ST1300 longevity

[Beajae]

I have an 2006 ST1300 with approximately 50,000 mi on the odometer. The only thing I have done to it so far is oil and tire changes, thermostat and brake fluid replacement. It still runs great but am at the point where I need to decide to whether to spend the money on upgrades, maintenance and repairs or purchase a new bike. I have never checked the valves, the suspension is getting a little weak and I would like to add cruise control as my wrist and hand gets awfully sore. Could use a better seat also. I love the bike and so far, have no problem handling it (yet) and really can't find new a bike that compares. Any thoughts. How long will my bike be reliable and not nickel and dime me.

 

[woodybelle]

Based on my 2006 with 100,000 miles I would say that you should be able to go at least to 150k before needing anything major like hoses, alternator, clutch, u joints or water pump. It is a Honda after all.

 

[Daboo]

If my BMW F800GT could get past 100K, don't you think a Honda could do better?

Seriously, you have a bike with an engine the same size as one of my cars in the past, and putting out more horsepower than several of my other cars. It's not working hard at all at whatever speed you ride at. I think one of the riders here has 300,000 miles (not km) on his. If I did my math right, you're averaging 2600 miles a year. I'd keep it. Your bike is not going to be worn out in the next 20 years.

really can't find new a bike that compares

We all like to "window shop" when a new bike comes out, but if we're smart we start looking at what the new bike will give us vs what the additional cost will be...and go away smiling with the bike we already have.

Chris

 

[Erdoc48]

I ‘window shop’ as well, see what things cost these days, realize what I have, then ride away smiling as you said. As far as reliability, all vehicles will wear (or in the case of a bike, suspension, seats, etc. will wear)- repair and replace what’s needed and ride on- these Hondas (I can speak of my 1100s and my Silverwing) are insanely reliable. The 1300 my brother keeps in CO is equally reliable. The decision to get a replacement bike oftentimes is an emotional one- there will always be a better, faster, etc. bike out there than what you have- in 6 months or so, it’ll likely be ‘old’ to you and likely have no benefit over what you currently have. I’d love a new GW (meaning newest generation) but I can’t justify it based on the current riding I do, and I’ve done some upgrades to my existing bike to make it as ‘GW like’ as I possibly can (well, for me anyway).

 

[core-aggie]

How long will my bike be reliable and not nickel and dime me.

You've never heard of the "million mile" Honda riders? Such as Allan Zahrt and Phil Steiner ??

Allan Zahrt reached one million miles on his 1975 Gold Wing. Phil Steiner, have reported impressive mileage on his Gold Wings.

And hey, in 2024, Phil was 82.5 years old. Steiner figured he’s ridden over 2 million miles on Gold Wings in his lifetime, earning him the nickname “Million-Mile” Phil.

 

[docw1]

I think 2008 is when Honda upgraded the ST1300 a bit and it's the same as my 2012, which now has over 194,000 miles on it. Still on the same clutch. Did have to change out the clutch slave cylinder and the SMC. Repaired the rear shock, but that's to be expected eventually. Checked the valves once a year or so and although a couple are near the limit, have never adjusted any, Parts are still available. I'd say to keep it.

 

[MidLife]

....Your bike is not going to be worn out in the next 20 years.

But still needs maintenance. Fine if you can do your own wrenching.

It is getting harder to find mechanics willing/able to work on the 1300, some even turning down bikes more than 10 year old.

I'd keep the 1300 forever if I could find a mechanic for it. Most shops don't even know what this bike is anymore....including dealerships!

Ironically, there is one shop I go to where the owner knows about the 1300...but he's been on an 1100 forever and much prefers it!

 

[SupraSabre]

At 50K miles, it's just barely broken in!

My first, 2005 ST1300 had 174.3K miles on it when I sold it to my son in Portland and that was back in 2013. He now has over 190K on it and it's still going strong.

My other four ST1300s have plenty of miles on them and plenty more to go. And although I only have two left (both with under 50K), I have no issues to worry about on either at this point.

The one thing I would say, get yourself a manual, so you can do the work yourself.

 

[Daboo]

The decision to get a replacement bike oftentimes is an emotional one- there will always be a better, faster, etc. bike out there than what you have- in 6 months or so, it’ll likely be ‘old’ to you and likely have no benefit over what you currently have.

