Well I finally did it. After 3 years of great riding on my VTX 1800 I moved to the ST world. I traded my 130 mph barka lounger for a Honda ST 1300. This move as actually been on the brain for some time now. Finally just said lets do this. Its time for a change. Man what a change it is. I took my first ride today. Around 140 miles and I still have half a tank of gas left. The first impressions are I miss my VTX comfort. My knees are bent under me and my feet only have a peg to rest on not the floor boards. I am slightly bent forward and my wrists are a little sore. The 1st option will be the heli bar spacers the move the bars 1 inch up and a couple back. At least that is my first thought. My second was what the heck have I done I want my X Back. On my way to meet Bill and his son for a ride up to check out the mountain loop Hwy. Stopped to gas up. Man now I have to use premium. But I am off with a full tank, 7 plus gallons of gas. I turn on to the freeway ramp and twist the throttle. Man I am used to the big torque kick in the pants of the VTX. Did not get it here. Thinking I will have to get used to that I look at my speedo to see I am accelerating past 90. Holy crap bat man. I don't feel a thing no vibration, no wind just silky smooth. Took a short run up I5. I can raise the windshield with a button. Full up and no wind. I seem to be in a perfect wind free bubble. I can raise my hand and feel the wind. It is just over my head but I also notice it is a smooth steady wind not a buffeting wind like of my X. I can lower the windshield so that the wind is hitting my shoulders. Again it is smooth no buffeting. I raise the windshield so that the wind is juts on my for head and again smooth. I guess there is something about the aerodynamics of the fairing that eliminate the cross winds and buffeting you get on a cruiser? I find it is so smooth at all speeds that I will need to watch it or I will get a ticket. As we start to hit some of the back roads and twisties I find that the bike is cornering effortlessly almost by itself. Was trying not to push it since the roads were a little damp and it is still new to me. There are several very long straight stretches on the mountain loop highway. On the way back I turned it up to a little over 110. No effort, no vibration, no wind buffeting, smooth as silk. This makes the thought of higher speeds less daunting. At end of the day all I had to say is WOW. I thought 5 years ago that my Shadow was as good as it got. Then I discovered heavy weight high hp cruising with the VTX. Could it get any better I though. Well I guess it just keeps getting better and better. The ST is another great new world and will make all the roads new again. 140 miles and I still have half a tank? Whats with that? Thanks Randy The X Man www.motonorthwests. |
motorcycle, honda, suzuki, yamaha, ducati, triumph, motorcycle insurance, motorcycle loans.
motorcycle, honda, suzuki, yamaha, ducati, triumph, motorcycle insurance, motorcycle loans.
motorcycle, honda, suzuki, yamaha, ducati, triumph, motorcycle insurance, motorcycle loans.
motorcycle, honda, suzuki, yamaha, ducati, triumph, motorcycle insurance, motorcycle loans.
motorcycle, honda, suzuki, yamaha, ducati, triumph, motorcycle insurance, motorcycle loans.