I came into biking quite late (probably a mid life crisis thing) only passing my test in May of 08.I wanted a bike I could feel comfortable without being intimidated by it's performance,so a sports bike was out.I tried a Honda Deauville 650 for about 6 weeks.It was a good bike but I just didn't bond with it.I was put off the pan because of the numerous reports about it's weight.However thinking that the best judge of what bike would be best for me would be me,I tried one.Wow! what a revelation.It was love at first sight.At the end of the first ride of about 70 miles I was thinking of any excuse to carry on riding and was very reluctant to get off it.Yes it is heavy (very) but only when trying to get it in and out of the garage.Once the wheels are turning at more than 5 mph the weight just dissappears.Very nimble on the road,rock solid handling and the performance puts a lot of other bikes to shame.If you see a police liveried one with it's blue lights flashing in your mirrors,are you really sure you want to try to outrun it? I don't think so.Engine is turbine smooth and pulls strongly in any gear.Screen is a little low for my height but a taller screen will no doubt remedy that.Old duffers bike? So what?I'm over 50 and love my pan.Would I sell it? Yes perhaps in a couple of years but then only to get a later one.
Reliable,very comfortable.
very heavy at walking pace
Reviewing a 2000 model.
Non ABS/TC 2000 ST1100
Owned for 3 months.
Im on my 2nd Pan , 1st being an ex Military Police non abs 1994, the one now is an ex DSA instuctors Pan with ABS / on a T reg 1999. i went from passing my test on a CB 500 to a Pan, and would,nt ride anything else. These bikes are fabulous. only thing things to watch out for are the collector box and the swing arm on older models ,apart from that you can,t fault them, fantastically comfortable, powerfull , ok its not a R1 , but there no sluth, , bit heavey at low speed cornering , but you adapt, plenty spares on e bay or david silver spares,. i test rode a new BMW RT1200 , and thats a fantastic bike , but £12000is owtch pricey ,but the Pan is close at half the price. i love mine .
Comfortable, cheap to run, mile muncher.
Exaust, collector box. bit haevey at low speed.
Reviewing a 1999 model.
abs/tcs 1999
Owned for 3 years.
I Bought my 1998 non abs model in june 2007 with 10k on the clock yes 10k it cost me £3750 which was quite expensive but with 8 service stamps in the book it has been well looked after & garaged all its days.On riding it 200 yds down the road i was really disapointed with the wind noise fron the 16" standard fairing needless to say its the first thing i changed i have now got a 20" screen fitted but still getting loads of wind noise so i am changing it again to a 24" so hopefully that will sort the problem out.other than that its been superb & really looks the part it will keep up with most bikes on the road if you open it up,Has a great riding posistion & good for long distance riding gives you around the 200 per tank of fuel insurance is reasnable too So if your looking for a great all rounder that will hold its money better than anything else BUY one
Exellent Machine holds its money better than anything else on the road
Wind noise & Exhaust corrosion a problem
Reviewing a 1998 model.
St1100 non abs tcs
Owned for 6 months.
Have owned my 94 ST-1100 for one year and find that the more I drive it the more I like it. It handles like a dream and goes fast without effort. this one has over 225K on it and runs like new
I have just purchased an ex police pan, I previously owned several touring bikes the later being a Goldwing GL1500SE and a Triumph Trophy 1200, both of these have been put to shame in the touring field by the pan, the over-all performance and fuel consumption is 10 times better and the bike ride comfort is excellent. I'm now looking to restore the pans police lighting system, and other bits, chopped off in their prime by persons unknown probably when sold by police.
most things
the oil inspection glass, gings man need a torch
Reviewing a 1999 model.
TCS/ABS
Owned for 1 month.
I'm on my second Pan European; the first was ST1100M (1993) and left me with 72000 miles on the clock. I traded it in for a 1998 ST1100PT ex-Western Australia Police which had found its way to Scotland. It's a single seater in plain white and is definitely the best bike I have ever owned. Having no car, it's my every day transport - commuting, touring and the trip to the supermarket! this explains the 103000km on the clock. I've added a top-box, side-lights, heated grips, FM and PMR radios. My only complaint is trying to find used parts - verging on the impossible. I traced pillion footrests and grabrails and had them sent to me. Thank you to Parcelforce, who have lost them. Otherwise, the Pan is everything it is intended to be. It's no sportsbike, but it cuts the mustard!!
