Buying advice - any particular year of ST1300 I should look for?

cyberwolf009 said:
I've been browsing this site for a few weeks now - lots of great info! I'm pretty much sold on an ST1300 and on the look out for a relatively inexpensive one. I've seen mostly pre '07 bikes in the price range I'm hoping for. Are there any particular years that are better than others for some reason? Thanks!
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Get an 04. There are a few for sale in excellent condition and low miles. That is the only year with a unique color.
 
I would avoid a 16 year old bike with only 8,700 miles, especially if it's been sitting for any length of time. I'd expect you'd be doing some sort of maintenance every time you ride it. Seals, hoses, connectors "decay" when not used.
 
cyberwolf009 said:
Thanks for all the info. Got a chance to look at a couple side-by-side at a local shop. It looks like risers are a must for me. Besides that, I'm sold. Just need to look at some of the others available, and there are quite a few.
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I picked up a 2008 , Red , a few months ago , thanks to being on this Chat Forum. Just over 22000 on it . Bike is going in shop next week to Bleed out the clutch slave and check it out , probably new fluid too .Love the bike and color , just hoping this procedure takes care of my current troubles ,which a few guys seem to think bleeding needed to fix the clutch,we shall see !!
 
Whooshka said:
I would avoid a 16 year old bike with only 8,700 miles, especially if it's been sitting for any length of time. I'd expect you'd be doing some sort of maintenance every time you ride it. Seals, hoses, connectors "decay" when not used.
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Nope. The process is that you do a monstrous amount of work before you ride it - then you live happily ever after with a machine that has "like new" aesthetics and a long happy life ahead of it. Once you restore it, it is good. Lots of people get snared in the trap of low mileage = won't need any work. The reverse is true. I have a high mileage ST and a low mileage ST. The high mileage bike runs like a top. The low mileage bike needs lots of work. But, when it is finished, it will look and run like new. The old one will probably still be running too, but the years and miles are taking their toll. When finished, I'll have a pristine bike and a dog-eared bike. Both can be enjoyed for what they are. Depends on what you want and what you are willing (or not willing) to do to get it.
 
IIRC, there were three recalls on the 2003.
If done, there were punch marks put into a specific spot on the bike. Can’t remember where.
Worth looking into.
 
beemerphile said:
Nope. The process is that you do a monstrous amount of work before you ride it - then you live happily ever after with a machine that has "like new" aesthetics and a long happy life ahead of it. Once you restore it, it is good. Lots of people get snared in the trap of low mileage = won't need any work. The reverse is true. I have a high mileage ST and a low mileage ST. The high mileage bike runs like a top. The low mileage bike needs lots of work. But, when it is finished, it will look and run like new. The old one will probably still be running too, but the years and miles are taking their toll. When finished, I'll have a pristine bike and a dog-eared bike. Both can be enjoyed for what they are. Depends on what you want and what you are willing (or not willing) to do to get it.
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OK so before rather than after. It will still need a "monstrous" amount of work. Add those costs into the purchase too. Not ideal if your looking to buy a bike and ride.
 
schlep1967 said:
I'm thinking you should look at the 08 on the for sale page. O8 for sale
With very little creativity you can get your iron butt challenge out of the way on trip home.
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The '08 was a little above my budget, but I'm actually working on finalizing a trip to pick up an '04 near my parents house in PA. I just noticed you're in Hbg., Schlep. Any recommendations on a small shop in that area (or even better on the West Shore) that knows these bikes? I think I'd get a once-over done if there was one close.
 
cyberwolf009 said:
The '08 was a little above my budget, but I'm actually working on finalizing a trip to pick up an '04 near my parents house in PA. I just noticed you're in Hbg., Schlep. Any recommendations on a small shop in that area (or even better on the West Shore) that knows these bikes? I think I'd get a once-over done if there was one close.
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Good luck finding a shop anywhere that knows these bikes.
 
cyberwolf009 said:
The '08 was a little above my budget, but I'm actually working on finalizing a trip to pick up an '04 near my parents house in PA. I just noticed you're in Hbg., Schlep. Any recommendations on a small shop in that area (or even better on the West Shore) that knows these bikes? I think I'd get a once-over done if there was one close.
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Some dealers have never seen one. It's kind of fun to ride in and ask for an oil change and they ask what it is. Happened to me in Virginia. Let the whole shop ride it. They know now.
 
cyberwolf009 said:
The '08 was a little above my budget, but I'm actually working on finalizing a trip to pick up an '04 near my parents house in PA. I just noticed you're in Hbg., Schlep. Any recommendations on a small shop in that area (or even better on the West Shore) that knows these bikes? I think I'd get a once-over done if there was one close.
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Sorry I'm a little late getting back to you. There is a local shop that I know has worked on an 1100. Not sure about the 1300. Regardless of where you go I would remove any plastics required to do the maintenance you want done. The local shop is Wilder's Motorsports It is a very small local shop with no dealer affiliation. When are you planning to come to the area? There are a few local current or former 1300 owners in the area that I know have some experience with maintaining their own bikes.

PM me with any questions so I get an email telling me to look. I don't visit this site as often as I used too.
 
Thanks for the reply. Wilder's is right in my old stompin' grounds, although I had no interest in motorcycles at that time.

I plan to pick up the bike on 9/11. I'll see at that point if anything needs more experience than I have to offer. From talking to the owner it sounds like everything should be good and maintenance is up-to-date, so hopefully I'm just over-thinking it.
 
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