Should I buy an ST1100 or ST1300?

Horsehead

Horsehead

Slow Pokin' the Southeast
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
159
Age
39
Location
Greensboro, NC
Bike
'01 ST1100
Hello everyone,

My first post. Quick introduction. I'm Jeff from Central North Carolina. I learned many many years ago that internet forums are the place to learn whatever you need to know about a multitude of things and I'm greatly excited to find this forum. I'm very mechanically inclined and plan to do the majority of maintenance on whatever I get myself.

I am 37 years old and after a 5 year or so hiatus from motorcycling am ready for a new machine. I previously owned a Honda Shadow 1200 that I described, accurately I think, as a 2 wheeled tractor, and a Suzuki Bandit 1200 that was a proper motorcycle as I had always thought of what a bike should be.

Well, I did one "long" trip on the Bandit (NC to PA and back) and I quickly learned the seat was AWFUL and the wind protection minimal. I was utterly exhausted after both legs of the trip and I vowed that whenever it came time to buy a new bike, I'd remember I ain't getting any younger and I'd buy something a lot more comfortable and a bit more sensible.

So my current search began... I originally had fallen in love with the early 2000s BMW R series bikes. But after much research I've decided I simply don't want to mess with / spend the kind of money it apparently takes to own a BMW. Enter the ST series Hondas. With all my reading I've learned that these ST bikes are truly great machines, in it for the long haul, with not a lot of fuss, that just do what you need them to mile after mile and year after year.

So, the problem I'm facing now is "paralysis by analysis"... Something I deal with frequently.


Basically, the long and short of it is I am stuck between the 1100 or the 1300. I have been shopping around and as it stands now, I can get a 2000-01 ST1100 for around $3k with very low mileage (talking around 20K on the clock) or a 2004-06 ST1300 with medium mileage (around 50K) for around $4k.

I have read everything I can find, and watched every review I can find and I just don't know what to do...

Coming off my history with the bandit, the idea of a sport(ier) bike is appealing, but I know that neither of these bikes will really live up to what that one could do as far as sheer fun factor could. I also recognize I haven't ridden in about 5 years and I don't want to get in over my head. Having said that I was always a very contentious / conservative rider and never felt the need to race through the twisties or do wheelies getting onto the interstate.

If it matters, my wife has no interest in 2 up riding. My trips will be limited to day trips of around 3-500 miles max and the odd overnighter here and there.

There is an ST1100 available about an hour away from me I'd like to go out and see, and a ST1300 about 2.5 hours away from me I'd also like to look at. But realistically driving all over the place without a clear direction on which way to go with the purchase is a bit frustrating.

Any help you might offer would be much appreciated.
 
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There are plenty of riders who prefer the 1100 over the 1300. And, yes, it's ST, not RT.

I suggest doing what I did: Do internet searches for "ST1100 vs ST1300" for videos and similar discussions.
 
Something to think about is this, the older the bike the more difficult to find a mechanic to complete repairs/maintenance beyond your abilities. I can get my '06 ST1300A repaired at the local shop but try and find a mechanic to take on my '74 CT Trail 90??? If you're a clone of IGOFAR, then the choices are endless...
 
Here's how I solved that question....one each St1100 and St1300.

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Had an opportunity to get a 2006 cheaply. My wife prefers the back seat ride on the 1991 so we kept both.

The 1100 was refurbished back in the Fall. LOTS of age related issues with water, fuel and vent hoses and fittings so I replaced them all. There are several ST1100 Rebuild or Refurbishment stories under the 'Search' button. Parts are mostly still available for the 1300's, parts for the 1100's are drying up...especially those that are wear items or break during a drop. I've found that Ebay is a friend in that department...along with the online sources, Roy Ayers, Partzilla, Revzilla, and some others...and Honda, of course.

Handling on both is excellent, with the 1300 being a bit more responsive in that department. The 1100 feels more stable at highway speeds. Both are excellent in the brake and acceleration departments. Both are comfortable rides and very reliable on trips...just a quick once over, fluid checks, load up and off we go.

My caution.....The bodywork can hide looming issues. I remove it all at least once a year and inspect hoses, leaks, road crud, and electrical connectors (dirt, corrosion, overheating)...and clean everything I can reach. And by all means, change out the fluids and filters on schedule and clean/grease the rear drive components whenever you change tires. All of these tasks are documented on this website, just make use of the 'Search'....and the shop manual.
 
