What current production motorcycle is closest to the ST1300?

Thunderchief

Thunderchief

Joined
Oct 25, 2014
Messages
83
Age
88
Location
Waynesville, NC
Bike
2007 Honda ST1300
I love my 2007 ST1300. It is just about everything I want in a motorcycle. Now I would like a few changes like an instrument panel I could read in daylight, a gear indicator, dark cherry paint, and maybe a few other things. But for just cutting through the mountain roads here in Waynesville, NC, I love my ST1300. But it is now about 11-years old and I worry it will croak and I will be left without a bike. So, I would appreciate recommendations for a replacement bike that is as close as possible to my ST1300.
 
I have 163,000 miles on my 07 ST1300 and would take it anywhere with out hesitation. If you are looking for something like the ST with all of the gizmos on it I would look hard at an FJR. Have fun.
 
Like many things, it depends on your needs... 2-up, touring, commuting, chain/shaft, weight, etc.

Some that I've looked at recently as a replacement or adjunct to my ST11...

Honda VFR1200X
Yamaha Super Tenere
Yamaha FJR 1300
BMW R or K bike
Kawasaki Versys 650 or 1000

Right now, the VFR1200X or Tenere would be my first choice. Either will handle the curvy mountain roads as well as your ST1300, they're shaft driven, more comfortable riding position, reliable, carry tons of gear and weigh a lot less than the ST.

Heck, for just carving mountain roads, a Yamaha WR450 supermoto would be great.

That being said, if taken care of, I don't think your ST will ever croak, at least not before you. ;)
 
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I have a 2012 with <3000 miles on it in Charlotte that could be your backup! Just posted it for sale. Of course, it has literally none of the upgrades you want, but it has lots of life left in it.
 
Closest to the ST 1300... Is... The ST1300. Can't speak for others of course but my local Honda dealer still has two spankin new ST 1300 on the floor ready to go. Maybe grab them while they're still around.
 
I agree that you have lots of miles to be had on your ST.
But have you sat on the new Gold Wing, it is a "ST1800" Lots of similarities.
 
Dave.David said:
I agree that you have lots of miles to be had on your ST.
But have you sat on the new Gold Wing, it is a "ST1800" Lots of similarities.
Click to expand...

And lots of differences too. I've ridden one, courtesy of the local Honda Dealer who's a buddy of mine. Definitely NOT a replacement for my ST1100. I doubt for the ST1300 either. But YMMV.
 
IMO, Yamaha FJR or BMW R1200RT are probably the closest thing you can find today. The Kawi Concours 1400 might also be considered.
Things like Tenere, Versys, GS are a different genre.
But, as others have mentioned, once you actually decide what you want in a bike, there are lots of great bikes available. One that has caught my eye recently is the Yamaha Tracer 900GT. Ticks a lot of boxes.

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport-touring/models/tracer-900-gt
 
drrod said:
IMO, Yamaha FJR or BMW R1200RT are probably the closest thing you can find today. The Kawi Concours 1400 might also be considered.
Things like Tenere, Versys, GS are a different genre.
But, as others have mentioned, once you actually decide what you want in a bike, there are lots of great bikes available. One that has caught my eye recently is the Yamaha Tracer 900GT. Ticks a lot of boxes.

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport-touring/models/tracer-900-gt
Click to expand...

2nd for the BMW R1200 series. Rode those and they're very close, IMHO, to the characteristics of the ST... Just that buying (and maintaining) one may cost you a leetle-bit more... and they do tend to sound like a tractor, a bit, if that bugs you. You can get an idea of the sound on an R1150 we did at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9uUA7CsIrw (skip forward to about 1:00 to hear it run).

I do agree that the question, at this point, isn't "What's the closest replacement?" but rather "With what should I replace?"...
 
FJR1300 is closest to the ST1300, my opinion. But is slightly lighter in weight, a bit more revised (multiple generations and improvements), and is lower cost (all good!).
 
KCJones said:
2nd for the BMW R1200 series. Rode those and they're very close, IMHO, to the characteristics of the ST... Just that buying (and maintaining) one may cost you a leetle-bit more... and they do tend to sound like a tractor, a bit, if that bugs you. You can get an idea of the sound on an R1150 we did at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9uUA7CsIrw (skip forward to about 1:00 to hear it run).

I do agree that the question, at this point, isn't "What's the closest replacement?" but rather "With what should I replace?"...
Click to expand...

Nice Beemer!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I can't think of any two sport tourers as different as the ST1300 and BMW RT. The FJR comes to my mind as the closest.
 
KCJones said:
I should have been clearer that I meant the RS, not RT. Having said that, I meant in terms of handling and feel, not technology or looks.
Click to expand...
The boxer motor and transmission of the entire family of air/oil cooled R bikes has it's own character far from the Asian trio. That is what I meant. My RT was very different in feel and handling as well. Just my opinion.
 
dduelin said:
I can't think of any two sport tourers as different as the ST1300 and BMW RT.
Click to expand...


Care to elaborate why you are of this opinion?

They have, in no particular order)
- similar riding position
- similar range
- fuel consumption within 10% of each other
- similar capability to carry 2 up
- similar luggage carrying capability
- shaft drive
- weather/wind protection
- ability to cruise at virtually any speed (up to extra legal speeds)
- can run with (and hide from many) sport bikes in the twisties
- performance near enough to make no difference (especially if you consider the WC BMW)

Differences:

- initial cost (although tough to compare since one is no longer available as new)
- arguably different maintenance costs
- engine configuration
- weight
- electronic doo dads
 
drrod said:
Care to elaborate why you are of this opinion?

They have, in no particular order)
- similar riding position
- similar range
- fuel consumption within 10% of each other
- similar capability to carry 2 up
- similar luggage carrying capability
- shaft drive
- weather/wind protection
- ability to cruise at virtually any speed (up to extra legal speeds)
- can run with (and hide from many) sport bikes in the twisties
- performance near enough to make no difference (especially if you consider the WC BMW)

Differences:

- initial cost (although tough to compare since one is no longer available as new)
- arguably different maintenance costs
- engine configuration
- weight
- electronic doo dads
Click to expand...

I have to agree with you.
Likewise the Moto Guzzi Norge.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
drrod said:
Care to elaborate why you are of this opinion?

They have, in no particular order)
- similar riding position
- similar range
- fuel consumption within 10% of each other
- similar capability to carry 2 up
- similar luggage carrying capability
- shaft drive
- weather/wind protection
- ability to cruise at virtually any speed (up to extra legal speeds)
- can run with (and hide from many) sport bikes in the twisties
- performance near enough to make no difference (especially if you consider the WC BMW)

Differences:

- initial cost (although tough to compare since one is no longer available as new)
- arguably different maintenance costs
- engine configuration
- weight
- electronic doo dads
Click to expand...
big difference on riding position http://cycle-ergo.com/ see sport touring shootout on you-tube
 
Al st1100 said:
big difference on riding position http://cycle-ergo.com/ see sport touring shootout on you-tube
Click to expand...


If you are just going to go by the numbers, there is a bigger difference between the ST and the FJR than between the ST and the RT. Having ridden them all, I can say, imo, that the riding position of the RT is not a lot different in the real world whereas the FJR feels more "cramped" to me. YMMV
 
For me after the 2012 st1300 the next bike was a low mileage st1100. Until something better comes out I will keep looking for these fantastically built garage queens. So much more satisfying to ride with added smug feeling from a depreciation/ service cost than a 2018 bmw rt I ride as a uk blood bike volunteer
 
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