Hello from Geelong

[AliSTair]

Hi all,

My name is Alistair and I don’t currently own an ST but have been looking for many months and am now more than ready to make a purchase as my prolonged interest has just resulted in a green light from my pillion!  My progression in bikes to date has been a suzuki gs250, Honda CB500 and BMWK100RS which I sold about 9 years ago and haven’t been back on a bike since.  The urge has returned with a vengeance and  I’m  now getting excited about the ST1100!  With two young kids at home I wont get a heap of free time to go riding, but obviously I still need a motorbike, as I cant go riding at all without one!

I am based in Geelong and had been hoping to pick something up from interstate and collect and enjoy the ride home…but my searching is leading me to a few local options being the best current deals (other than WA which is too far for me as it will require more time off work than I am able to take at this time).  There is one in Melbourne with very low km’s which apparently has previously been in long term storage (6 yrs!) but is now up and running (the current owner suggests they have done 5k on it since retrieving it from storage, but this is not easy to confirm)…any advice on inspecting a bike that has previously been stored for so long?  Can anyone recommend a good mechanic in the Ringwood area for a pre-purchase inspection?

Whether I end up getting a bike in the next week or next couple of months, I’m fairly set on the ST1100..its a big bike and at 6’ 5” and 120kg I need a substantial bike, I also like their reputation for reliability and ease of handling. 

I look forward to staying involved in this forum and hopefully meeting a few when opportunity presents.

Alistair

[WendyL]

Welcome Alistair, there are a few members in Vic who would probably be able to help you out with checking over any potential purchase.  My '95 ST1100 has done 182000km and still going strong, nearly bulletproof 

[StinkyPete]

Hi Alistair and welcome to OzSTOC from SA.   

[Shaun]

I think Marcus was asking about members from Victoria. I guess you qualify.

Welcome to the forums. :) The Victorian members will be able to point you in the right direction.

As for the bike sitting still for so long, a few things worth looking out for might be:

- Tyres, check tyre walls for cracking if they have been sitting in one place with only one point under weight for so long
- Brakes, check that they apply smoothly and don't grab
- Fluid levels
- Fuel, probably could do with a complete flush. Also filters probably should be done.

I'd probably assume it has been sitting there right up until you look at it, with maybe a run around the block to get it warm before you get there.

[tj189]

Welcome to the forum AliSTair and good luck with your purchase 

[Sicman]

Welcome on in AliSTair 

[Wild Rose]

Welcome AliSTer to OzSTOC from Toowoomba Queensland 
I hope you find a suitable ST1100 
Enjoy the Forum 
 

[Wombat]

Welcome from Perth 

 

[Gadget]

Welcome Alistair!

I would be inclined to get a full service including brake and clutch fluids in particular, if it had been sitting that long.

Brake and clutch fluid is hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. So it shucks in moisture, even in clawed systems. That moisture can then grow algae which can block little holes.

I'm not sure about the 1100s, but the 1300 had a combined braking system which means to change the fluids correctly it requires a special tool.

All the best on your search and eventual purchase.

At your height and weight, it might also be worth checking out the 1300. There are a couple for sale amongst the membership.

Hopefully you will have purchased it in time for the Balranald overnight RTE (Ride To Eat.

Heck, even if you haven't pop up and check out a large gathering of STs.

[Brock]

If stored for 5 yrs, things to check/do

If battery hasnt been replaced, then do it. It will fail soon.

Tyres, replace them!!  Doesnt matter how much tread is left, the rubber will have gone hard and could shred.

Brake , clutch  fluid, coolant and engine/diff oil will need to be replaced unless it has been done very recently. If in doubt replace it.

Now go ride it.

Oh, and welcome to your new home.

[ST2UP]

Welcome along to OzSTOC AliSTair......enjoy mate 

[Shiney]

G'day AliSTair, good luck with getting your new ST. Just do what the other guys have said and I'm sure you'll be fine
Oh yeah, welcome to the forum

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[SteveR]

Welcome from another Geelong Newbie!

