It is funny your heading motioned the Goldwing. One of my coworkers had owned Goldwings in the past and bought a Beemer and said he was going to trade it in on another Goldwing. I told him to look at the ST1300. He went to the Honda dealer and saw one, and said "I'm not buying any crotch rocket" but the salesman told him to take it out on a test ride. He bought it on the spot and loved it. Took it on many long trips and loved the handling, etc. (Only thing is he had to put risers on the handlebars, and complained bout how the heat from between the tank and seat was like "roasting chestnuts on an open fire" if you get my drift.)
Thats funny he thought it was a sportbike. I guess if you are coming off one of the older goldwings it does seem like it. Yeah i know that st1300 heat issue. Ouch, better keep it movie on this bike.
@@motardsquid I must have to qualify this and say my coworker was in his late 60's at that time (2006,,,but he bought a leftover 2005 which was red, the 2006 was black.)
My blue 2004 is almost road ready, following necessary maintenance. Test rode it and bought it right off. It’s been a Honda dream to work on! Pun intended, thanks.😂
I wasnt sure if i was happy with my 03 i got with 24k for 2700 in 2021 but every time i ride it i fall in love with it even more. Its just an all around amazing bike. Using it for longer trips and an eventual cross country trip. I use my vfr for everything else not more then a few hundred miles and a cb400 for commuting.
Great review, one of the best bikes I have owned (I had the older 1100), used it for shopping and commuting as well as touring. It does have plenty of power (for 2-up touring with luggage) and handles well but it won't keep up with a sports bike unless the rider is a complete novice. Always check the clutch when buying used because it's a lot of work to replace because of how the engine is set out - do some steep hill starts, do a few quick launches to warm it up, then check the hill starts again - should be completely smooth, no juddering and no slipping.
The weave is due to poor weight distribution. The fix is to ensure your rear shock preload adjuster is full. If you do not feel resistance after about two turns from fully out then you need to refill the adjuster.
People keep saying that. But i don't buy it. I've had 40 bikes and none of them exhibited this. No matter how loaded they were they more stable at high speeds. If the st1300 is only stable with cargo evenly then it is a major design flaw.
@@motardsquid I’m not saying it is more stable with cargo. What I am saying is that if the bike is loaded and the rear spring preload is not increased to ensure the correct ride height then you will get wobble. Before I refilled my adjuster and increased preload my 2005 was awful at highway speeds. After I refilled the adjuster so that it would actually increase preload the bike was and is still rock solid two-up at much high than legal speeds. This change has been proven by one of the most experienced ST mechanics from the ST-Owners forum.
Im in the process of looking for a sport touring bike, narrowed it down to the Yam fj1300, Kaw Concours14 and Honda St1300. Leaning towards the Kawasaki well because I'm a Kawasaki guy. The FJ1300 is impressive if you want to win the race. The Honda styling just a little off for my taste, but is the better bike in most other ways. I love HP sadly so will probably go with Kawasaki.
I am a new subscriber and really like your content....I am a new owner of a 2005 ST1300....at first I thought it was boring but have come to realize the bike is a very consistent...what would be good is a walk around on the ST on what mods are on the bike.
IMHO the absolute worst feature of the ST1300 is the stock seat, gravity and the seat angle will put you in a spot extremely uncomfortable to the gents.
Weave? What weave, ? had mine at 100 mph, have trunk box, what weave ? But that big bug that splattered into my helmet scared me to death, 100 is too fast for me
Trying to find one for a reasonable price, someone is trying to charge 10k for a 2007 in my area, seen a few others at 3-6k but clapped out and thr good ones get grabbed fast
2003 was the only model that had the issue. 2004 onward it was fixed. It was due to the damping system from what I gather. I’ve never had issues unless I’ve had a top-box on and that’s to be expected. Issues >100mph.
Lol I have a goldwing I'm getting delivery of my 2014 fjr Friday. Hp 145. Top speed I seen 171. I hope this handles better at low speeds plus lighter. Then I'll get ride of my wing.👍
This I believe is the shape of the intake and velocity stacks. I believe the engine is derived from the VFR architecture, so you will notice the same sound with them too.
I have two of these in my area, an ‘07 for 6k with 39k miles and a ‘12 with 20k miles for $7,500. Would there be anything beneficial to purchasing the newer one over the older one aside from price?
I think it's mostly color changes. I like the 03 Silver myself. But the blue is growing on me. I'd take whatever is cheaper. A st1300 with 100k is pretty common, i wouldnt be worried with that mileage.
