What are those things?

[Marcus]

Ok, So this is a thread for all the new people out there, like me, who see photos of other ST-eeds and ponder some stupid question but are too scared/embarrassed to ask...*

Question 1. My bike came with 2 padded triangle thingys, padding on one side and tape on the other. What are they? Where do they go? and Do I need them there?

Question 2. I see alot of pitcures of people with padded covers over their fuel tanks, I don't know what they are but I suspect I'm going to want one. Again, What are they? Why do I need one?

Question 3. You all seem to shop at the same store. Where? Do they have a web address? (I not keen on e-bay).


* Stay tuned for more stupid questions as I think of them

[Diesel]

I can answer Q.2 about the tank cover....

It basically provides a base for the Bagster Tank Bag to clip on to.....



A lot of folks use a tank bag with magnets in the base, and that's what hold them on (TerryDJ's ST11 comes to mind_ - mine clips on front and back.

There are NO silly questions - ask away.

Cheers, Diesel

[Marcus]

Ok, So here are the triangle padded thingys



Now. Here's my bike

Here are my RAM BALLS installed as per instructions.


And here it is with the windscreen up

Now how the hell is a GPS supposed to fit with the windscreen down?
I've been puzzling this since I installed them.

And Do the GPS units come with connections for RAM BALLS? or do I need to get additional connections...

BTW I only just noticed that McDonalds have special Bike parking spaces...IN YOUR FACE CAR PEOPLE...

[Rodd]

I don't have any knowledge on the ST1300 but:

The triangle thingies look like knee pads! They may go in front of the seat on the panelwork to frotect your knees or panelwork while riding.

The fake tanks on the ST1100 are plastic so it's fairly common for people to fit tank covers and have a bag that clips to these covers. Obviously, tank bags that use magnets to grip the tank won't work on them (although some people glue metal plates inside the cover so that their magnetic tank bags will stick).

I often use eBay to buy items and have very little trouble. As with any auction you need to know the value of things before you purchase otherwise there's a good chance you'll pay more!! I have a Visa debit card and use Paypal. Paypal debits from my Visa card.. and I only transfer enough money into the Visa card to cover the cost of the item I'm buying! That way scammers should have a lot of trouble getting any/more money from me without my permission.

If not using eBay I'll use David Silver Spares in the UK, or Jake Wilson in the US. Recently I ordered my Fenda Extenda directly from the manufacturer in the UK because it was the cheapest way!

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/

http://www.jakewilson.com

Rodd

BTW, I believe that you need to buy the ram ball atachments separately from the GPS's (I think Jake Wilson carries them).
When I went touring on my Silverwing I put the GPS in my tank bag under the clear screen. Not ideal, but it got my on tack when needed!

[Bruce]

The triangle pads are knee rests that go on the tank, they we introduced around 2003-04 and are part of an upgrade Honda did to reduce the amount of heat being felt in "that" sensitive area. They also redesigned the tipover wings, later models have slots in the underside to allow air flow, and installed a heat deflector on the inside of the lower fairings as early models sometimes started to melt from the exhaust pipe heat.

[Malcolm6112]

Question for Diesel.

How do you find the Airhawk seat? The reviews I've read say thet are great. You do Farrides, so hence the question.

Malcolm

[West Aussie Glen]

Marcus some more sites for you to spend your money at:-
http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/
http://www.healtech-electronics.com/ - GIPRO DS Series Gear Indicator
http://www.stx1300-accessories.co.uk/
http://www.helibars.com/ - handle bar risers
http://www.st1300.us.com/showthread.php?p=3951#post3951 - front fender extender

http://www.bygdawg.com/ - rear tipover bars

I am sure there are more but these will keep you busy for a while

[Diesel]

Question for Diesel.

How do you find the Airhawk seat? The reviews I've read say thet are great. You do Farrides, so hence the question.

Malcolm

G'day Mal....

Airhawks are great!

I had my seat customised by John Moorehouse of Ergo seats and have had little use for the AirHawk since. In saying that - OzRider (Rod) is the LD King and still uses his AirHawk and swears by it.

There is quite a knack to getting the best out of it though Mal - basically you blow it up only slightly, sit on it, and bleed the remaining air out until you can barely feel any inflation under you. This in itself takes miles of getting it right - but once you hit the sweet spot - all is tickety boo.

I'm doing my SS1600 Ironbutt accreditation attempt this weekend, and have the airhawk back on as an option.

