I have a 1000 V-Strom and both brothers have ST1300's. Having ridden some on the ST1300's, it's clear the V-Strom is not in the same class as the ST's. Of course, it was never meant to be. Costs about $4 or 5,000 less, too.
The 'Strom is designed for 'Adventure Touring' anywhere - if that includes an interesting looking dirt road through the mountains, so be it, although I've never been that crazy about riding anything with street tires on loose dirt. I doubt I'd go too far afield on an ST. I like my 'Strom, primarily because of the ergonomics (the bar/seat/pegs are nice and spread out - past 50, the ol' knees don't like being all scrunched up in those racy positions most new bikes adopt!!) required by my 6'1"/220# blob. It wouldn't be my first choice for a cross-country trip, although a bunch of guys/gals have done it. It's definitely different looking, so you don't have to worry about having one just like everyone else does. It has that nice V-Twin rumble (2 Bros cans) and torque, and the engine's about indestructable. There are some engine mapping issues (the dreaded 3,500RPM stumble which affects many, according to the forums, although I have seen only the most minimal effects) on some. The little fairing/windshield offers a surprising amount of protection from the elements, and the grip/lever covers are really neat.
The ST's are more plush, oriented toward the 'Sport Touring' market (we have just become SO specialized nowadays, haven't we?) for the rider who wants 'almost GoldWing' luxury with more sporty performance. The ST's have a power operated windshield height adjustment on them, for Pete's sake.
Being a Honda, fit/finish/reliability are about perfect, per usual. Straight-line performance-wise, the ST will eat the 'Strom for lunch, although that's become much less of an issue as I've gotten older.
Just wanna cruise along and enjoy the scenery, thanks all the same..
Supposedly, the 'Strom should be more adept at handling the twisties, but we just went on a pretty wild back-road ride on Sunday, and my brother Stan had zero problems dealing with the twisties and keeping up with my 'Strom on his ST; the last part of the trip I followed him, and had to work a bit, actually. Because the 'Strom's so high, you always KNOW the CG is way up there; the ST's are much lower and quite nimble for such a big bike. Nephew Nate was along on his 690 KTM Super-something or other - now THAT is a nimble machine, but, not germain to this discussion.
So, which of those two to buy:
If cost is no object, and most of your time will be spent on the main highways/interstates - ST1300.
Anything else - 'Strom.
