Mexico: R1200RT vs old Honda ST1300
Posted: Sat May 04, 2024 7:18 pm
I've ridden through Mexico the last three years. '22 and '23 on my old 2003 Honda ST1300, which, in retrospect, was not really suitable for the roads. In October I bought a new (2009) RT. I've ridden about 7-8 thousand miles per trip. This year I took the new bike from Berkeley, CA down the east coast of Mexico (Monterrey, Tampico, Veracruz) to the Yucatan and Quintana Roo (I don't recommend this route). On the way back, I came through Chiapas, Bahias Huatulco, and then mostly up the west coast. A high point for riding was the old mountain highway #40 from Durango to Mazatlan. It was bypassed in 2016 by the new autopista; consequently, the old road was completely empty. I stopped at the famous Espinazo del Diablo for over a half an hour and not a single vehicle passed in either direction. Here's a photo at the turnout just to prove I was there:
and here's a link to a video of the same spot:
Of course, the ST1300 has the best engine of all times, but it really wasn't suited for the majority of public, free roads in Mexico. The main problem (and the curse of riding in Mexico) are the ubiquitous speed bumps (topes)...I bottomed out hard on my crankcase at least twenty times last year; whereas, on the RT this year I didn't touch once. I admit, I was a little suspicious of the RT's engine at first (massively over square pistons, high compression ratio, two spark plugs/head). It's amazing, really, that they can squeeze all that power out of such an ancient design. So, in conclusion, although I was dubious at first, I am now a convert.
Why the RT is better for Mexico:
- Doesn't bottom out on the speed bumps
- Slightly better fuel economy
- Amazingly, it runs cooler
- Lighter
- Electronic cruise control! (how did I ever live without it?)
- For some strange, aerodynamic reason it is more stable in cross winds
- Numerous dealerships in Mexico (new fork seals in Cancun)
Things I still kind of miss about the ST:
- The friggin' amazingly smooth, reliable engine
- Better seating (for me) with a sportier, more forward steering positon
- The mechanically linked brakes. Admittedly, hard to bleed, but amazing at hauling that heavy monster to a stop.
and here's a link to a video of the same spot:
Of course, the ST1300 has the best engine of all times, but it really wasn't suited for the majority of public, free roads in Mexico. The main problem (and the curse of riding in Mexico) are the ubiquitous speed bumps (topes)...I bottomed out hard on my crankcase at least twenty times last year; whereas, on the RT this year I didn't touch once. I admit, I was a little suspicious of the RT's engine at first (massively over square pistons, high compression ratio, two spark plugs/head). It's amazing, really, that they can squeeze all that power out of such an ancient design. So, in conclusion, although I was dubious at first, I am now a convert.
Why the RT is better for Mexico:
- Doesn't bottom out on the speed bumps
- Slightly better fuel economy
- Amazingly, it runs cooler
- Lighter
- Electronic cruise control! (how did I ever live without it?)
- For some strange, aerodynamic reason it is more stable in cross winds
- Numerous dealerships in Mexico (new fork seals in Cancun)
Things I still kind of miss about the ST:
- The friggin' amazingly smooth, reliable engine
- Better seating (for me) with a sportier, more forward steering positon
- The mechanically linked brakes. Admittedly, hard to bleed, but amazing at hauling that heavy monster to a stop.