From Bandit to ST1300 - Maybe

[Imstat]

Hello ST1300 owners. I have just registered in the forum and I'm not sure if what I wish to do is allowed but here I go: I am basically after some advice, as I have been considering purchasing a used ST1300. (Pls kick me off if I am offending). Low Km 2009 onwards.

I live in northern NSW, and currently own a very nice 2012 Bandit 1250 ABS. I have had it since new and fitted it out as a tourer. My main mode of riding is day trips and longer 1 week tours. I do like the Bandit very much - love that engine. However there is little question in my mind the ST would be a superior tourer and bike alround re comfort, range, features, no chain!, etc.

My hesitation with the ST is its weight (sorry I guess that issue has been done to death). My Bandit is no light weight, but the ST is a fair bit heavier.

So I would appreciate advice if stepping up from the Bandit to the ST for me. as a solo rider not two-up, would present any issues for me, with weight, performance, handling etc. My background in riding for many years has seen a steady growth from trail bikes through 500s, 650 and the Bandit.

Thank you, Imstat

[Biggles]

No one denies the ST13 is a heavy bike to handle when stationary or very slow.  It's not for the short-shanked or faint-hearted.
However, if you are careful about where you stop and get used to getting you feet down, the weight isn't an issue.  Just don't park downhill if you have to reverse out of the spot, because you'll need help!
The engine is beautifully smooth and the shaft drive is a real asset.
I like the Bandit's engine.  It's also a smooth piece of work.  One thing you may find is the ST13's cowled engine can put some heat on your legs in summer, but this isn't the case for all of them, and no one knows why many are free of that issue.
The ST13 has the legs for touring.  And we love our 29 litre tank and 500+ kays range!

And no, you're very welcome to conduct your research.  We're such a laid back lot you'll feel the love straight away!   

[Skip]

Welcome Imstat. I've not met anyone yet who regretted throwing a leg over an ST. Yes they are weighty to manoeuvre but with a bit of forward planning when parking etc, you will enjoy the pleasure found in owning an ST. Your vertical status will have some bearing but with the adjustable seat height on the 1300 you should be OK. Anyway, you've come to the right place for advice.
Cheers.
Skip.

[Brock]

You havent broken any rules, there arent that many any way.

Once you get used to the weight of the ST, you wont really notice it. They are a great bike that love to run all day

[Gadget]

I'm 186 cm tall and a tad over 100 kg, an I've become so accustomed to the ST1300 that I throw it around like a much lighter bike.  Yes it is heavy when Parking, but as others have said, prior planning helps. 

I stepped up the the ST1300 from a V-Star 650, so I did find it daunting at first, but now I love it.   

Nose downhill parking in a driveway can be a problem, especially when you 70+ father and his wife have to push your bike backwards up the drive to get out. 

Take a look at some of the Ride to Eats (RTE) near you and come along and talk to some of the owners in person.
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?authuser=0&authuser=0&hl=en&hl=en&mid=z6QZUoQtqNP0.kaLHAlQuG5P8

[Brock]

Oh !! good thinking Gary...

Tip :-   Never park an ST nose down hill to the left, bad things will happen...

[ST2UP]

All great advise here Imstat......welcome along, there are some great buys around in second hand ST's.


 

[sargent]

Hello there ImSTat,

I too had a Bandit although it was only the 1200s.

I swapped that for my current ride 96 ST1100. Yes the weight is a bit different but it only took a couple of country rides to get the feel for the extra pounds... But oooh that extra comfort makes up for the extra pounds ten fold.

[alans1100]

I moved up from a CX500 to my 1100 8 years ago.

Yes, she's heavy but over 10 k/h you wouldn't notice it. It took me a little while of commuting to straight line the smaller roundabouts like I could with my CX. I'm not used to riding city traffic any more so when we go down to the city and play with the traffic I have take a bit more care stopping at lights etc.

Up where I live now I rarely need to use more than 5th gear once I'm out of town and on the open road. Ok, maybe 4th gear if I'm towing the trailer up a hill.

[Shiney]

Hi Imstat,

Welcome to the forum

I have only found the weight to be an issue (as has been said) when parking facing down hill So I always reverse in when parking

The only other thing that I have known people to feel was an issue is:
   "If I drop it I won't be able to pick it up as it's so heavy"

This is only a issue if you don't know how to pick up an ST  
The following video shows how to get an ST back on it's feet with very little effort

http://youtu.be/CCtHV1s8jAI

Cheers
Shiney

[HunterTodd]

G'day Imstat,

I am relatively new to ST1300 (only 7000 KM)  and I found it challenging. It is only in the last month that I could say I am comfortable with it.

I am 178cm with long body short legs.

Like the other guys said planning is absolutely everything.  Most of my stuff ups can be put down to that.  A few things I do.

Never ever park nose down. Big no no. ST's are virtually impossible for people with short legs to push up even a small incline alone.

Avoid parking on gravel or loose surfaces. It amazing how difficult  the bikes can become to push with your feet on a loose surface.  If the surface is loose find a place where you can ride in and ride out.

