ST1300 / FJ1300 Any inside scoop

I recommend the Suzuki Hayabusa for sport touring, some of you may have test ridden one in the past. They can be make to be quite comfortable and I hear they'll keep up with all the others!
 
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Two Friends of mine have each of these. The Yamaha guy is a rider (about 12-15k a year) the Honda guy is not as devoted. The FJR has had a few issues with it. Wheel bearings, and Heat funneling right at your nads in the summer!!! The Honda needed tires! I rode the FJR and it is pretty sporty for a full bagger just not enough for my tastes. Either of these have a tremendous following in the aftermarket. Also worth mentioning is that BMW took a Boring bar to the K1200 GT ( Now a 1300) over the winter and it is supposed to rip.

I have often posted about why no one makes a serious SPORT tourer anymore. Something along the lines of the old Ducati ST4S with modern bits. The newer ST's (with the exception perhaps of the Connie) are too much on the Touring side of sport for me. I guess that's partly why I bought the Busa. :bowdown:
 
I have owned a 2005 Honda ST 1300 for four years and 16,000 trouble-free miles. The Honda, within the sport-touring segment, falls towards the touring side of the spectrum. The FJR lies towards the sport-side of the class. The handling and braking of the ST are decent for a bike with a wet weight of 710 pounds. The engine is extremely smooth, fairly tourqey, and gets good gas mileage. The gas tank capacity is 7.66 gallons with a range typically exceeding 300 miles. The wind-protection of the Honda is easily better than any bike in this class with the possible exception of the BMW RT. Overall, the bike is very refined and is an excellent mile cruncher. At the end of a 450 mile, 8 hour day, I feel reasonably good...On other machines I have become, after that number of hours and miles, irritated with some issue(s). This isn't the case on the ST 13.
Motorcycle Consumer News, probably the most objective motorcycle magazine published in the United States, and supported entirely by subscription fees as opposed to manufacturer advertising dollars, tested the C14, ST13, and the FJ13 in their December 2007 issue. The FJ narrowly beat the ST13; the C14 finished last. I believe Bike ranked, during a similar comparison, the ST13 first.
Based on my test ride of a 2005 FJR, the bike handles and accelerates better than the ST13. However, the engine vibrated, the brakes were mediocre, and the throttle was stiff.
My advice is to identify/prioritize what you really want from these bikes, how you are really going to ride, and then test-ride them for a decent amount of time and miles to make your own decision.
 
badgerbusa said:
I have owned a 2005 Honda ST 1300 for four years and 16,000 trouble-free miles. The Honda, within the sport-touring segment, falls towards the touring side of the spectrum. The FJR lies towards the sport-side of the class. The handling and braking of the ST are decent for a bike with a wet weight of 710 pounds. The engine is extremely smooth, fairly tourqey, and gets good gas mileage. The gas tank capacity is 7.66 gallons with a range typically exceeding 300 miles. The wind-protection of the Honda is easily better than any bike in this class with the possible exception of the BMW RT. Overall, the bike is very refined and is an excellent mile cruncher. At the end of a 450 mile, 8 hour day, I feel reasonably good...On other machines I have become, after that number of hours and miles, irritated with some issue(s). This isn't the case on the ST 13.
Motorcycle Consumer News, probably the most objective motorcycle magazine published in the United States, and supported entirely by subscription fees as opposed to manufacturer advertising dollars, tested the C14, ST13, and the FJ13 in their December 2007 issue. The FJ narrowly beat the ST13; the C14 finished last. I believe Bike ranked, during a similar comparison, the ST13 first.
Based on my test ride of a 2005 FJR, the bike handles and accelerates better than the ST13. However, the engine vibrated, the brakes were mediocre, and the throttle was stiff.
My advice is to identify/prioritize what you really want from these bikes, how you are really going to ride, and then test-ride them for a decent amount of time and miles to make your own decision.
Click to expand...
I have ridden over 20,000 miles on a Honda ST1300.Although performance is dissapointing after riding a Hayabusa, it tours well and 700+ mile days are no big problem. It handles well for a heavy bike. Mine has been to the Dragon twice and it's torque pulls out of the corners quite well using second and third gear. However, it aint no Busa:laugh:
 
After seeing what you did to your Busa in a short period of time (one of my favorites !!), What do you think you will be doing to one of theese ??
 
I should have mentioned this in the first response, given the high caliber of machines in this class, I think most people would be reasonably satisfied with any of these bikes. I own a 2008 Busa but would be content with a ZX14. When reading articles from magazines/sources that operate largely on manufacturer advertising dollars, be aware that objectivity may be compromised somewhat. Look for phrases in the articles that are a priority to you..accelerates well, awesome brakes...to identify the best choice for you.
Any sport-tourer's performance will pale in comparison to a ZX14 or Busa. I do have to acclimate myself to the lower performance capabilities of the ST13 after riding the Busa.
 
I owned a 2005 FJR prior to the 'Busa for about 2 years. I enjoyed the FJR immensely but it was my return to riding bike and it wouldn't have mattered how good or bad it was as I missed riding so much. It actually puts out about 127 horsepower to the rear wheel. The shaft drive and adjustable windshield were standout features.
I didn't meet any FJR owners that I ran across who had any real complaints. On a long ride it is really comfortable as the seating position is pretty upright and has excellent wind protection. The engine pulls well but it is a heavy bike.
Really nice compromise bike, somewhat sporty, looks sharp, smooth ride and can extend your riding season with the protection the fairing offers. There is a reason you seem to see a fair number of them on the road. Let us know what your friend buys and wish him well.
 
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