Author Topic: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.  (Read 1691 times)

Offline tifkat

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Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« on: February 03, 2019, 02:37:29 PM »
Hi everyone,

Collin here. We've decided to get me a bike to help reduce some household costs and get our finances sorted to get a house.

I fell in love with my mates Revere years ago and have always said when I got my next bike it would be a shaft-drive. Haven't had a bike for 20 years, but always wanted to get another.

I have my open bike 'R' license, but haven't ridden anything this big. I'm a reasonable sized lad at 6'3" and about 120kg so I want something reasonably capable for my commute (40ks down Tonkin/Roe hwy) with some luggage capacity, and so I've decided an ABS model ST1300 fits the bill.

So I've joined up to soak up some smarts from a community of owners and maybe find the bike for me.

Especially interested in info like routine maintenance, which bits I can do myself etc. Is 98 RON NEEDED, would 95 RON be ok.

Noticed a few Police specials available around WA. After speaking with Dale Britton Honda, not sure if I want to go that route. I'm willing to have my mind changed though.

Like anyone, I want a decent bike for low budget. 🤣

Anyway, see you all in the forums.
No more STs
 

Offline richo

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2019, 03:01:03 PM »
Hi Colin.  At 6’2” in the old height and around 110 kg. I know the need for a comfortable bike.  The ST1300 is great for me.  The only addition I have added is some handlebar risers.   Any thing you want to know about the bikes can be found on the forum.    Welcome from SA. 
Richo
 
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2019, 03:11:27 PM »
Hi Coli

Welcome aboard. I'm sure there's a few in WA that would be willing to help.

At 5'10" I find the 1300 ok though the previous owner was height challenged as anything that could be adjusted was set to the lowest setting.

PULP (95) is all you need and some of us have used ULP (91) if 95 isn't available with no adverse effects.

On weekends I have to use either 91 or 98 as the tyre dealer (also 4c/litre discount) who sells 95 is closed so for a planned ride I'll top Friday.

Just be aware that all the 1300s have combined brakes which some people have issues with.

 
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Offline Skip

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2019, 03:43:54 PM »
Welcome to the forum Collin. I've had my 1300 since 2007 and had no issues whatsoever. The seat is the worst think about the 1300 but a few solutions for that on here.
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Offline StinkyPete

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2019, 04:22:07 PM »
Hi tifkat and another welcome to OzSTOC from SA.   :hatwave   Don't worry about the fuel as I ran mine on 95 as a preference, but it was quite happy with 98 and 91 as well.   You'll find all you need to know here on the forum, and if you can't find it, just ask.   :thumbs
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Offline Wild Rose

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2019, 04:31:41 PM »
Hi Collin (tifkat)  ++
Welcome to OzSTOC from Toowoomba in Queensland  :hatwave
Hope your find a nice ST1100 or ST1300  :thumb
Enjoy the Forum  :like
Leo (Wild Rose)
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Offline Gadget

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2019, 04:46:10 PM »
Hi tifkat,

At 186 cm ( 6'1"),  and 110 to 120 kg dependent on the season, I found the ST 1300 mostly comfortable.

Mine was used as a daily commute of 32 km each way from North of Brisbane to the Airport.

I improved mine with a 2nd hand Corbin seat/s. The saddle on first one was a little too close to the tank and at on OzSTOC rally I was able to swap it for another which moved the saddle back about 50 mm (2"), and I was much happier. I could easily do 750 km in a day.

I also added a set of handlebar risers and was much happier.

There a good ex police unit which came up for sale today in WA.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ozstocgroup/permalink/349807578953377/?sale_post_id=349807578953377

An advantage of the ex-Police bikes is extra switches for the likes of driving lights and other accessories.

All the best in your search.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Cheers,
Gary
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Offline winston66

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2019, 05:35:13 PM »
Hi Colin,
Winson66, From Northampton here,
Welcome to the forum.
PM sent re availability of a couple of ST1300s
Cheers winston66
winston66 Northampton
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Offline STroppy

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2019, 07:12:19 PM »
Hi Colin, a big welcome from Canberra!

Advantages of the white police version are they usually come with handlebar risers, extra switching and best of all they are seen by pretty much all other road users.

As you are returning to riding after a 20 year break and the ST1300 would be the largest bike you will have ridden, I would recommend that you undertake a professionally run course . . Either, a returning to riding, advanced or advanced cornering course . . It will just hone the skills you already have and is really a worthwhile investment. Try Stay Upright if they are over there. I can recommend them.

Good luck with the bike hunting and hope to see you on the occasional Border Run.
Terry, Canberra 0412499625
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Offline West Aussie Glen

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2019, 07:41:09 PM »
Welcome Colin, what do you call a low budget?
You may like to add age and rough location (suburb) to your profile.
Glen
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Offline tifkat

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2019, 09:11:50 PM »
Glen,

Updated my profile. I'm in my prime as far as age. :p

No actual budget yet, but the Minister for War and Finance has mentioned around $5k-$7k, including all my riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves etc)

And I'm NOR. Suburb in my profile.

Was considering the refresher course. Any local recommendations?

I'd love some experienced rider with me if I check out a specific bike. Considering a PA model that includes all the gear for $4k currently on Gumtree.

There's another in Gumtree that has been around Australia for $3.5k. Anyone in Perth metro area familiar with it?

Collin.
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Offline Mitch

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2019, 09:17:26 PM »
Hi Collin and a Warm Welcome from Lakelands :hatwave  :runyay
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Offline johnnyYTED

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2019, 10:19:16 PM »
 :blk13 :dred11
G'day Colin welcome on in get white they part the traffic easier. good luck in your purchase mate,
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maybe something with a little extra
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Offline Shiney

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2019, 09:49:59 AM »
G'day tifkat, Welcome to the forum :hatwave
The ST is a great bike and tick all the boxes you mentioned :runyay

For fuel, the ST will happily run on 91, 95 or 98 all day every day without issue :thumbsup

As for routine maintenance, most of it can be done with a basic skill set and are fairly easy to do:
 Oil & filter change, Air Cleaner, Spark Plugs, Final Drive Oil, Clutch Fluid, Brake Pads, and Brake Fluid (You need to follow instructions as it is a little tricky)
All the basic maintenance jobs are fairly easy to do :thumbs

The remainder are also fairly easy to do as long as you have the skills/tools to do the job. However doing anything on the bike is time consuming till you get the hang of removing all the fairings :thumb

Check out the following section of the forum for the Service Manual, Tupperware Removal Worksheet (fairing removal), and a few guides on doing work on the ST1300 :grin

"How To..." Instructions and Pics for Regular Maintenance Jobs specific to the ST1300...

And remember, if you get stuck or have questions the forum is a wealth of knowledge and the guys are quick to answer and help out.


Cheers
Shiney
« Last Edit: February 04, 2019, 09:53:28 AM by Shiney »
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Offline sirchilly

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2019, 09:37:00 AM »
Welcome to the forum Colin from Wanneroo, i dont believe you could have chosen a better bike for both your purpose and budget, with added bonus of this forum for depth of knowledge, expertise and willingness to share on all matters ST related. Hope you find your perfect bike very soon. :thumb

Cheers Chris   :blk13
 
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Offline Gerard & Sandra

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Re: Greetings from WA. Getting a bike soon. Kicking tyres.
« Reply #15 on: February 05, 2019, 11:40:40 AM »
Tifcat
Welcome from Toowoomba Qld
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