2003 ST1300 - Gold Coast

[Desty]

Sadly I must sell my beloved ST.

It's a red 2003 which I've owned since it was 7000 kms old. It has taken me to Tasmania and back and now has around 80,000kms on the clock. I don't really want to sell it, but circumstances have changed due to a cheating wife.

The Bus has always been fed 95 or 98 and gets a loving refresh of full synthetic life-blood every 10,000kms. The oil always comes out clean and is run through genuine filters.

Some of you have seen her on a ride or two, but below is the list of included items etc...

2 x windscreens (1 standard and 1 shorty summer screen)
Has been upgraded to electric screen
Autocom intercom system with bluetooth module.
Garmin Zumo 550 motorcycle gps with latest maps (includes car & bike mounts)
40ch uhf handheld with mount and connectivity to autocom.
HID headlights
Lambswool seat covers for both rider and pillion
Fitted with Metzler Z6's fromt and rear (about 80% tread)
Rego till 10/12 but will have a roadworthy upon sale
Two Brothers C5 exhaust system (includes standard mufflers in good condition)
Puncture repair and reinflate kit
A few spare parts, including new throttle cables, the original l/h non-windscreen binnacle switch.
Genuine Honda topbox
Has the elastic tie-downs in the panniers
Removable travel bags for the paniers.
Genuine Honda Mirror and Firing Deflectors.
New battery
Honda trickle charger and hideaway connector on bike.
Sonic springs and 7.5w oil in front forks.
Replaced damper units in front forks.


There's probably more that I've forgotten that I'll add as I remember it :)

...and what can you expect to pay for all this...  $8000 firm.


P.S. "test rides" will require an $8000 cash security deposit 



edit: some photers taken today

[sargent]

Sorry to hear the STead has to go.

[Brock]

That is so not fair

[Whizz]

Mate, I feel for you. I'd hate to have to sell the monSTer, you have my sincerest condolences! 

[Biggles]

I know Tim and can vouch he's one of the goodies.  He's also a mechanic, so knows how to look after machinery.
$8000 is a very fair price, especially considering the extras.
Put a cruise control on her and you've got a great distance machine.

[Skip]

Bugger. Like everyone else here, commiseration's. However, Gregory from Woollongong posted on here somewhere that he was after a reasonable priced ST. Hope he finds this post.
Looks like a tidy unit and at a reasonable price.
Good luck mate.

Skip.

[Desty]

Thanks for the condolonces guys, I've pretty much sold everything else before the ST...  I really don't want to part with her...  but I have to clear debt left after the lawyers finished with me...

As a side note, anyone interstate that's interested, I can pick you up from Gold Coast or Brisbane airport and put you up for the night in my spare bed in the event that you wish to ride the bike home. Otherwise, there's a number of companies that specialise in interstate bike transport.

[saaz]

That is a fantastic buy, but sad to hear you have to sell.

[harieg]

so sorry to hear

[ST.George]

Hello Desty,

Commiserations on your current situation. Hope you are staying positive and looking  forwards.

Your bike looks to be in great shape and I read that you are a mechanic and know how to take great care of your machines.

I think $8000 is a great price for a bike with those extras, the only thing that I would prefer is ABS and cruise-control, but at that price I cannot expect it.

My situation is that I had a heart op the day after Fathers Day, came out of it very well but am still recuperating and unable to drive or ride until next Wednesday. Also, I recently turned 55 and I checked with my Super company and found that I can retire (I am self-employed), and access my money. While there is not a lot of money involved there is enough to pay off our 20 yo mortgage and to finish off the rebuilding of our 50 yo home. Also I convinced (told) my wife that I should reward myself for all the Reno work I have done by getting a bike again.

Therefore, after next Wednesday I could fly up and take you up on your offer.

Another question: Could you install a good cruise-control on the ST and if so how much would it cost, including your labour?

In summary, I am putting my forms in today to access my Super money and barring any technical problem preventing actual payment I should be in a position shortly to buy your bike.

Cheers
Gregory

[Streak]

Another question: Could you install a good cruise-control on the ST and if so how much would it cost, including your labour?

I will save desty a job on this one, you need to talk to Dale, one of our very good Supports of our group from Dale McLean Electronics, he is based in NSW, and does the MCCruise system that plenlty of this group are using. we cannot recommend him highly enough, he is a very nice man, and well respected for what he does.

http://www.dmme.com.au/MCCruise.htm

Dale McLean Motorcycle Electronics

Mobile:   0410 461250
Fax:  02 49715239
Postal address:  310 Old Pacific Hwy, Swansea, NSW, 2281
Electronic mail:  dmme@optusnet.com.au

[Desty]

Hello Desty,

Commiserations on your current situation. Hope you are staying positive and looking  forwards.

Your bike looks to be in great shape and I read that you are a mechanic and know how to take great care of your machines.

I think $8000 is a great price for a bike with those extras, the only thing that I would prefer is ABS and cruise-control, but at that price I cannot expect it.

My situation is that I had a heart op the day after Fathers Day, came out of it very well but am still recuperating and unable to drive or ride until next Wednesday. Also, I recently turned 55 and I checked with my Super company and found that I can retire (I am self-employed), and access my money. While there is not a lot of money involved there is enough to pay off our 20 yo mortgage and to finish off the rebuilding of our 50 yo home. Also I convinced (told) my wife that I should reward myself for all the Reno work I have done by getting a bike again.

Therefore, after next Wednesday I could fly up and take you up on your offer.

Another question: Could you install a good cruise-control on the ST and if so how much would it cost, including your labour?

In summary, I am putting my forms in today to access my Super money and barring any technical problem preventing actual payment I should be in a position shortly to buy your bike.