I think there are two ways to look at life and especially vehicles we use. One is to always be consumed by what the Marketing folks decide we can't live without. The other is to look at what we have and be happy with it.

The Honda ST's were always considered as one of the ultimate sport-touring bikes. Despite the years going by, what made them so great has not changed. Sure, now I can get this electronic gizmo or that one...but those are not the core of what makes a bike great. They're fluff.

Chris

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Have read through some of the below to get an idea about longevity of an ST1300. He is closing in on 500,000 miles now.

ST1300 splines at 300,000 miles TS70 moly! | Cleaning, Oil, Maint.

I mounted a new rear tire today so I was into the rear end of course. I kind of cleaned up the splines and took a picture. I've used TS70 moly since the first tire change. No affiliation I just think the product has served me well. The ST1300 has 299,550 miles. Also still has the factory...

www.st-owners.com

300,000 miles on the Black Pearl. | Mileage MileSTones

I have 303,158 miles on the bike now. More than enough to know that at least 300,000 of those miles I rode. I bought the bike new in May of 2009. Runs like new even looks like new from 150 feet! Best purchase I've ever made. Never had a mechanical failure that left me walking. The bike has...

www.st-owners.com

350,000 on the Black Pearl | Mileage MileSTones

I rolled over to 350,000 on my last trip down state. Mellow says the latest software doesn't turn the award request post into a thread anymore so here's my humble-brag thread. 2006 ST1300 bought new by me on May 23rd 2009 as a "leftover" new bike for $10,500. I added an Audiovox cruise control...

www.st-owners.com

400000 miles | Mileage MileSTones

400,000 miles on it now! I did a 202 mile ride today and the Black Pearl is new again! 3 times new now!! If you don't know the ST1300 speedometer only goes to 199,999 and then it rolls over to all new again. I hit 350,000 December 3rd 2022 and decided I wanted to try to hit 400000 in less than...

www.st-owners.com

How I serviced the bike | Videos

Some of you have asked (nobody) how I serviced the Black Pearl so well to have made it last so long. This is not my video but it is about a copy of how I service my bike. I did this at each oil change which is every 10,000 miles. ;)

www.st-owners.com

Blackstone oil report numbers discussion. | Cleaning, Oil, Maint.

I sent an oil sample off when my ST1300 turned over to 400,000 miles (discuss that over there) and on the sample report it's a bit not what I expected. When I first got the bike new in 2009 at 2,000 miles I went to Rotella T6 oil which I had been using for years in my old Honda Valkyries. Back...

www.st-owners.com

Do you think the 422,000 mile ST1300 is still up to a 1,000 mile day? | Ride Reports

I doubt you really had to click the thread to know the answer to that question. But anyway, yesterday I woke at WISTOC from a good warm sleeping bag with thoughts of the next couple cold days running around in my head. The Kevin's had promised temps as low as 32 degrees and my blood has adapted...

www.st-owners.com

 

[JetRanger]

Based on my 2006 with 100,000 miles I would say that you should be able to go at least to 150k before needing anything major like hoses, alternator, clutch, u joints or water pump. It is a Honda after all.

Yikes! That means I've only got 120k miles to go on mine.

 

[leonides]

I have an 2006 ST1300 with approximately 50,000 mi on the odometer. The only thing I have done to it so far is oil and tire changes, thermostat and brake fluid replacement. It still runs great but am at the point where I need to decide to whether to spend the money on upgrades, maintenance and repairs or purchase a new bike. I have never checked the valves, the suspension is getting a little weak and I would like to add cruise control as my wrist and hand gets awfully sore. Could use a better seat also. I love the bike and so far, have no problem handling it (yet) and really can't find new a bike that compares. Any thoughts. How long will my bike be reliable and not nickel and dime me.

I sold my 2006 with 32K miles on it, the engine was untouch, I did minor customicing details on it.
The reason to sell it was I was at this time 81 years old and the bike was kind of too high and too heavy for me.
I miss her every day, it was the best bike I ever had. Now I ride a Honda shadow and a Harley Sportster, they are not even close to the ST.
If you can handle it, do not sell it.

 

[ST Gui]

It depends on what you all nickel and dime. You'll need small stuff in the next 50,000 mi. Parts will be harder to get. Likely fewer and fewer dealers will be familiar with the ST. The engine is near bulletproof. The rest of the bike is more subject to the vagaries of time and use. Mishaps may mean damage to plastics that can or won't be easily replaced or repaired.

