Thanks for your thoughts. I spent MANY hrs/miles on this machine (as many others as a LEO rider and certified Instructor for many years in SoCal). Some things vary by the environment in which you ride. It can get HOT idling or riding in summer heat. The fully enclosed engine are great with wonderful wind protection on cool nights or in foul weather. In dry, summer temps, it feels as though it will boil the fuel. The adjustable windscreen for adjustable air flow, high or low speed use offers great flexibility and comfort. I find the dash wonderful. Plenty of info, good mix of digital and analog gauges and he Orange is a almost a must riding in bright direct sunlight. Yet it is not blinding at night. ABS brakes are top notch, just wished they were not linked to the rear for low speed work. Unlike the C14 which was a good idea in theory (rear brake disconnect at low speed), but totally botched a fine bike with the servo "kick back" through the rear pedal when it transitions to that mode. Honda build quality blows that bike away with fit and finish as well. That, from a Kawi lover. Wish it had the top opening side cases like BMW's, rather than the clamshell covers that dump the entire contents, when you just want a pair of gloves, etc. FYI all ST's are governed to a tick over 120 mph due to concerns for a rear top cars weave discovered during testing in Europe for Emergency Service use. Fuel Capacity is a blessing, hiding the weight low and on a nice broad flat tank (for bags, etc.) My real complaints, is the need for 90 deg valve stems to aid frequent checking of tire psi's. You DO check them regularly, right? Nearly impossible with shaft drive gear and bags on both sides, or between those lovely large dual front discs. That, and for the added leg room, they run lower pegs, which both drag in high angle cornering, and will catch your left tow the first frisky upshift you attempt while turning left through an intersection. Ign. keys are a bitch to get to with gloves on.... weld on a taller aluminum tab for easy on/off switching with gloves on. Same as the recessed side stand. Weld a strong 4" metal dowel rod to the kickstand arm, you can catch it with your heel with ease every time. Love the adjustable levers, seat height and stability. A few tweaks and it is a keeper or life. Sure, a little lacking in "Personality" as you stated well; For a "biker" it is just like an Accord; Reliable, effective, safe and functional. It just lacks a bit of a personality, like the exhaust note. It is like the gal you marry... a life mate, though the sporty bikes make noise, have more flash and may be found a bit more exciting at times, they are like "hot dates". Pick the keeper, She won't let you down. Even if the initial price is a bit inflated possibly due to large sales (profits) seen in fleet sales to public agencies with deep pockets. I've done things on these bikes that would make your hair stand on end if it were your personal bike. Off roading, riding up and down stairs, extended high speed runs, to stationary idling and plain abusive idle slipping for hours on end. They've been dropped, over loaded, abused with minimal maintenance and they are stone reliable. Ride often, ride well, /BRAKELATE/
I agree with the gear indicator and sixth gear assessment. @Brakelateatmsn"Wish it had the top opening side cases like BMW's, rather than the clamshell covers that dump the entire contents, when you just want a pair of gloves, etc" There's a simpler solution. Around the rim of the lid and the case are some little anchor points that you can attach OEM elastic straps to keep all the stuff intact. There's a cheap solution to this. Go to the hardware store and buy 4-5mtrs of 5mm black elastic shock cord (bungy in New Zealand) and 4 small clips. Threaded the cord in a square around the perimeter of the anchor points, tie the ends together when they meet. Then add the clips to the center of the upper horizontal span, so when you clip onto the lower span the cord gets pulled to an 'X' in the middle. The whole arrangement looks like a figure 8 on it's side with pointy corners. You can pull the cord to tuck in gloves and stuff or undo the clips when you have the cases off for packing. Works like a charm and nothing ever falls out. "My real complaints, is the need for 90 deg valve stems to aid frequent checking of tire psi's." My first set of tyres I had solid side entry valve stems installed. Get's rid of a whole lot of frustration Cheers
It's easy to make a quiet bike louder. It's impossible to make a loud stock bike any quieter. I appreciate that there are a few options out there that have denied the hey-look-at-my-earsplitting-ego-while-I-make-your-ears-bleed trend. Beautiful, smooth, and quiet is perfect, especially for long hauls. Good thing it has a big analog speedo and tach to keep you in touch with its perfect heart. =)
I like the quiet of the motorcycle, somtimes when conditions are just right, no wind, smooth roads, etc. I have felt at times as if the motorcycle has disappeared beneath me and that I alone am flying down the road. And I do tour a lot so I purposely leave my pipes stock, loud pipes give me a headache and it doesn't take long, plus I like to slip in and out of small towns without alerting the local LEO's of my presence. My biggest gripe is the heat, otherwise I love the bike so I'm considering trading in on the new 2014 FJR1300es. Way more standard items like cruise control, heated grips, etc. and I like that red.
OK OEvil... I agree with nearly all your comments... - No gear indicator and no 6th gear are huge. The number of times I've reached for 6th and the equally number of times I've sworn at not realizing I'm already in top gear are too numerous to remember. - the reflection of a high viz jacket on a sunny day on the instrument panel makes the digital dash unreadable. - hiding the oil filler is pure form over function and pointless A biggy for me is engine heat, for some reason only on the right side, creeping up from between the seat and tank. It's intermittent and can make hot weather riding damn near painful on the lower boyz for 5 minutes at a time. It is though, kinda nice in the shoulder riding seasons. But I for one, and I think I might be a minority, love the sound and quiet of the motor. That straight cut gear whine had an old timer at the Galena Bay ferry ask me if the bike was a turbine. I told him it was Japanese and not East Indian (it's a joke gang...lighten up!). Quiet is good. My ST goes on the road Friday. My buddy's FJR at month end (a compromise to she-who-must-be-listened-to-but-not-always-obeyed). A Portland Oregon craft beer run is in the near future. Both bikes have brand new PR3s... mmmm...hmmmm...good! And as to the comments below...the ST rocks as the best sport tourer on the market. Screw the 20/30 something XYZ-whatever foam latte generation who think all about posing as a 9/10 rider 10/10th of the time while posting everything on RUclips+Twitter+Facebook (=YouTwitFace). The STs roll all day at licence pulling velocity in comfort and security and don't emit any styling posing of alien space probes. They are an honest, solid, reliable ground missile that can do 1200 kms in a day in the mountains of British Columbia and Washington state and wake up to do it again the next day, and the next and the next...bin there, dun that. OEvil...Monashee Pass? Or maybe Slocan Lake?
