Honda ST-1300 Extended Test Ride - Part 1

[mdsimon80]

Honda accord V4 engine? The Honda accord car uses a straight I 4 or V6 engine.

[sammistad1]

I am hoping to get one as soon as I get the money.

[KutWrite]

Nice impressions.

Why is the camera so wobbly? Maybe you're zoomed in too far? Very distracting.

[05ST1300ABS]

Jon P in North Carolina owns an FJR and an ST...He insists they are strikingly similar but very different..one for sport , the other for pure adrenalin(FJR)...The adjustable seat is why I went with the ST13 for the very tall position. Combined with peg lowers they enable a person 6-5" to be comfortable.

[05ST1300ABS]

All wonderful and right on target comments...great review. I have owned my 05 almost 90K miles aand havent had any issues with it. The 06 model you tested probably handled better with the high winds due to only having a backrest, If you had a GiviV46, Pan European trunk you may have felt some of the bike moving around. 2) The stock rider pegs look replaced with GOLDWING size pegs usually from a GL1800,. 3) Whoever mounted those pads on the saddlebags, they belong on the side of the tank,

[JimNtexas]

@05ST1300ABS - Thanks for watching. Since this was made I've been riding an FJR, some of that with a friend who has an ST. I do think the ST has an advantage over the FJR AE in tight maneuvering, and there is no doubt it is much more short person friendly. They are both great bikes.

[ronmann606]

haha americans so canada so funny

[NjShockandAwe]

Hey guys,Can someone help me.I am buying a 2003 St1300 next week.I live in NJ where the change of seasons are fast,but summer is to hot for my around town driving with that big windshield.Does anyone know of a aftermarket winshield I can purchase?And one more question,are the windshields hard to take off?Thanks guys

[JimNtexas]

@NjShockandAwe - There are lots of aftermarket windshields available for the ST. California Scientific has a 'shorty' for $95. My understanding is that windscreens are bolt-on affairs. You might want to check out st-owners (dot) comm, lots of windscreen information available there.

Remember that the windshield is electrically adjustable on the ST, so you can lower it for warm weather.

[hpugwashee]

@JimNtexas Hey Jim, I made a comment here on your page some 7 months ago & since then bought me an ST1300 :)

I agree on the comfortable seats & must say that as nice as the jetson factor feels, it got a bit much when I got stuck in heavy traffic + the exhaust fumes &heat.

I think she resembles the bmw RT a lot with the major difference being the engine design (RT having a boxer makes for a nicer handling).

There was a slight heat build up but lowering the shield all the way helped a lot.

Regrds

[JimNtexas]

@hpugwashee - I spent the last four days riding with my friend who has an ST1300. I was impressed with how well it handled at low speeds. My FJR-AE has some issues with low speed maneuvering.

Congradulations!

[mbiraguy]

I WISH my Accord had a V4! :)

[Kuatchisugimoto]

This bike sits well on the road two up fully laden with a top box, even a tank bag, and munching the miles on the autobahn doing (indicated) 110mph. Took it to 120 and had no indication of `apparent` weave. Even though this is a heavy bike it takes the bends approaching that of a decent sports bike. Luv this bike but not keen on that large screen though and wonder why in texas heat you'd want o be shielded from the wind (unless your winters are dire). Can't get it in black in the UK. Damn

[JimNtexas]

@Kuatchisugimoto - I like the ST1300 a lot, just not quiet as much as my FJR. You are correct about Texas heat. The stock FJR windshield is small compared to that of the ST1300, which is better for summer. I'm getting a larger windshield for my bike pretty soon, because fall, winter, and spring are actually the main riding seasons here and a bigger window will be nicer.

[ifitdies]

I enjoyed this review. For what it's worth - it doesn't have an Accord engine. All Accords have inline 4's or V-6's. This bike has a 1.261 Liter V-4. Mine is a 2009 with a 2.4 Liter inline 4 (175hp). If Honda comes out with a ST2400 however, I will be first in line to buy one.

[JimNtexas]

@ifitdies - You're right of course, I think probably should have said 'Accord inspired', because it sure felt like an Accord to me. In any case, its a fine bike, and one that is a bike Mr. Honda would have liked, its not trying to imitate another kind of bike..

[cdwolf]

Heya Jim! I don't know how I missed this, but I've been looking at various "touring" bikes and Lo & Behold, you put up an excellent review. Thanks bud!