Jeans or bike pants which fit tight around the ankles. Critical one that one.  Because the shortest point to the ground is over or near the foot peg, loose fitting pants like the first pair I had are potentially disastrous. They hook up on the footpeg and basically you are screwed when it happens

Be prepared to park a distance away if you need to in order to find a suitable park. Much better to park safely and walk a bit than drop the bike in front of a crowd.

If you are riding with a group let them all park first and then find a suitable park for your self away from them . The dumbass guys I ride with think it is hysterical to crowd their bikes around me and restrict my maneuvering room.  Eg last weekend I went for a ride and the ground was soft. I knew I had to put the bike on the centre stand and so did the dumbass who parked his hog right up my date.  So I  tried the side stand which sunk. The ensuing struggle to right the bike caused much hilarity.

Make your self a puck. which you can put under the side stand on soft ground. I literally made my today and it has a length of string attached to it so I can retrieve it with out bending over. I made it about 90mm in diameter out of plastic chopping board material.

I have only just starting riding with a pillion. I am fine when the bike is moving but the pillion getting on was a minor issue.   Make sure they get on smoothly and quickly and get their weight over the centre of the bike ASAP. I find if i take the weight of the bike on my right leg and they get on from the left it is better.

Always take your time and assess the situation before parking and you will be fine.

Over the first ten months I was the butt of many parking jokes from my HOG riding colleagues who always lauded the easy of handllng of the low slung hogs in a parking situations over me.  Last week in Gresford pub over a few drinks  I finally had to concede. 

When I want to ride around a car park I 'll buy a Harley but for now I'd prefer to ride my ST1300 on the road!!

[alans1100]

Heather gets off before I finish parking the bike and it's a lot easier.

I do have something to place under the side stand for parking on the soft stuff, but if there's a flattish looking rock or a used coke can nearby I'll use that instead.

You haven't lived until you've had to back a bike and trailer. Not something that happens a lot but due to available parking you sometimes have to.

Parking like this can present an issue sometimes. It's probably just me but sometimes the lean angle on the side stand seems a bit far if I park straight so I angle the bike a little. The same situation without the trailer still see me with the rear down.

[Old Steve]

Yeah,  I came to an ST1100 from  boulevard M50 and noticed the parking and slow speed differences immediately.  I'm 170 cm (5' 8") and can only touch the ground with the balls of my feet.

Totally agree with comments above about not parking nose in or nose down.  I usually back into angle parks, even back into a parallel park and turn out so my front wheel is out at the road side of the parking space and roll back until my back wheel touches the curb.

Best parking is when you can find a double park in a shopping centre where you ride through one space and end up faced out of the other space.

Watch for gravel or stones when you're putting your feet down, once you feel the bike going over then just let it lay down - they're pretty well protected from lay down damage with that side skirt/shark fin.

But once you're underway the ST1100 steps into a phone box and put on it's superman costume.  Stable, very good at cornering, and such long range with that large tank.  When I rode with a group a couple of years ago on my Boulevard M50, the tail-end-Charlie rode an ST1100.  There was a range of hills on our way home and he'd pull out and just disappear up the hill, leaning over at what I thought was an incredible angle on the curves.  He'd be off his bike and waiting for me when I reached the top, so he was never wasting time.  The STs might be big but they're beautiful.

[Biggles]

If you are riding with a group let them all park first and then find a suitable park for your self away from them . The dumbass guys I ride with think it is hysterical to crowd their bikes around me and restrict my maneuvering room.  Eg last weekend I went for a ride and the ground was soft. I knew I had to put the bike on the centre stand and so did the dumbass who parked his hog right up my date.  So I  tried the side stand which sunk. The ensuing struggle to right the bike caused much hilarity.

Mate, ride with Hogs- get fleas!
You really need to find some decent riding mates.  You can't go far wrong with any Honda, Suzi or Yamahaha guys.  They just seem to be cut from a different cloth.

By now Imstat should be convinced that it's the parking that's challenging.  No one has mentioned parking on a left down slope.   
You'll think the stand will never reach the ground and when it does, you'll wonder
1. will the bike tip over?
or
2. how will I ever get it vertical with my left leg?

Everything else is honkey dorey (until you have to remove and replace all the plastic, now that has its own challenges).

[Brock]

No one has mentioned parking on a left down slope.

Not quite correct, I did in the first reply...

Tip :-   Never park an ST nose down hill to the left, bad things will happen...

[Down Under]

I've owned both the 1200 and 1250S Bandit.  I'm a huge Bandit fan and I'm actually looking around for another 1200S. 

You'll have no dramas transitioning onto an ST1300.  You'll sacrifice some grunt and handling of the much lighter Bandit but you'll gain a bit more leg room, superior weather protection and luggage carrying capabilities of the ST.  I found the OEM 1250 and ST seats equally uncomfortable.  You'll adjust to the extra weight quickly.  The ST's shaft drive is great on long trips.....no more down on hands and knees stuff in the campground/motel lubing chains.  Both bikes are equal when it comes to reliability with the Bandit being slightly cheaper to maintain as you'd expect.