G'day Evil, Great video and nitpick of the ST1300. I totally agree with the majority of your comments...you have given a great rundown on the pros and cons....I also hate the fiddly oil filler cover!!!! The price you mention (in Canada) is $19000 new, here in Australia that model ST was on the showroom floor for rrp $24490 (Aussie dollars) then you had the on road costs added (Govt charges of 3% & that makes the ST very expensive. Luckily, I picked my ST up ( Feb 2010 model) in October of that year with 7,000ks on it for $18000 - private sale (with a bit of already bling added, intercom, top box and a sheepskin seat cover). Now the bike has just clicked over 30,000ks, all highway touring and I can't fault the ST one little bit. It's comfortable, sporty enought to enjoy the twisty bits of road and has long legs between fuel stops. I also believe regular oil changes, regular servicing and basic maintenance is the key to the ST's longevity. For your info also, A week ago I was away on the bike, touring the snow country, I paid $1.76 a litre for Premium (98 octane) fuel....bloody highway robbery but the premium fuel is definitely good for the bike & I love my ST! Just my thoughts and comments, keep up the good work Evil... regards from the Land of Oz.
Hi Eric: I have actually thought a lot about what like best about this bike. I will mention two things, one objective and one subjective. First, I love the brakes. The connected front and rear brakes work beautifully, A light pull on the front brake initiates a nice smooth even braking. Of course, for heavy braking you use the rear pedal too. The other thing is the "presence" this bike has on the road, so solid feeling, incredibly stable and the feeling of invincibility. A locomotive.
I was with you up to the end. Except I love that soft whirl of an engine sound. Literally could go to sleep listening to it... I would also add about the heat, wish they did something with the fairing to optionally blow air at my legs...
For what it's worth, I used to have the same gripe about the kickstand. I've found that for me, using my toe on the side stand is the easiest and most natural feeling method to deploy the kick stand.
Having spent a great deal of time on the concours, FJR, GSF1250F and now owning an ST1300, I have to agree with you on most of your points. Where is the Cruise Control, Gear Indicator (or 6th gear for that matter?) Why is there no LED instrument cluster as opposed to the back lit liquid crystal? 700lbs Dry, Why no preload and rebound of the forks? Still in all, it certainly carves a mean corner. I think it has to be mentioned that, despite the price of the Honda, the others in this class rarely ever boast high mileage in the hundreds of thousands of kilometres, achieved with just routine service maintenance. While I don't intend on keeping mine that long, it's certainly confidence inspiring to know this may arguably be the most robust Motorccle in its class.
What do you mean 'it is too darn quiet? I like the sound of my Molinuex food blender! I agree with your comments on the digital dash. Fine in low light conditions or night riding but it is a problem in bright sunlight. Gear indicator yes; 6 speeds...not so sure. The engine is powerful enough and torqey, that I rarely need to change gear to overtake. I regularly get 22 / 25 ks per litre even at 100 / 110kph on the main roads. What a wonderful engine; just hope they don't drop it when the updated model arrives. But they do need to revise the shape of the screen, as I find it noisy and creates a lot of buffeting compared to the BMW RT, or Triumph Trophy. Hopefully, by the end of 2014, a new or updated model will arrive with the improvements?
I could not agree more with every point you raise. Still, I love my ST. There are some really nice upgrades for improving the visibility of the instrument cluster for about $100-$150. I added a throttle lock, handlebar risers and a few other DIY farkles. Nice video. I love the roads of British Columbia.
+2ndchildhood I am now sitting with 42,000 km on the bike and I love it more than ever. The longer you have this bike the more you realize what a masterpiece it is of motorcycle design. It's amazing the amount of people who don't understand the term "nitpicking" : "looking for small or unimportant errors or faults, especially in order to criticize unnecessarily."
I intend to keep mine for many years. Yes it handles really well, not razor sharp like a super sport, but the stability through the corners inspires a lot of confidence.
I have owned a 2008 since new and think this is a great sport /tour bike. I do agree that a 6th gear would be nice and the side stand can be a pain when trying to put down. I have a K&N air filter and handle bar riser installed and have also had the seat built up for more long distance comfort. I can't believe the power and smooth operation this bike has as driving at 80++ mph seems like you are only doing 55. (tell that to the cop when stopped for speeding).! I would like to see a cruise control and heated grips along with an electrial outlet installed and maybe a radio as this is a sport tour bike.
Some good comments there especially about gear indicator. I fitted an aftermarket one. Many riders change the screen for something less buffeting. Many riders change the seat and fit bar risers for more comfort. Some change the rear lights to LEDs as the rear lights as standard are a bit dull. A front fender extender is commonly fitted. However overall the build quality and reliability is excellent.
If you think CAD 19,000 is outrageous, try €20,000,00 which is about CAD 28,000 with no options. And complaining about the fuel consumption at CAD 1.45? Man i pay €1,75 which is CAD 2.46.
A 6th gear would be nice. I think that all the time on my Goldwing (they only have a 5 speed trans too). If your thinking about moving to a Goldwing in the future you'll get that same electric feel on those too. At certain speeds I can't tell if the bike is running. Its pretty funny. Honda has gotten into the mode of designing a bike for a very long product run. They haven't changed Goldwings from 2000 to 2015 with the exception of changing the saddlebags slightly for asthetics. I'm not to put off buy not having a gear indicator. You have a good point about pricing. Prices of bikes have gotten pretty high. I'm thinking now that its better to own a few nice used bikes than 1 brand new one that costs $20,000+. Like you mention, different bikes for different purposes. Ride safe.
I just had a test ride on a 2005 Honda ST1300 today. Besides the Suzuki 250 I used on my MSF, I have not been on a motorcycle since 1981. I grew up on a Suzuki enduro 250 and rode it for 5 years before i was old enough to drive a car. I really enjoyed my test ride and I felt the bike was really easy to ride in city traffic on an open road. My friends all ride "HOGs" but I am strongly considering the Dark Side. I think I could ride this from coast to coast. The one I road today had cruise control.
$19,000.00 for his bike? I bought a retired police version with 32k on it for $4000.00. I lived in Canada for 10 years and everything up there is more expensive because of government duty's and taxes; not the manufacturer.
