Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

Update- August 2005.   I traded my beloved ST 1100 on a New 1200 RT in early July 2005.  The ST was a stalwart, steadfast friend.  Even though I no longer own this bike, the information below is still relevant.  Many ST 1100s are still out there with a loyal following, and from time to time someone may came here wanting to know something about the bike.  All I can say what a great bike, and I'm sure the new owner is pleased with it, and I'm happy the bike can now take another Long Rider to all the places it once carried me, and perhaps change his life, in the manner it did mine.

The text below is just as I put it down 4 years ago.

                    2001 Honda ST 1100 

I ride a Honda ST 1100.  In motorcycle terms it is called a Sport Touring Motorcycle.  Sport Touring Motorcycles are called such because of their ability to travel great distances in comfort, at a fast clip, and still be able to handle twisty roads when you arrive.

Sport Tourers are faster, leaner and more sporty then a full on Touring bike such as Gold Wing or Electra Glide.  My ST 1100 and I have carved twisty roads from the Pacific Coast Highway in California, to The Dragon in Deal's Gap, North Carolina.  In between we have flown across the Deserts of Arizona, and the Prairies of Kansas and North Dakota, at speeds I could have been sent to jail for.

My ST is totally stock.  I like the stock windscreen, because I  like to look over and not through a screen.  I like the stock seat, and have logged more then a few 700-800 mile days and even a 1000 miler with not much problem.  My general feeling is ANY seat is going to give you a stiff butt after so many miles and hours, the stock seat for me, faring no worse or better, then aftermarket.  

I have no problem with the handlebars or the seating position, fits me fine. I love the slight tuck of the ST.

I don't use a throttle lock, the tension on the grip does not bother me.

I don't have a sound system, but I have not totally ruled it out.  If I do, it will be something in my helmet, wired to a mini radio or cassette player tucked in the Tourmaster.

The only extra I have are PIAA 1700 driving lights.  The lights are amazing at night. They light up everything.

I like the clean smooth lines of the ST, and have been careful not to do anything to alter that, and anything I do in the future will not alter the bikes appearance.

The ST 1100 is a highly versatile machine. I chose the ST as my mount for the following reasons:

Reliability- My bike to date has not needed any repairs of any kind.  After 46k miles the idle adjustment has not even needed attention.  I put gas in it, change the oil and tires, and so far that is all.  It came from the factory with a 3 yr unlimited mile warranty, for 400 dollars I doubled that warranty to 6 years unlimited miles.  Not even a 50,000 dollar BMW car can match the warranty on my Honda.

Dealer Network- In the event my ST does breakdown on a trip, I have the best dealer network in the business to take care of me. Broke down in Hettinger, North Dakota? Not a problem as 3 dealers are located within 100 miles.

Styling- I just like the way the Honda looks.

Price- I get all this for thousands of dollars less then the STs main competition.

There are a number of Sport Touring bikes offered by other manufacturers.  All are good bikes, and some do a few things better then the ST but fall way short in other areas.  The Honda just works best for me.  For others it maybe the BMW, or a Kawasaki.  I don't get into brands, I am more into the rider.

Technical stuff-  I am currently running Dunlop 205s.  They deliver great mileage.  My last rear 205 went 14,000 miles. I have trouble with the front cupping, but have just learned to live with it, because of the good wear.  My current front tire cupped at 5,000 miles.

I use Castrol synthetic blend.  20w 50 in summer to deal with the Alabama heat.  In cold weather I switch to Castrol blend 14w 40.  A thinner oil to better coat on those cold mornings.  I picked this up from a VFR rider.  After 200,000 miles his bike had the same dyno numbers as a new one.  Works for him so why not me.

I change my oil every 5000 miles.

I did not adjust my valves at break in.  All I did was change oil.  My first valve adjustment did not take place till 25,000 miles.  The mechanic informed only 1 valve was out of spec.  I love Hondas.

I changed the coolant at 25,000 miles. The clutch and brake fluids are more related to age then use, so I put that off till next spring.

If you would like to view a complete maintenance profile for my ST, click to this page.

That's about it for me.  I am not a technical kind of guy. If you want to learn more about the ST, I suggest you visit the ST site at www.st1100.org and follow the threads.

......And the Faults

No motorcycle is perfect, and to be fair the ST does have a few shortcomings.  The ST is TALL, and on the heavy side. The height of the bike can be felt when you have it healed over.  It tracks well, but you must be deliberate.  The height bothers me more then the weight.  Once underway, the bike does not feel heavy.

The ST handles well for a TOURING bike.  Ground clearance is good.  I am not good enough to consistently scrape pegs on a ST, but don't be fooled into thinking it is a sport bike, but it is a good handling touring bike.

The rear shock, even adjusted to full stiff, needs to be stiffer.  The front suspension has a tendency to wallow when leaned hard.  I suspect the bikes height the culprit in the latter.

The ST does not have a lot of load capacity.  A solo rider will have plenty of room, but if you intend to travel 2 up for a extend period of time, the ST is not the bike for you.  On the occasional weekend 2 up trip, you will probably be ok, but 2 weeks across country?  I dunno.  It can be done, but the riders will be cramped, and under such loads the ST does not perform well.

If your forte, is 2 up cross country, and lots of weekenders with your spouse, better check into a Gold Wing, KLT, or Electra Glide.  

