Honda ST1100 Motorbike is one of the most popular motorbikes among bike lovers. People worldwide know it for its comfort, style, and performance. Likewise, the bike was first introduced in the year 1985. From that time, it has been one of the selling motorbikes, Honda.
The bike has a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 1084cc DOHC engine with a mileage of around 30-35 km/l. This motorbike can reach a top speed of around 210 km/h. Despite the great speed, you will see a few Honda ST1100 problems.
If you own a Honda ST1100, you may be familiar with some of the common problems that can occur. But those who want to own it may not be familiar with these issues. In this blog post, I’ll look at some of the most common Honda ST1100 problems. You will also learn about what to do to fix them.
An Overview Of The Honda ST1100:
The ST series of Honda is a main sport and touring series from the manufacturer. It includes the ST 1100 and ST 1300 motorcycle models. Honda introduced the ST 1100 motorcycle way back in 1990. Plus, it was a following model of the famous Gold Wing series.
The motorcycle came with a V4 engine. The V4 engine is a water-cooled one with a 90-degree orientation that helps the engine deliver more power than its rivals. The unique part of the ST1100 motorcycle is its sportier look with all the facilities you look for in a touring motorcycle. Thus, you can ride it for style representation and quickly go on long rides.
Its engine can deliver 1085cc displacement, which is excellent considering its compactness. The motorcycle had a low center of gravity that improved the riding comfort further. The motorcycle achieved this low center of gravity design by placing the fuel tank right underneath the saddle. It later became a concerning issue as many riders complained about fuel leakage.
Nonetheless, its 28L fuel tank is one of the largest for motorcycles. Yes, it can provide enough fuel to travel for 300 highway miles. Thus, it is a perfect sporting motorcycle for long rides.
On top of it, the air-cooled alternator of it is a 40AMP capacity enabled. Hence, your riding smoothness will increase considerably. The ST1100 motorcycle, however, isn’t free of issues with its exhaust system corrosion and low mileage. So, it’s time we see these problems.
List Of Honda ST1100 Problems:
The problems of the Honda ST1100 include low mileage, starter relay failure, and defective sensors on the bank angle. Due to poor material, you will also see problems with its corrosion on the exhaust system and swingarm.
Some of these Honda ST1000 issues are minors and can be fixed at home. Other problems, such as defective bank angle for the mirror, are not fixable. In fact, Honda called off all their ST11000 motorcycles with this problem.
|
Problem Name |
What Happens |
Possible Solution |
|
Defective bank angle sensor |
Some early models (1991-1993) had this issue |
Replacement of sensor |
|
Starter relay failure |
The bike won’t start |
Solenoid replacement |
|
Exhaust corrosion |
Leakage in the pipe causes power reduction |
Installing stainless steel exhaust pipe |
|
Swingarm corrosion |
Rear swing arm rusts |
Swingarm replacement |
|
Faulty brake system |
Exposed brakes seizure fast |
Requires caliper removal |
|
Worn steering head bearings |
Steering head bearings are worn out over time |
Replacement needed |
|
Low mileage |
Excessive fuel consumption |
Repair the engine |
The above problems are common in most Honda ST1100 models. Not all of them are severe or present in the particular bike. But there is a possibility of having any of them. However, the owners have discussed these issues in different communities and forums. And I have collected all the data to prepare this article. Now, I request you to continue reading below.
Problem – 1: Defective Bank Angle Sensor
Most early models (1991-1993) have had this problem. Usually, a bank angle sensor works to shut off the engine and fuel pump when you overturn or fall the bike. But a faulty sensor can stop the engine from working when you ride on a bumpy surface or make any abrupt turns.
Possible Solution
Honda recalled the mentioned models. As a result, the following models had no major bank angle sensor problem. Thus, you can contact the dealer and get a free repair and replace the sensor.
Problem – 2: Starter Relay Failure
A common issue of ST1100 is the failure of the starter relay. Somehow, the starter solenoid faces short-circuit and gets melted. As a result, the wires loosen, and the bike may fail to start. It may happen when the rider takes the bike in the rain.
Possible Solution
The starter relay problem happens mainly because of a short circuit. Thus, you need to eliminate the main root of this short circuit and help the device work properly.