OK, So I know it hasn't got quite the same level of weather protection as the ST1300 and it's a chain drive, however the CBF1000F with the Honda GT luggage package comes pretty close to offering the same effortless touring capability as the ST1300 whilst providing you with a lighter, more economical machine and addresses many of your niggles with the ST1300. Terrific around town whilst offering 140mph top speed (where you can use it) and 55mpg (imperial gallon). Worth checking it out for sure.
I don't think your thoughts are really nitpicks, because it does have a car like dash, also with the other things too. I agree as you said, it's not the best city or twisty bike, a lightweight bike would work better in that area, then a bike of the weight you're riding, still its a nice bike. Ride safe, yl
Evil, you are absolutely right about the plastic oil filler cover. It is really a pain! I can deal with the gauges and display. It is easy to read, but the lack of gear indicator (even in the latest model) is a bit too close to 'retro'. Kickstand: YES! I have learned to point my toe out and grab it with my heel. I thought I was alone with that point!
I think you purchased the wrong bike if you feel it's too much $ then don't buy it and then complain afterwards, you have so many choices... Gear indicator...? really, I have my eyes on the road at ALL times, I rarely look at the dashboard other then making sure the oil indicator goes off after starting. If you know your bike well enough you know what gear you are in, too many bells on whistles on a bike are a driver distraction I think. Too quiet..? that's one of those great things about this bike as too much noise makes you tired and a tired motor cycle operator shouldn't be driving if you ask me. I agree with you on the oil filler gap, could have been better. It's an awesome bike and would never buy anything else.
I agree that it's an awesome bike and I too would not want any other. The video was called "nitpicking". Definition: adjective 1. looking for small or unimportant errors or faults, especially in order to criticize unnecessarily.
Good video. I too bought a yr model "Left-over", a 2010 in 2012. I got a good price on it and for the most part love the bike. I also have some of the same gripes against it, no cruise, not enough gears, the display being had to see in day-light conditions and the stupid cover over the oil fill and what u have to do to take that off. On the good side, I took it to the North Carolina/Tennessee mountains to ride the Dragon's Tail (look it up on you tube), It handled like a dream, gonna keep it!
+OccasionallyEvil , I got my bike for about $19,000, and yet it is now being sold at as low as $11,750. Can you imagine how I felt after I found out about that? If Honda would have marketed it better, Honda would have sold more of it, and it was supposedly an update to your bike. There is no pedal in the back from the gear shifter, and foot pegs, that I saw in frame 6:50 to 7:20 that is an OEM Center Stand. That is a separate feature with the CTX1300 . The instrument LED on mine is white. There is no gear indicator on mine, and I wonder if I can get one now, since the bike is not made anymore. The bike is quiet as well on the road, but you do hear a little whine from the V4 engine at idle. I guess that is what improved from the ST1300 to the CTX1300, as well as the design of it
+renegadebiker24 The "whine" sound is a trademark of the Honda V4 motor. I think that most motorcycles devalue quite fast, still it's nice to have a shiny new one that you can track all the service and history from day 1. I bet there are aftermarket gear indicators you can get. I've just learned to live without.
OccasionallyEvil Hmmmm. yep that is true. I often wondered if that was a trademarked whine sound was only unique to Honda, or if there were other motorcycles with that same sound. I just wonder why the CTX1300 devalued so fast though. I think it was probably due to poor marketing techniques or the "reviews" by "reviewers" that either did not research Honda's horizontal line design, or the way that the motorcycle was based on the wing line design. Yep that is true about tracking the service and history from day 1. Yep, there are probably aftermarket gear indicators, but I wonder where I can find them. I am used to not being without it as well on my CTX 1300.
+renegadebiker24 I have the CTX 1300 delux and bought it July 4th of this year. I paid $11,500 and and they added on the backrest and tailrack included in the price. I did purchase a aftermarkent gear indicator off Ebay. I haven't installed it. Got it for right around $30..
Bill DeSha Cool, Congratz. That seems like a pretty good price. What color did you get? The red and black one?You got lucky with that one in my opinion. The backrest was not included in mine, and the luggage rack was. Do you have the link of the gear indicator? Did you get the service manual like I have? I got it for about $54 after shipping. The service manual I got is at: www.service-shop-repair-manual.com/honda-ctx1300-ctx1300a-part-61mjn01-service-shop-repair-manual .
Thanks. Yes, I got the service manual with the bike. I'll see if I can't find the link for the gear indicator. Heck, maybe I'll just sell mine to you..
My 2008 ST1300 has 6 gears and revs 4K @ just over 70 mph (120 kmph). Agree with the side stand moan. Had the bike for a year but still can't get the side stand down cleanly without looking down. Agree with the oil filler panel whinge too. I ride in the thick of London rush hour traffic every day and find this bike a doddle to handle. I even catch up and pass much slimmer bikes filtering between 4-wheeled traffic. The speed is deceptive so have to keep an eye on the speedo especially with the pesky average speed cameras dotted all along the route I take.
Sorry my mistake, it's got 5 gears. But I don't find it a problem. One of my other bikes, a 2003 Yamaha XJ900S Diversion, definitely needs a 6th gear - 70 mph @ 5000 rpm. I love the Pan but a niggle I have is that I find myself changing gears a lot more when filtering at slow speeds, compared to the Diversion. The Diversion will sit in 5th gear quite happily and pull away comfortably from as low as 15 mph (25 kmph)! The Pan is not comfortable to do the same in 5th gear anything below 25 mph. I know I am lazy :( when it come to gear changes.
Get a k&n Hi flow air filter and you'll definitely hear some engine growl it at least some intake growl. I own an ST1300 and I have a k&n installed and love it
My biggest complaint is also the heat from the engine. I agree that anything over 80F is absolutely miserable. It does dump more heat to the right as said. I leave my windshield down all the time because of the heat. I've even gone as far as taking the fairing off and riding it naked. No heat problems then but it's ugly as hell then. :(
It's definitely NOT a hot weather bike. I don't have as much a problem with heat from the engine as much as the lack of airflow to the rider. The fairings and windshield work too well. So I usually just ride in the cool of the mornings. It's a great bike for Spring and Fall.
OccasionallyEvil There's a range of jackets and pants available now that with the waterproof and thermal liners removed are just mesh and armour that let the wind straight through. I ride with a Shift Trifecta all year round and in the summer when folks is riding in shirtsleeves I still have my skin and pointy out bits covered and cool breeze blowing straight through the jacket.