Have you ever test driven a concourse 14 ? Not sure about the ST 1300 but the concourse 14 requires premium gas only ! one of the things I really like about the FJR is it runs on regular gas !
Yeah i rode @motorousa concours 14. Great bike. It felt sportier than the fjr. The st, fjr and concours are great. Can't go wrong with those. THe st is definately the big touring machine in that group. But engine wise it's more interesting and smooth. bUt the kick you get out of the concours and fjr is much better.
Im in the DC area and i've commuted on my first 1300 entirely. The only downside is that the bike runs hot because of the motor. And if you are not moving it in swampy dc it's not that great. But it's a bike that you can pile many miles without worry. I enjoyed the comfort at the end of a long day of work.
@@motardsquid thanks. I just picked up nc750x as a daily urban commuter. But also getting into long distance touring. St1300 might be my next/second bike.
the heat problem can be reduced by trimming the inner plastics beneath the outer fairing. There's nowhere for the heat to escape to. By removing some of the inner plastics either side of the from wheel a lot of the heat is "washed out" with airflow It makes a HUUGE difference
The only thing i dont like is the stability. I look a lots of videos of this bike and the kawasaky and if you see the video of kawasaky you can see the stability that bike dont move in the corner and i saw a lot of peoples go very fast in kawasaky and do corner in fast on kawasaky and the bike dont move. Almost in the videos. I very fear for that stability. Maybe one day you need go fast for ramdom reason and you fear that thing of stability. I dont like. For the rest look like the best of all. Less consumtion, less weigth, more comfort, honda, but man. That is my opionion my friend ✌️🤙 but only watching video. Maybe i ride both and i chnage my mine ☺️✌️🤙 sorry my english ☺️🤙✌️i give you a example: is nitgh and you have back you a angry driver car and you need go fast to lose him what do you do if you not can ride fast ? Is not pretty have a bike that you cannot ride fast for the stability. In my opinion maybe im wrong 🤗✌️🤙
No i get it. You are right. The st1300 doesnt feel as stable as the kawasaki or Yamaha. NO idea how honda got it wrong. Im lucky to have ridden many bikes and owned many. Thes t1300 is great, bu you can't push it like the kawasaki or fjr
@@motardsquid essato 👍✌️🤙 one question= in italy highway (autostrada) speed is about 140km/h. Can you ride safely a 140kms/h for about 3-4 hours? What is the max speed whem you start to feel is not safe ride with this bike?
I got nothing on the 1300 stability, except a story: I bought my 2004 contingent on a < 10 mile test ride. Felt a bit squirrelly but otherwise great. So I budgeted for a packaged suspension upgrade, front shocks and rear main shock and bought it. Then, silly in hindsight, a check of the tire pressure showed about 30 pounds, not the recommended 41. Oops! Anyway, once I get back on the road after extensive maintenance and delays, I hope correct tire pressure will have chased the squirrel away!
After owning many bikes I can tell you that the ST1300 is not a sportsbike, couldn't wait to get back on a BMW. The Honda is basically the Toyota Corolla of bikes, does a good job of getting from A to B in comfort but has no personality at all, boring as batshit!
@@mattthomson1689 Some people ride bikes for the excitement, others to simply get from A to B, the ST1300 is excellent at what it does but has the personality of an empty cardboard box.
I’m on my second ST, when loaded correctly and the shock adjusted never had a problem with the weave
It is funny your heading motioned the Goldwing. One of my coworkers had owned Goldwings in the past and bought a Beemer and said he was going to trade it in on another Goldwing. I told him to look at the ST1300. He went to the Honda dealer and saw one, and said "I'm not buying any crotch rocket" but the salesman told him to take it out on a test ride. He bought it on the spot and loved it. Took it on many long trips and loved the handling, etc. (Only thing is he had to put risers on the handlebars, and complained bout how the heat from between the tank and seat was like "roasting chestnuts on an open fire" if you get my drift.)
Old ST1100 is a clear winner even after so many years...ofcourse model with ABS/TCS.
Thats funny he thought it was a sportbike. I guess if you are coming off one of the older goldwings it does seem like it. Yeah i know that st1300 heat issue. Ouch, better keep it movie on this bike.
@@motardsquid I must have to qualify this and say my coworker was in his late 60's at that time (2006,,,but he bought a leftover 2005 which was red, the 2006 was black.)
My blue 2004 is almost road ready, following necessary maintenance. Test rode it and bought it right off. It’s been a Honda dream to work on! Pun intended, thanks.😂
@@mattthomson1689 "Honda Dream" you must be old like me to remember them. 🙂 re: Maintenance, how often do you need to re-grease the spline shaft?
