Looking for Wingmen
- Thread starter Sukiyaki
- Start date
Sukiyaki
Well-known member
I’m looking at used for cost savings (I won’t be earning road $ for quite some time so every dollar counts in the early days. When I need to layover somewhere for awhile there’s always work to be found.
ST1100 is on the list as well and was my 2nd choice when I bought the bandit but I’ll chat about that after I’ve exhausted this thread.
All bikes considered will be “older” models, meaning pre-ride by wire electronic everything. The more analogue the better and the simpler the design the better. Not really caring about any modern conveniences stuff. This was really driven home to me when I was bike shopping in Asia - the old bikes with huge miles kept running by guys in flip flops.
I liken it to cars. One of my first cars in high school in the 80’s was a Lada. Not cool. Armstrong steering. Sounded like a tractor. But it always started, the heater was incredible (for pre-global warming rural winters), it was dead easy to work on, and most importantly was so heavy and overbuilt you felt totally safe. Perfect car for a teenager who just want to do donuts and get their jollies off…
Totally undesirable, but I truly believe that had i the maturity and foresight to focus on function and the long term, I would probably still be driving that car.
Kinda the mindset that I have now…
ST1100 is on the list as well and was my 2nd choice when I bought the bandit but I’ll chat about that after I’ve exhausted this thread.
All bikes considered will be “older” models, meaning pre-ride by wire electronic everything. The more analogue the better and the simpler the design the better. Not really caring about any modern conveniences stuff. This was really driven home to me when I was bike shopping in Asia - the old bikes with huge miles kept running by guys in flip flops.
I liken it to cars. One of my first cars in high school in the 80’s was a Lada. Not cool. Armstrong steering. Sounded like a tractor. But it always started, the heater was incredible (for pre-global warming rural winters), it was dead easy to work on, and most importantly was so heavy and overbuilt you felt totally safe. Perfect car for a teenager who just want to do donuts and get their jollies off…
Totally undesirable, but I truly believe that had i the maturity and foresight to focus on function and the long term, I would probably still be driving that car.
Kinda the mindset that I have now…
ST1100 is sooooo hot and the factory bags suck. Not the ST1300??
I suspect hard to get hard cases for the ST1100. It's not the most elegant system.
Some nice farkles too
www.autotrader.ca
Those tip over wings are useful ....saved my ST1100 when the clutch failed on a steep hill
I suspect hard to get hard cases for the ST1100. It's not the most elegant system.
Some nice farkles too
2007 Honda ST1300 SUPER CLEAN RELIABLE ST1300/LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW!! - North Bay
One of the most reliable Sport Touring bikes ever manufactured, this ST1300 at True North Motor sports has 83,029 km. This Honda is super clean, looks like brand new and is equipped with ABS , Power Windshield, Centre Stand, Quick Detach SHAD Hard Bags AND Tour Pack, Adjustable Handlebars, HELI...
www.autotrader.ca
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Sounds like you've done your research. An older 'Wing seems to fit your requirements quite nicely, and not a lot of drawbacks for your use case too.
Happy hunting and looking forward to your tales of Winging it on the road!
Happy hunting and looking forward to your tales of Winging it on the road!
guzzirider
Well-known member
Two of my biggest concerns is can I pick it up if it falls over and how far I can get on a tank of gas.
Do you really need 1800cc
Starting off on one of my three 5000km+ 8 to 12 day trips on my Suzuki GW250
Do you really need 1800cc
Starting off on one of my three 5000km+ 8 to 12 day trips on my Suzuki GW250
I’m sure a Honda gold wing forum will have all the feedback you’ll need for your purposes. And if that is the model that ticks the boxes for you, have at her!
From the friends that do high miles for long period of time, the only issue they run across is finding reputable places to get some work done. You might consider dark siding but, even so a tire change isn’t a roadside affair on a big boy like the gold wing.
The newer and fancier models have a lot of electronic gizmos that could let you down. I’m not sure what the goldilocks versions would be?
I’ve got a buddy that runs a GS and another on a 20 year old GL and both love them and have well over 200k and still going strong. They always talk about getting a newer version but, the bond they have with the machine they ride and believe they acquired them new so they know the bike since it left the dealership.
The GS (beemer)Owner does have a fairly new one. Think it’s a 2018 or 19 and currently down in Mexico and been across Canada and the USA in all directions.
The GL (Honda) owner does ship his bike to places and rides. Only to avoid the boring places. I’m sure the cost of shipping would be a deterrent to most. At least from my perspective, I’d ride and pay the fuel and time it takes to get to the desired area but to each their own.
Flattop PCH and other stretches, the GL is bliss. But, it can be a heavy mule if you turn down a road less travelled.
And ADV like a GS can handle rougher roads if you so choose. And sometimes you don’t know until you get there!
From the friends that do high miles for long period of time, the only issue they run across is finding reputable places to get some work done. You might consider dark siding but, even so a tire change isn’t a roadside affair on a big boy like the gold wing.
