Help! 76 yr. old ST1200 owner looking for final bike..........

[Scott Williams]

This is way off topic, but I don’t know where else to go. Forgive me. Here goes. The XT1200 is perfect for the crappy roads here in Central America. Am going into my 4th full year.......95% 2-up 10 day trips. Am moving back to the US in 2 yrs and would appreciate some help from you more experienced riders for my final all-around bike. Would be mostly week-long trips, some day rides, and one trip around the US...God willing. Am 76, 6’1”, 175#. Wifie is 5’7” and 130#. Ride 90% conservatively, with occasional dusting off a Harley. Yamaha and Honda only, if you please. My previous bike was a 2012 Honda Valkyrie. Loved it. Love this ST, too. But different purposes. We hate top cases. Am zeroing in on the FJR1300 or the new Honda CTX1300. I think I (we?) could maybe be happy with either one. Opinions? Thanks very much for helping an old-timer. Much appreciated. Scott, Roatan, HN

 

[Yamasaki]

After years of dual-sports and adventure bikes, last year I bought a brand new FJR. It was a beautiful, smooth bike, but it was never quite what I expected and all I did was clean and polish it and worry about the dirt and bug guts, heaven forbid that it should ever get a scratch or dent.

It became just a garage queen and I always preferred to ride the Super Tenere.

If you value the legroom and semi-upright torso position that you have on your XT1200Z, you will probably not like the FJR. Maybe you are more flexible than I am, but I could never get comfortable and felt too crunched up and I'm only 5'7". I tried modifying the seat, adding a Helibar Bridge to change the handlebar position, etc. Still, the Xt1200 is way more comfortable to ride.

I sold the FJR after only 1700 miles and bought a 2nd XT1200Z. Now I have a mostly-dirt and a mostly-street version and I am extremely happy with both of them.

There's no question that the XT handles "crappy roads" better than the FJR. The FJR is faster and better on straight open smooth roads or big sweepers.

You indicate mostly 2-up riding. I only ride alone, but if I was mostly riding with a passenger, I probably would only settle for a Goldwing. I had a 2006 Goldwing and I loved it, except that it wasn't very happy with my frequent dirt road excursions.

I don't know anything about the CTX, but it looks like a good choice too, although the passenger seat looks a little suspect.

Anyway, I would think that you would want something very comfortable so that should be your focus, and I am here to say that the FJR looks comfortable, but IMHO, it is not.

One more thing; the FJR feels very top-heavy at slow speeds and just maneuvering around to park and such.

 

[barkingllizard]

the Yamaha Super Tenere is a top notch quality machine, Scott Williams,
there are however a lot of new motorcycles from everyone and IMO the only way you will know is the get on one and go for a ride.
the Super Tenere for me, vastly exceeds my expectations and ALWAYS leaves me with a smile on my face.....

 

[OldRider]

2018 Goldwing. If the wife still loved to ride, I would bring one home tomorrow.

 

[Yamasaki]

2018 Goldwing. If the wife still loved to ride, I would bring one home tomorrow.

Ditto.

 

[Sierra1]

Had the FJR, and loved it. Great bike, gobs of power, and beautiful. Would NOT trade my Tenere for anything. IMHO, the Tenere is the best at doing everything well, just not the best at any ONE thing. Like others have advised, ride everything. I'll be surprised if you don't stay with the Tenere; maybe a brand new one? ::001:: Good luck.

 

[Terminus]

Just throwing it out there, but have you seen the new Yamaha Venture? Looks pretty sweet!

https://www.cycleworld.com/2018-yamaha-star-venture-luxury-touring-motorcycle-review

 

[Checkswrecks]

Those are really different seating and riding styles. IF IF IF you fit the CTX13, my guess is that it sounds more like what you describe.


Honda/Yamaha reliability - A toss between the two you mention.


ST1300 based engine is really well liked, developed, and known. A toss with the FJR motor.


But where the CTX comes to mind is that it would have more of the cruiser feel that you said you liked with your Harley. As others wrote, the FJR is a bit more sport-bike in seating.


Make sure you can find a seat that the wife likes/wants, as my lady does not like sitting on the stylish type of seat that comes stock.

 

[skoron]

Still have a bit of growing up to do to hit the landmark age in this discussion. I am in awe!

Currently have a 2012 S10 and a sport bike. At the age of 54 the sport bike is not comfortable anymore so I have been looking to replace it (keeping the S10). The 2018 GoldWing is at the top of my list.

If my wife is going to ride with me, I will look at a Tour model with rear luggage, adj suspension and center stand. If not, I would likely go with the base unit (the bagger). That Wing is sweet. DCT available in both units.

Skoron

 

[ace50]

I'd probably go with the Honda CTX1300 myself.....

 

[Buelligan]

I would have to say, Keep the Tenere, or get a new one...
I'm still a bit younger than you, (63) but the main thing I was looking for when I bought my Tenere, was less weight, and more comfort.
I traded in my ST1300 Honda for the Tenere, and couldn't have been happier. The ST1300 was a powerful and smooth bike, but it was VERY heavy, I would never want to have to pick it up.
Goldwing, FJR, all these other bikes have their merits, but the bottom line is, what is the best all around bike?
Like I said, the Tenere.
It's light, comfortable, can go long distances comfortably, can go offroad if needed, and can pull a trailer, what more could you want?

