90 mph.

It also loves to dip into triple digits and will get there easily without you realizing it.

[Serk]

My 1300 liked to run at 85mph. All the time. Seemed to be its most natural rev/mph.

When I rode mine back from Texas it loved to cruise along at 80-90 mph.

It also loves to dip into triple digits and will get there easily without you realizing it.

The owner before us has a video of STella doing 130-140 through the Texas Hill Country... The ST1300 likes to stretch her legs...

Just MHO, but among the other issues, the ST1300 wins out over the ST1100 just because it's EFI vs Carbed..... Any future bikes I have will go through the Atkins diet, and be zero carb...

[3fan4life]

My 1300 liked to run at 85mph. All the time. Seemed to be its most natural rev/mph.

When I rode mine back from Texas it loved to cruise along at 80-90 mph.

It also loves to dip into triple digits and will get there easily without you realizing it.

The owner before us has a video of STella doing 130-140 through the Texas Hill Country... The ST1300 likes to stretch her legs...

Just MHO, but among the other issues, the ST1300 wins out over the ST1100 just because it's EFI vs Carbed..... Any future bikes I have will go through the Atkins diet, and be zero carb...

I like the fuel injection and the 7.8 gal tank.

If I can get a comfortable seat before August she may be the bike that I ride to Yellowstone and back.