2005 Honda ST1300 Review

The 2005 Honda ST1300 represents the fourth model year of the sport-touring motorcycle from Japanese automaker Honda. For the 2005 model year, Honda offered the regular model, as well as a variant with an added anti-lock braking system (ABS). Honda set the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the 2005 Honda ST1300 at $13,999. The ST1300 ABS had a higher MSRP, at $15,099.

Powering the 2005 Honda ST1300 is a fuel-injected, four-stroke, liquid-cooled longitudinal V-4 engine, which has a total of 16 intake valves. (Four go on each cylinder.) It displaces at 1,261 cubic centimeters, which explains the bike’s name (the number is rounded up to 1,300). The engine on the 2005 Honda ST1300 pumps out 125 horsepower at 8,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and 85 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 RPM. It has a bore and stroke of 3.07 x 2.6 inches (78 x 66 millimeters) and a 10.8-to-1 compression ratio.

Each 2005 Honda ST1300 engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The powertrain on the bike produces a fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon. For fuel, Honda gave the 2005 ST1300 a gas tank with a peak capacity of 7.7 gallons (29.1 liters), with a 2.2-gallon (8.3-liter) reserve.

Each 2005 Honda ST1300 has an all-wheel hydraulic disc brake system. It comprises a 12.2-inch (310-mm) dual disc at the front; and a slightly larger, 12.4-inch (316-mm) single disc at the back. However, customers can opt for the ST1300 ABS variant, which has the added ABS feature to prevent the wheels from locking up when the bike is stopping. The suspension on the 2005 Honda ST1300 consists of a thick 1.8-inch (45-mm) telescopic fork at the front and a light twin-sided aluminum swing arm with shock absorber at the back. Each bike gets front 18-inch and rear 17-inch aluminum wheels, both are wrapped in tubeless tires.

As a full-fairing bike, the 2005 Honda ST1300 has a plastic shell covering its lightweight yet sturdy aluminum frame. A rear spoiler lends the ST1300 an aerodynamic feel and look, and a center kick stand is in place for parking it. Digital instrumentation is generous, with the dashboard loaded with a clock, tachometer, trip odometer, trip computer, speedometer, and temperature and fuel level warning gauges.

The 2005 Honda ST1300 has two vinyl side cases with a peak capacity of 15.9 gallons (70 liters). These are in addition to the bike’s glove box, under-seat and lockable compartments, and a place for keeping a helmet. A tinted windshield was installed on each bike to keep off wind and debris, and a halogen headlight serves as a visibility enhancer.

Each 2005 Honda ST1300 has a wheelbase of 58.7 inches (1,491 mm) and seat height of 31.1 inches (789.9 mm). The dry weight of the bike is 631 lbs. (285.8 kilograms).

The 2005 Honda ST1300 was designed as a super-performance motorcycle, blessed with sharp and controlled handling, supreme braking power, and a monster engine. However, it has other great attributes to consider, including storage space and relative lightness.