So, I'm thinking about selling the GS500 (never really fell in love with it anyway) and buying a sport tourer.
For no explainable reason I have narrowed it down to either a Honda ST1100 or a BMW R1100RT. Based on what I've looked at online it looks like for the $2500-3000 range I'm looking at I would be picking up a bike with 50-60k miles on it.
So, the question is, which would be the most trouble free reliable bike to buy? If you own one or have owned one of the bikes please share your experience.
Which would you buy? Why? If you wouldn't buy either but have other recommendations, what would you buy?
cant comment on the Bmw, never owned one. Qwned a Honda st1100 and it had around 90k on it when I sold it. Had to replace front universal joint in drive shaft around 75k. Other than that just regular oil changes, tires, and battery. Hey its a Honda! they were pretty much unchanged from 91 until 2002. Early ones had smallish alternators about 30 amps I think, then in 1995 Honda upgraded to 40 amp If I remember correctly Other than that upgrade pretty much same bike until it was replaced with St1300. the st1100 is A bulletproof bike that is smooth and fast, a good mile cruncher with 50 mpg average and 6 gallon tank
I had read that the alternators were too small on the early st1100's. I would assume that you could just swap it for the larger alternator. Is that a correct assumption?
yes the larger alternators will bolt in the older motors
when I say bolt in, the rear tire and swingarm have to be removed to install the alternator. IM thinking would take a decent mechanic to do the swap. I:d look for a 95 and up just for the upgraded alternator.
***spam alert***
:)
How about a 2001 Ducati ST2 with 16K miles for $3995?
(https://norton73.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/The-Chickenshit-Rally-2015/i-4Qv2Rmn/0/XL/The%20Chicken%20Shit%20Rally%202015%20005-XL.jpg)
I'm in Springville and just don't ride it as much as my other bikes.
That is a pretty bike.
Just curious, while reading up on sport touring bikes, read that the Ducati while great on mountain roads wasn't the greatest thing for long trips. What has your experience been?
Thanks.
It definitely leans more towards the sport side of sport touring. The lower bars and smaller fairing means it is not as comfortable on the interstate as bikes like the bmw rt or fjr1300 etc.
if you are looking for a bike to ride two up or pound out interstate miles, I wouldn't recommend it. But for trips to north ga , smokies, etc, it's lots of fun.
I rode an ST1100 and an R1150RT for about a month each 10 years ago (evaluation at work), and owned a Duc ST4s for about 8 months. The Duc was ergonomically very similar to my VFR800...more sporty than touring, but I had no problems doing 12 hours/600+ mile days on the VFR (longest day on the ST4 was @ 8 hours).
The Honda ST would be a good choice if you want to take a long trip and forget that you have a motorcycle under you. I don't remember much about the 1150RT, good or bad. The Duc was supreme fun in the twisties, and quite bearable while droning on the highway...while sounding totally bitchin' doing both.
Between buying a 60k mile Honda or BMW of dubious service history, or a 13k mile ST2 owned by a solid, local guy...I'd be giving Andy a shout. :)
I have not ridden the Honda ST. I have ridden a couple of BMW 1200 RTs and they are sweet to be sure. Super nice. I have an 08 1200 GS with 53k and it has given very little problem. Mainly an ABS module failure. The bike was rideable and proformed well even with it not working. On the model you are looking at it has the servo ABS (if it has it) which can be problematic if it has not been serviced. It is common and easy to eliminate though.
I also own a Ducati St4s. Man that thing is freaken awesome when in its element. That element being eating miles quickly. Either curves or munching interstate at go to jail speeds.
You should get with Andy. That is a very nice well maintained specimen he has, and he knows a pretty fair piece about Ducati.
Don't know if anything will come of it but have been told about a friends coworker that has an ST1100 they would like to sell with under 13k miles. Friend did the last service on the bike and I trust when he says its in excellent condition. Haven't gotten a price yet.
Not to Hijack your thread...
But if you pass on that ST1100 I'd like the info on it. I love V4 Hondas. Been riding a 1985 V65 1100 Sabre for years and would like to move to the ST at some point.
Hijack over...Thanks
Stewart
Slapout, AL
Went and looked at the ST yesterday afternoon.
Told him I would think it over. Sent him an offer yesterday evening. Waiting to hear back.
He declined my offer.
Just to get some input. Bike is a 2002. Current owner has owned it since 2005. Sounds like it's spent 80% or so of the time he's owned it parked in his garage collecting dust. It has about 13,500 miles on it. The bike has been sitting for a few months and the fuel system needs to be cleaned. It has a few scratches here and there. Not surprised since the bike is about 14 years old.
What would you pay for it?
Picture of the bike in question.
From what you disclosed. I would say $2200. or maybe a little more. I would think you would need a pretty good bit of work from it sitting that much. I would want tires, all new hoses and coolant, Oil and Filter, Break bleed. Basically it needs a complete major service plus tires.
If you do that yourself probably not a major amount of money. If not Just call around local shops and get a price. Take that off the top of what you think its worth. A quick search showed them from $2000 to $4300. The 2000 had some minor things wrong and the 4300 looked to be a little over priced. it was a quick look.
Looks like I left out the detail that it had the major service you mentioned done last summer which included new tires.
After seeing the ST1100 in person and doing more reading on the reliability and maintenance cost of the different sport tourers I've pretty well decided on the ST1100 as what I want to buy.
I've emailed the person in Hueytown that has one for sale on CL right now. Unfortunately, there's no phone number to contact them.
The old K bikes have become quite affordable, now, lol.
I've had mine since 2001 and no problem other than rear main seal and final drive seal. 77k+ on it now.
You can find them around $4000 loaded with accessories.
The dealer scares people off with the recommended service like valve checking every 12000 miles. They rarely need reshim' at less than 100,000 miles. The 1998 model has a fork seal issue and lower clip on risers. Those issues were corrected in 1999. 1999-2001 are my best chosen years of the K1200RS.
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