HONDA ST1300A ABS (2008-2009) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2009, along with the standard and Police versions, the Japanese motorcycle maker launched the Honda ST1300A ABS, a touring machine with an additional safety feature, enhancing control over various road surfaces.

The addition of the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) offered an extra layer of safety to an already robust and reliable touring machine. The ABS prevented the wheels from locking during hard braking, offering the rider more control over the bike.

The ST1300 was first released in 2002 in the European market as a replacement to the ST1100, while in 2003, the bike made contact with American soil. Over its production years, the motorcycle followed the same recipe without any modifications, except for annual color changes.

The 2009 Honda ST1300A ABS featured an aerodynamic bodywork with an adjustable windscreen that offered excellent weather protection, a comfortable two-up seat, a trunk with integrated armrests for the passenger, and large 35-liter panniers for extra storage.

The model packed the same system as its predecessor for suspension, with a 45 mm air-adjustable telescopic fork on the front. The rear was handled by a preload and rebound adjustable shock absorber with an aluminum swingarm for better rigidity.

With 118 hp on tap at 8,000 rpm and 117 Nm (86 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm, the 1,261cc liquid-cooled engine working in tandem with a five-speed cassette-type transmission paired with a shaft drive spun the rear wheel to a top speed of 225 kph (140 mph).