The newer and fancier models have a lot of electronic gizmos that could let you down. I’m not sure what the goldilocks versions would be?
I’ve got a buddy that runs a GS and another on a 20 year old GL and both love them and have well over 200k and still going strong. They always talk about getting a newer version but, the bond they have with the machine they ride and believe they acquired them new so they know the bike since it left the dealership.
The GS (beemer)Owner does have a fairly new one. Think it’s a 2018 or 19 and currently down in Mexico and been across Canada and the USA in all directions.
The GL (Honda) owner does ship his bike to places and rides. Only to avoid the boring places. I’m sure the cost of shipping would be a deterrent to most. At least from my perspective, I’d ride and pay the fuel and time it takes to get to the desired area but to each their own.
Flattop PCH and other stretches, the GL is bliss. But, it can be a heavy mule if you turn down a road less travelled.
And ADV like a GS can handle rougher roads if you so choose. And sometimes you don’t know until you get there!
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St Onge has a good looking 1300, don't know if its decently priced or not?
www.autotrader.ca
2005 Honda ST1300 - Barrie
2005 Honda ST130047,859 MilesFeatures :- Full Coverage Bodywork for Wind Protection - Integrated and Lockable Saddlebags - Electronically Adjustable Windscreen * Sale Price plus HST & Licensing! * Got a Trade? Bring it in and have our Professionals look at it! * Financing Available. * Not all...
www.autotrader.ca
Gaoler
Well-known member
Is that high for that model?
Gaoler
Well-known member
Good forum for tech stuff.
An 1800 with less than 100k will be trouble free usually. Steering head bearings last about 70k.(900lbs) Tire pressures are critical. Don't be shy to run them high. Run cheap fuel. The motor has knock sensors. Keep the microswitches at the levers clean for the sake of the cruise control.
Carry spare plastic pushpins. They are everywhere.
An 1800 with less than 100k will be trouble free usually. Steering head bearings last about 70k.(900lbs) Tire pressures are critical. Don't be shy to run them high. Run cheap fuel. The motor has knock sensors. Keep the microswitches at the levers clean for the sake of the cruise control.
Carry spare plastic pushpins. They are everywhere.
Sukiyaki
Well-known member
Thanks. This has been percolating for some time and circumstances just gave me the final shove of resolve.
I already started high level planning and prep last summer, and have a first edit of gear sorted. That’s likely approaching 150+ pounds. There will be several more edits to come, but this let me start the process of shedding anything not likely coming with me…
Sukiyaki
Well-known member
Not really. But I am only making this decision once (no crystal ball, so just going to make the assumption and run with it) so I want to set myself up based on time and the size of bike I personally prefer to ride. That means liter minimum (unless a good 800/900 option presents itself) for a start…
Love it! You’re the new poster child for “ride what you got.”
Sukiyaki
Well-known member
St Onge has a good looking 1300, don't know if its decently priced or not?
2005 Honda ST1300 - Barrie
2005 Honda ST130047,859 MilesFeatures :- Full Coverage Bodywork for Wind Protection - Integrated and Lockable Saddlebags - Electronically Adjustable Windscreen * Sale Price plus HST & Licensing! * Got a Trade? Bring it in and have our Professionals look at it! * Financing Available. * Not all...
Don’t have a problem with the ST1300 either. Sitting on both at dealers I preferred the fit of the 1100 which. Can always revisit that.
Sukiyaki
Well-known member
Actually spent the last few hours revisiting the ST1300 and am coming around to that as maybe a first choice - although from what I remember the seat width was like being splayed over a horses back 
To any who responded here about the ST, any idea how difficult that big wonky fairing is to remove to get at the motor?
To any who responded here about the ST, any idea how difficult that big wonky fairing is to remove to get at the motor?
All of the comfy bikes have wide seats so what looks like a low seat height sometimes is not.
I felt that way when I test rode a BMW 1150. Lots to love but damn that tank was wide.
For your extended tour you might consider an RDL in your budget for whatever you buy.
Anything with big touring plastic for protection, getting access to the motor is likely to be a challenge cept the BMW airheads.
I felt that way when I test rode a BMW 1150. Lots to love but damn that tank was wide.
For your extended tour you might consider an RDL in your budget for whatever you buy.
Anything with big touring plastic for protection, getting access to the motor is likely to be a challenge cept the BMW airheads.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I have a few thousand kms on an ST1300. They offer nice wind and rain protection, are reliable as a hammer, and they move and handle nicely. You’re not gonna keep up to a K or FJR, and you’ll be toasty warm.Actually spent the last few hours revisiting the ST1300 and am coming around to that as maybe a first choice - although from what I remember the seat width was like being splayed over a horses back
To any who responded here about the ST, any idea how difficult that big wonky fairing is to remove to get at the motor?
Note: map out places where you can get a front tire. Last time I circled Superior we ended up with plugs as we could not find a tire anywhere in stock.
Don’t worry about the fairing - youll never likely need to remove it
