CB1100 or ST1300?

[Jim21680_imp]

Don't let this question hijack the thread, but what's a typical mpg rating for the ST1300?
I imagine it's a bit better than a Gold Wing (maybe I shouldn't consider that as Honda's ultimate tourer...?)

[lukeduck_imp]

Heck of a question. Either bike should do just fine. Back in 08 I did 400 mile days on a CB250. It carried me and all my crap to Oregon and back. Course I was still a young man then, only 62. Have met alot of LEOs here in So Cal that swear by the ST, like it alot better than the BMW. Me I'd take the the big CB, it's in the garage and it's all mine. Which ever way you go have fun and stay safe.

[the Ferret]

Don't let this question hijack the thread, but what's a typical mpg rating for the ST1300?
I imagine it's a bit better than a Gold Wing (maybe I shouldn't consider that as Honda's ultimate tourer...?)

Jim, I average 50 mpg on my ST and 54 MPG on my CB ( although the last 2 tanks have been over 57 mpg)

[CIP57_imp]

You Have to be more alert when stopping on the ST, you have to be firmly planted. The ST handles it weight better than its competition the Connie or FJR, has a much more neutral steering. The ST's suspension is more comfortable and with a fuel range of 300+ cant be beat. The St also cleans up much easier than the CB, get caught in the rain you just need a hose and some soap clean up the body parts and your good to go.
Again what are you using the bike for??

[AzBob_imp]

Thanks for the responses...I know several members have both and appreciate all input. I didn't know until today, they quit making the ST1300 last year. The CTX1300 is a cruiser design.

Actually, the ST1300 was last released in the U.S. in 2012. Before that, they skipped 2011. It's still produced, but only for Police organizations.

Lots of people saying you can convert the CB1100 into a sport-tourer, and while I wholeheartedly disagree (you can convert it into an amalgamation of something that can possibly perform slightly longer distances and look ridiculous doing it, IMO), the paltry gas-tank size of the CB is the most limiting factor in my mind. You get barely 200 miles to a tank, whereas a proper sport-tourer should get you over 300.

That being said, the ST1300 is at the bottom of the list amongst its competition in the sport-touring segment. It is heavy, slow, old, and expensive (when new). The Kawasaki Concours 14 (the only other bike in this list besides the ST1300 that lacks cruise control), Yamaha FJR1300A/ES, BMW K1600GT/GTLE, BMW R1200RT, and Triumph Trophy SE are all better bikes in one way or another. The best value in those seems to be the FJR whereas the K1600GT seems to be the overall best (with the associated price tag).

If it were me, and the CB and ST were my only choices, I'd go with the ST1300.

[kevbroce_imp]

Thanks for the responses...I know several members have both and appreciate all input. I didn't know until today, they quit making the ST1300 last year. The CTX1300 is a cruiser design.

Actually, the ST1300 was last released in the U.S. in 2012. Before that, they skipped 2011. It's still produced, but only for Police organizations.

Lots of people saying you can convert the CB1100 into a sport-tourer, and while I wholeheartedly disagree (you can convert it into an amalgamation of something that can possibly perform slightly longer distances and look ridiculous doing it, IMO), the paltry gas-tank size of the CB is the most limiting factor in my mind. You get barely 200 miles to a tank, whereas a proper sport-tourer should get you over 300.

That being said, the ST1300 is at the bottom of the list amongst its competition in the sport-touring segment. It is heavy, slow, old, and expensive (when new). The Kawasaki Concours 14 (the only other bike in this list besides the ST1300 that lacks cruise control), Yamaha FJR1300A/ES, BMW K1600GT/GTLE, BMW R1200RT, and Triumph Trophy SE are all better bikes in one way or another. The best value in those seems to be the FJR whereas the K1600GT seems to be the overall best (with the associated price tag).

If it were me, and the CB and ST were my only choices, I'd go with the ST1300.

That's pretty much how I feel. And if you can get close to 200 miles on the CB's tank, you're just touring, that can't be very sporty riding.

[the Ferret]

Interesting replies.

I think it might come down to how you define touring and sport touring. Honda calls my ST a sport tourer. I call it a tourer. Primarily used (by me) for freeway work, and although it handles pretty well, at 717 pounds, to anyone who has ridden a true sport bike, it definitely leans toward the TOURING end of the equation. On the other hand, the new Kawasaki Ninja for example, weighing in 200 pounds less, with 140 horsepower, less wind protection and storage than the ST, leans more toward the SPORT end of sport touring. Both are classified the same, but couldn't be more different.

So if you define sport touring as a lightweight reasonable powerful, reasonably comfortable motorcycle capable of carrying you and some gear on mostly backroads with a lot of curves, I think the CB is perfectly capable of filling that role with a small shield and some soft luggage.

