Transitioning to a heavier bike in Vegas ??

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bandit600 · #1 Post by **bandit600** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:45 am

Hey it's been a while since I've posted. Mainly because where I work seems to have locked down internet access a lot lately and I can't get to this site anymore. Enough about that though...

I sold my 1999 Suzuki Bandit 600 last year (not really by choice) I've been itching to get on a bike again. I was considering taking a bike vacation by flying out to Las Vegas and renting a Honda ST1300 for a week to ride out to the Grand Canyon and tool around the park, catch the hoover dam and what not.

Having logged 95% of my 5 years of riding experience on a 600 bandit (dry ~450lbs/205kgs), which is no where near as light as a sportbike but far from a tourer like the ST1300 (dry ~650lbs/295kgs), I was wondering what you guys think about hopping on an ST1300 rental for a week with my experience.

Can do with caution, sounds like a bad idea, you get used to the weight and handling quickly so shouldn't be a big deal... What's the word?

I've never been much of a cruiser person (just my preference no offense to anyone) so most of the other rental bikes don't appeal to me. As an aside has anyone rented from Eagle Rider and how was your experience...?

Lion_Lady · #2 Post by **Lion_Lady** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:56 am

Where that bike will bite you is in the parking lot. They're topheavy.

P

RockBottom · #3 Post by **RockBottom** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:03 pm

My ERC coach rode one. Pretty impressive to watch him flail that thing. Nice looking bike.

bandit600 · #4 Post by **bandit600** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:02 am

I'm thinking as long as I get out of Vegas okay I should be fine once I'm on the road. Rockbottom did you get to sit on it at all? Would you agree with Lion Lady that it's not well balanced or top heavy or whatever?

RockBottom · #5 Post by **RockBottom** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:04 am

bandit600 wrote:I'm thinking as long as I get out of Vegas okay I should be fine once I'm on the road. Rockbottom did you get to sit on it at all? Would you agree with Lion Lady that it's not well balanced or top heavy or whatever?

Get out? I thought that what you ride in Vegas stays in Vegas. But no, I didn't sit on it. After I dumped my own during the course I'm quite sure the coach wouldn't have let me touch his.

#6 Post by **Wrider** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:27 am

I've sat on one (but haven't ridden one)
I agree it's a bit top heavy but that's to be expected in a sport tourer. Lets it falls into the corners easier. And if you could hold up a Bandit 1200 you should have no problem with an ST1300.

PacificShot327 · #7 Post by **PacificShot327** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:00 am

RockBottom wrote:
bandit600 wrote:I'm thinking as long as I get out of Vegas okay I should be fine once I'm on the road. Rockbottom did you get to sit on it at all? Would you agree with Lion Lady that it's not well balanced or top heavy or whatever?
Get out? I thought that what you ride in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Only if it costs less than 15 grand.

Otherwise, I darn well better be able to take it with me!

bandit600 · #8 Post by **bandit600** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:54 am

This might be a non issue. I found another place that rents FZ6's and they're willing to transfer some soft luggage from their San Diego location to accommodate me. I'm thinking I'll go with that probably.

I checked it out and Vegas -> South Rim -> North Rim -> Zion National Park -> back to Vegas is 800 miles. I think it'll be a fun trip for the week and a great way to see that part of the country.

Thanks for all your responses!

XB08 · #9 Post by **XB08** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:53 am

The ST is heavy but it won't feel that bad. You going to know the weight when you push it back to park it.