Quit is good indeed, but a little dark engine-noise makes the bike "alive". It's like he said, the motor needs te "talk to you". I totally agree with him on all the facts.
PS. If you want to see I clip of me riding the Pan in NZ; got to the following RUclips address. Honda ST1300 Pan European ride from Kawakawa Bay to Alfriston, Nr Auckland New Zealand Enjoy. My apologies for the wind noise.
with the oil cover why not leave it off or remove it and mod it so you can just pull it off like heavy duty Velcro or a locking catch. for the display change the bulbs if possible to bright led,s
I do agree somewhat. heated grips should have been factory. I do wish my 03 had the power windshield. But I got a great deal on it used obviously. It's got 107,000 well looked after kms. I'll buy another one one day. haha. oh. why compare it too a zx14 or the like....totally different purpose and rider group
+Robert Brandywine I can't recall saying I "needed" the gear. It was more about saving a bit of fuel. The nice thing about the fifth gear is that you don't have to shift down to make a pass. You are always in the "power zone" on the highway. But if you are cruising at a steady pace, a taller gear might save a few pennies.
Oh sure, they'll run "all day long" at 6k. They just won't run as many days like that. Every engine only has a finite # of revs in it before it lets go. No sense wasting them above 3000.
I think his point was that it doesn't hurt the engine to take it to higher revs on occasion. My original point was that since the bike revs @ 4000 rpm at an indicated 120kph, A 6th gear could drop those revs to around 3500 for cruising without any performance penalty. Saves fuel. But hey, that's nitpicking.
After watching your video I think the only acceptable thing to do is buy a used ST1300. That way, you can say.."yes, I didn't get the heated grips, cruise control, or new digital display, but I only paid $9500 for it" Since I am looking at this bike, what would you say is it's best feature? (torque, seat, ergonomics, handling, suspension, etc) Thank you.
There is also the Suzuki GSX1250FA. Very inexpensive with a very nice motor. Maybe does not have the fit and finish of the Hondas. It's one I considered if price is a major thing,
i'm in between the honda and the bmw r1200rt...different engines, different problems,...but after watching this video, i think i'll go for the german 2 cillinder.
Cruise Control - Agree Price - Agree Needs 6th Gear - Agree Dash - meh. I'm okay with it, prefer analogs, never had a problem seeing the digital portion. Kickstand - no problem for me. Oil Fill challenge - agree Quiet Bike - disagree. I like the sound. The ST can get a fine intake roar going, but it's generally a stealthy ride. City bike - disagree. In my experience, the ST1300 is a fantastic bike for the city. Why? Because it has massive storage capacity. For more than 2 years, the ST was my sole transportation. Would similar storage capacity with lighter weight be nice, sure. But w/o the power windshield? No thanks, I'll keep my porky ST rather than give up that power windshield. I've put 50k miles on my second ST1300 so far, my first passed to the Great Twisties at 56k. Between the two I've got 46 US states and 2 Canadian Provinces under my belt, so it's not like I'm unfamiliar with the bikes.
John Sanford If you wear a heavily tinted visor in daylight (as I and many do) I don't know how you can read the digital information. If the sun is shining directly on it, it's fine. Or in dark shadows the illumination is visible. Otherwise, almost impossible. There are a LOT of complaints about this digital read out, why wouldn't Honda just change it to a very readable black on grey. Honda can be a very stubborn company. I am closing in on 40,000km with mine and still love it.
OE, I wear a heavily tinted visor. And I frequently use the internal sun visor also, i.e. at the same time. Perhaps it's because other than an occasional glance at my fuel level, I've no need to see the digital portion of the clocks when I'm moving, so it's not a factor for me. As for why Honda hasn't changed it, well, I'm sure it's the same reason they haven't changed much of the rest of the bike. Whatever that reason may be...
I would rather have the New CTX1300 for less than $19K and the power is down low where it is usable, I hate digital gauges, I would much rather have analog gauges, No Premium gas needed for the CTX1300, I like a quiet engine drive train, the CTX1300 sounds better than the ST1300 does The CTX has More HP and Torque up to 5000RPM than the ST1300 does. That is much more usable power range where most people need more power, from Idle to 5000RPM, away from a stop and for passing.
GOOD points about the price, that's just BS and insulting to the consumer,Actually, the reviwere did an A-1 job. Look, I'm a Honda guy, had and have their cars,minivans,on and off-road bikes, you name it. I also had an ST1300, an 03 for a year, then got rid of it. Replaced with a BMW 1200GT, which exposed the ST for the turkey it was and is. Why ? 1. The exhaust note drove me nuts, that high pitched 'whistle' remains even with an aftermarket exhaust. 2. CRUISE CONTROL. Once a touring/sport touring type rider has it you won't consider another bike without it. 3.No heated grips ? 4. The heat ! This is a great example of what to me is evidence of Honda being in decline in the street bike segment. That's freakin' tragic. 4. Apologists will speak of the dependability, which is true, and the windscreen, also true. But so do a lot of bikes nowadays. To pay even 15 grand for what is now a fat, dependable turkey you'd have to be nuts. Honda should be embarrassed. Doug
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motor too QUIET???
Give me a break that is probably one of the BEST things about the bike.
I love the quiet purr.
Ok, I agree. A noisy motorcycle (or car) is tiresome on a long trip. The purr is good, but sometimes you want a snarly growl.
Thanks for your thoughts. I spent MANY hrs/miles on this machine (as many others as a LEO rider and certified Instructor for many years in SoCal). Some things vary by the environment in which you ride. It can get HOT idling or riding in summer heat. The fully enclosed engine are great with wonderful wind protection on cool nights or in foul weather. In dry, summer temps, it feels as though it will boil the fuel.
The adjustable windscreen for adjustable air flow, high or low speed use offers great flexibility and comfort. I find the dash wonderful. Plenty of info, good mix of digital and analog gauges and he Orange is a almost a must riding in bright direct sunlight. Yet it is not blinding at night. ABS brakes are top notch, just wished they were not linked to the rear for low speed work. Unlike the C14 which was a good idea in theory (rear brake disconnect at low speed), but totally botched a fine bike with the servo "kick back" through the rear pedal when it transitions to that mode. Honda build quality blows that bike away with fit and finish as well. That, from a Kawi lover.