- You can remove the wires from the plastic clip and solder them onto the spade connectors.
- Then, you need to install an inline fuse holder that houses a 30A fuse. The motorbike will work again.
- It can be a short time solution. You may need to call the dealer to replace the solenoid for a better and long-lasting solution.
Problem – 3: Exhaust Corrosion
In many models of ST1100 Honda, the exhaust tends to erode over time. You may inspect the bike underneath the collector box and points. Hence, a corroded exhaust pipe can cause exhaust leakage, leading the bike to experience a power reduction, less acceleration, and reduced mileage.
Possible Solution
You need to replace the exhaust pipe with a new and better one. I suggest you pick stainless steel exhaust for a sturdy solution. There’re many 2-in-1 exhaust systems available with a stylish look that delivers excellent performance. Remember that a good exhaust pipe will also enhance your motorbike’s fuel efficiency and performance.
Problem – 4: Swingarm Corrosion
A swingarm is usually a single-sided or double-sided automated device. It can connect the rear wheel to the rest of the body while allowing it to pivot vertically in the bike. Unfortunately, many Honda ST1100 bike owners have reported that their bikes’ swingarms got rust after running a specific time. Especially if you ride the bike on a salty road in the winter, upon inspection, you may need to remove the costly old rear wheel.
Possible Solution
You should call the dealer and share the problem you are facing. They will replace the swingarm, and you are good to go. However, removing the swing arm and the linkage bearing at home is possible.
The steps include:
- Apply penetrating fluid on all the bearings, bolts, nuts, and the swingarm the night before working with them. Overnight soaking these parts with penetrating fluid will soften the rust and residues for quick removal.
- First, work with the rear wheel. You must disconnect the hose clip of the rear brakes, chain guard, and hugger.
- You can then work to remove the shock absorber. Is it possible to work with the exhaust system of ST1100? Then, you may access the linkage to unbolt and remove it.
- After that, grease the linkage bearings to remove residues from them. Then, you may disconnect the swingarm from the motorcycle. It would help if you also greased its bearings for quick removal.
- Finally, you can pry off the old and damaged bearing sets to install the new ones.
Problem – 5: Faulty Brake System
The brake pistons of the ST1100 motorcycle lie down in an exposed position. Eventually, this part becomes subject to seizure. It can lead to a severe accident or compromise the rider’s safety. You may find it pathetic to be on a good speed but fail to control the brakes.
Possible Solution
You need to bleed the system first. Then, disassemble the caliper pistons. To quickly remove air from the system, drain some fluid by taking the plate off the master cylinder. Alternatively, reverse bleeding is a great idea to thoroughly flush and bleed (or replace fluid) the system. You can contact the dealer to fix the issue if you find flushing difficult.
Problem – 6: Worn Steering Head Bearings
Another major problem of the Honda ST1100 is the worn-out steering head bearings. The rider may often find the bike difficult to steer at lower speeds and straight lines. Then, you may need to control steering more strictly and find it very hard to manage well.
Possible Solution
Call the dealer to inspect and repair the steering head bearings. Usually, a replacement is needed to solve the issue correctly. Otherwise, claim your warranty to get a free replacement.
Problem – 7: Low Mileage
Some Honda ST1100 riders have discovered that their bikes consume more fuel than usual. The average mileage of this bike is 30-35 km/l. But it may somehow get reduced to 20-25 km/l over time. When your bike points to low mileage, you may need to pour more fuel into the tank. It is both financial and time-loss, especially if you need to go on a long ride.
Possible Solution
You should contact the bike dealer and ask them to inspect the engine for any faults. Otherwise, a replacement with a compatible and accepted engine will solve the problem.
Conclusion
There are a few common problems that ST1100 owners have reported over the years. These problems include a defective bank angle sensor, starter relay failure, exhaust corrosion, swingarm corrosion, and a faulty brake system. Many of these challenges can be fixed by the owner. But some may require the help of a dealer or mechanic.
I have illustrated a couple of Honda ST1100 problems and what you can do to fix them in this blog post. I hope you have understood the topic well.
Thanks for reading the blog.