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Screw it and do it? That s how i left for my first long tour! Now you get to fake it until you make it!Well, I finally said "enough" to my looming paralysis by analysis and opted for a new strategy. One I'm calling "Screw It, and Do It".
I finished up work earlier than expected on Wednesday and on a whim decided to reach out to the ST1100 owner who was about an hour southwest of me. He had been out of town and unable to show the bike, but I knew that once he was back and the weekend hit, it was going to go fast. I had read everything I could find online and watched every video review on Youtube (or at least, so it felt). It was time to go see it in person. By this point I had decided two important things: 1.) I actually preferred the aesthetics of the older ST11 to the newer ST13. Go figure... And, 2.) I could work on the ST11 indefinitely with my mechanical aptitude and it's simpler systems. But I was still a bit skeptical of the older bike. After all, I had a lead on an '08 ST13 that was $300 CHEAPER and only had 50k miles on the clock. But, as so many of you pointed out, a bike has to speak to you, regardless of what all the tests, specs, and reviews show...
So, as I said, on a whim, I contacted the seller and asked if he was available to meet right now. As in, "Hi, are you home? I'm taking a chance and already driving that direction and will be there in about an hour..." He was available, and he was home, and so, I swung on by and checked out the bike. Let me just say, it is immaculate. 14,600 miles on the clock. He bought it from the original owner in 2011. The seller turned out to be an ST11 nut himself. You see, he used to be a V-twin rider (think Harley) who never would give the Honda bikes a second glance. That is, until he rode one for a few hours on a trip with his son to Yellowstone. As soon as he got home, he bought one for himself. Then he made it his mission to find the best one he could. And so, he started with a 1993, then a 1997, and finally, this 2001 that he acquired in 2011 with 5,000 miles on it. He only added 10k in the last 10 years. A few trips here and there and riding around town. He's currently restoring a 1967 Ford Mustang and it was reassuring to know that a true gearhead had owned this bike and had lovingly cared for it while it was in his possession. We had a good time talking, discussing cars and motorcycles and the inherant enjoyment involved in being able to take care of your own stuff. Needless to say, he was quickly winning me over to the ST11... In the end, a call to my wife was all it took to push me over the edge. She's tired of me endlessly researching these bikes and just wanted me to be happy with whatever I got, so she was quick to say "Well, if you like it, and it's in good condition, and you can work on it, you should probably stop over thinking this and just get it already." Enough said. The seller and I drove to the credit union and did the paperwork.
I rode it home today and I'm in love. It's everything I hoped it would be and I can't imagine I need any "more" bike for my return to riding after a 5 year hiatus. Here she is...
The bike has a saddleman seat, Heli-Bars, a CB system that is a bit archaic, a GIVI top box, PIAA driving lights, Motorcycle Larry highway blades, and is wired for heated clothing. He also threw in a new set of Michelin tires that he'd purchased last season but hadn't gotten around to installing yet. I was really pleased with the deal and he was a great guy to work with all around. He would've kept it but he just can't ride anymore.
So, nothing left to do but head home. And so I did. I stopped half way and one of the lakes I take my kids fishing on. There's a nice scenic overlook that I've never stopped at because I always just go to the boat ramp that's 10 seconds further down the road. Today I pulled in. It also amazed me how many things I saw on that particular stretch of road from the vantage point of the bike that I hadn't noticed before, even though I've driven it dozens of times in my truck on the way to go fishing. Just a great reminder of why seeing the world from the saddle of a motorcycle really is the best way to do it.
Now I just need to figure out a windscreen solution, as with my height and my choice of helmet, my head got tossed about so badly I had a headache by the time I got home (about an 80 mile trip). The stock screen is just perfectly tall enough to hit my head with all the turbulence you could ever want. I honestly think I'd be better off just removing it than leaving it where it is... And then, secondly, I have questions about radar detectors. Seriously. I'm no speed demon. I haven't had a moving violation since I was in college almost 20 years ago. BUT this bike just wants to go about 20mph over the limit, minimum. So any suggestions on either of those would be much appreciated.
Thank you all again for your phenomenal input and free offer of information on my other thread. I truly appreciate it. Even though I recognize the consensus seemed to say "buy the ST13". But man, I just really was drawn to the ST11. And I'm perfectly happy with my decision (Which is saying a lot for someone who tends to grossly overthink things like me).
I really look forward to becoming a part of this community and to meeting some of you in the near future!
). But is still met the legal definition of a sidecar outfit as the front wheel was not central. Despite my earlier comment, they were really cool in real life! Have a few photos from the French Amicale Sidecarrist de France rally in 2015. Different machines but gives a better overall view.
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Andrew in post #35 sums up what you need to know in my humble opinion. 