For long distance touring the ST is the winner.

Cheers,

Tony

[HunterTodd]

If you are riding with a group let them all park first and then find a suitable park for your self away from them . The dumbass guys I ride with think it is hysterical to crowd their bikes around me and restrict my maneuvering room.  Eg last weekend I went for a ride and the ground was soft. I knew I had to put the bike on the centre stand and so did the dumbass who parked his hog right up my date.  So I  tried the side stand which sunk. The ensuing struggle to right the bike caused much hilarity.

Mate, ride with Hogs- get fleas!
You really need to find some decent riding mates.  You can't go far wrong with any Honda, Suzi or Yamahaha guys.  They just seem to be cut from a different cloth.

By now Imstat should be convinced that it's the parking that's challenging.  No one has mentioned parking on a left down slope.   
You'll think the stand will never reach the ground and when it does, you'll wonder
1. will the bike tip over?
or
2. how will I ever get it vertical with my left leg?

Everything else is honkey dorey (until you have to remove and replace all the plastic, now that has its own challenges).

I certainly was not intending to put Imstat off ST1300, far from it.

I was giving him the benefit of pitfalls I have discovered in the belief it would make it easier for him. At the end of the day if he has been riding a Bandit I doubt if he will have any trouble riding an ST1300. But there a few things that would have saved me a shitload of grief had I known about them upfront.

I look at my ST1300 like some horses I have owned which were difficult to handle on the ground but the beautiful ride under saddle made it worth the effort to handle them right.

You are certainly right about the HOG riders. The unbridled and in my view unjustified air of superiority they project (at least the half dozen guys I ride with) really gets on my goat.

At the risk of sounding provocative HD's are merely a reflection of the culture which produced them.  Fat, lazy, loud and ostentatious. But that is just my humble opinion.


The struggle I had coming to grips with the ST1300 after having not ridden for 25 years was a source of great amusement to them. The only support they would offer was "should have bought a Harley."

I have reached the point where I am at peace with the big girl now and am really enjoying riding it even if now the precautions I take when parking her are a source of constant amusement for my HOG riding mates.

[Imstat]

Thank you very much to everyone in the forum for replying so willingly and helpfully. I really appreciate your friendly and generous advice.

For me, many of the cautious actions at parking time you have written about for the ST, apply to my Bandit. I am very mindful of the Bandit's weight. It is no fly weight. So I think I will  be able to graduate successfully to a bit more ST mass.

Once the bike is mobile, the rest is up to the rider, like all bikes I expect.

I really do like the configuration of the ST, bodily and mechanically, and sometimes I visualise myself on the cruise somewhere on an ST (very boyish I know!).

So I think I will have a go at Step 1 and see if I can sell the Bandit for a fair price. They don't bring much but they don't cost much!

I do like changing bikes, as it is a learning - always something to learn and experience.

Many thanks to the forum folk here. You seem to be a really great crowd. Perhaps this is an effect of ST ownership :)

If my plan comes together and I have an ST soon, I will happily come back and tell all about it.

Many thanks again, and regards,

Imstat

[StinkyPete]

Imstat.
As a new and valued member of the forum, don't forget that when you find an ST that interests you, ask for someone to go and have a look at it with you.  There are plenty of people here who would be willing to inspect and assess a bike.     

[Brock]

Perhaps this is an effect of ST ownership :)

I think perhaps, that a certain type of person is drawn to the ST. It seems that those that find it are the more caring sharing sort of person.

Stable, patient and intelligent...

[Wild Rose]

Imstat
I got a mate that had a 1250 Bandit, they are a great bike but the ST1300 are a greater bike 

[Nigel]

Perhaps this is an effect of ST ownership :)

I think perhaps, that a certain type of person is drawn to the ST. It seems that those that find it are the more caring sharing sort of person.

Stable, patient and intelligent...

Hallelujah Brother what he said..........................

[Imstat]

I have sold my Bandit and trying to resolve the matter of FJR or ST. I ride solo and that is why the FJR has been included. My research is leading me to the ST, and I have a question please.

On the purchase price, is it worth paying a premium for an ultra low km bike (say < 10,000km) or saving a few thousand dollars ($3,000?)  and buying 25,000 to 30,000 km. Assuming the bikes are similar age, and in excellent condition.

Thank you, Imstat

[StinkyPete]

An ST1300 with 30,000km is barely run-in and you should have no hesitation in buying one with that kind of mileage.  These bikes are good for 200,000km plus.

[Imstat]

Thanks SP. A sort of silly question I am asking. Its just that occasionally you see what looks like a really low km 'mint' ST and I wonder if its worth trying to find the extra $ for it (sell something!). If it were a Suzuki, I would go the extra distance for the low km one but I'm getting the picture a garaged, well maintained Honda ST, with moderate k's  is a good proposition. I have never owned a quality build like it you see.