Can the Honda ST1300 Pan European still compete in 2020/2021?

[ruSTynutz]

Can the Honda ST1300 Pan European still compete in 2020/2021?

https://youtu.be/Ru3uDRIMYrw

This is a comprehensive review of the Honda ST 1300 Pan European.
The question I try to answer in this video is whether the ST 1300 still can compete with the current
models of, for example, Yamaha FJR 1300, Kawasaki GTR 1400 or BMW R 1250 RT.
Hopefully you will find the answer to this question in this video!
43 Minutes

[CallMeSteve]

Thanks for posting this Rusty.

He does go on a bit but it's interesting to hear from a guy who has also ridden the other key contenders.

It's also interesting to hear a European rider who is not a fan of the European brands!

After 3 years / 50,000k on STrudel I like my ST as much as he seems to like his. The only things I disagree on are the OEM screen and the lack of 6th gear.

[Brock]

A few years ago, one of the US Sheriffs departments ran an old ST1300 against new bike trialling for replacement of the fleet of bikes as per the latest performance requirements. The 1300 rated in the top 3 I think, losing points due to no ABS on the test bike (current in service machine). Harley was down on the listing, but was picked due to "other" requirements

[Wild Rose]

It does go a bit long but very interesting 
But thanks for sharing 

[STeveo]

After 3 years / 50,000k on STrudel I like my ST as much as he seems to like his. The only things I disagree on are the OEM screen and the lack of 6th gear.

These engines (1100/1300) have so much smooth torque that they could handle a 4 speed box. My baby ST (CFMoto 650TK) has six speeds and is a pain to be changing so many gears (when they are so close together ratio wise, I sometimes jump two at a change and the engine can still pull away) when it would also be fine with 4 speeds. My older bikes run 5 speed boxes with no trouble and I think the six speed box is just a bit of a fashion, and think of the extra weight and drag the six speeds are causing. The real question is how many revs is the engine turning at highway speed, and how close this is to max torque.

[ruSTynutz]

I agree with you, Steveo re not really needing a 6 speed gearbox. I too reckon it's just "fashionable" to have more gears.
That's not to say I haven't tried selecting 6th gear on the odd occasion though...lol.

I have the same issue with my diesel car, it has a 5 speed gearbox as well and, personally I don't reckon it really needs a 6th gear even though the later models have it.
The little diesel pulls like a train up hills and unless there are sharp bends I never need to drop down a gear...
I suspect I'd be required to drop back a gear with a 6 speed box.
While I love driving a manual, I really don't want to be changing gear more often than I have to...

If we had higher speed limits than what we currently have in Oz, then my opinion might change but as things stand I honestly think an extra gear
would be a bit of overkill in both the car and the ST...That's my 2 bobs worth! 

[Bodø]

These engines (1100/1300) have so much smooth torque that they could handle a 4 speed box. My baby ST (CFMoto 650TK) has six speeds and is a pain to be changing so many gears (when they are so close together ratio wise, I sometimes jump two at a change and the engine can still pull away) when it would also be fine with 4 speeds. My older bikes run 5 speed boxes with no trouble and I think the six speed box is just a bit of a fashion, and think of the extra weight and drag the six speeds are causing. The real question is how many revs is the engine turning at highway speed, and how close this is to max torque.

I quite often skip gears on the kwaka.

[STeveo]

If you run the sixth gear as an overdrive then there will be a lot of back changing when you come to hills.
For example, on the 650TK it turns at 5,000rpm at 105Km/h (a comfortable highway speed in sixth) but does not develope max torque until 7,000rpm. For quick overtakes or steep hills I need to go back to fifth to bring the revs closer to max torque.

[CallMeSteve]

I certainly wouldn’t be a fan of closer spacing. That’s a pain. But I wouldn’t mind a higher ratio on the highway. If 110k could translate to about 3k rather than 4K I’d be happy.  But I split hairs.

[STeveo]

So long as you are happy with the bike then nothing else matters. 

[CallMeSteve]

Agreed 😊

[Bodø]

I too concur.