Wanted - ST1300

[rjstorrie]

Hi all,

I'm newish to bikes and not mechanically minded and am looking for a RELIABLE bike and everyone I talk to says Honda is the choice. I'm currently on a CB400 that I've had since new back in Mar2011.

I have seen the ebay link on the forum to the one in Melbourne and I am awaiting further info from Steve and availability.

In the mean time, has anyone seen some good condition ST1300's around Brisbane/GC/SunshineCoast or even thinking of upgrading your own to a new one. I haven't looked at the ST1100 at all and don't know the differences other than engine size.

Thanks,
Robert.
 

[Streak]

Hello RJ,
             Both the ST1100 & ST1300 are great bikes in their own right.

since you are coming along on this weekends ride, you should take some time and have a look at both bikes to see what appeals to you.

It also comes down to what you want to spend

I am an unabashed ST1100 fan (even though i wavered not long ago), the bike fits me perfectly, good fuel economy, easy to work on, and with the money you save from the 1300 you can add all the wonderful gadgets we love to have on them :)

I am sure that the ST1300 thoughts will appear, which is the great part about this group, that you get good thoughts about most things 

Here are some bike sales links:

ST1100 in QLD

http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/results.aspx?Ntt=st1100&keywords=st1100&Dx=mode+matchany&D=st1100&Nne=15&sid=139B616F39D6&SearchAction=N&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=BikeAll&Qpb=1&Ns=p_IsPoa_Int32%7C0%7C%7Cp_RankSort_Int32%7C1%7C%7Cp_HasPhotos_Int32%7C1%7C%7Cp_Make_String%7C0%7C%7Cp_Model_String%7C0%7C%7Cp_YearMade_Int32%7C1%7C%7Cp_PriceSort_Decimal%7C1%7C%7Cp_PhotoCount_Int32%7C1&N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201626%201428%204294967259%2079

ST1300 in QLD

http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/results.aspx?Qpb=1&Ntt=st1300&keywords=st1100&SearchAction=N&N=1432+604+1430+1429+1626+1428+4294967259+79&sid=139B616F39D6&Dx=mode+matchany&Nne=15&Ntk=BikeAll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ns=p_IsPoa_Int32%7c0%7c%7cp_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_HasPhotos_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cp_Model_String%7c0%7c%7cp_YearMade_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_PriceSort_Decimal%7c1%7c%7cp_PhotoCount_Int32%7c1&D=st1300

[STutter]

Theres a 1300 in Mackay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HONDA-ST1300-2003-WITH-ABS-ROAD-BIKE-/251195142960?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item3a7c65b330

[Biggles]

Theres a 1300 in Mackay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HONDA-ST1300-2003-WITH-ABS-ROAD-BIKE-/251195142960?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item3a7c65b330

Excellent value, with top box (nearly $1000) cruise control ($1000), Corbin seat, Staintunes and some riding gear.  No mileage, tyre condition or rego given, but if it's reasonable (e.g. 50,000 kays) it would be very hard to ignore.

[Brock]

I would get some one to have a look at it, if you cant get to see it. just to make sure it exists..

[rjstorrie]

I have spoken to the Melbourne (ebay deceased estate) guy Steve & Mackay (ebay premium add) guy Russell. Both are 2003 Silver ST1300's.

Mackay:
104k km's, $7500, top box, panier's and some riding gear + other stuff he mentioned on the add. Registered till Feb/Mar 2013, tyre's are near new, plus Qld Rego already.

Melbourne
74k km's, $8500, top box, panier's and some riding gear, 10-11months rego (vic registered).

Both have minor scratches and/crack < 5cm which is understandable for a 9yr old used bike.
Downside is so far away from BNE, but willing to fly/ride back to either.

What's your thoughts guys, please.
Rob.

 

[WendyL]

Personally, I'd go the one you have to fly/ride    I bought my ST1100 off BikeSales and flew to Sydney to pick it up, rode back to Darwin via Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide.  Had an absolute ball and knew the bike pretty well by the time I got home 

[STutter]

Definately go and pick up and ride home. Mackay to Brisbane isnt far at all (for a ST)

[Tipsy]

Definately go and pick up and ride home. Mackay to Brisbane isnt far at all (for a ST)

Yes as we confirmed St owners would say ... its just around the corner,

Tipsy

[West Aussie Glen]

What about service history? One or two owners?
Tyre condition on the Melbourne bike?
Any crash repairs?
When were valve clearances last checked? Can be expensive.
Staintunes on the MacKay bike nice to have and worth about $750
Will you be doing a lot of kms? Although both are low relative to what you can expect from S1300s

[rjstorrie]

  this is why I hate second hand things and not been mechanically minded. So new it is, just have to save up some more.

Rob.

[STutter]

Don't buy a new bike. There is no point whatsoever.

