St1300 towing limits

Raia

Raia

Joined
Jan 14, 2018
Messages
184
Location
New jersey
Bike
St1300PA
Thinking about towing with my st, looking for some feedback on how they tow and what’s there weight limit.
 
Larry Fine said:
STs tow well, but I imagine that Honda says zero. Here's my '01:
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Yes, the ST1300 is a very good tow bike. I've towed with my old CB1300, a mate's BMW 1200GS and the ST1300, the ST was by far the best, probably due the 330kg mass.

I've had four trailers, three Classic trailers, one Elite camper trailer (heaviest of the four).

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Next to the Mazda6, to provide some perspective
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Although the AGM was 230kg, I suspect the total mass was over 300kg when trailer and esky were fully loaded (2 x cartons of beer and a couple bags of ice in the esky - was a big four day weekend). The Elite was well designed, engineered and constructed so even with that load, cruising through the hills at 130km/h was an ease.

Classic no. 1
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Classic no. 2
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Classic no. 3
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Room inside
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Everything, but the kitchen sink
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Whew!
 
Raia said:
Thinking about towing with my st, looking for some feedback on how they tow and what’s there weight limit.
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As you can see, anything "reasonable" (and some not-so-much) won't be a problem. MiniMate campers, cargo and such will be fine. You didn't mention what you plan to haul.
I tow a Bushtec with a German Shepherd, total roughly 250 - 300lbs, but I've also carried computers, parts and tools which would weigh more.
Heck, I even tow that stuff with a smaller bike. My GSA is "only" 1250cc's.
You'll likely give up a couple m'spg, maybe up to 4 or 5, depending.
 
Towing is not the problem, its stopping that can cause a pucker factor to increase. This is similar to 'its not the fall that hurts, it's the sudden stop.
 
Do you notice any increase in metal in the final drive from towing. I bought an ST1300 that was used for towing and had quite a bit of metal in these when I changed the fluid. I kept the trailer hitch and have thought about using it but am wondering about extra wear.
 
I tow a Coleman Caboose behind my 2010 ST1300 and my 1978 GL1000. Not much harder from a standing start. When up to speed, you dont know its there.
It takes a little further to stop. I lose about 5 mpg at 70 mph.
 
ASPC said:
What type of brakes, and which tow bar do you use?
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Brakes - both trailers with brakes had a simple hydraulic override system operating small disc brakes, fitted by the manufacturer.

Tow bar - on the CB1300 I had a Classic Industries tow bar. Classic were big in AUS, they made (no longer in business) many trailers and tow bars, the Classic tow bar was adequate. On the ST1300 I had a USA made Unigo tow bar, much better quality than the Classic, better design, better quality material.
 
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