I laugh at the fact that my GTR1000 which I respect has 6 gears and you are always looking for 7th yet the ST11 has 5 but can trundle at slow walking pace and still has a 5th like an overdrive it's so relaxed...
Return to an ST1100
- Thread starter Wrigsby1
- Start date
The 90s Honda range was/is pretty awesome for build quality.
I agree and others as well. Most of the focus more recently seems to be on just meeting ever increasing emission standards.
And cost cutting
Maybe..... was it any cheaper to make a VFR1200X than an ST1100 though?
I thought my Crosstourer really good build quality... Just built by committee and a bit disjointed unlike the 90s Honda's which largely delivered a complete package .. The ST11 are not the build quality of the 13s but much more of a complete design and way less complicated if you have to fix them ...
I felt much the same way about my Varadero 1000 - one of the last ones. Beautiful engine, fantastic comfort, could shift if it was asked. It took us both all over Europe several times. Its the bike I most miss, though at 76 I would find it too heavy now.
Having test ridden the VFR1200F I so wanted a Crosstourer both for the Honda build quality and that lovely V4 engine, until the day I actually rode it.I thought my Crosstourer really good build quality... Just built by committee and a bit disjointed unlike the 90s Honda's which largely delivered a complete package .. The ST11 are not the build quality of the 13s but much more of a complete design and way less complicated if you have to fix them ...
Quick enough, but (for us) really uncomfortable 2-up, and I just couldn’t see riding it all the way to Greece without a lot of pain, but the main thing that put me off was that it looked like a parts-bin special. Your phrase of ‘built by a committee and a bit disjointed’ describes it beautifully.
I’d still like the VFR12, but just for fun solo use.
In the ‘90’s I was working for Honda doing bike course for 5 years and got a new ST1100 every year. When you got used to the weight (the first day I had it I nicknamed it ‘Benny the barge’) it was a superb machine, and just right for the job with all-day comfort and reliability, plus you could really get a shuffle on when you needed, and it surprised a lot of people.. one guy on a ‘bird asked if it had been tuned up!
After I left Honda I part-ex’d my Blackbird in on a new ST13, still a great bike but not quite as relaxed as the 11.
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So my cheapo Pan has been used as intended except for the shite road conditions and weather I've used it in... At long last it's on the ramp for an oil change and new rear tyre... Since moving back to the UK mainland, I've been amazed at how long the tyres last on the worn crapola roads...
Now remember this is a 35 year old well used and roughly refreshed bike but I had to photo the "gap of shame", one of the reasons older ST11s have their problems... The missing bit on the bottom of the mudguard is fantastically effective in letting all the road crap and water onto/into the swingarm gaps, the rear of the fuel tank, the alternator and the rear on the main frame... Results are rusting/leaking tanks, rotton swingarm from the inside out and buggered alternator...
I know this as it's what I had to fix on my last doer-upper...
Now remember this is a 35 year old well used and roughly refreshed bike but I had to photo the "gap of shame", one of the reasons older ST11s have their problems... The missing bit on the bottom of the mudguard is fantastically effective in letting all the road crap and water onto/into the swingarm gaps, the rear of the fuel tank, the alternator and the rear on the main frame... Results are rusting/leaking tanks, rotton swingarm from the inside out and buggered alternator...
I know this as it's what I had to fix on my last doer-upper...
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Out on the Pan again today and it makes me laugh that a bike that was classed as soooo boring and pure "Come Ride With Us" Honda feels such an organic ride these days... No rider aids, old style brakes but still fine and super smooth Carb engine... Jump on and ride off and as it cost nearly feck all it is totally for using...
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