The ST can handle 2 up ok, if the trip is short and not a lot of gear is involved.

Many riders, purchase a ST and complain about the luggage space, seating position, handlebars, etc.  Riders want everything. Lots of luggage space, upright seating position, cushy seats, but hey, make it light and sporty, so I can flick it.  All of those things contradict sport touring.  I have seen STs, after they have been tweaked by the owners, to be no sportier then a Gold Wing.

If you want lots of wind protection, luggage space, upright seating, do dads, and gizmos, just get a Gold Wing and save yourself  some money.  By the time you buy a ST, buy a seat, change the windscreen, change the handlebars, add a top case, you could have bought a Gold Wing.  From what I hear, a ST out fitted in such a manner, will have a hard time staying with the new GL 1800.

For most riders, the ST is guilty of a lot of wind noise.  I am lucky.  I find myself to be the perfect size, and I fit nicely into the quiet zone.  The slight forward lean of the ST brings me in under the wind.  Buffeting is a major complaint of ST owners.  Hopefully, the new STX with its full 7 inch rake of adjustment (thats ALOT)  solved the problem.

Lighting on the ST is not up to par.  Especially the headlight.  The low beam is not much more then a good flashlight.  If you are a serious tourer, you will need auxiliary lighting.

Understand the ST leans to the touring side of sport touring. The sport touring market has become more defined the last few years.  The Italians now offer some very good sport tourers, that are sport slanted.  Meaning they are light, chain driven, with excellent power, and fast.  I only question their reliability.  Can I put 100,000 miles on a Aprilia, without constant attention?  You can virtually ignore a ST for 100k.

If you are a weekend tourer, and like the sporty side of sport touring, take a long look at the Honda VFR. The new VFR now has VTEC.  A nice all around bike.  Throw some soft luggage on it, and your set to go.  Don't forget the chain lube though.

Bikes are designed by pretty smart people.  They have to make it to fit MOST riders.  IMHO if you change one of the big 3- handlebars, seat, windscreen, you will also have to alter the other 2, and then you can get into all sorts of problems.  Change the handlebars, and suddenly the once comfortable seat, gouges your butt.  Change the seat, and now your legs feel cramped on the pegs.

The ST is what it is.  A sporty tourer, BECAUSE it has less luggage, no floor boards, and a smaller fairing. Some would call those faults, I call them advantages.

Four years on a ST 1100

My venerable 1100 is now over 4 years old, not old by 1100 standards.  She still runs perfectly, and I ride it as much as I can.  The worst thing you can do to a 1100 is let it sit for long periods of time, nothing ages a bike like idleness.

Has it really been 4 years since my son took me to Corinth to snag it?  I bought the bike brand new, and it was the best deal I've ever made, riding it across America has enriched my life in ways I never thought possible.

For the past year it has been regulated to light duty.  My 1300 is my primary bike and the bike I used for all my trips in 2004.  I prepped the 1100 early last spring, because I didn't anticipate the 1300 being delivered till July, but to my surprise it arrived in March.  I would not hesitate to get on the 1100 right now and ride it to the Hotel California.  The tires are almost new, all fluids were changed, and the unit checked over thoroughly.  I was almost sure I was going to ride it to British Columbia and California, and wanted it ready.

I logged just over 3,000 miles of local riding on it in 2004.  Mostly 50-60 mile rides on the local roads of Autauga County, that I have traversed for 35 years, beginning with my 1969 CL 70.  I rode it to Cheaha last fall, a 250 mile day ride, the longest outing of the year.  It ran great, and leaned the curves just like in the days when I rode it to the Blue Ridge.

Presently, the 1300 is in the shop on 2 minor recalls, and some chewed wires thanks to a chipmunk.  While my beloved 13 is waiting for a wire harness, I've moved the 1100 to front line status, and have been riding it everyday for the last few days.  What a great bike.  I've had 2 good offers to sell the bike, but refused.  We are still a one car family, and our 96 Accord is beginning to tire, and my wife is after me to begin the quest for a replacement.   If I sold the 1100 it would make a nice down payment on a nice ride, but parting with it would be such sorrow, but I might have to preserve marital bliss.  Debbie puts up with a lot being married to ME, so I might have to concede.

But who knows, maybe I can scrape up enough retirement dollars to get her a new quadracycle, and keep my 1100.

The last part replaced on the 1100 was the low beam bulb about 3 years ago.  It has to be one of the most reliable bikes ever produced.  The bike is quickly coming due for timing belt, and other preventive change outs (water hoses, clamps etc) I'll try to get to the shop sometime this year, but it is not a priority.

The paint still looks good, no fading or cracking.  It shines like a new dollar.  I've always kept it clean, and waxed, but she bears the battle scars of many cross country, and long tours.  Other than a few minor tip overs, she has never been down in an accident, and never had anything bent or twisted.  At 130+ she is rock steady.

Logging 100k on it is a goal of mine, but that is going to take awhile because of the part time status.  I'd like to take it on one long tour this year, but don't know which.  Pretty sure I'm going to ride it to Nashville to meet Uncle Phil to begin the UK tour.  It will feel at home with his 2 bikes (1100s)  I'll be retired in 2 months, so I just might make TWO West Coast tours, one on each bike. <grin>

My 1100 is like an old friend- reliable.

As of Feb 27th 2005- the odometer reads- 95, 514 miles.