It’s no secret that Honda makes some of the most reliable motorcycles in the world. The ST1300 is no exception. The bike is Honda’s contribution to the heavyweight (shaft drive) sport tourer segment which became quite popular during the 90’s and up to about 2015. The ST1300 is a criminally underrated bike. It’s comfortable, smooth, powerful, and extremely reliable. I loved my Honda ST and put a whole bunch of trouble free miles on it. I purchased the bike from my older brother (a fellow long rider). He made some ergonomic adjustments while he owned it and since he’s almost the exact same size as me, it fit me perfect upon delivery!
The ST1300 was introduced in 2002, and remained unchanged until Honda decided to pull the plug on the model in 2013. Honda made a hell of a bike for those 11 years, and it’s a shame that they discontinued the ST line. The ST1300 is a 1,261cc V4 liquid cooled and fuel injected engine. The result can be summed up in one word: smooth. The ST is predictable, quiet, and easy. I would still have this bike today if the Army didn’t send me overseas for a long tour with no way of transporting her with me.
Comfort – The ST is a very comfortable bike, especially if you get it set up ergonomically to your liking. I had a Russell Day Long Saddle, bar risers, and a V-Stream windshield and I could ride all day. The wind protection was outstanding as well. Two up riding is a breeze on the ST, and my pillions all gave it high marks! The only negative is that the bike is somewhat robust in the middle, which spread my knees a little more than I liked. Nothing that would cause pain, but it was a nuisance and I found myself getting a little uncomfortable in the hips after a long ride. Additionally, the engine heat will be noticed on a warm day. It was never uncomfortable, but definitely noticeable.
Engine – As previously stated, the ST1300 is butter smooth. I have never felt intrusive vibrations, even at wide open throttle. The power delivery is linear and plenty adequate. It doesn’t hit as hard as the Yamaha FJR1300 or the Kawasaki Concours 14, but it’s certianly no slouch. The only negative regarding the engine is the exhaust note. It sounds like the car from the Jetsons! Thankfully it’s a very quiet motorcycle and the engine noise sort of disappears once under way.
Handling – The ST handles quite well for a big bike! I want to expand on the “big”. The bike is plenty flickable and I’ve scraped metal parts when I really pushed it through the twisties, but I never wished for more lean or more speed. There was always plenty enough to have a blast! That said the bike is heavy, no doubt about it, you’re going to feel it pushing it around the garage and at slow speeds. That said, once you put the hammer down, the bike becomes quite capable! The adjustable suspension is on the soft side from the factory. I adjusted the suspension (manually) to the firmest setting and it was almost perfect. Still soft enough to be comfortable while touring, yet firm enough to not wallow or buck while hammering the twisties.
Lights – The lights on the ST work well. The headlights are adjustable via a knob on the dash. A nifty feature for two up riding. While using low beams, the lights are just okay. But turn on the brights and you easily get more than double the light output. There is a big difference difference between the low beams and high beams. The turn signals and brake lights are big and noticeable, which is a plus when it comes to safety.
Brakes – The ST has Nissin brakes and they stop the big bike on a dime. Although they have an ABS version, mine was not but I never had a problem. Most heavy-weight sport tourers have great braking systems with the exception of the Kawasaki C14, the Kawi’s linked brake (K-ACT) are somewhat cumbersome in my experience.
Tech – This is where the ST1300 feels a little dated. Honda made an amazing machine on a platform filled with potential, but never upgraded or took advantage of that potential. They just kept rolling out the same bike year after year. It has plenty of storage, a charging port, and an adjustable windshield, but that’s where the tech/creature comforts end. No cruise control, no heated grips/seat, no navigation, etc. Instead you get an old-school Honda Civic like dash with a LCD digital screen that displays engine temp, gas, etc. That said, the electronic systems on the ST1300 work very well.
In closing, the Honda ST1300 is a fine sport tourer with a slant towards the touring side of the spectrum. I’ve ridden and worked on all three of the Japanese heavy weight sport tourers as well as the Triumph Trophy 1200. I’ve also owned a BMW K1600, and currently own a BMW R1250RT. I believe these are comparable to the ST1300. The Yamaha FJR1300 is probably just as reliable as the ST1300, but is a little more sporty and not quite as comfortable…but man can that FJR fly! The Kawasaki Concours may not be quite as reliable as the FJR and the ST but it is an absolute rocket. Perhaps reliable isn’t the right word, maybe I should say “maintenance friendly” when it comes to the Kawasaki. It requires a bit more maintenance and if ignored it will cause reliability issues. The Triumph Trophy is the closest comparison I have ridden to the ST1300. Both are quite smooth and lean towards touring/comfort. The difference here is that the Triumph has a lot more tech such as cruise control and creature comforts, but is not nearly as reliable as the Honda. If you’re thinking about buying a used ST1300 I would say go for it! Especially now, you can find these fine machines for dirt cheap!
Sport Touring Cycle Adventures 