Considering a used ST1100

Hi all

Some of the very very very old-school people in here may remember me, I
frequented this group in the late 90's when I rode a humble GN250.

The GN250 has long since been sold for parts, the engine having shat on
itself in a fashion making it uneconomic to repair.

Many years have gone by since then (6-7, to be exact) with no bike in my
life, but I'm thankfully now in a position to remedy that problem.

I'm now living out past Beaudesert, and have scored a fulltime job in
the Brisbane CBD which will require me to do the 100km+ commute in and
back each day. Car parking at work is nonexistant, but there is space
for motorcycles, and it's free or very cheap, depending on where you park.

I'm looking for a bike which (in no particular order):

* Is suited to long distance commuting.
* Has a relatively upright seating position so as not to cause my neck
unnecessary grief.
* Has decent fuel economy.
* Has very good headlights - I'll be doing a lot of riding on unlit
country roads which are darker than a lump of coal at midnight in a
black cat's... umm... handbag. Preferably the alternator would also
handle some additional lights.
* Has a decent amount of pull. I'm a big bloke (6'3"-ish and 120kg) and
a lot of 250's I've tried have trouble getting me up to 100km/hr and
keeping me there.
* Has a decent amount of carrying capacity. As already mentioned, I'm a
big bloke, and I'll also be needing to cart anywhere up to 15kg of
textbooks and stuff around with me.

At the moment I'm considering an ex-police 2000 model Honda ST1100 with
about 93000km on it. The dealer is asking $8k for it.

Specific questions I've got are:

* For people who know the ST1100, does it sound suitable for me given
what I want to do with it, does the asking price sound reasonable, and
are there any ST1100-specific problems that I should look for when
inspecting or test-riding it? Are the ex-police ST1100's any good?

* For everyone in general, could you reccomend any other suitable bikes
for what I need?

Thanks very much

Dale

 

R-bike. R80RT/R100RT.

Most bikes can have a decent headlight with a decent globe. I bought a 130/90W H4 globe
(for my R100RS) from Autopro last year for $4.99.

Gary (yes I have a spare)

 

BMW K1100LT

http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=1619655&TabID=3424&Alias=bikepointau

http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=1011677&TabID=3424&Alias=bikepointau

You need something warm for the winter riding out the back of Beaudesert.

Boxer

 

Spend an extra $2,000 and go for a non-police bike. You get a much better
deal in my opinion.

Boxer

 

Hiya Dale, and welcome back.
120kg eh? Good to see you've finally got some meat on them bones!
I personally wouldn't go for an ST1100 unless you were doing a whole lot
more miles than that. Unless you REALLY want a heavyweight I reckon a
Yamaha Diversion or a BMW would provide the same longevity and long-legged
cruising ability without the awkwardness of the Honda.
A good Divvy should cost between $5 and $7K and a BMW... well.. how long is
a piece of string?
A K100RS or K1100RS would be a good choice (from $3500 to $8000) or an
R1100RS ($6-$8k). An R100RS or RT would be less glamorous but no less
capable for about $4k or a R100R for $7ish.
R80s are even more plentiful but you've have to buy your own fairing.
Ex-Cop K100LTs go fairly cheap too.

But if the Honda gives you "the horn" then nothing but the Honda is gonna'
do the job eh?

 

VFR

would also be better for lane splitting

 

Dale give me a call on 0411226503 I may be able to hook you up with a ex-cop
BMW K1100LT for a very attractive price (wholesale).

Boxer