ST1300

[dank]

For those who are interested or are comparing bikes: My summary of the ST1300 is: Incredible. Understand I'm not knocking the Nomad, which I joyously rode for 50,000 miles and will always love. Indeed, my summary word for the Nomad would be: Phenomenal. This is not denigrating the Nomad. Simply what I noticed as differences.

The ST is astoundingly smooth. No vibration. None. It is fast, and I haven't really reved it yet due to break-in. (Rolled on the throttle at about 55 entering the freeway, looked left to check that it was clear, looked back and was passing 90 and charging toward 100) Balanced and easy to maneuver at slow speeds. Very nimble. Adjustable windshield eliminates head buffeting. (I had gotten used to it on the Nomad and was amazed at the riding experience of not having it.) But it doesn't chug like a Nomad, which I really liked. Even so it seems to have good low end performance: It is not like the Connie I had which had nothing at all down low. It's silly, but I like the air temp and instantaneous mpg readouts. I put my color matched Givi top case on last night. Can't wait to hit the road on it.

Wish it were May and the days were getting longer! But I was wishing that on the Nomad too.

Now I need a couple 800-900 mile days. That will be the real test, because it definitely is a different seating position. Good position for cornering, but I don't know about distance. Only went 80 miles yesterday evening. I could go 900 miles on the Nomad and want to keep riding. I hope that will be true on the ST. Time will tell. Hopefully in time I'll decide I bought another great bike. Certainly the Nomad is a hard act to follow.


Dan

[billz410]

Be interesting to hear your thoughts... the ST 1300 was my second choice, also. Had you considered the Concourse 14, and if so, why'd you chose the Honda?

[dank]

Be interesting to hear your thoughts... the ST 1300 was my second choice, also. Had you considered the Concourse 14, and if so, why'd you chose the Honda?

Almost bought the C14. Really liked it. But I'm one of the lucky few who's wife tours with him, and she found the passenger seat very uncomfortable (slopes forward)and the passenger pegs too high up (she is 5.6). They make peg lowering kits, but then I would be buying the bike and just hoping that solved the problem. She was very comfortable on the ST. I also liked the high mpg and bigger tank on the ST, and the windshield is better and the mirrors give better hand protection. Many reports on the Connie say 170- 190 mile range, although some report mid-200's so I wasn't sure. When I start across North Dakota in a head wind and don't know where the gas stations are, a big tank is an advantage. Clearly the Connie is faster and apparently has astounding headlights. But I don't tend to race from 120 - 160 mph. Not knocking those who do, just saying it isn't a plus for me and how I ride. Truth be told, if I rode solo, I'd probably have gotten the C14 due to the lower price. But I love having my wife along and couldn't ignore her assessment. She has to be comfortable too.

[peterdarby]

My bike before the Nomad was a RT-P 1100. Similiar to the concourse and ST 1300. All great bikes and I considered the ST 1300 and Concourse but just really wanted a touring type bike for easy relaxed cruising. The Nomad seemed (and still does) to be the best of the best. If I had gone with the sport tourer I would probably have gone with the Concours since it seemed to win out on write ups I saw comparing the two. The hardest thing for me in switching from a sport tourer to a cruiser is keeping the pegs off the ground in a curve. I am tempted to do the magnesioum screw to spark things up on the turns. Might as well add some bling to the noisy scraping.

[dantama]

I've ridden the Yamaha FJ 1300 sport tourer, and liked it. When I was looking for a bike in 1999, an ST 1100 and the old Connie were in the running. In the end, I went with looks. I loved the classic style of the Nomad.

I'm sure that I'd have perhaps more fun in the past decade on a sport tourer, but I'd have more tickets and wouldn't have been able to take photo reflections in the chrome :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/dantama/motorycle%20posts/IMG_1054.jpg

[landman]

i think this is kinda like comparing apples to oranges.the closest
i have owned to a sport tourer was a bandit 1250 and i loved the
power and nimble handleing but for laid back cruising you just
have to be on a v-twin cruiser.they are both great bikes but a
differant approach to riding.

[blowndodge]

That ST1300 is a neat ride! That motor is just amazing! 300+ mile range on one tank. I've talked about how my buddy's 2006 Gold Wing can spank my Nomad at any range any time (not really too important to me) but his brother rides a 2007 ST1300 and informed me that 1300 can spank his Gold Wing at any range and speed as well. It may not run mid 10's like the 1400 kawasaki but its more than fast enough to get you into trouble in a matter of seconds!

I've seen in the right hands an ST1300 run mid to upper 11's in the quarter mile. The motor has a neat whirling electircal sound going through the gears but that sound constantly on the highway is not as "soothing" a sound as a V-Twin IMO.

I'd own one...

[reddog]

Agree'd on the sound BD- there's just something about that V-twin sound...
We're definitely comparing apples to oranges though. Two completely different riding styles. That's why I kept my old sport cruiser, I wanted the option. But- it hasn't moved but once since I got the Nomad ;) Guess you could say I'm hooked!

[dantama]

The motor has a neat whirling electircal sound going through the gears but that sound constantly on the highway is not as "soothing" a sound as a V-Twin IMO.

I'd own one...


