Quick up date on my story so far.
Bought a lovely 1993 ST1100, had it for 4 years before a fuel leak caused a fire and destroyed it. Rode my Honda NX650 Dominator towing the one wheeled trailer for 2 years, went retro and bought a Royal Enfield classic chrome 500 and when it started to give trouble traded on a CF Moto 650TK in July 2017. I paid $7,500 on road as it was a 2016 model that had been in the shop for a while. The two years, 99,000 Km warranty started then and so far all that has been a problem was the TPS (throttle position sensor) that at about 3,800Km caused an intermittent miss/hicup. This was replaced with a factory upgraded one (should have been done before delivery but was not known to the shop) and it has not missed a beat since.
The bad; well not much really. No centre stand is a bummer, the panniers are not easily removeable (need Allen key), the windshield is low (put a higher piece on mine to suit my 6' height), chain need maintenance (more about that later), have to unbolt the side panel to adjust rear shock, seat is a little firm but wearing it in now, fuel tank could be bigger (only 300Km range), handlebars are non adjustable (like the 1300) but they suit me, no hand guards (but I have 'Elephant Ears' for winter), seat lock is in left pannier.
The good; EFI so always starts first go and runs smooth, no bad vibes from engine, usually get around 23 to 25 Km/l, handles better than I can ride (is 120Kg lighter than the 1100 helps too), brakes are strong with good feel, suspension is great from the factory and have not had to fiddle (other than spring adjust for heavy load), mine is derestricted now so full 70hp and is plenty for me, engine has good torque and doesn't really need six gears but I use them (overtaking in top (6th) gear is a snack), gears shift as good as a Honda now they are run in, the non branded O ring chain had it's first adjustment at 10,000Km when I replaced the soft Continental tyre (I couldn't believe that a chain would go 10,000Km before needing adjustment, I spray a bit of lube on the rollers every day on the road), the original tyres are 'sticky' but the rear only lasted 10,000Km (replaced with dual compound Pirelli) and the front may see 15,000Km before replacement, plastics are well fitted and as good as any other brand, switch gear is good quality and cables too. Frame welds look to be done well and nothing has come loose in the 12,000Km so far.
I have fitted heated hand grips, alarm, brackets to hold my Hallmark frame for pack, extended leads for Anderson plug (for jumper leads), higher windscreen, voltmeter, extra pad on seat (found the 'dip' in seat would not allow me to move around on long rides so made an extra piece to 'flatten' the dip) and took it out and rode it. I got the local signwriter bloke to add some Hi-vis green stick on panels to help me be seen by the 'noddies' as the black could be a problem for them.
I picked it up on a Wednesday afternoon, did 200Km with my 'old retired guys' riding group on Thursday, fitted some extra bits on Friday and went to Queensland border and back on weekend, just ticking over 1,000Km before home. Monday first service and away again. Did a ten day tour of Tassie last year as well (unfortunatly the same time as the Nat Rally) and love it even more. I had one BMW rider ask me on the boat where it was made and 'snubbed' me when I told him (most (but not all) BMW riders are stuck up pr**ks anyway, wont wave to you on the road no mater what you ride, even BMW) but most people are impressed with the bike. I only have one person to impress and I am impressed.
I run Castrol 4T that is changed at every 5,000Km and replaced the coolant with Liquid Intelligence waterless coolant. Valves are due to be checked at 40,000Km and every 40,000Km after that.
For the money and what you get I don't think I could have bought better for what I want. It suits me fine although I wouldn't suggest them as a two up tourer, but single and a heap of gear and it's great. A local bloke here has a 2013 model with nearly 100,000Km on it and he had to replace a HT coil at around 70,000Km has been his only trouble (and he rides hard and lives up a dirt road too) so I think this bike will see me out.
A tranquill setting in Tassie.