Wish it had the top opening side cases like BMW's, rather than the clamshell covers that dump the entire contents, when you just want a pair of gloves, etc. FYI all ST's are governed to a tick over 120 mph due to concerns for a rear top cars weave discovered during testing in Europe for Emergency Service use. Fuel Capacity is a blessing, hiding the weight low and on a nice broad flat tank (for bags, etc.) My real complaints, is the need for 90 deg valve stems to aid frequent checking of tire psi's. You DO check them regularly, right? Nearly impossible with shaft drive gear and bags on both sides, or between those lovely large dual front discs. That, and for the added leg room, they run lower pegs, which both drag in high angle cornering, and will catch your left tow the first frisky upshift you attempt while turning left through an intersection. Ign. keys are a bitch to get to with gloves on.... weld on a taller aluminum tab for easy on/off switching with gloves on. Same as the recessed side stand. Weld a strong 4" metal dowel rod to the kickstand arm, you can catch it with your heel with ease every time. Love the adjustable levers, seat height and stability. A few tweaks and it is a keeper or life. Sure, a little lacking in "Personality" as you stated well; For a "biker" it is just like an Accord; Reliable, effective, safe and functional. It just lacks a bit of a personality, like the exhaust note. It is like the gal you marry... a life mate, though the sporty bikes make noise, have more flash and may be found a bit more exciting at times, they are like "hot dates". Pick the keeper, She won't let you down. Even if the initial price is a bit inflated possibly due to large sales (profits) seen in fleet sales to public agencies with deep pockets.
I've done things on these bikes that would make your hair stand on end if it were your personal bike. Off roading, riding up and down stairs, extended high speed runs, to stationary idling and plain abusive idle slipping for hours on end. They've been dropped, over loaded, abused with minimal maintenance and they are stone reliable. Ride often, ride well, /BRAKELATE/
Wow, that's a very comprehensive review, thanks. Totally agree about the valve stems, a pain in the butt.
I agree with the gear indicator and sixth gear assessment.
@Brakelateatmsn"Wish it had the top opening side cases like BMW's, rather than the clamshell covers that dump the entire contents, when you just want a pair of gloves, etc"
There's a simpler solution. Around the rim of the lid and the case are some little anchor points that you can attach OEM elastic straps to keep all the stuff intact.
There's a cheap solution to this. Go to the hardware store and buy 4-5mtrs of 5mm black elastic shock cord (bungy in New Zealand) and 4 small clips. Threaded the cord in a square around the perimeter of the anchor points, tie the ends together when they meet. Then add the clips to the center of the upper horizontal span, so when you clip onto the lower span the cord gets pulled to an 'X' in the middle. The whole arrangement looks like a figure 8 on it's side with pointy corners. You can pull the cord to tuck in gloves and stuff or undo the clips when you have the cases off for packing. Works like a charm and nothing ever falls out.
"My real complaints, is the need for 90 deg valve stems to aid frequent checking of tire psi's."
My first set of tyres I had solid side entry valve stems installed. Get's rid of a whole lot of frustration
Cheers
It's easy to make a quiet bike louder. It's impossible to make a loud stock bike any quieter. I appreciate that there are a few options out there that have denied the hey-look-at-my-earsplitting-ego-while-I-make-your-ears-bleed trend. Beautiful, smooth, and quiet is perfect, especially for long hauls. Good thing it has a big analog speedo and tach to keep you in touch with its perfect heart. =)
Sorry, but for some of us QUIET is wonderful!
I like the quiet of the motorcycle, somtimes when conditions are just right, no wind, smooth roads, etc. I have felt at times as if the motorcycle has disappeared beneath me and that I alone am flying down the road. And I do tour a lot so I purposely leave my pipes stock, loud pipes give me a headache and it doesn't take long, plus I like to slip in and out of small towns without alerting the local LEO's of my presence. My biggest gripe is the heat, otherwise I love the bike so I'm considering trading in on the new 2014 FJR1300es. Way more standard items like cruise control, heated grips, etc. and I like that red.
I traded my fjr for a ST1300 and love it !
OK OEvil...
I agree with nearly all your comments...
- No gear indicator and no 6th gear are huge. The number of times I've reached for 6th and the equally number of times I've sworn at not realizing I'm already in top gear are too numerous to remember.
- the reflection of a high viz jacket on a sunny day on the instrument panel makes the digital dash unreadable.
- hiding the oil filler is pure form over function and pointless
A biggy for me is engine heat, for some reason only on the right side, creeping up from between the seat and tank. It's intermittent and can make hot weather riding damn near painful on the lower boyz for 5 minutes at a time. It is though, kinda nice in the shoulder riding seasons.
But I for one, and I think I might be a minority, love the sound and quiet of the motor. That straight cut gear whine had an old timer at the Galena Bay ferry ask me if the bike was a turbine. I told him it was Japanese and not East Indian (it's a joke gang...lighten up!). Quiet is good.
My ST goes on the road Friday. My buddy's FJR at month end (a compromise to she-who-must-be-listened-to-but-not-always-obeyed). A Portland Oregon craft beer run is in the near future. Both bikes have brand new PR3s...
mmmm...hmmmm...good!
And as to the comments below...the ST rocks as the best sport tourer on the market. Screw the 20/30 something XYZ-whatever foam latte generation who think all about posing as a 9/10 rider 10/10th of the time while posting everything on RUclips+Twitter+Facebook (=YouTwitFace). The STs roll all day at licence pulling velocity in comfort and security and don't emit any styling posing of alien space probes. They are an honest, solid, reliable ground missile that can do 1200 kms in a day in the mountains of British Columbia and Washington state and wake up to do it again the next day, and the next and the next...bin there, dun that.
OEvil...Monashee Pass? Or maybe Slocan Lake?