I wasnt sure if i was happy with my 03 i got with 24k for 2700 in 2021 but every time i ride it i fall in love with it even more. Its just an all around amazing bike. Using it for longer trips and an eventual cross country trip. I use my vfr for everything else not more then a few hundred miles and a cb400 for commuting.
Riding a friend's ST1100 at present, the best bike I've ridden. The ST1300 entices.
Great review, one of the best bikes I have owned (I had the older 1100), used it for shopping and commuting as well as touring. It does have plenty of power (for 2-up touring with luggage) and handles well but it won't keep up with a sports bike unless the rider is a complete novice. Always check the clutch when buying used because it's a lot of work to replace because of how the engine is set out - do some steep hill starts, do a few quick launches to warm it up, then check the hill starts again - should be completely smooth, no juddering and no slipping.
The weave is due to poor weight distribution. The fix is to ensure your rear shock preload adjuster is full. If you do not feel resistance after about two turns from fully out then you need to refill the adjuster.
People keep saying that. But i don't buy it. I've had 40 bikes and none of them exhibited this. No matter how loaded they were they more stable at high speeds. If the st1300 is only stable with cargo evenly then it is a major design flaw.
@@motardsquid I’m not saying it is more stable with cargo. What I am saying is that if the bike is loaded and the rear spring preload is not increased to ensure the correct ride height then you will get wobble. Before I refilled my adjuster and increased preload my 2005 was awful at highway speeds. After I refilled the adjuster so that it would actually increase preload the bike was and is still rock solid two-up at much high than legal speeds.
This change has been proven by one of the most experienced ST mechanics from the ST-Owners forum.
Cool windscreen, i like the stock one just fine
Im in the process of looking for a sport touring bike, narrowed it down to the Yam fj1300, Kaw Concours14 and Honda St1300. Leaning towards the Kawasaki well because I'm a Kawasaki guy. The FJ1300 is impressive if you want to win the race. The Honda styling just a little off for my taste, but is the better bike in most other ways. I love HP sadly so will probably go with Kawasaki.
I really appreciate your st1300 videos! If all goes well I’ll be picking up a 2012 low mile ST1300. I’m so excited after watching your videos….
I am a new subscriber and really like your content....I am a new owner of a 2005 ST1300....at first I thought it was boring but have come to realize the bike is a very consistent...what would be good is a walk around on the ST on what mods are on the bike.
I just bought a 2005 with only 20k miles. I'm replacing all the fluids, but it's a great buy for $4,000.
Great review and awesome video. Thank you sir. Where was this filmed? beautiful location-
IMHO the absolute worst feature of the ST1300 is the stock seat, gravity and the seat angle will put you in a spot extremely uncomfortable to the gents.
Agree. I got a Corbin aftermarket seat fro mine. Comfy for long haul.
Weave? What weave, ? had mine at 100 mph, have trunk box, what weave ? But that big bug that splattered into my helmet scared me to death, 100 is too fast for me
Brake work is a bugger on this bike
Looking at your bike, is that an extra set of mirrors?
No cruisecontrol on this topline touring bike, Honda did no brainer in this model
Trying to find one for a reasonable price, someone is trying to charge 10k for a 2007 in my area, seen a few others at 3-6k but clapped out and thr good ones get grabbed fast
What`s the deal with the infamous speed wobble? Was there a year they sorted it out?
2003 was the only model that had the issue. 2004 onward it was fixed. It was due to the damping system from what I gather. I’ve never had issues unless I’ve had a top-box on and that’s to be expected. Issues >100mph.
Just bought 1 today. Think I love it
Lol I have a goldwing I'm getting delivery of my 2014 fjr Friday.
Hp 145. Top speed I seen 171.
I hope this handles better at low speeds plus lighter. Then I'll get ride of my wing.👍
You will love the fjr. The st1300 is slower and less power than the fjr. Miss my old fjr, great bike.
I have a 2014 FJR, and it's a blast to ride, makes me smile every time I twist the throttle.
Sold my 05 FJR for a 2012 ST1300, get it in a week. Just hope i did not make mistake because the FJR is so good and fun to ride.@@motardsquid
That is an interesting change, usually people do the opposite. When you get it let me know how you like it compared to the fjr.@@wboeren1
@@wboeren1 Update?
It’s got a nice growl from the exhaust but what is that high pitched whine/whistle? Do you know where that comes from?
This I believe is the shape of the intake and velocity stacks. I believe the engine is derived from the VFR architecture, so you will notice the same sound with them too.
I have two of these in my area, an ‘07 for 6k with 39k miles and a ‘12 with 20k miles for $7,500. Would there be anything beneficial to purchasing the newer one over the older one aside from price?
