Honda ST1300 ABS reviews

Fun little street legal, fat tire, trail bike. Great for learners or old timers about town. 125cc will go 55 mph but much better at 35 on a dirt road. Light enough to lift or haul easy. I wish i had this bike in my youth. Fun! Show less

I owned this bike for about five years. I've ridden many bikes over the years and the NC700 is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable and enjoyable bikes in the Commuter/Sport-Touring segment. The bike has a very low center of gravity. Combined with the smooth automatic transmission it handles everything with ease. I didn't do any off-roading, however the bike simply needs some dual-sport tires and a skid plate to be an adventure ready machine. Maintenance is also very easy and infrequent besides keeping the chain properly lubed. Recently upgraded from the 2013 to a 2022...... same great bike with a few modern enhancements. Show less

Overall it's a great bike. The factory seat was absolute garbage, but once it was replaced with a better aftermarket seat, it was the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. Performance was fine; you never needed more power to feel safe getting on the freeway, but full power acceleration was not sporty by any means. It's a great cruiser and with so few of them around they always draw at least a few looks. Show less

I have heard of the weave but never experienced it with this bike. Up to 130 with no weave (with the windshield down), however what I have experienced in the last 6 months of ownership is this. This is a heavy girl. As bike weight goes up the room for error goes down. Mixmatched tires, off tire pressures and unbalanced laods can and will have a drastic effect on handling. The rear shock adjustment has a lot of travel. Going up in that travel is no biggie (I recommned as stiff as you can stand it for best handling) but going down I recommend doing it 1 or 2 clicks as it will take a little time for the shock to settle down and you could find yourself riding more of a slinky if you get happy with the adjustments. Front forks have little adjustment other than stiffer springs and oil. Stock are pretty stiff and dive is minimal even in heavy braking Handling is good and its hard to scrape the pegs. More at home going 100 on the highway but going down the twisties this beast shines more than one might expect as even hitting good sized rocks in the turns moves it very little. The weight is noticeable but not tiring. After a day on the Blue Ridge, I know i've been riding all day ride but no next day soreness or stiffness that can accompnay some bigger bikes. Motor is excellent and robust. Smooth as silk with little buzzing even at high rpms.Yes the motor whine can be drowning for some but most will be so impressed with the ride and handling it becomes one of its charms. Gas mileage is better than most bikes even with the extra 250lbs. Maintainence is fairly easy and doesnt need much compared to most. I regularly get 50 and have seen 60MPG under the right conditions. 7.5 gallon gas tank ensures you get there and since main tank is below the seat, center of gravity is low and managemble even at slow speeds though I wouldnt park on an incline with a curb without backing in. Alternator has enough amperage to add any electrical features you could want without taxing it. HP and torque ratings vary and doesnt have what some others do but way more than fast enough to send you to prison so there's that. Comfort wise, most will probably opt for the aftermarket seat. I have had to raise the stock seat all the way to keep my nuts from getting crushed against the tank. I can go for about 2 hours on the highway before having to stretch but can spend hours on the twisties at Blue Ridge and it doesnt bother me probably cause Im not in one position for very long. Shorter riders looking for a sport touring will love the low seat height as I am 5'6 and can handle this bike with ease. Panniers are great and can handle full face helmets on both sides. (good luck getting that from anyone else), Easy to lock and unlock and doesnt rewuire different keys though so integrated into the bikes looks that without them its like a turtle thats lost its rear. In conclusion: This bike does everything so well for its size with forgiving handling it could almost be described as boring but hit the twisties and she can make your butt pucker more than once. Because of its size and power there is less room for error compared to others, I would recommend getting to know this bike and the setup well before taking to its limits. Good matched tires are a must and pressures need to be checked more often. Do this, change the oil and tires as scheduled and you have a machine that will keep you satisfied whether riding to the store for groceries, touring the US or hitting the twisties at Deals Gap, this bike will be with you for a long and practically maintenance free time and with Honda reliability. You will be hard pressed to find one that can do it all better. Show less

