OzSTOC

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Totgas on November 01, 2015, 07:52:48 PM

Title: End of an Era
Post by: Totgas on November 01, 2015, 07:52:48 PM
Hi Guys and Gals,
Well I have finally decided on a new steed and after five months of farkaling around she has hit the road.
As you might expect, due to the amount of Marshalling I am involved in the new bike has all the pretty colours and flashing lights (listen that's my excuse - OK)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/nGsO7Z.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/hlnGsO7Zj)

Despite that fact that I am very happy with the new bike I am also saddened by the fact that after thirty years of riding Hondas I have had to purchase another brand.
Very impressed with this over the ST1300 and the GTR1400.
See you out and about - Cheers,
A.

PS Thx to IanB for the pic
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: ST2UP on November 01, 2015, 08:26:43 PM
Great choice of bike Totgas  :-++ and it sure looks the part for your purpose.

I'm sure lots of us would like to know what made you go for the Fee Jar over the ST1300 after coming from the 1100 ??



Cheers  :popcorn
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Sabie on November 02, 2015, 12:00:57 AM
That's easily answered .... AGE..

The ST1300's are getting to long in the tooth and a low mileage example is getting harder and harder to find...unfortunately.. I believe the Yammy had everything that Adrian wanted, if the ST1300 was still in production it may have changed Adrian's thinking but having a look over Adrians bike I'd have to say "fit for purpose".

Apologies for speaking up there Adrian .. but your new/2nd hand bike has been turned out very nicely and you've done a remarkable job ... I believe even the boys in blue were impressed or not impressed...
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Chops on November 02, 2015, 07:18:11 AM
Nice choice , I had an 03 and found it a great bike. Also plenty of good ones second hand and if you want you can buy a new one
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Brian on November 02, 2015, 12:55:10 PM
Ian B takes a good photo :thumbs
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Totgas on November 02, 2015, 06:57:06 PM
I guess the choice of a Motorbike is a very individual thing. I rode the GTR1400 Kawasaki, Honda ST1300 and the FJR before making a decision.
What put me off the Kawasaki was the fuel consumption and the general lack of respect for the Australian riders. (I had asked if the 2015 model was being released soon, and was  advised that they had a vast quantity of 2014 models that they would be unloading into Australia first). Why are we the dumping ground?

I guess Honda has shown a similar disregard for Australians by not continuing to import however the bottom line is that the FJR just felt like a better fit for me.

I did want an ex-police bike (again) and I haven’t seen any ST’s that haven’t been banged around and have low mileage. My bike had 20,000 on the clock when it went to auction.

So here are the bits that swayed me;
•   40 kilos lighter than the ST1300
•   More sporty
•   Better engine sound
•   Better ABS (it’s the best I have come across)
•   Less heat issues than the ST
•   Lower ride height (a problem for me even on the ST1100) and
•   Not as dated as the ST in looks

Don’t get me wrong I think the ST1300 is a great bike and fulfills a specific role as a really comfortable tourer with a great fuel range and was ahead of its time. And as Sabie mentioned it just that I think that time has now past… 
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Sabie on November 02, 2015, 09:07:45 PM
Having ridden with Totgas on the new Girl I can attest to the following;

So here are the bits that swayed me;
•   40 kilos lighter than the ST1300 ... If Adrian says so
•   More sporty......m mm I don't know about sporty but definitely official
•   Better engine sound .... Doesn't have a sound ... it's the quiet assassin
•   Better ABS (it’s the best I have come across) .... Not really needed as once mobile there is no stopping Adrian
•   Less heat issues than the ST ........ Wind chill factor has to come into the equation now
•   Lower ride height (a problem for me even on the ST1100) and .......which translates to low flying
•   Not as dated as the ST in looks...... Looks mean .. it keeps him keen...


Adrian passed me on our way from Inverell to Glenn Innes .. I was cruising along listening to the tunes... I thought it was one of the NSW Coppers who had passed me on their way home .... I followed for around 40 minutes, it wasn't until we turned into a Servo that I realised it was Adrian............... true story.....
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: bloodbikes on November 03, 2015, 10:51:12 PM
Where did you get the rear pole light from Adrian?

 :wht11
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Totgas on November 04, 2015, 07:35:03 PM
The same place the police do - China. They do custom lights apart from the standard Blue strobes and Blue cover. Mine as usual doubles as additional  brake and flicker lights (well it will as soon as I wire them up).
Let me know if you would like the supplier details.
A.
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: bloodbikes on November 04, 2015, 08:14:57 PM
Yes please and costs. P

 :wht11
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Streak on November 04, 2015, 08:58:13 PM
its all a new adventure isnt it mate :)
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Totgas on November 05, 2015, 08:13:38 PM
It sure is, like getting a new wife only safer....  :fp
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: West Aussie Glen on November 06, 2015, 08:28:32 AM
I guess the choice of a Motorbike is a very individual thing.

So here are the bits that swayed me;
•   40 kilos lighter than the ST1300
•   More sporty
•   Better engine sound
•   Better ABS (it’s the best I have come across)
•   Less heat issues than the ST
•   Lower ride height (a problem for me even on the ST1100) and
•   Not as dated as the ST in looks

Don’t get me wrong I think the ST1300 is a great bike and fulfills a specific role as a really comfortable tourer with a great fuel range and was ahead of its time. And as Sabie mentioned it just that I think that time has now past…

Really hope you are enjoying your new toy. Have to agree with most things you said above especially it being a personal thing because I still think the ST1300 is one of the best looking bikes on the market just a shame it hasn't had a major update in terms of things like CC. Would definitely like a better engine sound on the ST
Interested to know how you judged the ABS on your new bike?  I don't know enough about bikes ABS to comment, just know I wouldn't buy a new one without it.
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: Totgas on November 06, 2015, 07:21:58 PM
From the bikes I have ridden with ABS;

If traveling at a good tic and the brakes are hit hard all bikes will stop however in doing so a large number of bikes requires serious management on the part of the rider to obtain a safe and controlled brake.
eg. the GTR1400 would do a nose dive and the ST whilst stable would tend not pull up quickly enough for me. The FJR brakes are superb as the bike pulls up in a very short distance and remain perfectly stable whilst doing so. I feel just as safe grabbing a whole fist full as I do just tapping the lever.   
A.
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: West Aussie Glen on November 06, 2015, 08:32:17 PM
From the bikes I have ridden with ABS;

If traveling at a good tic and the brakes are hit hard all bikes will stop however in doing so a large number of bikes requires serious management on the part of the rider to obtain a safe and control brake.
eg. the GTR1400 would do a nose dive and the ST whilst stable would tend not pull up quickly enough for me. The FJR brakes are superb as the bike pulls up in a very short distance and remain perfectly stable whilst doing so. I feel just as safe grabbing a whole fist full as I do just tapping the lever.   
A.

Fair enough, I have never braked hard enough to activate the ABS
Title: Re: End of an Era
Post by: spanner on November 16, 2015, 10:55:10 AM
When I am squirting home coming through many roundabouts I will often break hard enough to get a little ABS feedback.

My goal is to find the sweet spot where I am at maximum breaking before the ABS engages.

I am getting less ABS activation the more I experiment.