My fat old ST1300

[Jim C-G]

It's been a while since I was here except for a quick checkin. After my accident in 2023 when I did not get hurt but my ST suffered enough damage for me to make a rational decison to not put her back on the road... well, I think I had an identity crisis. Who was I? Where did I belong?
Being on a tight budget I picked up a '94 GL1500 and rode it 25,000 km around the continent last summer. I'm back.
I have come to the realization that this "vintage" Goldwing is really just an ST1300 that has had too many donut and coffee breaks and although carrying a little extra around the waist, she still thinks of herself as nimble young filly, i.e. an ST1300 in disguise.
I've missed the forum. I'm still posting videos and I will be around a lot more.

 

[SupraSabre]

We are just glad to see that you're still at it and filling us with your adventures!

I hope your Wing takes you where you want to go, without too many issues along the way!

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Hi Jim, nice to see you back.

When you get around to it I would be interested in your comparisons between pulling your trailer with an ST1300 vs the GL.
I pulled a trailer for a little bit with my ST1300 and I thought that it was a little much for that bike. Then again it was a heavy trailer, to heavy for the ST1300 in my opinion so I sold the trailer.

 

[Upt' North]

A nice looking 1500.
In my eyes the best looker of all GW's but what do I know.
I've never owned one and don't think I ever will but did ride an ex Texas Police bike many years ago. It was sublime. It just wafted you into the future at a pace to suit your mood. Blummin big though.
Enjoy fella.
Upt.

 

[Jim C-G]

Hi Jim, nice to see you back.

When you get around to it I would be interested in your comparisons between pulling your trailer with an ST1300 vs the GL.
I pulled a trailer for a little bit with my ST1300 and I thought that it was a little much for that bike. Then again it was a heavy trailer, to heavy for the ST1300 in my opinion so I sold the trailer.

I found the ST pulled the Mini Mate well (probably 450-500 lb. when full) but the higher gearing meant going from stop felt a little strained. Not much, but a little. The old Goldwing being a couple of hundred CCs bigger and with lower gearing hauls the trailer much better. Because the Goldwing's top gear is more of a crusing gear or overdrive, I did find myself downshifting more often on hills.

 

[Jim C-G]

We are just glad to see that you're still at it and filling us with your adventures!

I hope your Wing takes you where you want to go, without too many issues along the way!

There weren't too many issues but they'll all come up in the videos. I made it home. I do kick my ass for not reaching out more on the forum when I was in Cedar City.

 

[gunsmoker]

A month before l ever laid eyes on the Honda ST 1300 that I eventually bought,
I did a 10 mile test ride on a 1990s Goldwing GL 1500.

So later when I test-rode the ST 1300,
it looked (from the saddle) felt, and sounded very familiar ! I said to myself
"this is like a 9/10 scale gold wing."

 

[Moto-Charlie]

I've missed the forum. I'm still posting videos and I will be around a lot more.

I watched your videos with regard to the demise of your ST1300 and acquisition of your "new" GL1500, including your mishap on the GL. Glad to see you were uninjured in both cases and that you were able to get some significant riding in on your GL. Keep posting, be well and stay safe.