G'day Evil,
Great video and nitpick of the ST1300. I totally agree with the majority of your comments...you have given a great rundown on the pros and cons....I also hate the fiddly oil filler cover!!!! The price you mention (in Canada) is $19000 new, here in Australia that model ST was on the showroom floor for rrp $24490 (Aussie dollars) then you had the on road costs added (Govt charges of 3% & that makes the ST very expensive. Luckily, I picked my ST up ( Feb 2010 model) in October of that year with 7,000ks on it for $18000 - private sale (with a bit of already bling added, intercom, top box and a sheepskin seat cover). Now the bike has just clicked over 30,000ks, all highway touring and I can't fault the ST one little bit. It's comfortable, sporty enought to enjoy the twisty bits of road and has long legs between fuel stops. I also believe regular oil changes, regular servicing and basic maintenance is the key to the ST's longevity. For your info also, A week ago I was away on the bike, touring the snow country, I paid $1.76 a litre for Premium (98 octane) fuel....bloody highway robbery but the premium fuel is definitely good for the bike & I love my ST!
Just my thoughts and comments, keep up the good work Evil...
regards from the Land of Oz.
Hi Eric: I have actually thought a lot about what like best about this bike. I will mention two things, one objective and one subjective. First, I love the brakes. The connected front and rear brakes work beautifully, A light pull on the front brake initiates a nice smooth even braking. Of course, for heavy braking you use the rear pedal too. The other thing is the "presence" this bike has on the road, so solid feeling, incredibly stable and the feeling of invincibility. A locomotive.
I was with you up to the end. Except I love that soft whirl of an engine sound. Literally could go to sleep listening to it... I would also add about the heat, wish they did something with the fairing to optionally blow air at my legs...
You make some very valid points ... Goldwing is due for overhaul as well.
For what it's worth, I used to have the same gripe about the kickstand. I've found that for me, using my toe on the side stand is the easiest and most natural feeling method to deploy the kick stand.
Having spent a great deal of time on the concours, FJR, GSF1250F and now owning an ST1300, I have to agree with you on most of your points.
Where is the Cruise Control, Gear Indicator (or 6th gear for that matter?)
Why is there no LED instrument cluster as opposed to the back lit liquid crystal?
700lbs Dry, Why no preload and rebound of the forks?
Still in all, it certainly carves a mean corner.
I think it has to be mentioned that, despite the price of the Honda, the others in this class rarely ever boast high mileage in the hundreds of thousands of kilometres, achieved with just routine service maintenance.
While I don't intend on keeping mine that long, it's certainly confidence inspiring to know this may arguably be the most robust Motorccle in its class.
What do you mean 'it is too darn quiet? I like the sound of my Molinuex food blender! I agree with your comments on the digital dash. Fine in low light conditions or night riding but it is a problem in bright sunlight. Gear indicator yes; 6 speeds...not so sure. The engine is powerful enough and torqey, that I rarely need to change gear to overtake. I regularly get 22 / 25 ks per litre even at 100 / 110kph on the main roads. What a wonderful engine; just hope they don't drop it when the updated model arrives. But they do need to revise the shape of the screen, as I find it noisy and creates a lot of buffeting compared to the BMW RT, or Triumph Trophy. Hopefully, by the end of 2014, a new or updated model will arrive with the improvements?
I could not agree more with every point you raise. Still, I love my ST. There are some really nice upgrades for improving the visibility of the instrument cluster for about $100-$150. I added a throttle lock, handlebar risers and a few other DIY farkles. Nice video. I love the roads of British Columbia.
+2ndchildhood I am now sitting with 42,000 km on the bike and I love it more than ever. The longer you have this bike the more you realize what a masterpiece it is of motorcycle design. It's amazing the amount of people who don't understand the term "nitpicking" : "looking for small or unimportant errors or faults, especially in order to criticize unnecessarily."
wikki wikki I think the ST1300 Facebook Group's page has several links to people who do these upgrades in the US and the UK.
I intend to keep mine for many years. Yes it handles really well, not razor sharp like a super sport, but the stability through the corners inspires a lot of confidence.
I have owned a 2008 since new and think this is a great sport /tour bike. I do agree that a 6th gear would be nice and the side stand can be a pain when trying to put down. I have a K&N air filter and handle bar riser installed and have also had the seat built up for more long distance comfort. I can't believe the power and smooth operation this bike has as driving at 80++ mph seems like you are only doing 55. (tell that to the cop when stopped for speeding).! I would like to see a cruise control and heated grips along with an electrial outlet installed and maybe a radio as this is a sport tour bike.
Some good comments there especially about gear indicator. I fitted an aftermarket one. Many riders change the screen for something less buffeting. Many riders change the seat and fit bar risers for more comfort. Some change the rear lights to LEDs as the rear lights as standard are a bit dull. A front fender extender is commonly fitted. However overall the build quality and reliability is excellent.
If you think CAD 19,000 is outrageous, try €20,000,00 which is about CAD 28,000 with no options. And complaining about the fuel consumption at CAD 1.45? Man i pay €1,75 which is CAD 2.46.
A 6th gear would be nice. I think that all the time on my Goldwing (they only have a 5 speed trans too). If your thinking about moving to a Goldwing in the future you'll get that same electric feel on those too. At certain speeds I can't tell if the bike is running. Its pretty funny. Honda has gotten into the mode of designing a bike for a very long product run. They haven't changed Goldwings from 2000 to 2015 with the exception of changing the saddlebags slightly for asthetics. I'm not to put off buy not having a gear indicator. You have a good point about pricing. Prices of bikes have gotten pretty high. I'm thinking now that its better to own a few nice used bikes than 1 brand new one that costs $20,000+. Like you mention, different bikes for different purposes. Ride safe.
Thank you, was really considering this bike but the things you pointed out just eat me up as well.
I just had a test ride on a 2005 Honda ST1300 today. Besides the Suzuki 250 I used on my MSF, I have not been on a motorcycle since 1981. I grew up on a Suzuki enduro 250 and rode it for 5 years before i was old enough to drive a car. I really enjoyed my test ride and I felt the bike was really easy to ride in city traffic on an open road. My friends all ride "HOGs" but I am strongly considering the Dark Side. I think I could ride this from coast to coast. The one I road today had cruise control.
$19,000.00 for his bike? I bought a retired police version with 32k on it for $4000.00. I lived in Canada for 10 years and everything up there is more expensive because of government duty's and taxes; not the manufacturer.
OK, So I know it hasn't got quite the same level of weather protection as the ST1300 and it's a chain drive, however the CBF1000F with the Honda GT luggage package comes pretty close to offering the same effortless touring capability as the ST1300 whilst providing you with a lighter, more economical machine and addresses many of your niggles with the ST1300.