A great after market custom seat should do away with the AirHawk - but it is a great cheaper alternative.

Hope this helps.

Add anything Oz if you have an opinion.

Cheers, Diesel

Now how the hell is a GPS supposed to fit with the windscreen down?
I've been puzzling this since I installed them.

And Do the GPS units come with connections for RAM BALLS? or do I need to get additional connections...

You sure do Stringo... get yourself something like this extension....



and it should clear your lowered screen. There are heaps of specific application mounts from this Aussie supplier:

http://www.ram-mount.com.au/index.php

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Diesel

[Diesel]

The triangle pads are knee rests that go on the tank, they we introduced around 2003-04 and are part of an upgrade Honda did to reduce the amount of heat being felt in "that" sensitive area.

You are probably spot on here Bruce - Have a Look at Dave's (Roper5874)'s bike - he has them fitted in black.

Cheers, Diesel

[Poppy Dave]

Just a post to save him looking me up. :P

Dave

[Marcus]

Wow! nice work guys thanks. Dave you should collect these websites and put then all with brief description of what they sell, in a Sticky so any new riders can have easy access to them...
Looks like my weekend just got busy looking at all this stuff...

[terrydj]

Question for Diesel.

How do you find the Airhawk seat? The reviews I've read say thet are great. You do Farrides, so hence the question.

Malcolm

G'day Mal....

Airhawks are great!

I had my seat customised by John Moorehouse of Ergo seats and have had little use for the AirHawk since. In saying that - OzRider (Rod) is the LD King and still uses his AirHawk and swears by it.

Had an Airhawk, tried all the pressures, and its just a piece of junk compared to what John Moorehouse does with a seat. Spend a few extra dollars and get something that works.
Hmmm heard a lot of people having trouble to get an Airhawk to work.
Never heard of anyone whinging about what John Moorehouse does with a seat

[Tackleberry]

Had an Airhawk, tried all the pressures, and its just a piece of junk compared to what John Moorehouse does with a seat. Spend a few extra dollars and get something that works.

 
Another AirHawk hater here.  Previous owner got a Corbin for my 11 and can do FarRides all ove the place.  Did 1100km yesterday and was the only bit not sore. 

[John Meara]

Here are some more sites.  Always take care on the shipping costs for any overseas purchases, as the choice can make a big difference.

Firstly, as mentioned above, MCL - Motorcycle Larry has great gear.

California Sport Touring, USA:  http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycles/Honda.html
I've purchased quite a bit from these guys over the years - reliable and reasonable prices.

BikeQuip, UK:  http://www.st1300-accessories.co.uk/index.html
Purchased gear here - some innovative stuff too.  Rear shock protector, Fenda Extender,

MotorCycle Setup in Melbourne for McCruise cruise control: http://www.mccruise.com/

A.M.H.P. Tamborine, Qld for headlight protectors:  http://www.amhp.com.au/

Dale McLean Motorcycle Electronics for Starcom comms system and other goodies:  http://www.dmme.com.au/

Fuzeblocks, USA. These are beautiful.  http://www.fuzeblocks.com/

HeliBar risers.  This is the manufacturer'ss site, to see all the models: http://www.helibars.com/products-by-bike/honda
I purchased mine from California Sport Touring to save on shipping costs as I was buying multiple items at the time.

Good Wool Store, for a waterproof seat cover:  http://www.goodwool.com.au/m_products.htm

Direct Line Parts, USA.  I purchased a workshop manila from this mob years ago  they still appear to have a long list of stuff for the ST1300 though.  http://www.directlineparts.com/store.asp?str=10

Powerlet, USA: for lots of electrical goodies. http://www.powerlet.com/products
You can get these accessories through many other outlets too, so check shipping and get them with other gear to save.

Beaver Power, Japan?  This Anglo guy has a good reputation and loads of nice gear really well made.  haven't used him, but tempted.   http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/Socket_Kits/socket_kits.html

Radguard, Coffs Harbour, for radiator guards (I've seen what a stone can do to a Honda radiator!  http://www.radguard.com.au/categories/Honda/

David Silver Spares in the UK used to be a great store, but since July this year no longer deal in recent models (only Hondas built before 2002).

[sac468]

Thanks for the great sites John, my wife officialy hates you

alothough I have been told if I am going to spend that much on my ST her cruiser needs some BLING |||