From Portugal - ST 1200 ZE ( ES ) 2015

sandro1973

Active Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
121
Location
Portugal
Hi folks,

I'm a new happy owner of this beast of a bike, not a brand new one but at 45.000 miles it looks, sounds and feels fresh in my book....loving it so far and a big difference from my previous one ( 2n photo ), a 1990 XTZ 750 Super-Teneré, which was pampered a lot....

I went for this bike mostly because of the apparent robustness and reliability feedbacks, comfort and ability to make long-jorneys packed, with or without pillion without feeling busted at the end....i also wanted something more up to date ( i'm 47 years-old but never had a FI bike...always old-school carbureted bikes...), less maintenance and old parts needing replacement.....

I want to spend more time on the road enjoying some of the incredible landscapes, good weather and roads we have overhere and not with the bike in a shop lift....

It has the basic stuff of the ES model...the 3 OEM panniers which even being small and fiddly to open ( just a question of practice in my opinion ) fit the bike well and don't make it too wide ( will get the optional inside bags), an Arrow exhaut can with stock headers, GIVI crashbars and the PIAA LED auxiliary lights. I just mounted the aluminium belly-pan and a new YUASA YTZ14S battery for a bit more power on the slow cranking on cold starts.

I hesitated between the 1s and 2n generation versions, but i ended up going for the one that already has all the small improvements for a bit more of piece of mind and creature comforts.


I usally wouldn't buy a used bike with this mileage ( even though it has a service history, but that's worth what it's worth.... ), but the type of usual ownership on these bike, overall reliability history made me bite the bullet on this one...and i liked the colours too ! As far as i know, it still hasn't had the valve clearances checked ( i know the jury is still out on this one....), but starts fine in the morning, even after 10 days without running....so i'll just concentrate on enjoying it for now....


IMG_20210727_114150_473.jpg.jpg
 

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Squibb

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Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
1,064
Location
Bedford, UK
Welcome from Bedfordshire, UK.

Here's hoping that PT will open up to travellers again soon, after 2 seasons of disruption. We were hoping for a direct ferry link, but it seems the idea has been dropped again.
 

sandro1973

Active Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
121
Location
Portugal
Welcome from Bedfordshire, UK.

Here's hoping that PT will open up to travellers again soon, after 2 seasons of disruption. We were hoping for a direct ferry link, but it seems the idea has been dropped again.
I hope too, this on and off border closing is an absolute PITA. Speaking of direct ferry link, one is to be expected from Portimão ( down south, in the Algarve region ) to Morroco.....now that will be sweet....
 

Strummer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2020
Messages
620
Location
Italy
Welcome from Italy!
I am planning too to come to Portugal, next year though....
I have to go to the most west (?) spot in Europe .
 

sandro1973

Active Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
121
Location
Portugal
Welcome from Italy!
I am planning too to come to Portugal, next year though....
I have to go to the most west (?) spot in Europe .
This is the spot....it's called Cabo da Roca : https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt/content/cabo-da-roca . Nice roads to get there, seaside, just avoid going on sundays due to biker gatherings....and many going faster than they should.



Serra da Arrábida ( mountain roads, beaches all in the same place...)

Serra da Estrela ( highest mountain we have....superb landscapes, great roads with a view )
 
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Longdog Cymru

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
1,665
Location
Swansea, Wales, UK
Hi Sandro, just noticed your bike has an Arrow end can, does it sound good? Is the baffle in or out? I am thinking of buying an Arrow end can for my bike.
 

sandro1973

Active Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
121
Location
Portugal
Hi Sandro, just noticed your bike has an Arrow end can, does it sound good? Is the baffle in or out? I am thinking of buying an Arrow end can for my bike.
It sounds good, the baffle is out, i can start the bike in the morning without waking the whole neighborhood and there is no need use the baffle on long runs.

Even so, it gives the bike a deep tone that let's you hear the engine.
 

Strummer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2020
Messages
620
Location
Italy
This is the spot....it's called Cabo da Roca : https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt/content/cabo-da-roca . Nice roads to~get there, seaside, just avoid going on sundays due to biker gatherings....and many going faster than then should.



Serra da Arrábida ( mountain roads, beaches all in the same place...)

Serra da Estrela ( highest mountain we have....superb landscapes, great roads with a view )
Nice tips!
Thank you mate I will definitely ask more info once I know for sure when I will come over there.
Thank you again!
 
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