A: No bike has the same range.
B: Why pay full price? You're just going to spend the same money in servicing, stamp duty and salesperson commission as you might in repairs
C: Its a Honda, you aren't going to have problems with it, especially anything with an ST stamped on the front of it.
D: If you're not "mechanically minded" now is a good time to learn. I certainly wasn't a mechnically minded person, but once I got into bikes I had a bit of a play around. Increasingly I wondered why I was giving money to a dealership for an apprentice to look at my pride and joy who has no emotional or professional investment in the job they do.
E: It's $7500 for a bike that will take you around Australia pretty much from when you've bought it. Why spend upwards of $10K for a bike with less range and less comfort?

Seriously, forget the naysayers, buy the Mackay bike and then drive the 400kms up to Townsville on a SINGLE TANK OF FUEL and let me congratulate you on your decision!

[West Aussie Glen]

this is why I hate second hand things and not been mechanically minded. So new it is, just have to save up some more.

Rob.

Rob,
I hope it wasn't my post that put you off secondhand. Just some questions to ask to help compare the two and know what you are buying.
If you are concerned about how far ST's will go check out this:-

http://www.st1300.us.com/showthread.php?t=485

[Streak]

Don't buy a new bike. There is no point whatsoever.

A: No bike has the same range.
B: Why pay full price? You're just going to spend the same money in servicing, stamp duty and salesperson commission as you might in repairs
C: Its a Honda, you aren't going to have problems with it, especially anything with an ST stamped on the front of it.
D: If you're not "mechanically minded" now is a good time to learn. I certainly wasn't a mechnically minded person, but once I got into bikes I had a bit of a play around. Increasingly I wondered why I was giving money to a dealership for an apprentice to look at my pride and joy who has no emotional or professional investment in the job they do.
E: It's $7500 for a bike that will take you around Australia pretty much from when you've bought it. Why spend upwards of $10K for a bike with less range and less comfort?

Seriously, forget the naysayers, buy the Mackay bike and then drive the 400kms up to Townsville on a SINGLE TANK OF FUEL and let me congratulate you on your decision!

I have to say i go with STutter on this one, and i am sure that if you wanted some help to look at bikes, there are many willing smiling volunteers who would like to help you assess and look at the bikes 

[Whizz]

I fully agree, a new bike will be worth 25% as soon as you drive it off the dealers lot, he two in question are barely run in and will keep going long after every other bike on the road has died of old age. Do yourself a favour and buy one that has seen some road use and has proved itself worthy!!!

[rjstorrie]

guys,

thanks heaps for all your input, it just frustrates me to no end not having any mechanical knowledge and I'm terrified of screwing things up attempting to do things on my own.

The guy in Mackay has just sent some more pics through and I must say it looks pretty good.  I'll call him tomorrow to discuss the extra questions posted by you smart chaps.

Rob.
 

[Skip]

My moto has always been "Buy the best that you can afford", with everything. If your budget goes beyond $8500 then wait to find something newer and less K's. There is always more around the corner. When I was looking to get onto a tourer, the 1300 was definitely out of my price range. I was looking at 1100's and RT1150R BMToubleU's. I had set myself a budget and would not go past that limit. I spotted a 1300 that was 2 years old, at the time, with 8000k's on the clock and at a ridiculous price. It was a VERY good buy at his asking price but still beyond what I had committed to spend. In less than a week, he had reduced it to within $250 of my budget. I couldn't believe it. I rang immediately, drove up to Noosa and test rode, offered him $250 less than his 'now asking price' and rode away with an ST1300 smack on my budget figure. I'm still smiling 5 years later. My advise is, don't make a rushed decision unless it is exactly what you want AND for the price you can afford.
With regard to vehicles, I always have a bias toward lower km over newer year model. Just my view but that philosophy has served me well.
Looking forward to seeing you on an ST in the near future Rob.
I agree with the sentiments already expressed, you can't go wrong with a tidy ST.
Regards.
Skip.

 
 

[Sabie]

Alternatively, keep looking, don't rush in keep looking around.

My Dad always use to say, don't buy the first one you see ( Dad was a Mechanic) and it true, sure enough a better one comes along. Keep looking so that you have a range of choice and not just one or two to choose from.

Sab

[Sabie]

http://bikesales.com.au/private/details/honda-st1300-abs-2004-13872324?R=13872324

[rjstorrie]

hey guys just letting you alll know I'm flying up to Mackay Saturday morning to pick up the ST and riding back.  I'll post some pics and blog my journey back.

Rob.

[Brock]

 

[WendyL]

Woo hoo!!!!!!

 

[Streak]

hey guys just letting you alll know I'm flying up to Mackay Saturday morning to pick up the ST and riding back.  I'll post some pics and blog my journey back.

Rob.

Rob that is Fantastic news!! well done! take your camera, we want the whole story when you get home 

[Sabie]

 Congrats RJ 

[Whizz]

Thank God, you made the right choice!!! enjoy the ride home!!