Honda ST1300 vs VFR

[emon07]

I love my 2k VFR and do not want to sell it, but I am planning on doing some two up touring on the bike. Since I got my VFR I no longer like riding cursiers in general and I have been looking at different Sport touring bikes. The Kawi Concurs and the Yam FJ are great bikes, but the ST1300 with the V4 setup with LBS works fine for me. The only two bikes I am interested in are of course the VFR and the ST1300. Has anyone with a VFR ridden an ST1300 and what feedback can you give me regarding similarities to a VFR and any pros & cons. Just looking at the ST1300 specs makes me think it is a VFR with a larger engine and large windshield.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Emon:

A fellow MSF Rider Coach switched from a 04 vfr to an ST. Tom said he made the switch because the ST's ergo's are better and he's more into touring than always carving corners. He has an SV650 for the cornering days. The ST sounds like a great 'touring' bike.

Tom's two cents, not mine LOL!

How's the advanced riding going?

BZ

[derstuka]

I don't think I would ever get a gold wing, however, I might swing towards a ST1300 if the time was right in my later years. That new Kawasaki Concours it sweet. Have you checked that out, or read up on it? The bike magazines love it....not that that means a whole lot, but something I guess.

[emon07]

Hey BZ thanx for the info. I am ok with the VFR ergos, but when riding 2 up on the VFR it is a little cramped (I am 6 feet and weigh 210lbs), also steep hills can be a little challenging with a passenger. I am curious how much fun the ST is on twisties, but I am more into touring and like having a lady with me for company (the extra weight of a passenger keeps the bike really steady in windy conditions). I read some reviews that were very excited about the ST handling and it got the nod over the Yamaha FJ in some of the reviews I read. I certified last year with Lee Parks to do Advanced Rider clinics and have worked a few clinics in NYC this summer. I hope to get to do some clinics during the winter in Florida, and California. I will probably certify next year as a MSF coach. There is a school here that is ready to sponser me, but I just have not had any time to do the training.

[eddievalleytrailer]

I saw an ST1300 on a local ride about 6 months ago with 166,000 miles on it!
This poor bike looked like it had been to h$!! and back(no damage, just the paint worn off), but still ran like a fine watch. The owner said that he wouldn't trade it for a brand new one.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Emon:

I've watched Tom hang off on the ST. THey handle, no questions.

BZ

[nozzle]

You should ride the new BMW K1200GT once just to check the box if you are looking down that road. You'll have price tag to ease your worries of actually getting one, but the ride is sweet.

[nitronorth]

Heres my take on it...


I got to ride my buddies on our trip last month, mostly mountain riding....One thing I can say it it is (like the fjr I drove) a totally different bike than the vfr. Not much really in comparison i could find.cept the smoothness.

It aint a vfr with a big window in any way.....:).
Not saying its better or worse..just different!!!

If you are looking for a large touring bike that does handle very nice, great for 2 up and tons of luggage, its a beauty! But its a large, heavy machine compared to the vfr.

I found it a great machine, but I found it huge after driving my vfr, and very heavy in the slow maneuvers, its around 200lbs or more heavier, so expect it to be there.
Handling at speed was just fine, cept in the big winds where it was a handfull compared to the vfr, lotsa plastic and big shield to catch it. same as most bigger vehicles.

It handled very nicely tho! no problems there!
I don't doubt tho it can keep up with most anything on the twisties with the right rider..I have seen that myself!!

The ergos for me were also completely different, much closer to a cruiser than the vfr.

Only thing about the same was the power.

I would love one if i ever went to that type of bike..I enjoyed it more than the fjr. just felt smoother, more tight and refined to me.

I would suggest you find a ride on one and see what you think! Might be just what you want!!

good luck!!

