Carole and I did quite a bit of extensive research before deciding on purchasing the ST1300. We had compared several different motorcycles in the cruiser and sport touring classes. The deciding factors were:
1. ABS Brakes
2. Interlinked Brakes
3. Shaft Drive
4. Power enough to keep up with (and pass) the GL1800
5. Solid fit and finish
6. Low maintenance
7. Large network of support
8. History
9. Honda Reliability
10. Sexy!

After we decided on the ST1300 we had to find a 2004 model. Carole did not like the red which was the only color available in the 2005 models. Blue was the only color 2004 models carried. I searched all around the state and asked for assistance from anybody on the internet that knew where a new 2004 still in the crate could be found. We didn't want to buy a showroom model knowing that they have been kicked around quite a bit by shoppers. I received an email from a gentleman in Thousand Oaks that recommended their local dealer. He said he didn't know if they had one, but if anyone could find one they would.

I called Yannich at Thousand Oaks Honda and told him what I was looking for. He said he would see what he could find and call me back the next day. In about ten minutes he called me back and said he had located one and could have it ready for us by the weekend. We worked out the financial particulars over the phone and the deal was sealed. Three days later Carole and I were driving down in our convertible to pick up her new 2004 ST1300.

We had agreed that I would ride the ST home on her maiden voyage. Carole was not comfortable with the idea of riding a brand new bike 370 miles. I told her I would be happy to ride it home, but that she needed to put the first mile on the bike to truly call it her own. We arrived at Thousand Oaks Honda at about 11:00 AM and Carole instantly saw her new bike sitting in the parking lot ready to go. We completed the necessary paperwork and purchased a rotor lock and headed back out to the bike. Yannich showed us everything about the bike, shook our hands and wished us well. Carole got on the bike and started her up.

Everybody talks about the way the GL1800 and the ST1300 lose all their weight as soon as the bike is moving. I've experienced it on the GL1800. Get the wing to 5 miles an hour and all of a sudden you are wearing it, not driving it. Well, the ST1300 is entirely different. As soon as the wheels start moving it becomes the perfect dance partner that anticipates your every move. Carole put it in gear and began rolling through the parking lot as I took pictures. She took a couple of laps around the lot and then parked it. She was laughing when she took off her helmet. "This bike is absolutely scary! It's the easiest thing on the planet to ride." Yeah, yeah.... everyone says that about their bike.

I jumped on her bike and waited for her to lead me out of the parking lot. As I clicked her into gear and started her moving I was absolutely stunned! The Goldwing handles parking lots fairly well but you need to know what you are doing. The ST rode like nothing I had ever experienced! It was the easiest thing to move around the parking lot, even easier than a low slung cruiser. I couldn't wait to hit the roads.

I had done quite a bit of homework on breaking in a bike. There are tons of opinions and just as many websites that tell you the correct way to brake in a bike, and none of them agree. So I figured it was a crap shoot. What the heck, I'd just ride her like normal except I would not maintain the same rpm for more than 30 seconds or so until I had over 200 miles on the odometer. So off we went, me following Carole onto Hwy 101 and then on I-5 heading back home.

The throttle response was incredible, but how the bike handled the acceleration was unbelievable. I'm used to the high torque engine on the GL1800. When you open up the throttle from a cruise you better be holding on tight as it will pull itself out of your hands. The ST, on the other hand, seemed to simply pick up speed. I didn't feel that real body rush but I did notice that the speedometer seemed to be moving upward mighty quickly. This is hard to explain, but the ST will out accelerate the GL... you just can't feel it. The ST's profile and the way you posture to match it makes speed visual more than physical. Getting from 60 to 110 on the ST happens surprisingly fast with no clues other than the speedometer.

Going through curves and turns on the ST is like going down hill on skis.... its what they are meant to do! You truly do wear the ST instead of ride it. It takes input from the rider as if it was offering input to the rider. Almost every maneuver is accomplished as a thought, with no sense of physical requirement. Several times I would push on the handlebars just to make sure I was still in control. The bike just seemed to know what I needed regardless of speed or angle. The first couple of bumps I hit surprised me as the ST absorbed them well but didn't act like a Cadillac.

My only complaints about the ST are the digital readouts and the paint. The digital readouts are pretty much useless if you are wearing sunglasses. Even with their brightness turned all the way up, they take way too much focus to be able to see them in bright sun light. The paint is typical of Honda... soft and easily scuffed and scratched. Plastic covers are a must for the knee and saddlebag areas.

One other major benefit of the ST is the electric windshield. When I first heard about it I thought, "Yeah... like anyone ever wants to adjust their windshield after the first 50 miles." Well, I found I was constantly adjusting it depending on conditions. While on the streets it is comfortable all the way down. When riding down the freeway it was nice to move it up to where it was just below my line of sight where I didn't have to look through it but the wind-noise and force on my helmet was minimized. At one point we ran in to some rain. I put the windshield all the way up and stayed dry for the 15 minutes or so it took us to get through it. The electric windshield is worth every penny.

The ST1300 is a perfect commuter and long distance riding bike. I'll stick to my GL because I like its comfort a little more and it has plenty of power. The ST1300 has me leaning a little too much on my hands for my tastes. But it fits Carole's posture perfectly, offering no stress to her muscles. I can see the two of us doing an Iron Butt ride one day soon, and then cruising through some twisties the next day just to loosen up. The ST is definitely made to ride, and ride, and ride, and ride......