I ride Pan's in the Police and also own my own ex-police Pan. At only 5'8" tall I agree with others that footwork can be a bit dodgy but only really on slippery surfaces. Although lacking the acceleration of my previous ZZR 1100, the Pan is certainly not slow and I have absolutely no problems in losing bikes on the road(or catching them) should the need arise. The engines are silky smooth, and spending ten hours a day working a mixture of city and country riding, I have no complaints about comfort. Utmost reliability has become the norm and the Pans I have ridden have been a pleasure. However, the brakes are not the sharpest around but good engine braking offers a parallel substitute. Once you're used to it the Pan is easy enough to ride at slow speed due to great low centre of gravity. No chance of picking it up on your own though if you drop it. Highly recommended.
Everyone says the same, I bought one ex AA, single seat trying to convet back to dual seat, this is the second one I've owned and as the first it goes like Sh## off a shovel, single seater looks real keol to.but need the dual for a girlfriend to ride with me. Used to have the ZZR 600 and it kept up with the other sports bikes no problem but this one gives them a good run for their money. Some new part are expensive need rear pegs and pillion grips but to much to buy new. They are really worth the money you have to pay for the bike. bit cheaper ex police, paramedic or like mine AA.
Honda's gorgeous Pan European is a fantastic bike, a real wolf in sheep's clothing - sports bikes just don't stand a chance at the traffic lights next to a Pan! It's main problem is that it's too smooth and refined - you think you're doing about 60mph but it's actually nearer 100mph. They are sooooo expensive from dealers and even privately but my money-saving tip is to buy an ex-Police machine fr about half the retail price. If you don't mind a single-seat conversion and a few obsolete equipment switches and holes, they're marvellous, and beautifully maintained too.
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed January 2004.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
I used to own a Pan. When I test rode it out on a lonely road I thought I'd open it up to see how it went. I glanced down to see 120mph showing. Good engine! I found it heavy to manoever too. Not great in prolonged city running-can get quite hot. In all other respects first class. Don't care about 'cool' anyway-don't need to. Comfy- I rode it from Barcelona to Scotland as if it were just a hop. Just bought another!
I bought my pan as a replacement for a BMW R80RT, whilst initially it appeared to be much heavier than the BM when moving it around the garage, I quickly realised that this was a small price to pay as once on the move it's one of the best balanced bikes that I have owned.
I have only done journeys of up to 500 miles each way up to now.
At first I found that on a long journey the handlebar position didn't suit me, (They were a little too low for my liking) but after speaking to my local dealer, I bought a pair of Honda handlebar risers off a police spec model, these lift the bars by approximately 3/4".
Since fitting these I have found it to be very comfortable over long distances.
Overall I'm very pleased with the bike and can see myself keeping it for a while. In the past I've tended to change my bike every 18 months or so.
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed January 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
A great tourer ,effortless motorway muncher-but very top heavy and easy to drop when trying to manouvre on slopes or reversing-not for the little guy as you need long legs to keep it upright especially when loaded up. Richard B aged 55
Owned for 3 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed August 2002.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
What can one say about the Pan that others have not amply expressed. It is a damned good bike; a great engine and it does what it set out to do. The well publicised problem is one of sex appeal which is why gentlemen of a certain age tend to have them; retired from worrying about such trivia. However when the 10th biker in a row refuses to acknowledge you, a gentle wave soon becomes a single finger to those that think the Pan isn't worth a nod. I got over the sex appeal issue partially..by altering the standard pipes. At least now she barks like a dog! She always did handle and 'go' brilliantly and quite honestly one is seldom overtaken. This has more to do with high average speed rather than pure speed. You can cover the ground well on a Pan, and after a few tweaks, the old gluttious maximus will take it for hours at a time. Although this sounds a bit dodgy, you should know I'm talking about changes to the seat..a Corbin perhaps. The screen, brilliant in some ways does shift a lot of air and can be mighty loud. This is frequently replaced by new owners.
Nit picking aside, and sex appeal...this has to be one of the finest motorcycles ever produced. It always commands respect from those who have tried it, or indeed vied with it on the open road. Tart trap, it aint but as a bike to live with......10/10.
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed May 2002.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
The Pan is heavy, ugly, slow and ridden by little old men! Heavy: at over 700lbs (318kg) she is heavy and a bugger at slow speeds because the weight is very high. But once she's moving there's no problem. Ugly: yeah, but so was my CX500 and I loved her too Slow: If cruising at 100mph and a top speed of 145mph is slow, then yes. She's not the quickest, but, she's comfortable and smooth at whatever speed you want and (given the right circumstances) can see off sports bikes in the twisties :o) Ridden by old men: mostly yes. But in the right hands she's no slouch, with a beutiful engine that just goes and goes and goes. Surprises a lot of sports bike riders <tee hee> Don't be fooled by the Pan's image. If they are good enough for police forces around the world, they must be good. She's no GSXR or R1, but you can have just as much fun playing with the 'Power Rangers'! Ride one and decide for yourself. Stritchy - CX1100
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