Stay safen'shiny

[JimNtexas]

@cdwolf - I'm glad you found the video helpful, thanks for watching.

[seeaboutagirl2]

Forgot to tell you that I borrowed your "George Jetson" reference to create my username on a couple of the ST Owner forums. Couple folks have already remarked about it. Good one!

[seeaboutagirl2]

Jim .. ended up buying a new ST yesterday .. loved the FJR (and the Concours wasn't bad either), but in the end the less sporty Honda was a better fit. I also thought the wind protection was slightly better than the other two. Got a good deal too since it was a new '07. FJR is a great bike, with superior performance and styling .. I'm sure you're happy with yours too! Thanks again.

[JimNtexas]

@seeaboutagirl2 - Congratulations on having a really excellent motorcycle!

[seeaboutagirl2]

Jim - really enjoyed all of your reviews. I too had a long gap with no bike and am considering buying either the ST or the FJR. Just how bad is the heat issue on the ST? FJR seems to be more sport bike and less tourer, and the opposite for the ST .. would you agree?

[JimNtexas]

@seeaboutagirl2 - I found the ST heat issue, combined with higher price to be a show stopper for me, despite the very short person friendly low seat height. The FJR has way better heat management. I'm very sensitive to heat, and live in a hot climate, YMMV.

The ST is definitely more touring-oriented. I'd say the ST is 70% touring, 30% sport, the stock FJR is about 50/50. It's easier put more touring in the FJR than more sport into the ST.

Both are great bikes.

[hpugwashee]

Before everything, you sound like a real gentleman Jim :-)

A nice review & I agree, she does sound nice to me though I wish some grrrunt could be blended in that sound.

Have a safe ride wherever you go :-)

[JimNtexas]

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for watching!

[rangerdd]

nice video jim . i have this bike with abs brakes, and linked brakes. systems"that work 100% as for the heat its nice in the winter, here in dublin Ireland, its a nice bike for long trips with its long range tank, 29 ltr" pity that one has not got the honda top box, with back rest make into it, holds a lot, i like the black one , never see one here , mine is cherry red , love this bike , never let you down ,

[TheRealChuxter]

Excellent review. I currently have a super sport bike (Triumph) and would love to have a sport touring bike to share riding with the lady. Great info, very informative.

[JimNtexas]

Thanks Chuxter,I'm glad you found this video to be helpful.

[Thaibiker85]

Great review.

[JimNtexas]

Thanks Thaibiker!

[shockofgod]

I see what you were talking about Jim very nice indeed

[sclyphe]

amazing havn't seen or heard anything like this and it's been out for years. I'm amazed you liked the seat. Several people use goldwing adjustable levers for an easier pull. That looks like a large windshield (vstream?) and there's plenty of heat concerns with various tweaks. heh... 730lb not 650.

[JimNtexas]

It was indeed a Vstream. Really large, and in the full up position it created a vacuum that pulled me towards it!

I did put an annotation in there somewhere correcting e weight. It weighs a lot!

[woodenchairs]

Thats to bad about the bad parts. It sounded like the perfect bike for you at first. I was really hoping it would work out.

[JimNtexas]

I have not ruled the Honda ST out, but I'm leaning FJR at this moment. Every bike has compromises.

[britex3186]

agreed, it was a hot bike.

[davidhowellca]

Wow...that bike is something else. The front and rear look space age enough even without it sounding Jetson like.

[theSMYRNAcowboy]

Jim you KNOW I love all the storage for sure. Britex3186 rented one at Deals Gap in 08 and had some video with the bike. I LOVE the power windscreen on it . If I went to a shall I say, "Regular" motorcycle, I would really consider this one but with this review, I may have to pass. I don't mind hot weather but I think that bike would really make it too hot. The clutch issue would be another thing. I'm so used to twist and go and stretching my legs out as I ride. I know, ALF has spoiled me.

[pulse0000]

Cool,thanks for the review Jim.

[jinkjack]

Wow 108 in the summer! I'm dying if it's like 80. The record in the UK is just over 100.

[billmaa]

Damn, Jim you are a motorcycling whore! haha good stuff.

[JimNtexas]

Just because I rented her doesn't mean I didn't respect her the next morning!

[billmaa]

Normally I have a clever volley, but I have nothing...Haha