 

[Ramseybella]

IF you and the wife are planing long road trips I have to say the Gold wing is the ticket.. Can be had for bargain prices with decent low to mid miles, most have all the goods already installed. The older models are super cheap 1200 and (1500 IMO Ugly), some 1800 models are going at a bargain as well.
It's roomy for two and munches the miles effortlessly with good MPG. On the darker side i find the newer models to be a bit cramped on the riders legs and i am 32" inseam.
They may make a taller seat but most of the Wing riders i have seen are like 5'8" or so. I also find the F-16 fighter jet dashboard a bit overkill and maintenance a little intrusive. As in replacing an air filter damn near have to take the whole front of the bike off to get to it...
I owned a new 1981 GL-1100 when i was 22 it was the best long touring bike i ever owned. Those had great leg room and i had no problem taking it down smoother forestry roads.
I almost bought a Valkyrie before i decided on the Tenere, I do a lot of motorcycle camping and if needed i will camp on Forestry road locations.
For solo the Tenere is my last bike.

 

[Dogdaze]

Unless you committed to get rid of the s10 , stick with it. On the other side, I did ride the CTX 1300 back in 2016, smooth, lots of low down grunt, but......... No cruise control, and what's the point of a highway cruiser without cruise? Also suspension sucked and would need an immediate upgrade off the showroom floor. Things may have changed since then though.

 

[greenwall]

The CTX1300 was a sales flop. It was sold here in the US only as a 2014 model. There are still brand new leftovers supposedly, but I wouldn't recommend buying one. Dealers are not even taking them as trade ins. Too bad. I actually like the looks and idea behind the bike. A modern engine in updated cruiser interpretation. Too bad they detuned the engine 40%. Gave it subpar suspension and no cruise control. Honda seems to make a lot of errors like that.

 

[WJBertrand]

The CTX1300 was a sales flop. It was sold here in the US only as a 2014 model. There are still brand new leftovers supposedly, but I wouldn't recommend buying one. Dealers are not even taking them as trade ins. Too bad. I actually like the looks and idea behind the bike. A modern engine in updated cruiser interpretation. Too bad they detuned the engine 40%. Gave it subpar suspension and no cruise control. Honda seems to make a lot of errors like that.

I could see Honda wanting to address the bagger/cruiser market but to de-tune the engine the way they did made no sense to me. Even the way it is tuned in the ST1300 the engine was not a class-leader in power (in refinement and smoothness, yes perhaps). It was a very disappointing replacement for the ST, and I've never actually seen one on the road, only occasionally sighted on the dealer showroom floor, heavily discounted. The price you could potentially get one for might be it's best feature if you like the bike.

 

[Sierra1]

To me, the ST1300 had good power; and light, slow speed handling. The FJR had great power, regardless of rpms; and heavy, slow speed handling. I did miss the part about long distance, two-up riding. Keep the Tenere for solo rides, and go with either the Gold Wing or Venture for the two-up. I think those two would be an apple to oranges comparison thought. (same but different) ::001::

 

[Terminus]

The CTX1300 was a sales flop. It was sold here in the US only as a 2014 model. There are still brand new leftovers supposedly, but I wouldn't recommend buying one. Dealers are not even taking them as trade ins. Too bad. I actually like the looks and idea behind the bike. A modern engine in updated cruiser interpretation. Too bad they detuned the engine 40%. Gave it subpar suspension and no cruise control. Honda seems to make a lot of errors like that.

I was thinking the same thing. I could have sworn it was discontinued.

 

[Ramseybella]

I was thinking the same thing. I could have sworn it was discontinued.

The CTX1300 is not a bad bike Honda build top notch..
My friend bought one it's the odd kid in the class and as some have pointed out it lacks soul and power.
Like a refined nurtured Moto Guzzi sort of way. One on ebay for $7.900 with only 1.200 miles.
Wonder if it could be re-tuned like the Tenere and other bikes.

 

[Scott Williams]

Sincere thanks to all you guys who took the time to offer me good advice. Much appreciated. I will certainly give it a LOT of thought, plus test ride the GW and the FJR1300 for 1/2 day each, if I can. Cruise control is a must. (I enjoy it now). The GW electric forward/ reverse really interests me.....in addition to the new lower weight. Should help me in those walking- speed situations. My wife has to sometimes help me go backwards on the S10...in some situations. So...leg strength would likely be an important consideration. We now do 400 km/day rides on the 2014 S10 down here.. we each have custom cruising seats, but still feel that our Air Hawks give us almost an extra hour in the saddle..... if inflated right. Just looking, thinking and planning ahead.....that’s my style. Thanks, guys.

 

[Ramseybella]

Sincere thanks to all you guys who took the time to offer me good advice. Much appreciated. I will certainly give it a LOT of thought, plus test ride the GW and the FJR1300 for 1/2 day each, if I can. Cruise control is a must. (I enjoy it now). The GW electric forward/ reverse really interests me.....in addition to the new lower weight. Should help me in those walking- speed situations. My wife has to sometimes help me go backwards on the S10...in some situations. So...leg strength would likely be an important consideration. We now do 400 km/day rides on the 2014 S10 down here.. we each have custom cruising seats, but still feel that our Air Hawks give us almost an extra hour in the saddle..... if inflated right. Just looking, thinking and planning ahead.....that’s my style. Thanks, guys.

Wing! Wing! Wing!>>>