I can't say enough about this beauty! Old school look, excellent performance, handling, efficiency, very low maintenance as most Honda's are and just a blast to drive! Upgrades are very easy to do and cost effective. Super under-rated sleeper! Show less

One of my favorite bikes! It’s so easy and comfortable to ride. Has a very wide turning Radius unlike other chopper style bikes! Definitely turns heads! And it’s a Honda… will last forever! Nice bike!! Wish I didn’t have to sell mine!! Show less

The Honda Rebel 500 is a phenomenal bike that breaks the mold of traditional motorcycle style and escapes from the boring boulevard drone. The twin-cylinder engine is surprisingly quick for its size and style. The blacked-out look, light weight, and low seat height are perfect for new or experienced riders who want a bike that looks tough, and Honda’s slip/assist clutch makes learning to ride so much easier. Cruiser-class bikes are often thought of as being slow and turtle like, but the Rebel 500 is happy to kick it up a notch. With ABS anti-lock brakes you'll have a safer ride. Plus, for 2021, Honda added the new Rebel 500 ABS SE, a version that comes with Black Diamond-Stitch Seat, Black Fork Boots and Covers, and a Black Headlight Cowl. Discover the new Rebel 500 and escape the ordinary. Show less

I went looking for a used Yamaha FJR 1300, the bike shop couldn't bring down the price on one, they had. The salesman said he had the Honda ST1300, on sale(Blue). As I sat on it, he described how clean and well kept it was. It also included the matching Pan-European bag with back support for passenger, and knee pads on the tank. The salesman asked if I wanted to test-ride it. I said "No, need, I'll take it!" It's the most car-like suspension I've felt on a bike without sacrificing handling. The balance is so good; I've even had a few front-wheel slides going over small dirt patches and train rails without losing its composure, quickly regaining traction. Even though it has linked brakes, you can still lock up the rear wheel and fishtail it a few inches for fun, occasionally. Too heavy for wheelies, but front end will get very light under hard acceleration, maybe clearing an inch or 2. My top (track, long straight) speed on my ST1300, 155 mph! Show less

This was not a good purchase. I researched my first bike for awhile. I chose the NC700 because of the Dual Clutch Transmission. It'd been awhile since my MST course, and I remember having trouble with stalling at stops. So the DCT looked to be a good choice for a beginner. I bought one used, with 5000 miles, from a senior citizen who'd added a useful windscreen and bags. Sensible, safe, and a good commuter? These boxes it checked. And the DCT worked as advertised. Shifted up and shifted down on its own, or at the punch of your thumb. It gave some confidence. And it was easy to manage in NYC street traffic. And the front trunk was fun. I wound up treating it like a fanny pack. But was the bike fun, comfortable, and good for the interstate? NO. It struggled to keep up with interstate speeds over 80mph. The model is tuned to give all its power at low speeds, and it has a rev limiter to protect the engine. So at interstate speed, with no fairing, it got caught by the wind, slowed down, and any attempts to increase the engine hit the stupid rev limiter. Lastly, after a couple hours on the interstate, the seat made my butt sore in a way that lasted for days. And the bike was not FUN. Even around town, it chunked and it clunked. It was forgiving, but in no way inspiring. I remember having a Honda Elite scooter that more gleeful. It would always shift itself upward too soon, and the chugging reminded me of a tractor. After about a year, it was stolen for a joyride and wrecked up in the Bronx. I was surprised to find I didn't mind it being gone. I missed having a motorcycle. But not that motorcycle, the NC700x. So buyer beware. If you go over to the NC700x forum site, most of the posts tell you it's "just as good as larger bike" or a "Mini-Dualsport" or "Good for all my needs". I believed these posts, but in my experience, I outgrew this motorcycle in about 6 months. Show less

This has been a splendid bike, but at 725lb., my arrival at 72 yrs. of age, tho fit, has raised questions about my continuing ability to control it at very low speeds. The decision was hastened by the arrival of a 430 Yamaha triple in the fleet. The lighter bike has restored my confidence and almost left me feeling like a kid again. Show less