[Marcus]

Welcome mate, from Victoria

[AliSTair]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone...I have arranged for a pre-purchase inspection from Brett at Madbiker, That should be money will spent if it stops me buying a lemon or gives me leverage in negotiations, plus gives me  a good idea of future works required and expenses to be budgeted for.

My original plan was to buy a very budget bike, as I've  been about 9 years out of the saddle and thought of doing some refresher training as its been 20 years since I got my licence!..that way, I wouldnt cry if I dropped it in a carpark practising low-speed manouvres .  But the more I look the more Im tempted to get something nicer (and more expensive) straight up...starting to reconsider ST1300's that I originally had discounted from my search.  I keep telling myself to be patient, but it doesn't come naturally.

[Mitch]

Hi AliSTair and a Warm Welcome from the Wild West
                         

[ppopeye]

Welcome Alistair!

I would be inclined to get a full service including brake and clutch fluids in particular, if it had been sitting that long.

Brake and clutch fluid is hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. So it shucks in moisture, even in clawed systems. That moisture can then grow algae which can block little holes.

I'm not sure about the 1100s, but the 1300 had a combined braking system which means to change the fluids correctly it requires a special tool.u

All the best on your search and eventual purchase.

At your height and weight, it might also be worth checking out the 1300. There are a couple for sale amongst the membership.

Hopefully you will have purchased it in time for the Balranald overnight RTE (Ride To Eat.

Heck, even if you haven't pop up and check out a large gathering of STs.

Welcome Alistair, I agree with the above comments.
Where is the bike in Vic you are looking at. We may be able to suggest someone reasonably local to look at it with/for you.
Cheers

[AliSTair]

Thanks ppopeye, I paid to get it inspected which was money well spent as it would take up at least half a day if not a full day for me to get over and check it out..and even then Im not confident in my ability to assess its mechanical merits and cost estimates for anyworks required.  Results came back that it was ok, but requires a bit to be spent on it to get it from ok to good...given the asking price and the reputation these have for reliability I will look elsewhere and look more widely at ones with higher Kms and no ABS...the very low km and abs on this one was attractive, but I think Im better off getting one thats been ridden and serviced regularly, a few more km on the odometer and a few less $$ on the price tag.

[Gadget]

Once you've had ABS you'll wonder why you didn't have it before. Saved me several times.

Cheers,
Gary


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[Shiney]

I brought my ST1300 with 104000km on the clock.
It now has 174000km and hasn't had any major/expensive issues at all
So don't be afraid to go for something with a few more k's

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Biggles]

Great to read of your getting back into m/cycles Alistair!  Having the Missus on board with the idea, especially when you still have kids at home, is essential.  Family pressure is the prime reason most blokes quit riding.
Putting the kids on the back for some riding is a great way to build the bond.
All the best with the search.  ST1100s for great value.  ST1300s for more modern features (and there are some well-priced ST13s around, too).
See you at an RTE sometime. 
Oh, and STs are mile-eaters, so have a look at FarRiders.   

[butters]

Hi alister from sa my purple st is for sale you ph me week ago minw has done 139000 ks and still as good as day I bought it good to see you a ozstock member

[Pocket STocker]

Welcome along to OzSTOC AliSTair, enjoy the forum.


Pockey 

[AliSTair]

Im Excited...picked up my ST1100 yesterday...1994 model, 82000km, no ABS but in immaculate condition for its age!  Enjoyed the ride home to Geelong immensely, though the last 30km in driving rain were a bit nervy as I haven't been on a bike for a few years...This machine handled it well though, I even stayed dry-ish (at least not soaked) courtesy of the high screen. The only fault I could pick was the rear tyre was probably not quite roadworthy, but it didn't slip in the wet and I have booked in for a new set of tyres next week!

Yayyyy

[Wild Rose]

Congratulations AliSTair on your ST1100 purchase 
Enjoy your ride and a few pictures when you get a chance would be good
Remember no photo and it didn't happen