Two up touring

Al & Lu

Al & Lu

Joined
Oct 5, 2020
Messages
2
Age
59
Location
Southampton , england
Hi, I would like to ask ST 1300 owners who tour with a pillion and luggage - is the weight a problem? Me and my partner have got the touring bug on my Honda transalp but would really like a bit more comfort and speed. After alot of online research the Pan seems like the one for me but before I spend my hard earned cash I'd like to hear owners comments on the notorious 1300 high speed wobble, is it on all ages of 1300?, is it made worse with extra weight, ie pillion and luggage and is it something you can manage and happily live with?
Much apprecative of your comments and experience
Al & Lu
 
The wobble is a strange thing. My 2005 had it, but my 2006 does not. I’ve had no issues riding single or two up on my 2006.
 
The wobble if it happens s mostly at high speeds (100 +). Other than that two up weight should not be a problem for the bike. Honda does have a max weight recommendation of 360 lbs (rider+passenger+luggage).
 
I have a steady wobble upwards of 105 mph depending on roadconditions (2003 model). When riding 2-up, the wobble occurs at higher speeds (if she does't look at the speedo).
Weight (of the bike:biggrin:) has never been a problem for me ( > 420 lbs rider + pass + lugguage). Once she rolls she is very nimble.
 
Wobble? Only when following turbulent trucks on the highway. Find some clean air. We ride around all the time loaded to the gunwhales with two overweight adults and way more luggage in the sides and the top box than what the stickers recommend. Never been an issue. Just crank up the preload so it doesn't bottom out. Do be careful after a long run that you're squared up and balanced when you stop. That weight piles on fast if you put a foot wrong and lose your balance.
 
I have never heard about problems with 2-up on an ST. I have certainly done it over many miles, even with a huge amount of luggage, and never had issues
 
No issues 2-up here, 2003 or 2008 model. The wife actually prefers the ST to the Wing, even though the Wing's pillion seat is more comfortable (she claims the ST has more "huggable" seating).
 
Never had any performance issues on our 05 touring two up except for very occasionally bottoming out the rear suspension even though we have Racetech suspension upgrades. We pack every inch of pannier and top box space available, for sure we regularly exceed the bike published carrying capacity and never spare the horses :biggrin:
 
Haven't had it on my '07 . with either MTs or CTs .
I read a few years ago that Honda would test the ST1300s @ factory , to check for the wobble , if so , they would shim the swingarm bearings . ( early batch of bearings or bearing housing - not quite to spec ? )
 
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No wobble with our 2006 either. We've been upwards of 95 on the highway with no ill effects. With my wife on the back, the only time the bike seems to notice the weight is at stops. Once we are rolling, it doesn't seem to notice the additional weight. Usually, the top box is lightly loaded. We keep jackets and little else in it, well under 10 pounds worse case. Crosswinds require my attention but I've noticed nothing else I would consider an issue.
 
Never a problem with wobble here, though we don't normally use a top box, which supposedly caused it. Between us, fully geared up, we probably max out the published weight capacity, and with a few days worth of cIothes, we are likely over it. The ST has always been stable at speed, but as mentioned in a previous post, it's a handful for slow speed maneuvers. That being said, my lighter bike is not that much better.
A couple years ago, we did several trips out west, and rented a Wing, and found it to be about the same, although a little bit less maneuverable at slow speeds. I really think the ST1300 is a better compromise. Enjoyed the Wing, but am very happy overall with the ST.
 
Welcome to the forum!

Never had a wobble. (knock wood)
Have the Pan top case and am over the max weight for the bike when 2 up and likely over max weight for the top case too.
Usually keep it under 130kph/80mph with a passenger.

Good tires certainly help, keeping weight low is a good thing too and I've heard folks say a fork brace makes things feel better. I can't say if a brace will prevent a wobble but it shouldn't add to the conditions that cause it.
 
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Howdy and welcome to the forum! No wobble for me one-up or two-up, with or without Hondaline top case. I guess I never achieve the speeds where the wobbly goblin lives. :shrug2:
 
Welcome from West Yorkshire.

I'm a rider that keeps to the speed limits, but have taken it to over 100mph in Europe when some roads were not restricted. I had no inclination to go any faster, but it felt perfectly safe. Perhaps a tad light at the front for some reason, but no wobble.

I ride with the screen so that I can see over the top, often at the limit of load (used to be a bit over, but I lost 50lb which helped), and with a top box and pillion. The pillion tends to smooth out the airflow until it has passed the top-box, and is much better to ride than it is when riding solo with the top box. Riding solo, the wind eddies behind you, and side-swipes the top box from alternate sides.

Also, after riding fully loaded, if the pre-load is not wound down again to compensate, it can make the bike feel 'skittish' and un-nerving. Very noticeable when getting to know the bike. Not so much when you have ridden it a lot.

But I have never experienced the Pan-Weave on my A6 or my A9. I probably don't ride fast enough.

Passing a truck with a wind blowing from that side or from the front can cause an issue. The Bow Wave (think of a ship) is phenomenal. If you ride straight through it, it can push you out into the outside lane - but you can deal with it by riding out wide, and then counter-steer gently in towards the truck as you get just behind the cab and before you pass. The fact you are already leaning slightly makes it easier to pass through that wave, and it actually feels very stable.
 
Welcome to the forum!

I've owned and ridden 5 different ST1300s (05, 04, 10, 04, 12) I still have three of them and the other two where sold to one son (05) and one friend (04#2), so I still know where they are! ;)

In the 380,000+ miles, I have felt the "weave" once. I was on my '05 and OVERLOADED, and hit just over 110MPH. I backed down and haven't felt it since!

One thing I would recommend would be to get Russell Day Long saddle front & rear, for the long trips. The stock ST1300 saddles will be a PIA! Literately!

Good luck!
 
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SupraSabre said:
One thing I would recommend would be to get Russell Day Long saddle front & rear, for the long trips. The stock ST1300 saddles will be a PIA! Literately!
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I concur! I now have two for my 1100, and even the one made for shorter legs than mine is better than the few I've tried.
 
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