I need a little bit of help...I am looking at a couple of bikes after a few years off from motorcycles.

I really love the look and feel of the 1300 touring and was intending on taking out papers for one in the next week. But I have found a used Royal Star for half the price, and I think i can swing that with no loan.

So new 1300 touring and $250 per month payments....

or A 1997 Royal Star with 13000 miles, more power, better seat and bags, quick disconnect accessories and no payments....

Help a brother out, let me know what you think.  

I think you already have the answer  

13000 miles is just a drop in the bucket.  I would go for the 97.  

13k miles is nothing. Even if something is wrong with the bike the money saved should be enough to fix it.  

Look up Dave Ramsey. He would tell you to buy the bike you can pay for in cash.

I rode a Tour Deluxe(I'm guessing that's the one you are looking at.. not the Venture), they are nice, they just require a little more RPM to kick butt. I sold a bike with 36k, before I decided to sell it, I thought it was just broken in.

The only "negative" I can point out is that the rake is 28 degree, vs a lot of bikes 32. Makes them a little quicker in responding to input(low speed... good, high speed... learn to be gentle).  It does make them nimble.  

My brother bought a new 1300 Royal Star about 3 years ago and that bike is just amazing.  He's driven it on some major rides (2,800 miles around Colorado in a week a couple of years ago) and never had one problem.  You get a huge bang for your buck with the 1300 Royal Star.  And it's way comfortable for touring.  (He swapped with a Harley riding friend one day on the Colorado trip, and the HD friend admitted that the Royal Star was a tad more comfortable and powerful than his HD.)
Melanie
(02 Honda Magna 750)  

Thanks all for the replies....looks like i will make an offer on the royal star. It was the top of my list but I guess i needed to hear it from a few more people. Soon I hope to be back in the seat again!