Having said that, Bob lives in southwest, I live in the midwest. Around here you are rarely further than 25 miles from a gas station at any time so gas capacity of your tank is not that big of a deal. You can Sport tour from the top of Michigan to the tip of Florida, from St Louis to the tip of Maine on a bike with a 4 gallon tank without much worry. Having just returned from a trip to the west coast, I can tell you this is a huge country and out west there are expanses of nothingness that stretch on seemingly forever. There were times I was thrilled to have the 7.7 tank on the ST. My buddy on his Suzuki with a 5.8 gallon tank went within .4 gallons of pushing several times before we were able to locate gas. Arizona, Nevada, parts of California, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon are some very remote areas. If I lived in some of those areas I'd be worried with a 4 gallon tank. Like I said there were times I was concerned and I had almost twice that at my disposal. So I'd say a lot depends on where you live or where you plan to ride geographically whether the CB has a big enough tank.

Every time I am out touring or sport touring, I like to think about the motorcycling pioneers, guys who rode across the country in the early 1900s..or around the world even.

This month in Rider magazine there is a story about Carl Clancy who made an around the world trip in 1912-1913 on a 1912 1000cc 4 cyl Henderson motorcycle producing a whopping 7 HP.( touring spped 40 mph). It had a 2 gallon gas tank, got 50 mpg (range 100 miles) and with a total loss oil system 175 miles per quart of oil. Few paved roads, few gas stations, few motorcycle repair shops. No helmets, no commercial riding gear, and English was not spoken in many parts of the globe. Oft time he would run out of gas and have to walk until he found a hardware store which sold gas. 11 months on the road, 18,000 miles. No AAA, no cell phones, no U haul rentals, no McDonalds, no Holiday Inn Expresses with air conditioning. Astonishing what he must have gone through.

When you consider what Clancy went through, sport touring on a 2013-2014 CB 1100 Honda inside the borders of United States... Sheesh... Piece of cake!

[Offroad]

Thanks for all the comments...I'm "soaking" them up! I'm in southern Indiana and my trips would be to the Smokies or Florida....Panama City is the closest for FL, but still about 500 miles. I want to cruise the coast and the curves of the mountains, just not thrilled about the long trips to get there. I'm entertaining a new thought of purchasing an enclosed motorcycle trailer for my CB1100std...my brief search shows some nice tandem 7x12 V-nose for two motorcycles for about $5000. Any suggestions or comments about using a trailer, where to buy one, near southern Indiana within a 200 mile range? Trailer brakes needed?

[rboe]

Sport touring is more of an attitude than the hardware, and perhaps the road chosen. Some bikes will certainly be more sporting than others and will be chosen by riders with more sporting attitude.

With the right oil, and attitude, you could sport tour on a GROM.

[the Ferret]

Thanks for all the comments...I'm "soaking" them up! I'm in southern Indiana and my trips would be to the Smokies or Florida....Panama City is the closest for FL, but still about 500 miles. I want to cruise the coast and the curves of the mountains, just not thrilled about the long trips to get there. I'm entertaining a new thought of purchasing an enclosed motorcycle trailer for my CB1100std...my brief search shows some nice tandem 7x12 V-nose for two motorcycles for about $5000. Any suggestions or comments about using a trailer, where to buy one, near southern Indiana within a 200 mile range? Trailer brakes needed?

As long as you have a good tow vehicle no trailer brakes needed.

Let me say something about enclosed vs open trailers...and btw towing is not a bad option. Save your energy and tires for the good roads is a common theme for towers.

I've had both open and closed and both have their strength and weaknesses from my perspective

Enclosed

pros :better bike protection from elements and prying eyes.
You can store motorcycle gear tools etc in the enclosed trailer with the bike
With fold down ramp/ door it's easy loading and unloading

Cons: higher cost
More weight..harder on tow vehicle, uses more gas
Can't see through them to traffic behind you
Must back tow vehicle to trailer
Cannot see into it to see if tie down has come loose or broken


Open trailer

pros: less expensive to buy
Can be moved without tow vehicle
With fold down back gate its easy loading and unloading
Less weight easier on tow vehicle uses less gas
can see through it to traffic behind you
Can see if tie down strap is loose or breaks

Cons: Bike in the elements and prying eyes can see what is on your trailer
Must pack motorcycle gear and tools inside tow vehicle


You have to choose which pros and cons are most important to you. I sold my enclosed and bought an open trailer for the times I must/ choose to to tow my bike/s, which isn't very often.

Whichever model of trailer you choose, make sure it has " at least" 13" wheels and that the wheels are equipped with bearing buddies or equivalent for maintenance. Get a spare tire, a 4 way lug wrench and a scissor jack before you tow your first mile.

Edit..isn't southern Indiana the center piece of trailer making?