And now, the pictures....
https://
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh250/sfalexi/ST1300/ST1300front.jpg
https://
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh250/sfalexi/ST1300/ST1300Back.jpg
https://
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh250/sfalexi/ST1300/ST1300.jpg
And the next one was a mistake, but kinda looks cool.
https://
https://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh250/sfalexi/ST1300/ST1300Blurred.jpg
Also, on sport-touring.net I was asked for my intial impressions on this vs the FJR, so I'll copy/paste that and also update it as I've now got about 600 miles in a few days on this bike.
DISCLAIMER - It HAS been about 3 years since I was on the FJR. But it was my bike for 2 and a half years so I had a decent amount of riding time. The FJR had a custom seat, and was a Gen I. I'll be as objective as I can, when I can.
Speed: Both are sport tourers. I never rode fast or accelerated quick anyway. But you can see through comparisons and websites, they will both haul "butt" if you need it, and both have good passing power with a top gear roll-on to get past that 18 wheeler on a two-lane road. I would say the FJR has better passing power and top gear roll-on. FJR probably better power overhaul from what I remember with a twist of the wrist. But myself, I always shifted before 4k RPMs anyway and rarely tried to accelerate fast so for my riding, each are torquey enough.
Comfort: Off the bat, I think the ST, stock, will be more comfortable. Also a lower reach to the ground on the low and middle seat heights. Not sure how, but it is. Both my old FJR and this ST have/had handlebar risers. The leg room is pretty similar, but I feel like my legs are a little more cramped on the ST (more bent, feet closer to my butt). Even at a 30" inseam, I think I could put it on high and feel safe enough riding and putting a foot down. Right now it's at the normal height and I can almost flatfoot solo. I CAN flatfoot with a passenger. Also, the ST has less of a forward lean, but it could be a difference in brands of risers. But both pretty comfortable. I eventually got a custom seat on the FJR which helped a lot. Comfort for each can easily be the same with mods.
Engine: ST has a little (very little) more vibration at idle. Probably the V design vs the inline 4. Underway both are super smooth. FJR was a tad more twitchy at first with the throttle, but you will learn ANY motorcycle given time and learn to make ANY of them smooth. Also, I haven't tested full-out acceleration, but I am sure the FJR will beat the ST overall. That engine was a rocket and this one doesn't have that feel.
Engine heat: The ST throws WAY more heat onto the legs than the FJR did. VERY noticeable, on a hot day! Yes it was a 91 degree day, but that huge fairing provided wind protection and let that engine heat hit my and thighs. Thankfully I wear mesh riding pants which allow lots of airflow. But with jeans, or even worse, chaps, I could see this being uncomfortable on hot days, and REALLY uncomfortable in slow traffic on a hot day. But I ride year round so this just means no need for a heated seat in the winter. And like I said, mesh pants help. Also, 85 degree day seemed to lessen it and I didn't notice it nearly as much.This bike has been around for a while, so I'm sure people have found out how to lessen the heat thrown off.
Luggage: You can see for yourself the ST luggage is much better integrated. Tight, looks good. But I was pleasantly surprised after checking it out that they are definitely roomier and have noticeably more space to use. FJR fits one FF helmet each. ST fits FF helmet and THEN some room left over for little stuff towards the front. And even the FF helmet doesn't take up all the space.
Fairing protection: Stock, the ST has a bigger windscreen, that goes higher and blocks more air. But that's too easy to fix and replace on the FJR. But overall fairing protection, the ST dominates. It's huge, and I anticipate warm and comfy legs in the winter. The stock windscreen blocks TONS of wind and noise in the raised position, and lowered allows nice airflow. Good design, Honda.
Gauges: ST gauges hard to see in daylight, with the sun shining directly on them. Granted, this happens about twice a day, and it depends which direction you're traveling, but it can be frustrating. But I found a $100 mod to change the LED colors to something cooler and works better. I don't think I need it, but it's nice to know it's there. FJR Gauges much better. ST gauges just look old. But they give you all the info you need. Two tripmeters, fuel mileage, mileage or gallon countdown when you hit the reserve.
Weight: Yup. magazines weren't lying. The ST is heavy to push around into and out of parking spaces. But YES, when you get rolling, that weight DOES disappear. carries the weight really low and it's not an issue to raise it off the center stand either. Can't remember much about the FJR on weight, but I know it's less. And believe it or not, the ST, getting off the sidestand, and rolling, feels like it weighs LESS than the FJR! Pushing the handlebars for countersteering reminds you it's a heavy bike, but it's not impossible to turn. It really does carry the weight very low.
All in all, it was a really really tough call. I was jonesin' for an FJR. What really made me consider the ST was that it was THIS particular ST (650 miles for a used bike? 5 years full unlimited warranty left?! 6k off of a new one MSRP?!?!), and I also factored in winter riding two-up. FJR has about 230? extra watts available. Enough for a heated jacket for me and wife, but not much else. ST has a ton more. Almost twice as much available. So I can run my heated vest, heated gloves, a heated vest for the wifey, charge our phones, and STILL have room left over for some driving/marker lights or more gear.
But seriously, these two are REALLY REALLY close competitors. They were closer when the FJR first came out, but the FJR has been updated a bit, and the ST is the typical "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
For me, I want reliability, trust, and that good warm fuzzy that people have faith in the bike and company. So I went to the Iron Butt Rally website, and saw what the top 10 finishers rode in past years, and what was trusted by ultramileage riders. And there were just about as many FJRs as ST1300s, with some BMWs and Goldwings thrown in the mix.
I will say the 26k valve interval service on the FJR was REALLY REALLY tempting. And I had one before and KNOW it's a great bike. And they have proven to be very reliable. But for me, I don't ride a sport-tourer like a rocket. I tend to sport-TOUR around. You can do that on either, but if I'm not going to be blasting through corners at max speed and acceleration, and not flying down the highway at 90 mph, may as well go for one with more electrical power for creature comforts and a bigger gas tank. The warranty and low mileage were just bonuses. And half of the top ten finishers for the past few IBRs can't all be wrong! Sure I'll do a little more services on it, but I don't mind learning to wrench.
Biggest gripe on the ST vs the FJR - Mod support. The FJR has tons of mods, tons of different accessories to bolt on and switch out to make it truly your own. Something about the ST, makes sure it doesn't. I mean, you would think there'd be tons of highway pegs out there for a bike that's 10 years old. I found 3 different designs. And that was after TONS of searching. I don't know how a bike that has a 1 inch bar ALREADY IN PLACE for tipover wings only has three choices for predesigned highway pegs, but it does. I'm not sure what's going on, but it seems like people either don't like customizing it, or Honda somehow made it difficult to customize. Well, I'll work with what I have, and maybe brainstorm and come up with my own cheap ideas. Already got a cheap GPS mount I'm putting on it consisting of pieces of an erector set, some nuts and bolts, and a stock GPS mount for the garmin 2730. And I'm not hesitant to take a drill to plastic. Done it before, I'll do it again!
Just seems weird though. Goldwing? Countless accessories and mods. ST1300, another touring bike with almost as much electrical power, about ten things you can do. Wierd.
Overall, I'm satisfied. Comfy to ride, should last a VERY long time, and I don't need too many other things. Just gotta mock up some highway pegs somehow, will probably change to custom seat at some point (I ride every day, may as well be as comfortable as possible), and need to install some electrical outlets on the bike to power my heated gear and charge some cellphones on rides.
Alexi