You've already mentioned the suspension. Are you capable of removing the shock assembly and sending it ou

So can you and do you like to do your own maintenance. Finding a modern bike to replace the ST isn't easy. Changing your priorities to find a bike you like is – comparatively. I knew a couple of people what had some real money and at 50K mi it was time for a new bike. Always. Occasionally it was another copy. Occasionally it was a different bike.

Hang onto it a little longer before deciding whether or not to move on. Read the site to get better handle on what might be needed when and if it's something you can and are willing to do. There's lots of good accurate advice here that you won't get anywhere else.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[Larry Fine]

I have an '07 with over 170K miles on it.

 

[SMSW]

I confess to being amazed many years ago when I learned that folks in the west were driving their cars for 20 years or longer, recovering seats, painting the car and doing other cosmetic upgrades in addition to the usual maintenance when us folks in the east had our cars rust out in less than 10 years. Bikes (except in the UK) don't rust out here. If you keep up with regular maintenance, you should not need much more than hoses, a water pump, thermostat and maybe an alternator in the first 200k miles. The engine is good for far more than that. The key is regular preventative maintenance. From a financial aspect, fixing the bike and keeping it will be far cheaper than replacing it with anything similar. And insurance will be less, too.

 

[Daboo]

I confess to being amazed many years ago when I learned that folks in the west were driving their cars for 20 years or longer

My Subaru Outback XT is 20 years old. People nowadays are longing for simple things like knobs for controls and such. I have knobs. No touch screen. Just knobs, buttons and a functionally laid out dash. And my 20 year old car that runs like new.

And no one can decide to turn off my car remotely because they feel like it. Insurance companies don't...can't...monitor...what I'm doing either.

A different train of thought...
One thing I've picked up from this thread is many are looking for a replacement to the ST1100/1300. It seems like you're thinking you need another 650-720 lb bike to do "touring". And you're getting older. (The thought occurs to me that I could get banned for what I'll say next...) Sigh... I hope Mellow is in a good mood.

I think some of you need to reevaluate where the technology is today.

• You don't need weight. Your bikes weigh at least 200 lbs more than mine does.
• You don't need a car engine to do 70 mph and more on the freeways. I get by with 90-100 hp...and can keep up with you all day long with ease. The hp figures are more for the Marketing folks to convince you that you can't live without it. But actual roads and your tire's contact patch don't lie.
• You don't need a shaft drive. I had a belt drive on my F800GT and the first belt lasted 53,000 miles. No maintenance on the belt during that time. The F900XR I have now has a chain. Oh my gosh, what will the world come to next???!!! I have 9600 miles on the bike now (in less than a year) and it hasn't needed to be adjusted and shows no wear to the chain or sprockets. Technology has changed what we all knew from before. A chain drive has a lot of advantages, and now few disadvantages.

When I did a test ride on a F800GT, I was amazed at how it handled turbulence on the freeways. My ride at the time was a Honda NT700V. A superb sports-touring bike that had excellent wind management...and weighed a hundred pounds more than the BMW F800GT. How could this be? I was genuinely surprised. Yet the BMW bike cut through the air better and was a hundred pounds lighter...with 50% more horsepower. Nice combination. And my BMW F900XR is in many ways a far better sports-touring bike than my F800GT was.

So what is a "sports-touring" bike? I think the concept has changed over the years along with the technology. If you needed 700 lbs and a car engine to get you down the road comfortably...why do I read that the mileage in this thread is so little...with a few exceptions? The OP has a 2006...with 50,000 miles on it? I'm not trying to be rude, but that seems like a garage queen. I'll have that many miles (if my body can keep up) in three years...not 19-20.

My F800GT had 107,000 miles on it when I traded it in. If the rear wheel bearing hadn't seemed dodgy and more importantly, my wife had not told me to buy a new bike, I'd still have it. 800ccs. 100K+ miles...and it ran like a champ. And took me over two-thirds of the US comfortably, year after year.

My point is not to sell BMWs. I could care less about the manufacturer. My point is that we have a great sport-touring bike now in the ST's...and close our minds to where the motorcycle industry has evolved to. It's not all bad.

Chris