“A fantastic machine. That's why it was at the top unchanged for so long. I would not buy a very late model as It has now been surpassed by others but older models are great value. Does everything very well that it claims to do.”
“Great bike four long distance touring. Our record is 6k miles in 6 weeks around Europe. For the money, I reckon you'd struggle to beat it, although I'd never go near a brand new one, which from memory retails at 13k or more. I paid 3500 for mine with 23k on the clock. It's just clicked bover 50k and runs like a swiss watch. Home servicing is easy enough, valve clearances are made easier by the v4 layout, I've checked mine every service for peace of mind but they have always been within spec.”
“I have just returned from a tour starting in Dorset, taking in France, Switzerland and Italy, returning through France to Dorset. Two up with the top box and panniers full, not to mention the tent and sleeping bags on top of the top box. Very hot weather, rain and varying road conditions (pot holes everywhere in Italy). My Pan never missed a beat, started every day, was comfortable for both rider and pillion. MPG, I didn't worry to much about it but I guess around 30 MPG on average, a little worse off going over the ALPS with the twists and bends not to mention the steep passes, the handing and assurance was great. A bullet proof machine!! Love it!!!”
“I ride a Pan European ST 1300 because it is the only bike I can get my feet on the floor with as I am only 5' 5". Otherwise I would have bought a Triumph Trophy 1200 SE.
The ST 1300 is superb though. It is a brilliant long distance machine which is what I wanted.
It has a couple of annoying niggly faults. The headlight beam adjustment knob for one. Being an item one would want to use at night its almost impossible to locate and use in the dark simply because it is not illuminated. Typical of a company like Honda to make it a priority to illuminate the Corporate 'Pan European' logo on the right side of the dash panel instead!
I wish bikes of this size were fitted with fog lights. I have fitted my own, which were easy to retro fit built into the existing electrics with an additional switch. The front fogs sit snuggly on brackets hanging under the crash fins. The rear LED fog sits on the rear fender well over the legal 100mm MOT distance from the rear light cluster.
The other omission I rectified was to build in a power socket and USB charger on top of the locking left hand fairing pocket. Honda do sell their own power accessory socket as an after market item but it's just a single socket item but for me it is not value for money.
The bike handles far more nimbly than its weight would suggest it should. The bike looks huge against my short stubby stature but it handles so well. I have to date managed to keep obtaining the original fitment Bridgestone 020's with the 'F' designation specifically for this bike and I'm sure its these tyres that make the bike such a pleasure to ride. Keep the tyres at the correct pressures and as yet I have had no handling horrors that have been widely publicised by many citing the 110 mph weave. I have been above 140 mph on a disused runway with no problems.
Over a days' riding I have never been fatigued or uncomfortable. The bodywork and the adjustable screen combine to make adapting to changes in the weather hassle free. I barely get wet in heavy rain. My small frame means I don't get buffeted about with the screen up and a pocket of low pressure air in front of me which some have reported causes them to be forced forwards on the seat. Its perfect for me.
The brakes are awesome. The dual braking system is brilliant. The only tedious thing about the brakes is the EIGHT stage bleeding sequence when renewing the brake fluid. But I always use Honda service parts and they work and last longer than other brands of equivalent parts.
Its the 'warmest bike i've ever owned too. The engine heat rises up up through the bodywork and combine with heated grips in the winter I have been like toast in the most miserable of cold heavy downpours.
The bike is easy to keep clean too. The way the pannier cases unlock and detach from the bike make cleaning all the nooks and crannies simple at the back. After 27000 miles so far nothing has gone wrong. That is a first for me out of 8 bikes that I 've had. Its a shame the bike has been discontinued from production. It would be a winner if it was developed with all minor mods and improvements that owners end up making themselves. Yamaha has kept its commitment to its FJR 1300 and made modifications to it over the years. Honda has missed a trick by not doing the same to what I think has been one of the greatest touring bikes that has ever been produced.”
“My 5th Honda Pan so guess you could say I'm hooked . Had 2 BMW tourers but always gone back to the Pan . Smooth powerful reliable and comfortable and 50mpg says it all .”
“i owned a st1100, it was mint and 22 years old, best bike ever, and i sold it to a friend, who is treating it like a new baby, , but you have to move with the times, the st1300 is growing on me, but like anything newer, your always worried it will be beaten by modern electronics, will it see 22 years old and still be a good bike, only time will tell.”
