Honda ST1300 or BMW1150RT?

Looking to add to my 2003 SilverWing. Looking for advice

I went through the similar process but with the comparison of a 2004 ST1300 and a 2006 K1200GT. The ST1300 had 118,xxx miles on the clock and the K1200GT had 64,xxx miles. I tested riding both. And bought the ST1300 and can't be happier.

Tested riding both on the same day. The K1200GT feels lighter and more agile, and overall a little smaller than ST1300. However, being two years newer and about half less mileage than the ST1300, the K1200Gt 's tachometer and the temperature meter didn't work. And the ABS warning light stayed on although the owner claimed ABS works it's only the light but I don't take the chance. Other than that, couple hoses' wrap chipped off and the throttle was a bit too stiff. On the other hand, there was totally nothing wrong with the ST1300, everything works in perfect condition despite the couple buttons showed the age of the bike. The owner of that BMW might be a contribution factor though.

I've put about 2,000 miles to the ST1300. It's overall a joy to ride. The weight is there but once it's rolling it's not too much of a problem. It's stable on freeway up to 90 mph that I tested. But I see there're discussions out there concerning the so called high speed weaving which could happen to the ST1300 when speed is over 100 mph. I personally haven't experienced it as I hadn't ridden and will never ride over 100 mph so it's not a concern to me at all. Also the heat is a problem to many people. I do feel the heat coming from the gas tank and the engine on hot days and I can get really sweaty after half an hour of riding it.

No much knowledge about the 1150RT to me...

My opinion, have owned 1993 r100, 2014 f800 gt & 2013 c600 sport. I'm done with BMW. I started with Honda when I was sixteen and I shall close out with Honda. Although there is a 2019 Indian Scout "60" that has been whispering in my ear! Paul

The "High speed weave" issue was found to be due, IIRC to some people trying to carry too much weight in the top box. They are only rated for 10kg, 22lbs at most, and I've seen people load laptops, power bricks, clothing, you name it in them and then wonder why the bike wanders all over the place.

UK Police had an issue because they used to carry radio kit, emergency kit, just about everything behind or on top of the rear wheel spindle. Not adjustable being a shafty.

BMW didn't suffer so much because they didn't use conventional suspension as we know it. The "hassock" design is very good at dealing with weight bias as it doesn't really alter the trail of the front tyre. But then again it's nowhere near as reliable either.

I have had a "weave". It's like a gentle side to side oscillation that will slow or stop as soon as you slow down, my "weave" was at far more velocity than I should have been going at, just to see if it would... I used to be stupid that way...

"I'm done with BMW."

I had a brand new BMW 1150R with under 1k miles ... went to flick the kickstand down one day and it clatters to the pavement. Lacking a centerstand, there I am standing with a 500+ lb. bike in my hands. I had to lay her down to fix the kickstand (this may have been a dealer issue in assembly and not BMW's fault). Still, I remember thinking, "that's probably not gonna happen with a Honda."

I still occasionally lust after BMW's C65GT scooter. If I were funny-money wealthy, I'd buy one in a New York minute (also the electric one since money is no object ;o)

What's wrong with downsizing to a smaller lighter maxi scooter. They're a a more practical and affordable alternative to big lardy discontinued and dated tourers like the Honda ST1300 and the BMW R1150 RT.

They were both in vogue when big tourers were all the rage, a Silver Wing is heavy enough to move about and those two fully fully faired bikes are lot heavier. The BMW has a wet weight of over 600lbs, and the Honda around 700lbs.

The big bike is sure nice on long rides. Crossing Texas a few years ago I was happy I was on a Goldwing. A friend of mine has a ST1300 that he's ridden from Washington state to Fairbanks, AK twice and he thinks it's the best thing on two wheels for such trips.

No one bike is best for everyone and every use.

That's not really true, there's blokes out there (well, over this side of the Pond anyway) that use the same bike or scooter as all year round transport to work, do meets, rallies and camping weekends on them, and go touring on them home and abroad too. 

I knew lots of 250cc and 300cc MZ riders like that that back in my biking days. I did it myself too and we considered pretty normal. 

If you aren't willing to try a long ride on a smaller capacity maxi, especially the new crop of 300's from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, SYM, and Kymco, it's just treading the same old path you've always been on. 

It's more satisfying doing a long ride on a smaller scoot that you've already done on a larger bike or scooter, and when you compare the times there isn't really that much difference between the two.

My take---both are old/well used and cost a lot to fix when they break!

Just buy a Yamaha FJR1300 they don't start to weave until 120 with a top case. It's a hot bike on warm days but nice on colder ones. All that heat keeps lower legs warm.

I'll never buy anything BMW.

Of the two the OP mentioned I would take the Honda. Nothing against BMW but buying used if you are not a Beemer mechanic maintenance and repairs will cost a bunch.

I loved my Goldwing for long tours but at 900 lbs and the wife not wanting to ride anymore; it was just too much bike. I can tour easily (solo) on the Silver Wing so I don't need another bike or 300cc scooter. YMMV

Although many look at the BMW "R" bikes as having that strong engine (I also agree with the BMW R bikes ENGINE longevity), I would lean toward the Honda.  As  Slk gives a good comparison and mentions, "the K1200Gt 's tachometer and the temperature meter didn't work," you could find electronics on BMWs a typical problem.  

Had a very nice BMW F800 ST (for about 10,000 miles).  Loved it, It worked perfectly and I hated to trade it in, but I breathed easier when I went back to a Honda.

I've been riding my new to me 2009 R1200RT for about 2 months now, and have maybe about 1500-2000 miles on it.  It's a fairly large bike physically, especially with all the side cases and top box on it, but it weighs just a bit more than the Swing at about 550 lbs dry.  It's a bit taller than the Swing too, and I'm a bit short in the inseam, but they make lower height seats and have a low and high position built into the mount for the seat.

I still have my Swing and ride it to work, but save the weekend rides for the beemer.  There really isnt a comparison between it and the big scoot once you get it out on the road.  Handling and braking are so much better on the highway as well as backroads.  My first time out with it on the highway I was in 6th gear and looked down to see I was north of 75.  It didn't feel like it.  It has linked brakes, pull on the right lever and both wheels are braked.  ABS is standard.  Also comes with electric windshield, heated grips and seat, electronic suspension adjustment.  

Fit and finish on it is very good, better than the Honda's I've seen and ridden.  The bikes are pretty reliable.  They have their issues but as long as the maintenance is kept up, they are reliable. And lots of the routine maintenance can be done DIY.  I've changed engine and tranny oil, bled brakes on mine so far.  They can pile on the miles like folks that own the ST's.  For a 2 cylinder bike, it is remarkably smooth rolling down the road.

One other thing to keep in mind is that there are K bikes and R bikes.  They can look similar, but the R bikes all have the boxer motors.  The K bikes use inline 4's or 6's in the K1600 series.  The K bikes are faster with higher HP ratings, but the maintenance is also much more involved.  Parts can be really expensive as well, but a well maintained bike generally doesn't break down.  

The OP mentioned a R1150R, that is a trimmed down version of the RT, a more naked version that may also come with bags that are easy to mount and remove.  I would think one of those would be a real hoot to ride.  Just shoot for one of the later (2004 and up) versions as the earlier ones had some issues with the ABS module for the brakes. Or go with an R1200R and have a blast and avoid the brake issues.