400 to 1100

[The999Kid]

Too big a jump?

looking at a pan as my next bike as i do a shed load of miles around the uk visiting friends and relatives. currently own a yammy FZ400 import and looking to replace it with a proper tourer... but not too confident about the manual handling/walking the bike around/centre standing it

suggestions and ideas?
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NDB 19/10/1989 - 1/11/2010 |Nowhere.Elyseum wrote: I get the distinct feeling that Tim should be our secret weapon for future trolling. I don't know many people that can rip the piss in Iambic pentameter

[CaNsA]

You only go as fast as you twist the throttle.

Go for it dude, but if you are feeling intimidated by 1100 then go get a 600 or a 750 instead.

[bacon]

[The999Kid]

[Blackwolf]

[The999Kid]

[dansrockin]

ive got an 1100 pan, dont be put off by the physical size of it, or the engine size, as it is a lot more forgiving than you would expect.
i find this bike just as eay to push around as i did my zxr750, and once your on the move, the weight just dissapears, its such a well balanced bike.
the engine is big but not hugely powerful, and it is very torquey, but smooth with it. you just ride along on a wave, but it does have the shove there when you open it up.
getting it onto the centre stand is so easy, they designed in a handle next to the seat that you pull out and lift up as you stand on the centre stand.
and dont worry about dropping one too much as they have built in crash bars that stop any body work touching the ground in a drop. once you have the right technique they are fairly easy to lift back up too, i have personal experience of this! lol
if you can get test ride on one, try to do at least 100 miles, as i think you need that sort of distance to really get into the feel of the bike.
if your anywhere near the south midlands, drop me a pm if you fancy a spin on mine.
dan

[The999Kid]

[Seb]

[dansrockin]

[Teflon-Mike]

Its a big leap in cc's, and shear 'bulk', but the Pans a pretty well balenced bike, but its one of those things. Old CX500 'silver-Wing' despite being half the cubic capacity and two thirds the weight was a bit of a pig to man-handle, on the olther hand, GL1100 with all the extra weight wasn't anywhere near so cumbersome..... I say SO cumbersome, to those about to jump on the comment!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Paulington]

To give you an idea...

The first bike I ever rode, before a 50cc, before anything engined with two wheels was my Dad's ST1100 Pan-European.

I was 15 then and had no trouble controlling it, riding it or any issues whatsoever.

The only issue I had was centre-standing it, but I was fairly young then! Walking it around really is no issue for a grown man.

As Dansrockin said, they have built-in crash bars and when you start moving they are just as light as any other bike on the road, something like a 600 sports will not get away from a Pan if it's ridden properly.

I can highly recommend one and I will be buying an ST1100/ST1300 myself in the very near future, for sure.
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Oldie]

Have just gone from a 125 to a V-Strom. First day I could hardly move the thing. Second day was better. Third day, sorted - no problem at all. Moving it about without any issues, seems so easy now. So it's just a question of getting used to it (and I'm an old fart with a bad leg). Go for it!

[Seb]

Agreed with that, I've always found sports bikes to be horrors to wheel around, whereas taller stuff like my XJR or old Futura were actually pretty easy.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[The999Kid]

Took a jolly up to the local honda dealer today and sat on a few bikes...

ST1300 - really hides its weight well... and comfy riding position, me likey! cant wait to take the demonstrator out...

BMW K1200GT - heavier than the pan to shift more cramped leg position but lots of gizmos...

CB1000F - lightest bike of the ones i sat on... but i felt the bars were too narrow...

VFR1200F - too much of a 'head down, arse up' bike for my liking... decent stylings though
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NDB 19/10/1989 - 1/11/2010 |Nowhere.Elyseum wrote: I get the distinct feeling that Tim should be our secret weapon for future trolling. I don't know many people that can rip the piss in Iambic pentameter

[clancy]

the newer VFR750 sport tourers? they are real nice bikes
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KLX 300r