Wow....you ask the tough questions!
Personally, I went with the ST1300- I had ridden vintage BMW's for 25 years, and although I loved my Airheads, i was ready for something a bit more high tech, with less idiosyncrasies, more power, and a tad more comfy.
My "conversion" from "Airheaded-ness" was occasioned by a trip out west. We flew out to Vegas, and rented a Gold Wing a couple times, for week long trips. I saw that there were bikes comparable to Airheads in durability, which were much more comfortable, and yet not much tougher to work on. The Wing was a bit large, and well, a bit too, *ahem* , shall we say , OLD for me at the time, but the ST fit like a glove. Yes, it lacked the "soul" of my beloved Airheads, but it also lacked the amount of maintenance needed on 35 year old bikes, and it was great for two up touring.
I'd lean toward the 1300, if only for the fuel injection and better access to parts.
 
For me it was simple: with my length of 1.94m (6.4ft), the ST100 is too small: knees have not enough space. The ST1300 has an adjustable seat
 
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Welcome. How you feel about working on carbs vs. fuel injection will be a pretty big factor in your decision I would think. I believe it was 2008 that Honda changed the 1300's ECU; earlier years are prone to the dreaded FI code 25/26 problem when the bike gets to around 60K miles. There are varying schools of thought on how to fix it, but a new ECU will cost you over $700. So if you decide on a 1300, try to get a 2008 or newer to avoid the problem entirely.

Whatever you choose, check out Uncle Phil's annual Blue Ridge Gathering in Balsam, NC.
 
I have a 1100. I can burn the cheapest fas and it runs fine. It weighs a little less. I miss the power shield on the 13 a lot.
both are great bikes but i like that the 11 is a bit smaller
 
I forgot to say, i rode my 11 everywhere last year and am leaving april to do it again.
i have complete confidence in my 25 year old bike
 
In my case, I preferred the look of the 1100, which made the decision easy for me. Especially since I found mine a few miles away for $500USD, with 3 seats, new rubber, etc.

I’m fine with carbs so the EFI vs carb question wasn’t an issue.

Regardless of which you choose, for whichever reason you choose it, you’ll be happy, I’m sure of it!
 
ST1100s are simpler and a lot less trouble to maintain than the ST1300, IMHO.
I have 4 of them, three with over 100,000 miles on the clock and would not hesitate to ride cross country on any of them.
ST1300 leans more to the 'sport' side, the ST1100 more to the tour side - but either one will do nicely in the right hands. ;)
The ST1100 tends feel a bit more stable to me than the ST1300.
 
To me, my 2005 looks like a 2021 model if they still made them. Just on Friday a guy raced up to me at a stop light and started yelling to me, "where did you get those cool saddle bags, they are moulded so tight to the bike", told them they came with the bike. So he said "oh yeah it's a Gold Wing.
 
The 1100 is carbureted and the 1300 is fuel injected. There are ample parts available for both models and it just comes down to which series design do you like more??
As for production runs, I’m starting to see more 2021 ST1300’s popping up while the 1100 was discontinued almost 20 years ago.
Mechanic wise, bikes I do overhauls on are typically good for another 10-15 years. I’m out of ATL if you need assistance.
 
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I was also out of motorcycling for about 5 years previously owning 3 different ST's , 1100's and 1300's. When I started looking around for something new I couldn't really settle on anything. Wanted a new Goldwing DCT but didn't want to spend 20K+. The things I look for in a motorcycle are: smooth, quiet, comfortable and fast. Also some wind/weather protection and luggage capacity are important. In addition I always enjoyed the Honda reliability, durability, fit and finish and the dealer network. Anyway I ended up on a "new" 2017 ST1300 Police bike. For me there's just nothing better out there.
My only concern on an 1100 would be the age, heading out of town on a 25 year old bike would make me a little uneasy. When you get to that age you start thinking about fuel pumps, timing belts, water pumps, alternators, etc going out, something you can't plan for on a trip.
 
I have no experience with the ST 1300, other than which one I prefer the looks of . So can't help you there . I was in your shoes 6 months ago , and got some good help here. About the ST1100 , Know this : there are pre and post 96 models . Post 96 have a Much better alternator. Post 96 models may or may not have ABS. The ABS also have linked brakes (bigger 3 pot calipers front and back), bigger forks and wider wheels , I belive . Buy the nicest you can find. I haven't had any problems finding service parts . Good luck !
 
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