Honda ST 1300

Bought this bike new back in 2004. I have 2 other bikes zx 14 and GL1800 and i ride this bike more due to the versatility it offers. 119k and counting and been trouble free. I hope to give a review at 200k someday. Handling, reliability, gas mpg is impressive most of the time around 51 i have seen it get as high as 56 and as lo of 48. For rainy weather its the best i ever ridden. I replaced the head lights several times and tail and brake lights as well. The fuel range is impressive and the stock seat has held up nicely.

I have never had a bike like this it is great to ride and handles like a sports bike and the electric screen is brill it keeps the wind and bugs out of your face and the power is right there and being shaft drive it is even better no more changing the chain and spockets after so many miles and the gear change is so smooth aswell dont no ehat else to say it it just a joy to ride, that is it end of story

Let's start with the biggest complaint. She's heavy. Enough said. I can understand why our local police chose this bike for their officers. She is as flickable as any bike out there and am certain there are few issues for the mechanics servicing them as well. This bike meets the standards for long distance comfort and protection and yet can be used (with effort) as a around town scoot. I have own many bikes over the past 2 decades. Having owned 2 PC800 and a ST1100, this is clearly a huge improvement. There is a certain practicality and function in the ST1300 that works against Honda when it comes to the popularity contest when compared to other bikes in it's class. Who cares? Frankly,I choose my bikes like my friends with the hope the quality and character of the relationship last forever. I am very happy with the ST1300 along with the mods installed by previous owner (Heli bars, Aeroflow windshield, bumper kit, Motolights, Spencer seat, top box and Roadtec tires). I've added MCL highway pegs and a Alaska Leather sheep skin. She's good to go.

It,s horses for courses I know but if covering big distances reliably and in as much comfort as practicle with the ability to get a move then this bike takes some beating. I,ve owned my ST1300 for six years now and have done several European tours with some long days in iffy weather thrown in. 200 miles to the Ferry, it,s dark and wet and you are on a time limit and this bike will earn your respect in bucket loads as it works so well.

Bad points are it,s weight and it is heavy loaded with fuel and luggage when at a standstill but once on the move the weight disappears. Secondly it can become a hot ride with the engine fan venting the air into your space behind the excellent fairing, heat that is equally welcomed when it,s chilly. Thirdly the much discussed stability issue, this is what I have found. Under eighty load it up with luggage, pillion stick the screen up do what you like it,s as solid as a rock, faster than this then there is an issue with the top box which can be definatley unnerving to the point that I will only use it with a pillion, dump the top box and this bike will devour autobahns in comfort and ease at high speed for hours at a time.

Good points are faultless reliability with a great smooth engine which will return around 50mpg on a steady run,a large tank that gives late 200,s to a tank, excellent finish which is just as it should be ( if a cars finish was as bad as some bikes they would be in court) It,s comfortable, handles better than a bike of this should although not flickable it is nimbler than you would expect and always predictable (Pilot Road 2 tyres fitted seem very good) The old girl even had a brisk lap of the Nurburgring on one trip the day after which we left Germany at 8.30am and were back home oop north drinking coffee at 5.30pm. A 500+ mile day on a 2500mile trip with a track day thrown in with rain and sun, small roads and motorways and the ST1300 just does it without any problem which has got in my opinion to make it a very good bike. Problem is that when I do swap it there is only one bike that I know will do what I want without fault, guess I will hang on to it.

My 2002 model is very unstable..dangerously so, when on the motorway with topbox fitted.

Without the topbox the bike is still very sensitive to cross winds and truck turbulence but not dangerously so.

I have ridden/owned many bikes over 44 years of continuous biking and never have I ridden a bike with this high level of sensitivity to cross winds/truck turbulence.

In my opinion this bike should NEVER be used with a topbox fitted. Period. I intend to destroy my topbox ( inherited when I bought the bike).

I recently tested my Pan with and without the side panniers fitted and tried jacking up the preload as well as raising/lowering the screen.

I found that the panniers did not affect the high speed stability of the bike much either way. I found setting the preload to Hard improved stability. I found that raising the screen much above its lowest setting was a No No as this immediately raised stability problems. I now always use the screen in its lowest setting.

BT020 Tyres are set as standard at 42psi.

The bike handles very well at low ( under 60mph) speed and tracks beautifully through bends.

My personal recommendation to all Pan owners who wish to travel at more than 60mph is : junk the topbox !

This wind turbulence induced instability aside the bike is well engineered and a joy to ride.

rgds,

Roland.

( ps. I have 2 Honda VFRS - an early 750 and a later 800fi. Both are completely stable/safe at speed on the motorway though like all bikes they get blown about a bit by the trucks).

The Pan is with out a shred of doubt one of the best bikes in the world.If your reading this review wondering whether to get one or not like i was 2 years ago,just get it.I'm selling mine because I'm getting a new one.I've done 36k miles in 2 years in all weathers and not a single problem.My wife and I went all over Europe - way overloaded - no problem. Brilliant bike!!

Ive been riding bikes of all sorts for years,and never have i realized how enjoyable it can truly be till i got this machine! Its a jewell. Smoothest engine on the planet, quiet, great low end,what gear doesnt matter. Linked brakes,along with abs, is fantastic. I was ify about them going into it,first time on the windies,loved not having to unwrap hand from grip to use front brake. The percentages front to rear are perfect. And range? You can go over passes that you never could before,well over 300 per tank!

Comfortable very. Ill never want another bike without an adjustable windscreen after having this feature. I ride in all weather, all year, even spent 1k on heated gear so i could do so. Thats how much i enjoy riding this thing. Kudos to honda, job well done!

Best tourer i have had. Not the fastest, not the best looking. hasnt got all the gizmos the new bikes have BUT RELIABLE, SMOOTH AS SILK, GREAT WIND PROTECTION HANDLES VERY WELL, GOOD BRAKES, Very forgiving bike if i make a mistake jUST A FUN BIKE TO RIDE

honda what a great bike the built quality of the bike is great 4000 miles between services approx $200 at shop at 16000 $750 at shop not cheap but compared to bmw great deal low end torque on this bike is great no high speed weave to report i have had this bike over 140mph only two minnor complaints needs a 6th gear and seat needs to be softer my ass gets numb at times but overall HONDA WHAT A GREAT BIKE!

Awesome Bike. Smooth as glass; quiet as a sewing machine; flawless acceleration; perfect fit and finish.

It's a work of art. Traded in my VTX 1300T and there is no comparison. The ST is a whole 'nother bike. Remarkable. Put 600 km on it this weekend. It is a work of art.

I can't think of anything I don't like so far. This is a serious motorcycle. Same size engine at the VTX but feels like it has twice the power. Get one. RR