Date: 19-03-24  Time: 07:03 am

Author Topic: big tourers  (Read 2532 times)

maddog04

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big tourers
« on: 07 October 2017, 08:31:14 pm »
been thinking of a Pan ST1300 A6 or A9 but looked at a few ads yesterday for the newer FJR 1300A then someone today mentions the kwacker 1400

anyone had any experiences of these bikes

Pan 1300 arrived 2002 I think, FJR has been around 15 years albeit the new model now has a 6spd box and LED lights, Kwacker is probably the newest but unsure on the finish as most Kwackers I've heard of are poor quality finish

thoughts please gents
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BBROWN1664

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #1 on: 08 October 2017, 09:17:15 am »
I had an ST1100 and know people that have had the ST1300. Great bikes but bloody heavy and as such never got used except on long journeys.
Not a lot of fun husting it round the lanes. It will do it, but its much harder work than the FZS that I had before it, and went back to eventually.

Great for touring though as they will take everything in the paniers. The FJR is a great bike and I know Kevin (LHW) has one which he loves.
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vinnyb

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #2 on: 08 October 2017, 11:09:19 am »

 I've not owned either but I have ridden the 1100 and 1300 Pan and although the 1300 is probably a better tourer, I thought the 1100 rode more like a proper bike, the 1300 handles well for such a heavy bike and is certainly very comfortable but it kind of felt like you're just being taken along for a ride. The 1100's suspension's less floaty and
comfortable but more communicative. The 1300 is much classier though, If I was in the market and could only have one bike I'd probably go for the 1100 cos it felt more like an all-rounder rather than a specified tourer but my mate had both a preferred the 1300.

robbo

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #3 on: 08 October 2017, 04:59:33 pm »
Loved my 1100 Pan. Only bike I knew I shouldn't have sold as soon as the new owner rode away from my house.Bought it to follow the 2000 season european rounds of WSB. Only problem I ever had was losing a couple of exhaust manifold bolts en route from Italy to Spain. Handled well ,comfortable and munched miles. From a pillion point of view my mrs. would vote it the 2nd most comfortable bike we've owned after the beemer 1150 GS......the most unreliable and expensive to repair bike I've ever owned.
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maddog04

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #4 on: 08 October 2017, 05:41:27 pm »
cheers lads, st1100 got a bad press after tank slappers caused deaths so 1300 if I go that route. Just read, the biggest selling sports tourer is the Kwacker 1000sx

umm......more bikes to think about  :lol
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Grayo

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #5 on: 08 October 2017, 06:02:30 pm »
Just read, the biggest selling sports tourer is the Kwacker 1000s
It's probably a nice bike for touring but it's only got an 18 litre tank. I'd prefer something with a bigger tank personally. I have an MT09 Tracer which also has an 18 litre tank and after 180 miles I'm looking for a petrol station.
I could change my opinion, but then we'd both be wrong.

robbo

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #6 on: 08 October 2017, 06:59:00 pm »
The tank slapper deaths  on ST1100's were cop bikes with loads of heavy radio gear carried high up and going balls out if I remember correctly.I've ridden to Spain two up with 2 weeks worth of clothes plus snorkelling gear, taking the twisty route. I'm not a racer,but also not a slouch,never a problem.
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maxzer1500

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #7 on: 08 October 2017, 07:06:40 pm »
Think it was the 1300 that had instability problems.

Frosties

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #8 on: 08 October 2017, 07:37:19 pm »
Good thread here re wobble. Appears to be Police bikes with the extra lighting system fitted and 120mph+


https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/ukpanclan/st1300-stability-t113.html
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mtread

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #9 on: 08 October 2017, 08:51:30 pm »
Quote
Think it was the 1300 that had instability problems.
That's what I'd heard.... from a ST1100 owner

Billy Balthorpe

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #10 on: 08 October 2017, 10:45:11 pm »

I used to have to go over to PSNI in Carrickfergus for work every 6 months or so and got pally with the bike mechanics over there who worked on the ST1300 Pans. Having had to sign the official secrets act to work there I cant really go into the full details, but what I can say is this. Buy the ST1300 and don't worry. Of course I can only relate their extremely edited opinions, but if I wanted a big tourer, the ST1300 would definitely be on my list.

Mick-H

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #11 on: 09 October 2017, 10:15:28 am »

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2007/may/may1407policewithdrawpanoversafetyconcerns/


Yup problems were with the 1300 not the 1100.


I tried a ST1100 for a while after deciding that I wanted to do some touring, I have to admit I never really got on with it once you got the screen sorted as the noise and buffeting was pretty bad at anything approaching 80mph it then became dangerous as I couldn't tell what speed I  was doing it was so smooth it gave no feeling of speed at all.
The only time I really got on with it was when I took the screen off altogether, that's the only time it felt like a proper motorbike.
Nice bike but not for me.


maddog04

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #12 on: 09 October 2017, 12:17:30 pm »
thanks lads

great read that, Frosties
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Re: big tourers
« Reply #13 on: 09 October 2017, 06:17:34 pm »
cheers lads, st1100 got a bad press after tank slappers caused deaths so 1300 if I go that route.

Wrong way round. The ST1300 was the one that the Police couldn't get rid of quick enough, to the point they were buying up other forces ST1100's to replace them due to the 1300 stability issues. To be fair, the issues were all related to badly modified bikes. Unlike the ST1100, Honda didn't do a police special version of the 1300.
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maddog04

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Re: big tourers
« Reply #14 on: 13 October 2017, 10:04:17 am »
I stand corrected BB, my error :o
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