Looking for Wingmen

[Sukiyaki]

Thanks for everyone’s contributions.

I haven’t been on the site much this week and have t been monitoring my own thread, as the conversation really helped me decide in a direction.

Based on comments, research, and being clear about my own preferences I’ve narrowed down the list to:

- my first choice being a clean ST1300 (but I’m still have to overcome my wariness of it being shaft drive)

- older model HD second (but my concerns here are that I have multiple herniated discs and I’m worried about spending long periods on a literal “bone shaker”)

- an older Wing

At the rate winter is leaving us, seems like I still have time to make a decision, but I’m already shortlisting prospects.

Thanks again for everything! Not shutting down the thread, so please keep posting whatever you got to say!

 

[Wingboy]

Thanks for everyone’s contributions.

I haven’t been on the site much this week and have t been monitoring my own thread, as the conversation really helped me decide in a direction.

Based on comments, research, and being clear about my own preferences I’ve narrowed down the list to:

- my first choice being a clean ST1300 (but I’m still have to overcome my wariness of it being shaft drive)

- older model HD second (but my concerns here are that I have multiple herniated discs and I’m worried about spending long periods on a literal “bone shaker”)

- an older Wing

At the rate winter is leaving us, seems like I still have time to make a decision, but I’m already shortlisting prospects.

Thanks again for everything! Not shutting down the thread, so please keep posting whatever you got to say!

What is your concern with shaft drive?

 

[ToSlow]

Thanks for everyone’s contributions.

I haven’t been on the site much this week and have t been monitoring my own thread, as the conversation really helped me decide in a direction.

Based on comments, research, and being clear about my own preferences I’ve narrowed down the list to:

- my first choice being a clean ST1300 (but I’m still have to overcome my wariness of it being shaft drive)

- older model HD second (but my concerns here are that I have multiple herniated discs and I’m worried about spending long periods on a literal “bone shaker”)

- an older Wing

At the rate winter is leaving us, seems like I still have time to make a decision, but I’m already shortlisting prospects.

Thanks again for everything! Not shutting down the thread, so please keep posting whatever you got to say!

Someone has been telling you stories and not truth if you think anything post mid 90,s Harley are a bone shaker, i definitely wouldn’t count it out, maybe see if you could ride one

 

[Mad Mike]

Someone has been telling you stories and not truth if you think anything post mid 90,s Harley are a bone shaker, i definitely wouldn’t count it out, maybe see if you could ride one

Only bulletproof shaft drives are Yamaha - never seen one fail.

Honda ST1300 need maintenance, but they are close to bulletproof. You MUST lube the shaft splines, every second tire change is good. If you don’t, you’ll get clunk and joint may fail (I’ve repaired 1). Cush rubbers and should be changed every 100000km or 10 years as the get rock hard. Diff oil is often overlooked maintenance, should be done once a year - I’ve met lots of bikes with over 100k without a change.

If you get an ST, assume this has never been done unless the owner tells you otherwise.It’s also a good idea to replace coolant hoses and stat, these bikes run hot and those parts age with time - its easy but a lot of Tupperware removal is necessary. $200 in parts and a day of easy DIY labor will give you reliability and peace of mind.

Look for 2006 or later, earlier bikes had some frame and charging issues.

 

[Sukiyaki]

What is your concern with shaft drive?

Maintenance and repairs in the field.

I’m not staying in Canada and won’t be spending a lot of time in cities.

 

[Sukiyaki]

Someone has been telling you stories and not truth if you think anything post mid 90,s Harley are a bone shaker, i definitely wouldn’t count it out, maybe see if you could ride one

That is something I hope to do, yes. Won’t be buying current, likely early 00’s

Useful info. Thanks.

 

[Sukiyaki]

Only bulletproof shaft drives are Yamaha - never seen one fail.

Honda ST1300 need maintenance, but they are close to bulletproof. You MUST lube the shaft splines, every second tire change is good. If you don’t, you’ll get clunk and joint may fail (I’ve repaired 1). Cush rubbers and should be changed every 100000km or 10 years as the get rock hard. Diff oil is often overlooked maintenance, should be done once a year - I’ve met lots of bikes with over 100k without a change.

If you get an ST, assume this has never been done unless the owner tells you otherwise.It’s also a good idea to replace coolant hoses and stat, these bikes run hot and those parts age with time - its easy but a lot of Tupperware removal is necessary. $200 in parts and a day of easy DIY labor will give you reliability and peace of mind.

Look for 2006 or later, earlier bikes had some frame and charging issues.

Very useful. Thanks!

 

[Sukiyaki]

I understand there is no unicorn perfect bike.

All choices are varying degrees of potential risks, foibles, and compromises.

And who knows, I could get hit by a Toronto driver leaving the driveway and there goes the bike and trip anyway…

 

[GreyGhost]

Maintenance and repairs in the field.

I’m not staying in Canada and won’t be spending a lot of time in cities.

In that case, imo the less Tupperware the better. Plastic covers are pretty but make
diagnosing and Repairing anything far more work.

 

[Mad Mike]

I understand there is no unicorn perfect bike.

All choices are varying degrees of potential risks, foibles, and compromises.

And who knows, I could get hit by a Toronto driver leaving the driveway and there goes the bike and trip anyway…

Ya, there is. Vstrom.

 

[Mad Mike]

In that case, imo the less Tupperware the better. Plastic covers are pretty but make
diagnosing and Repairing anything far more work.

On a liquid cooled bike with a lot of element protection, they are inevitable.

Harley’s do a good job without plastics, not so for Japanese bikes - they love the stuff.

 

[Glenn/RZ500]

Consider the FJR1300? Not certain of your budget,... how about a used late model BMW RT or one of several big H-D baggers. Can`t miss with any of `em. Too bad about your current predicament, seems every man learns the same way,... the hard way. Hang in there.

 

[Sukiyaki]

Ya, there is. Vstrom.

Already considered. 650 fits well but I want at least an 800, and theirs are too new, so too expensive resale. I like the 1050 but it’s too tall.

 

[Sukiyaki]

Consider the FJR1300? Not certain of your budget,... how about a used late model BMW RT or one of several big H-D baggers. Can`t miss with any of `em. Too bad about your current predicament, seems every man learns the same way,... the hard way. Hang in there.

I like the bike I can’t sit on it. It’s like straddling a horse.

No to BMW. Too expensive, I don’t like their old ones and their ADV are too tall and too high centre of gravity.