Terrific around town whilst offering 140mph top speed (where you can use it) and 55mpg (imperial gallon).
Worth checking it out for sure.
I don't think your thoughts are really nitpicks, because it does have a car like dash, also with the other things too. I agree as you said, it's not the best city or twisty bike, a lightweight bike would work better in that area, then a bike of the weight you're riding, still its a nice bike. Ride safe, yl
Evil, you are absolutely right about the plastic oil filler cover. It is really a pain! I can deal with the gauges and display. It is easy to read, but the lack of gear indicator (even in the latest model) is a bit too close to 'retro'. Kickstand: YES! I have learned to point my toe out and grab it with my heel. I thought I was alone with that point!
I think you purchased the wrong bike if you feel it's too much $ then don't buy it and then complain afterwards, you have so many choices...
Gear indicator...? really, I have my eyes on the road at ALL times, I rarely look at the dashboard other then making sure the oil indicator goes off after starting.
If you know your bike well enough you know what gear you are in, too many bells on whistles on a bike are a driver distraction I think.
Too quiet..? that's one of those great things about this bike as too much noise makes you tired and a tired motor cycle operator shouldn't be driving if you ask me.
I agree with you on the oil filler gap, could have been better.
It's an awesome bike and would never buy anything else.
I agree that it's an awesome bike and I too would not want any other. The video was called "nitpicking". Definition: adjective
1. looking for small or unimportant errors or faults, especially in order to criticize unnecessarily.
Good video. I too bought a yr model "Left-over", a 2010 in 2012. I got a good price on it and for the most part love the bike. I also have some of the same gripes against it, no cruise, not enough gears, the display being had to see in day-light conditions and the stupid cover over the oil fill and what u have to do to take that off. On the good side, I took it to the North Carolina/Tennessee mountains to ride the Dragon's Tail (look it up on you tube), It handled like a dream, gonna keep it!
+OccasionallyEvil , I got my bike for about $19,000, and yet it is now being sold at as low as $11,750. Can you imagine how I felt after I found out about that? If Honda would have marketed it better, Honda would have sold more of it, and it was supposedly an update to your bike. There is no pedal in the back from the gear shifter, and foot pegs, that I saw in frame 6:50 to 7:20 that is an OEM Center Stand. That is a separate feature with the CTX1300 . The instrument LED on mine is white. There is no gear indicator on mine, and I wonder if I can get one now, since the bike is not made anymore. The bike is quiet as well on the road, but you do hear a little whine from the V4 engine at idle. I guess that is what improved from the ST1300 to the CTX1300, as well as the design of it
+renegadebiker24 The "whine" sound is a trademark of the Honda V4 motor. I think that most motorcycles devalue quite fast, still it's nice to have a shiny new one that you can track all the service and history from day 1. I bet there are aftermarket gear indicators you can get. I've just learned to live without.
OccasionallyEvil Hmmmm. yep that is true. I often wondered if that was a trademarked whine sound was only unique to Honda, or if there were other motorcycles with that same sound. I just wonder why the CTX1300 devalued so fast though. I think it was probably due to poor marketing techniques or the "reviews" by "reviewers" that either did not research Honda's horizontal line design, or the way that the motorcycle was based on the wing line design. Yep that is true about tracking the service and history from day 1. Yep, there are probably aftermarket gear indicators, but I wonder where I can find them. I am used to not being without it as well on my CTX 1300.
+renegadebiker24 I have the CTX 1300 delux and bought it July 4th of this year. I paid $11,500 and and they added on the backrest and tailrack included in the price.
I did purchase a aftermarkent gear indicator off Ebay. I haven't installed it. Got it for right around $30..
Bill DeSha Cool, Congratz. That seems like a pretty good price. What color did you get? The red and black one?You got lucky with that one in my opinion. The backrest was not included in mine, and the luggage rack was. Do you have the link of the gear indicator? Did you get the service manual like I have? I got it for about $54 after shipping. The service manual I got is at: www.service-shop-repair-manual.com/honda-ctx1300-ctx1300a-part-61mjn01-service-shop-repair-manual .
Thanks. Yes, I got the service manual with the bike. I'll see if I can't find the link for the gear indicator. Heck, maybe I'll just sell mine to you..
Had a 2005 St1300 traded it for new Gl1800 . Will be buying St1300 again. St1300 better touring bike than Gl1800 as far as Iam concerned.
My 2008 ST1300 has 6 gears and revs 4K @ just over 70 mph (120 kmph). Agree with the side stand moan. Had the bike for a year but still can't get the side stand down cleanly without looking down. Agree with the oil filler panel whinge too. I ride in the thick of London rush hour traffic every day and find this bike a doddle to handle. I even catch up and pass much slimmer bikes filtering between 4-wheeled traffic. The speed is deceptive so have to keep an eye on the speedo especially with the pesky average speed cameras dotted all along the route I take.
+Ana Zan How did you manage to get a 6th gear? Or are you counting "N" as a gear?
Sorry my mistake, it's got 5 gears. But I don't find it a problem. One of my other bikes, a 2003 Yamaha XJ900S Diversion, definitely needs a 6th gear - 70 mph @ 5000 rpm. I love the Pan but a niggle I have is that I find myself changing gears a lot more when filtering at slow speeds, compared to the Diversion. The Diversion will sit in 5th gear quite happily and pull away comfortably from as low as 15 mph (25 kmph)! The Pan is not comfortable to do the same in 5th gear anything below 25 mph. I know I am lazy :( when it come to gear changes.
Get a k&n Hi flow air filter and you'll definitely hear some engine growl it at least some intake growl. I own an ST1300 and I have a k&n installed and love it
HI Michael, I actually did install the K&N filter late last year and it is true what you say. The "growl" is definitely enhanced.
My biggest complaint is also the heat from the engine. I agree that anything over 80F is absolutely miserable. It does dump more heat to the right as said. I leave my windshield down all the time because of the heat. I've even gone as far as taking the fairing off and riding it naked. No heat problems then but it's ugly as hell then. :(
It's definitely NOT a hot weather bike. I don't have as much a problem with heat from the engine as much as the lack of airflow to the rider. The fairings and windshield work too well. So I usually just ride in the cool of the mornings. It's a great bike for Spring and Fall.
