Well it all started when I had a st1100.. loved it but had to sell it when moved from Western Australia to Remote NSW. I had lots of adventures, lots of RTE’s and joined the far riding community.
I also learnt how much I detest riding on gravel.. but that’s another story…
So I’d been looking for over a month and resolved myself to the fact I would have to travel to find a new STeed as the only bikes for sale out this way are dirt ones!
I located an interesting st1300 on the east side of Melbourne. With the help of Williamson to share his video I got a chance to eyeball it. A week later I was on 2 planes , 1 bus and an hour train to pick it up.
The plan was simple- pick up the ST , fill it up and ride it home (approx 1000klm). This would give me a great chance to become acquainted with the 13.
Moving through the peak hour traffic felt good.I think the deflectors worked, as I didn’t cook.. or is that because it was only 16 degrees?
As the traffic started moving headed out on the Calder I felt the smoothness ; and played with the electric screen (new novelty)..
I found the lighting terrible after dark; I could read the dash well but found I needed to hug the tail lights of the cars once in the hills.
Pulled into Bendigo for the night. I can recommend the food at the National hotel; but I must say the room wasn’t as cheap as I liked!
Filled up and left in the morning.. it was a nice Spritely 8 degrees. Double checked my math as the fuel consumption seemed too good to be true!
As I got rolling I enjoyed the effortlessness of the st; it overtook freely.
As the mileage set in; my disdain for the seat grew. It’s hard! I thought I had padding; but obviously not enough!
Stopped at Mildura for a stretch and top up and kept going as I wanted to reach home before dusk.
I stopped 120klm south from home at a truck stop at coombah. Word of warning- this has been closed for sometime now meaning the 285klm stretch broken hill to Wentworth has no fuel. I smiled knowing the ST is more than capable in the distance.
Only other hiccup on the trip was 12 emus that took some persuading to get off the road. I had to basically stop and tiptoe through them.
All in all I made home while the sun was still up.
My reflections of the ride are that the ST13 is a nice ride; I just need to fix the lights and seat to make it better :)
The lights, yeah not up to the standard expected by many for a long-distance tourer. I've thought of an upgrade, but as I don't do much night riding, I haven't bothered - but one day.\
Seat, yeah could be better, (as mentioned elsewhere) sit on my RDL and perhaps some others at Mannum.
The RDL are custom made, I've been told they are tailored to suit height, inside leg, weight, etc.. of rider. I bought mine 2nd hand from a short, tubby guy (more so than me), it didn't suit him, but was on the ST13 when he bought it. The guy it was made for must've been similar dimensions to me - 178cm, 85 to 90kg.