[grinder]

emon07 Here are my thoughts. When I bought my VFR I very seriously looked at the ST. I have riden them several times. For touring two up unquestionably better than the VFR. The wind protection is excellent, better that the BMW R1200RT and the Yamaha FJR 1300 (riden both). Good power, though a lot have more, easy to ride and very civilized. More comfortable than the VFR. I would say great as a long distance haul a--e Tourer with some sporting ability. The down side they are bigger than the VFR and a lot heavier and its hard to define but the ST just doesn't have the same character as the VFR. Its kind of bland. I bought the VFR because it is lighter and more sport oriented than the ST and I wasn't riding either two up or long distances. Of this class of bike I think the ST is the best overall and if I wanted what you are looking for I think the ST is probably the bike I would buy.

[emon07]

Thanx for the responses. I am going to the Honda dealer near me and check the ST. I am in no real rush, and will try to get a good end of year deal on a 2006 or 2007. I wanna try and keep my 2k VFR for solo riding and fun.

[alter ego]

Great bike engineering wise, just not much character. For the money its probably a good value but there are other bikes in that class now that will have longevity/ engineering like the Honda but more of that character that makes our VFRs special. Its like a Honda Accord equivalant in the motorcycle lineup.... Nice car, does everything you want to a point but you won't be making excuses to go to the garage to see it.

[John451]

Originally Posted by emon07

Thanx for the responses. I am going to the Honda dealer near me and check the ST.

To watch their eyes glaze over ask them about the ST's built in weave when travelling faster than 90MPH with full panniers.

[nitronorth]

THE One I rode down the %^^ interstate at a buck 10 for 100 miles only weaved when i passed the portapotties..solid as a rock...maybe it was the all extra socks in the bags...?

[vfrcbr919]

The ST 1300 is an amazing motorcycle. I have owned two of them, I rode them both over 90MPH alot and never noticed the so called built in weave. I loved how I could hop on the motorcycle and ride it 500 miles in a day and not feel like a train had hit me.

[CRAZY K]

Both St And Concourse Are Great Sport Tourers The Kawasaki Tops The St By 9 Horses On Dyno But The Concourse Body Is Much Narrow And Longer . So Carving Is A Little More Tricky. I Own A 02 Vfr And A 2000 St At 26 Years Old I Enjoy My St For Long Hauls Over 200 Miles But For Fun No Bike Replces The Vfr. Well Almost!

[steveb]

Nice bike, but I perferred the Yamaha FJR1300, very smooth but bland and no where near the crisp handling of the VFR, much better for two up and longer distances tho, depends on what you want in a bike, I decided I wanted more "Sport" than "Touring" in my ride.

[grinder]

Originally Posted by John451

To watch their eyes glaze over ask them about the ST's built in weave when travelling faster than 90MPH with full panniers.

As I understand it the "weave" only occured on a few police bikes and there is more to it than just the panniers being full. Police bikes also have extra lights, heavier alternator etc. I have never heard of an ST in normal use having these problems.

[John451]

Originally Posted by grinder

As I understand it the "weave" only occured on a few police bikes and there is more to it than just the panniers being full.

Yes and no.

True the bad press has related to a Police rider fatality caused by a weave at high speed but there have been some complaints from "normal" ST1300 riders weaving at high speed. Spured on by rider complaints UK RiDE magazine performed ST1300 weave testing, they reported they were successful at generating weave at 110mph when tweeking load, screen height and suspension settings, which I guess means the weave can be removed by tweaking it out.

Note - of the owners that have reported high speed weave also reported having the Top Box on.

Also note - Honda have "fixed" the problem by placing a 140kph/87Mph Max speed limit recommendation when using the Top Box.

MCN link on Police bike Weave:
http://tinyurl.com/2jdl2j

Added News report link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6657709.stm

[Spike]

When I bought my FJR1300, I looked at the ST; went with the FJ because the ST, just doesn't look like a bike to me, too scooterish. Even though the FJR had a 6 month wait at the time, harder to get a price break, and I have always been a Honda guy.

[nozzle]