Honda ST-1300 Pan European

Year 2002, the completely new Honda ST-1300 Pan European was introduced.The motorcycle was to replace the successful ST1100 that gained many fans over the years with their view that the old ST1100 was the perfect motorcycle. The new liquid-cooled V4 engine is even smoother with lots of torque from the bottom right through the range.  The ride is effortless with excellent riding position and everything where it should be. It features adjustable seat height on all models and screen height adjustments only for ABS version. The TCS (traction control system) was taken off the new bike after research and feedback that Honda gained from the ST1100 owners. The motorcycle is now lighter and much sportier that its predecessor and yet more environmentally friendly.

The new Honda ST 1300 is much powerful very capable bike with improved handling that one will appreciate on twisty roads. The new engine was placed a little bit towards the front and the wheelbase was shortened by 50mm. This made the riding in corners more fun and there is a lot of footage out showing that one can ride it as a sport machine. (See the video at the bottom). And yet, with great ergonomics and rather soft suspension it makes the motorcycle the long distance quiet touring machine. This is how many sport riders in time decide to switch to something more comfortable and the ST1300 comes as a good candidate. 

Honda ST-1300 - build to travel

Obviously, the motorcycle was built for travel with excellent tank capacity of 29 litres which gives the range of up to 300 miles. Comfortable for the pillion with great aerodynamics. It is also very responsive and easy to ride in low speeds manoeuvres. For its mass, this is really impressive despite weighting 23kg more than the Yamaha FJR 1300. It is perhaps the bulkier bike in its class and one of the most comfortable.

The not-so-large side panniers come as standard but you can load the bike heavily and with its superior wind shielding you can cruise at high speeds comfortably.  Still there is no cruise control or heating grips with Honda ST-1300 as standard. It will also cost you more perhaps than the competitors like Kawasaki 1400 GTR or the Yamaha FJR 1300. At the end though it will be the personal preference on factors maybe never mentioned in here.

I personally really like the look of it. I can only wish that the future Honda ST-1300 will have the cruise control fitted as standard, so there will be no need for the BreakAway cruise control any more. Other comfort features, I could live without. 

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