Here's the electrical motor sound BD was talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cms0bkNj7A&feature=channel

[dank]

Yep, Dan, that's it!!!!! Kinda makes you want to cross a couple state lines, doesn't it! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I agree the Nomad sounds way better, but I can't hear it while riding. I like the cruiser style too. I'd have both if I could, but hey, trying something new now and then is fun too. I'm sure I'll get a pang of envy and fond recollections each time I see one of you on a Nomad, but even so I'm glad I traded and got the weather protection as Fall is coming on in Michigan. That it came packaged with a truly fun motor...I'm sure not going to complain!

I hope to see you all out riding.

[billz410]

The only real solution is to own both bikes. Or three or four, I guess. I'm from ND, dank, so I can tell you where most of the gas stations are along I-94. There are one or two, at least. ha. I hope to be up there in a couple of weeks, actually- have a bike trip planned.

Wow, that 'electrical motor' sound would take a bit of getting used to! Does NOT blend well with the Harley in the background! :)

[dank]

The only real solution is to own both bikes. Or three or four, I guess. I'm from ND, dank, so I can tell you where most of the gas stations are along I-94. There are one or two, at least. ha. I hope to be up there in a couple of weeks, actually- have a bike trip planned.

:)

Hope you have a fun trip. My wife and I rode through this summer. We loved it. Pitched out tent at Teddy Roosevelt National Park one night. Rode the horses and rode the loop road in the evening. Loved the wild horses and the vistas. A truly beautiful state. Had never thought of it before, but we started considering retiring to western ND.

[dantama]

If I could have 3-4 bikes, a sport tourer would certainly be one of them.

[macmac]

This is going to get me in trouble.. I want one already, but can't afford both. I sure could use both.

[dogdoc]

be fun but I hate that sound. It sounds like a Singer sewing machine to me, YUK. But all the law enforcement guys here are trading in their harleys for the BMW's.

[schoeney]

I ride alot with a buddy that has an ST1300......great bike. If I were to change bikes I would go with one. I would like to hear back from you regarding long distance comfort. My buddy doesn't seem to have better or worse comfort than I do....but man can he take corners faster and tighter. I top out around 110 (speedometer). He has been about 145 and can get there alot faster.

My only concern with the ST is getting in trouble....I would be too tempted to speed (or maybe unaware I was) and take corners faster than necessary.

Enjoy it!

[flavor]

The St can cruise at least at 90 MPH. I know because I've done it when late meeting someone. The motor is efficient, retty fast but too quiet for me. It's so smooth you feel like you're in a car. Good transportation and great for getting from point A to B. Handling is not that of a crotch rocket but handles extremely well. One riding position though as you're locked into the position it was designed for. I find the ST I had wasn't as comfortable as the Nomad for long distance due to the fact you can move your cheeks around as well as your legs. Low maintenance with self adjusting valves. The St1100 had a 7.5 gallon gas tank so worrying about gas staions didn't come into play unless you did something stupid.

I would have kept the ST if I coud've afforded both the nomad and ST.

Good luck and enjoy the ST.

[dank]

Thanks everyone!

Dan

[lost]

My wife rides the ST1300. I ride a C14. Just got back from a 6500 mile trip at the end of July. We also have V twins. Mine is the Nomad hers is a 1300 VTX but this trip we were planning on being some places where we'd have the extra range. This trip was to the west coast and our last years trip to the east coast had us not taking some roads because we weren't sure of gas availablity. The C14 has 25% more range than the No,ad and I won't even compare the ST1300. I had to call the gas stops because the Connie's range doesn't even compare the the ST's. Overall the ST1300 is a lot of bike and a great ride. When we two up in the C14 we park. The Honda is more comfortable for the passenger, more comfortable for the driver (windshield on the C14 is short, even with the extended if you're over 6 foot.).

Don't get me wrong. I like the bikes I ride and we're a Honda Kawasaki family but the ST1300 really does have a lot going for it. You've got a good ride.

Still we can't seem to part with our V twins for just plain tear-assing around.

[flavor]

My wife rides the ST1300. I ride a C14. Just got back from a 6500 mile trip at the end of July. We also have V twins. Mine is the Nomad hers is a 1300 VTX but this trip we were planning on being some places where we'd have the extra range. This trip was to the west coast and our last years trip to the east coast had us not taking some roads because we weren't sure of gas availablity. The C14 has 25% more range than the No,ad and I won't even compare the ST1300. I had to call the gas stops because the Connie's range doesn't even compare the the ST's. Overall the ST1300 is a lot of bike and a great ride. When we two up in the C14 we park. The Honda is more comfortable for the passenger, more comfortable for the driver (windshield on the C14 is short, even with the extended if you're over 6 foot.).

Don't get me wrong. I like the bikes I ride and we're a Honda Kawasaki family but the ST1300 really does have a lot going for it. You've got a good ride.

Still we can't seem to part with our V twins for just plain tear-assing around.

It's funny you say the your wife says the st is more comfortable for the passenger. My wife feels the Nomad is the best bike I've owned for her comfort as a passenger. Interesting.....

[caddman11]

I saw my first one yesterday at a Menards's after reading your post--great looking bike, I'd really like to try one. At 6'4, 280, I just don't know how well I'd fit. You can't go wrong with a Honda, before the Nomad, that was pretty much what I owned. Enjoy the new bike, I know I would and be safe.

[ponch]

Lately I have been getting the call for a BMW R1200GSA. 8.7 gallon tank, and a commanding view. So far I have ignored it.



be fun but I hate that sound. It sounds like a Singer sewing machine to me, YUK. But all the law enforcement guys here are trading in their harleys for the BMW's.