Honda ST1100 reviews

I just picked up my 2001 ST1100 on 3/30/01 from the dealer, and rode 56 miles home. (Yes, I took the long way home, and it was the first time that I have ever been on a ST.) I had wrestled with two bikes before buying the ST; the other bike was the Triumph Trophy 1200. My local dealer had the Trophy all winter (I'm from Michigan) so I have been drooling over the Trophy the whole time, but FINALLY when they got the ST in, at first it was not love at first sight until I sat on it. The ST, as far as comfort, beats the Trophy hands down. The practicality of the ST goes far beyond the Trophy, don't get me wrong, the Trophy is a good bike, I would have bought it if there wasn't such a thing as an ST. Now I have about 500 miles on it and I'm taking it in for the first service ($276), I have no doubts or regrets about purchasing the ST. Local dealer, Town & Country in Cement City MI, is great! ST MSRP for $11,899, I was "out the door" for $11,164.00. I asked them how they do it and the sales guy, who is not on commission, said that they have a 6% mark up on all bikes and that is IT! So the price on the ST was $10,499.00 + 6% tax. Great deal, and I would recommend this dealership to anybody. The power is more then what is needed in a sport/touring bike, the breaks excellent, and I love the shaft drive. The only thing that I had to get used to was the weight (my old bike was a Nighthawk). Moving the ST around in my garage can get a bit hairy, if I'm not careful. Once the bike starts to lean, it wants to go all the way over. But all feelings of weight are lost once you exceed 5mph, and after all this is a TOURING/sport bike. Honda, in my opinion, put more touring than sport into this bike. It's more like a Lincoln LS than a mustang. But if you want the best of both worlds in one bike, the ST does it and does it with comfort and style. I would recommend this bike to any mature serious rider. I will post again when I get more miles on it. Happy riding! Show less

I have a 1990 model that I purchased two years ago. Since then I have put about 14000 km on it, most of which have been on the highway. The bike is surprisingly fast, and capable of smooth effortless running at highway speeds. If you are not careful the speed can really build up before you know it. The brakes are good, but the bike is heavy and you really need them. The tall seat also makes moving the bike a challenge if you stop on grass. The biggest failing of the bike is a tendency to lean over into a crosswind. Removing the bags improves the bike a lot in this respect, but the problem can cause some really scary moments in a gusty crosswind. A touring bike that stays in the shed on windy days isn't much fun. Show less

Bike comments are largely subjective but I'll try to be objective in my comments. Had a '96 ACE...too hard on my back, no luggage capacity, and lousy weather protection (remember I ride in the Northwest where it rains a lot). Had a 'Wing, great on the highway, a real handful in city rush-hour traffic but enjoyed the 6 stack CD player and luggage capacity. With the ST1100 I have the best of both worlds...awesome power on tap (yet manageable), good protection, and decent luggage capacity. This bike retails for $15900 CDN up here, but dealers will dicker around the $13+ range if you're persistent. Show less

I've been riding my 1998 ST1100 for about one year. Every time I take it out for a ride it's like discovering the pleasure of riding all over again. I've owned a about 20 motorcycles in my lifetime and none of the previous bikes felt anything like the ST1100. I have to confess I was reading the reviews about the BMW R1100RT's. I've seen them and think they look pretty cool. But after reading about all of the quirks every reviewer reported I realized what a great machine the ST1100 is. The St1100 is the smoothest, quickest, best handling motorcycle I've owned. I say this after owning every Japanese brand made, from super-bikes to cruisers. If your crotch-rocket is starting to break your back and deaden your palms,or you can't ride it for more than 41 minutes a stretch, trade it in on an ST1100. Get a Corbin seat on it and the proper windshield height............you're there...enjoy. CB Show less

I recently took my 1999 ST on a four-day 2000-mile run through western Colorado the weather ranged from 38 degrees to 115 degree during the trip. I weigh 200lbs and I was fully loaded; the bike took those mountain passes like Butter!. I cant tell you how much fun it is to zoom up a 10,500 ft mountain with not even a hint of power loss and then twist down the other side without multiple gear shifts. I passed a lot HD's on that trip, they didn't seem to have the power to run with me. I averaged 54mpg, and I usually run at 80mph. The bike begins to live at 85mph and is smooth as silk at 120mph. I am a proponent of this machine; in fourteen thousand miles it has not let me down. Very smooth, very reliable, plenty of room in the seat, great winds protection...Buy one, CYA. Show less

We presently own a 1994 Honda ST1100. This motorcycle really goes with two up and is reliable as any bike out there. We plan to sell this bike for a 2001 sports touring bike next year. Owned mostly Hondas but the BMW R1100RT is seriously being looked at. It's our hopes that Honda does what is being speculated: to give the good old ST1100 a facelift. Update it with heated grips, adjustable windshield,etc., etc.. Wake up Honda! Produce the SST1200 or Honda will lose riders to the BMW R1100RT. Show less

I ride my ST like it's a CBR900 and it doesn't let me down. It handles so well for a heavy bike. It's able to drag the foot pegs and keep up with my fast buddy on his Honda VFR. Besides it's smooth and comfortable. Just a little stiffening of the suspension both front and rear and perhaps some stickier radials and it would be just perfect. What a roadworthy bike. Show less

I just completed a marvelous trip through Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, two up with luggage and a tank bag plus a GIVI trunk on the luggage rack and the bike handled every thing I asked of it in superb fashion. I rode the Cabot Trail with abandon and got 45 to 50 mph while doing it. It has the smoothest motor which seems to do everything in a manner which makes me feel like it isn't really having to work at it. The cruisers and the "Wings" had to look at my rear end the whole trip!!!! Show less

Pros: Excellent wind protection, excellent touring range (300 miles +), good gas mileage (40 mpg +), comfortable riding position, electric-smooth engine, nice shifting transmission, somewhat spirited riding. Cons: Very heavy bike, especially at slow parking lot speeds. Engine could use more power. Show less

I purchased my 99 Honda ST1100 new in April of 1999. So far I just love the bike. It's fast and handles better than I can drive. It seems to do everything that I want with ease. At anywhere near legal speeds, and even up to 100mph, the engine doesn't seem to be working very hard. Shifting to pass is purely optional. The engine seems to have so much torque that all you need to do is twist and go. For touring, you can load it down like a pack mule and it doesn't seem affected. I also do some sport riding with my buddies, who have pure sport bikes, and I have no trouble keeping up. The only problem I have had is the rear shock went soft. Honda replaced this under warranty immediately, so, no more problem! Thanks Honda! The only other problem is that this bike thinks our North American speed limits are some sort of joke. you're going WAY faster than you think. Could get you in trouble with the MAN. I'm getting about 450 - 475 km to a tank of gas. Also, it has the most comfortable seating position of any bike I've ever driven. What else can I say. I Luv my ST! Cheers! Show less