Cheers
Gregory

Hi Greg,

I haven't advertised the Bus anywhere else so you're the only interested party at this stage. I have no problem holding the bike for a week or two if I know there's a genuinely interested party.

Regarding the cruise, I don't have the room to tear bikes down at the moment, having moved into rented premises, so unfortunately I can't help you out with that one but it seems like there's a better, more experienced option open to you closer to home.

The only issue with Riding the bike home, is the standard mufflers. They are large and *effing* heavy...  not something you can really strap to the bike for the trip back. I can organise to have them sent via courier back to NSW through work at your expense...  however, this may turn out to be cost prohibitive!. I'll try to get a quote from our normal courier if you can give me your postcode?.

Please be aware that the bike has nearly 80,000kms on the clock and thus, shows some signs of being ridden on Australian roads. There are a few small stone chips in the forward facing paint surfaces.

let me know how you go and we can move forward from there :)  I'm glad she'll be going to a good home in the ST community.

Cheers,
Tim.

[Desty]

Guys,

The bike is still for sale at this stage so please, if you know anyone looking for an honest bike with heaps of options at a bargain price, point them this way.

Cheers,
Tim

[Desty]

I'm happy to report that Greg rode away on his new ST this morning, bound for Sydney.

Thanks to all for the interest and for pointing him this way. :)

[saaz]

We hope to see the bike at future events. 

[Abe]

All the best in the future.

Cheers
Dave

[Skip]

I'm happy to report that Greg rode away on his new ST this morning, bound for Sydney.

Thanks to all for the interest and for pointing him this way. :)

Maaan. A ST from Queensland heading to NSW, to LIVE. 
Skip.

[Skip]

Only joking. Good on ya Greg. You'll love it. Enjoy.

[harieg]

dont you just love the qld / nsw  love hate thing
1 goes to sydney fron the vagas strip
1 goes from newcastle to brendale
and we all love together

[harieg]

MY correction
going to the GONG

[ST.George]

  Thanks all,

Desty is a gentleman and scholar on all things mechanical and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting him and his new partner. He's built the world's biggest PC to feed his passion for gaming, I'm serious - it's as big as an old air conditioner and has liquid cooling tubes!

I arrived about 9pm and we went to his home at Pimpama and discussed the bike until 2am. I was supposed to arrive 4 hours earlier but missed check-in by 3 mins and even tho the plane was not leaving for another 45 they would not let me on. Talking to other people at the airport, Tiger has a rep for being a$&&@$es.

So I had to wait till The next day to test ride after paying Desty. No worries tho, I knew I was getting a good deal. 160 $50 notes seems like so much money. It seemed like I was giving away Monopoly money!

However I got a shock while riding the back blocks around Desty's suburb. I couldn't get smooth on the ST.

The amazing engine-braking, the low-rev EFI surge that Desty warned me about, the weight of the bike and my 20yr riding gap left me stressed and dehydrated after an hours practice. I stopped in the shade on a really hot morning and wondered what I was doing here. I thought I might kill myself in the Gold Coast highway traffic and how much could I sell the bike back to Desty for...

But after a rest and drink back at Desty's place I felt fresh and positive and went on the faster roads and concentrated harder on ways to be smooth and rediscovered some skills I used to have, the main one being thinking ahead. After another hour, another rest under a tree and another drink back at Desty's place I decided I should cut my Qld trip short and get back to the Gong ASAP.

Nice and steady on the highway, taking no risks, confidence grew until I reached Coffs where I limped into a motel. Desty had fitted the lambswool seatcovers and for those that are not interested I had a groin area hotter than a pie warmer, wetter than a tsunami and tender as nappy rash. Grabbed a 6-pack and salad and collapsed, saddle-sore in front of the telly.

Dropped into Newcastle on the next day and on first sight it looks like what they have done there around the harbour is brilliant. Rode on to the Gong in the rain and was amazed how well the fairing worked.

Thinking about the ride - what I have never experienced before is how power can get a sensible rider away from stress quickly. For example, trailing behind a steady (but boring) driver watching his/her every move instead of enjoying the scenery, waiting for an opportunity and dialling the throttle (without even changing back to 4th) and in 10 seconds you are 100 metres in front with a clear road and scenery to enjoy! I would never trust my 19yo son with this kind of power but I know if he was my pillion he would be blown away with the experience and would understand more about power and safety.

So, in summary guys, the deal was right, the bike's phenomenal, the experience was NECESSARY and I now feel I can ride a bike again and survive!

My first big ride with Terese will be out west (Dubbo) where I will be joining my old school mates for a 40 year class reunion. Am looking forward to meeting some of you on the first ride I can make it to.

Cheers 
Gregory

 
PS : BeST Bred is Red

[Brian]

Nice write up Gregory ... I'm sure you will grow into the ST and will enjoy every Km you put on it.... Cheers ORSM.

[Streak]

Great write up 

One of the great things about this group, we all have had similar experienced similar situations, I can't say I have had the pie warmer situation 

Looking forward to having you along to event at some stage, if we can ever help, post up and ask, because I am sure what ever your thinking of doing, one of us will have tried it and will have an experience to tell.

[STeveo]

I had similar experiences when I bought my 1100. I bought the bike unreg and spent two weeks fixing a few things and tidy up. I 'borrowed' the number plate from my 500 and went for a 10km ride to my nephews place. Like you, I thought "what have I gotten into" due to the size and weight of an ST after the 500 single. After rego completed and some short exploring rides I began to settle with the ST and to see why they were so highly regarded as a 'long distance' machine. I rode everywhere on it and soon I found that the bike and I could get on well together. Two trips (Newcastle and Gold Coast) had me smiling and now would not swap for quids.   :)

 

[Skip]

Great to hear you didn't give up on your ST experience Gregory. You'll never regret it I'm sure.
How did you find the comfort of the seat?
Skip.