I think it's mostly color changes. I like the 03 Silver myself. But the blue is growing on me. I'd take whatever is cheaper. A st1300 with 100k is pretty common, i wouldnt be worried with that mileage.
Have you ever test driven a concourse 14 ?
Not sure about the ST 1300 but the concourse 14 requires premium gas only ! one of the things I really like about the FJR is it runs on regular gas !
Yeah i rode @motorousa concours 14. Great bike. It felt sportier than the fjr. The st, fjr and concours are great. Can't go wrong with those. THe st is definately the big touring machine in that group. But engine wise it's more interesting and smooth. bUt the kick you get out of the concours and fjr is much better.
Was that Lost River West Virginia ?
@@motardsquidnow you gotta come try my fjr to see if it’s any different than the gen 1 you had
@@altec19 Looks like Lost River Valley, New Hampshire
Do you/would you use the ST1300 for commuting as well in crowded urban areas like the DC area?
Im in the DC area and i've commuted on my first 1300 entirely. The only downside is that the bike runs hot because of the motor. And if you are not moving it in swampy dc it's not that great. But it's a bike that you can pile many miles without worry. I enjoyed the comfort at the end of a long day of work.
@@motardsquid thanks. I just picked up nc750x as a daily urban commuter. But also getting into long distance touring. St1300 might be my next/second bike.
the heat problem can be reduced by trimming the inner plastics beneath the outer fairing. There's nowhere for the heat to escape to. By removing some of the inner plastics either side of the from wheel a lot of the heat is "washed out" with airflow It makes a HUUGE difference
@@martinrobinson673 Good to know there's a solution. Although as a cold weather commuter, I might prefer the heat 🙂
Kinda ridiculous that your dash is completely block from view.
The only thing i dont like is the stability. I look a lots of videos of this bike and the kawasaky and if you see the video of kawasaky you can see the stability that bike dont move in the corner and i saw a lot of peoples go very fast in kawasaky and do corner in fast on kawasaky and the bike dont move. Almost in the videos. I very fear for that stability. Maybe one day you need go fast for ramdom reason and you fear that thing of stability. I dont like. For the rest look like the best of all. Less consumtion, less weigth, more comfort, honda, but man. That is my opionion my friend ✌️🤙 but only watching video. Maybe i ride both and i chnage my mine ☺️✌️🤙 sorry my english ☺️🤙✌️i give you a example: is nitgh and you have back you a angry driver car and you need go fast to lose him what do you do if you not can ride fast ? Is not pretty have a bike that you cannot ride fast for the stability. In my opinion maybe im wrong 🤗✌️🤙
No i get it. You are right. The st1300 doesnt feel as stable as the kawasaki or Yamaha. NO idea how honda got it wrong. Im lucky to have ridden many bikes and owned many. Thes t1300 is great, bu you can't push it like the kawasaki or fjr
@@motardsquid i still thinking if i buy one is the st1300 but i dont like that thing only that 👍✌️🤙
@@El_chico26121 for what their resale value is you can’t beat them.
@@motardsquid essato 👍✌️🤙 one question= in italy highway (autostrada) speed is about 140km/h. Can you ride safely a 140kms/h for about 3-4 hours? What is the max speed whem you start to feel is not safe ride with this bike?
I got nothing on the 1300 stability, except a story: I bought my 2004 contingent on a < 10 mile test ride. Felt a bit squirrelly but otherwise great. So I budgeted for a packaged suspension upgrade, front shocks and rear main shock and bought it. Then, silly in hindsight, a check of the tire pressure showed about 30 pounds, not the recommended 41. Oops! Anyway, once I get back on the road after extensive maintenance and delays, I hope correct tire pressure will have chased the squirrel away!
when you are poor you buy a st1300 when you have money you buy a goldwing dct
After owning many bikes I can tell you that the ST1300 is not a sportsbike, couldn't wait to get back on a BMW. The Honda is basically the Toyota Corolla of bikes, does a good job of getting from A to B in comfort but has no personality at all, boring as batshit!
The Toyota Corolla is the holy grail for reliability and value, so adding comfort must place HONDA in nirvana?
@@mattthomson1689 Some people ride bikes for the excitement, others to simply get from A to B, the ST1300 is excellent at what it does but has the personality of an empty cardboard box.
Hahahaha, and the BMW has personality???? 😂😂😂 Chelsea tractor for chavs.
Dumb. Dumb. What a crappy bike.
It’s actually an amazing bike. Have you done any long distance riding on one ??
Troll