1993 Honda ST1100... should I buy?

Question

A guy at my work is selling his 93 Honda ST1100 w/25K miles, never been down for $3,500. It's in good condition and has pretty low miles considering how old it is. But it is 15 years old, so is that considered too old by motorcycle standards?

Answer 1

What a coincidence!  I happen to have a 93 Honda ST1100.  It's like candy-apple red, right?  Mine has about 50k on it.  I am the third owner.  It has never given me the slightest trouble.

I would be worried about a bike with too little mileage on it as much as too much mileage because that's the bike that's been sitting around for several years.  And that's not good for a bike.  That's when you lose fork seals, stuff like that.

But 15 years is not really old by Honda standards.  My ST runs like a new bike and I've never done anything to it.  It's had its valves checked twice but they never needed to be adjusted (I dread that, though.  Its a pretty big job.)  I just change oil and put on tires and brake pads and the thing just runs & runs.

It's a wonderful bike for a long trip.  It's like sitting on a couch watching the country go by.

Answer 2

That's really low miles for an ST1100.  They were and are a good bike that could take a lot of miles and still run well.  There are still a lot of people riding this model and problems/fixes are well known.  It wouldn't surprise me if there are several forums out there devoted to this bike.  Look them up.

If this one is in good shape, buy it.  

Answer 3

I think that's a great bike, but the price is a little high. At least I think so. It's just that unto itself, it's a good deal, but motorcycles have advanced so far in the past few years, that one is a bit long in tooth. If I paid that much, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it, but I think $3K is closer to the mark.  

Answer 4

depends on the area.  a bike in chicago doesn't last as well as a bike in say yuma arizona.  long periods of storage (winter) doesn't always agree with rubbers, and plastics.

Answer 5

buy it, I saw one yesterday with 93k on it and ran great. The guy that owns it has been all over the country on it. GREAT BIKE!!  

Answer 6

25K is not very much for a motorcycle, but the age is what going to haunt you.  You will be facing some seriously maintenance issue, such as new seals for the forks, clutches, brakes, tune up,  as well as cooling system will require service.