Which year to buy

[hopey]

Hi All.
I have a question as a guest. If wanting to but an ST1300 is there any difference or improvements in a 2009 or 2010 over a 2004 or 2004 or are they really very similar?
Thanks.
Hopey

[StinkyPete]

Hi Hopey and welcome to the Forum. 
The link below should tell you everything about the year to year changes.

http://stwiki.notonthe.net/twiki/bin/view/ST13/ModelYearChanges

[hopey]

Thanks very much for that information.
It raises two other questions then: What is the difference between an ST1300 and a Pan European? And I have read somewhere that someone thought the later models - maybe from 2008, felt as though they had a lower centre of gravity than the earlier ones. True or maybe an "old wives tale"?
So would you recommend a 2008 over a 2004 or is a "good" 2004 just as good to buy?
Many thanks for your input.
Hopey.

[Brock]

Pan European, is the term/name used in the UK/Europe, its the same bike.

[StinkyPete]

So would you recommend a 2008 over a 2004 or is a "good" 2004 just as good to buy?

The 2008 version incorporated a number of small changes, and was essentially the last update until the end of the model.   If your budget goes to a 2008 or later, then my advice would be to seek one out with the lowest miles and best service history that you can find.    However anything from 2004 onward has power screen as standard, additional heat shielding, and swing arm pivot changes to improve high speed stability, and would be a great bike.

In summary, and in my opinion......     2004 or later would be great,   but 2008 onward would be even better.

[Couch]

I concur!

[tj189]

 

[ST2UP]

Welcome to the hopey  Update model changes are minimal.....

You would be better of with a 2004 in brilliant condition and 50,000 k's than a 2009 with 90,000k's and no service history that had been flogged and unkept for the same money.... 


Just Sayin.....




Cheers

[hopey]

Hi to all who responded to my question.

Thank you all very much for your input and advice.
I now have to sell a bike in order to buy another but when that happens I will join your forum on a permanent basis.
So until then thanks and happy riding!

Hopey.

[Biggles]

I now have to sell a bike in order to buy another but when that happens I will join your forum on a permanent basis.
So until then thanks and happy riding!
Hopey.

Keep checking in- there's always some new idea floating around that might help your choice.
And don't forget there are Forum members all over the country willing to go and look at a bike for you, and even ride it to your place if you buy it.