OccasionallyEvil There's a range of jackets and pants available now that with the waterproof and thermal liners removed are just mesh and armour that let the wind straight through. I ride with a Shift Trifecta all year round and in the summer when folks is riding in shirtsleeves I still have my skin and pointy out bits covered and cool breeze blowing straight through the jacket.
QUIET is Good.
+stelthy100 I tend to agree with you. On a long trip a noisy bike can become tiring.
Quit is good indeed, but a little dark engine-noise makes the bike "alive". It's like he said, the motor needs te "talk to you". I totally agree with him on all the facts.
Sounds like you need the 2014 CTX 1300 , they must have watched your video and built you the perfect bike
friend and me just picked up two 2012's (new) for $11,499. I always liked the looks of the bike, and I own a CTX1300, with the same power plant
PS. If you want to see I clip of me riding the Pan in NZ; got to the following RUclips address. Honda ST1300 Pan European ride from Kawakawa Bay to Alfriston, Nr Auckland New Zealand Enjoy. My apologies for the wind noise.
with the oil cover why not leave it off or remove it and mod it so you can just pull it off like heavy duty Velcro or a locking catch. for the display change the bulbs if possible to bright led,s
I do agree somewhat. heated grips should have been factory. I do wish my 03 had the power windshield. But I got a great deal on it used obviously. It's got 107,000 well looked after kms. I'll buy another one one day. haha.
oh. why compare it too a zx14 or the like....totally different purpose and rider group
I use an O-ring for my throttle lock. I don't know if it will fit on the ST 1300 or not. Fits between the grip and end bar.
Bike engines are designed to run at 6000 rpm all day long, so I disagree about the need for an extra gear.
+Robert Brandywine I can't recall saying I "needed" the gear. It was more about saving a bit of fuel. The nice thing about the fifth gear is that you don't have to shift down to make a pass. You are always in the "power zone" on the highway. But if you are cruising at a steady pace, a taller gear might save a few pennies.
Oh sure, they'll run "all day long" at 6k. They just won't run as many days like that. Every engine only has a finite # of revs in it before it lets go. No sense wasting them above 3000.
I think his point was that it doesn't hurt the engine to take it to higher revs on occasion. My original point was that since the bike revs @ 4000 rpm at an indicated 120kph, A 6th gear could drop those revs to around 3500 for cruising without any performance penalty. Saves fuel. But hey, that's nitpicking.
Great bike in City traffic very maneuverable at low speed as for the oil filler very well-engineered just takes a little practice ST a gift from Allah
After watching your video I think the only acceptable thing to do is buy a used ST1300. That way, you can say.."yes, I didn't get the heated grips, cruise control, or new digital display, but I only paid $9500 for it" Since I am looking at this bike, what would you say is it's best feature? (torque, seat, ergonomics, handling, suspension, etc) Thank you.
Every bike needs a gear indicator, auto turn signal cancel, compass, and clock.
There is also the Suzuki GSX1250FA. Very inexpensive with a very nice motor. Maybe does not have the fit and finish of the Hondas. It's one I considered if price is a major thing,
i'm in between the honda and the bmw r1200rt...different engines, different problems,...but after watching this video, i think i'll go for the german 2 cillinder.
you forgot "Lack of self-cancelling turn signals"...at this price...really??
I agree with the bit about it being too quiet. I rode a Yamaha FJR1300 for a while, and it too was too quiet, especially since I ride with earplugs.
Cruise Control - Agree
Price - Agree
Needs 6th Gear - Agree
Dash - meh. I'm okay with it, prefer analogs, never had a problem seeing the digital portion.
Kickstand - no problem for me.
Oil Fill challenge - agree
Quiet Bike - disagree. I like the sound. The ST can get a fine intake roar going, but it's generally a stealthy ride.
City bike - disagree. In my experience, the ST1300 is a fantastic bike for the city. Why? Because it has massive storage capacity. For more than 2 years, the ST was my sole transportation. Would similar storage capacity with lighter weight be nice, sure. But w/o the power windshield? No thanks, I'll keep my porky ST rather than give up that power windshield.
I've put 50k miles on my second ST1300 so far, my first passed to the Great Twisties at 56k. Between the two I've got 46 US states and 2 Canadian Provinces under my belt, so it's not like I'm unfamiliar with the bikes.
John Sanford If you wear a heavily tinted visor in daylight (as I and many do) I don't know how you can read the digital information. If the sun is shining directly on it, it's fine. Or in dark shadows the illumination is visible. Otherwise, almost impossible. There are a LOT of complaints about this digital read out, why wouldn't Honda just change it to a very readable black on grey. Honda can be a very stubborn company. I am closing in on 40,000km with mine and still love it.
OE, I wear a heavily tinted visor. And I frequently use the internal sun visor also, i.e. at the same time. Perhaps it's because other than an occasional glance at my fuel level, I've no need to see the digital portion of the clocks when I'm moving, so it's not a factor for me. As for why Honda hasn't changed it, well, I'm sure it's the same reason they haven't changed much of the rest of the bike. Whatever that reason may be...
You nailed it!!!
I would rather have the New CTX1300 for less than $19K and the power is down low where it is usable, I hate digital gauges, I would much rather have analog gauges, No Premium gas needed for the CTX1300, I like a quiet engine drive train, the CTX1300 sounds better than the ST1300 does The CTX has More HP and Torque up to 5000RPM than the ST1300 does.
That is much more usable power range where most people need more power, from Idle to 5000RPM, away from a stop and for passing.
GOOD points about the price, that's just BS and insulting to the consumer,Actually, the reviwere did an A-1 job.
Look, I'm a Honda guy, had and have their cars,minivans,on and off-road bikes, you name it. I also had an ST1300, an 03 for a year, then got rid of it. Replaced with a BMW 1200GT, which exposed the ST for the turkey it was and is.
Why ? 1. The exhaust note drove me nuts, that high pitched 'whistle' remains even with an aftermarket exhaust.
2. CRUISE CONTROL. Once a touring/sport touring type rider has it you won't consider another bike without it.
3.No heated grips ?
4. The heat ! This is a great example of what to me is evidence of Honda being in decline in the street bike segment. That's freakin' tragic.
4. Apologists will speak of the dependability, which is true, and the windscreen, also true. But so do a lot of bikes nowadays. To pay even 15 grand for what is now a fat, dependable turkey you'd have to be nuts.
Honda should be embarrassed. Doug