ST1100 Pan European - opinions?

[bassmastergen...]

A mate of mine has an old Pan European (1995 IIRC) that's been sat in the back of his garage for about five years. He wants shot of it & there are a load of spares with it from a crashed one. It still runs on the odd occasion he fires it up, but I imagine the brakes will be seized etc. It was an AA bike & has done 170000 miles.

From what I've read these are pretty tough bikes, and the idea of something like this for touring/camping trips/festivals in place of my old Burgman next Summer does appeal. Thing is, I don't know anyone who has actually owned one (apart from the seller obviously) so I'd very interested to hear from anyone who has, and also whether I'm utterly puddled for even thinking of taking on this particular one. In my defence I will say I'm not a stranger to the spanners and I do like a project so I wouldn't be going into it with an entirely rose-tinted visor Cheers.

[Im-a-Ridah]

Wow that is a lot of miles

[Paulington]

I own a 2000 reg ST1100 Pan-European with full luggage set etc and I can't fault it, very quick for it's size, easily keeps up with sports 600s until top-top speed, carries a heck of a lot of luggage, incredibly comfy for rider and passenger, heated grips added are nice with a big touring screen and you get no wind hitting you at all, neither does the pillion which makes for an incredibly comfy ride.

For long distances that have to be comfy for me and the pillion, I'd take the ST1100 over the GSX-R1000 any day of the week, realistically they are just as quick at real-world (Read: legal-ish) speeds and much comfier, they are cheap for what they are too.

As for the mileage, if it's an ex-AA bike with a full service history then 170,000 miles is next to nothing, that engine will power on for a heck of a lot longer as long as it's been properly serviced and looked after, don't let that sway your opinion.

Very easy to work on too (unless you want to balance the carbs! !) and it's nimble for it's size, an absolutely fantastic and tough all-rounder motorcycle which makes a brilliant bike to ride all year around, if it's raining and you're doing 30mph+ you get almost no rain hitting you due to the screen creating almost an air bubble around you and with fitted heated grips it's lovely.

I'd recommend them to anyone, we've had two so far and have not been able to fault either, I could (and do) ride it all year around with no issues, brilliant motorcycle. !
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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.

[tatfan]

+1 to what Paulington said.
I got one a few months ago, and love it. I've had to put a bigger screen on (i'm 6'2, and the standard screen sent all the wind straight to my head!) but other than that, it's great. With that milage on it, although not a problem, I'd make sure it had a VERY good service.

[Kris]

I rebuilt one. Then promptly crashed it in the 'Sarf of France.

They are heavy pieces of kit - dont let anyone else tell you otherwise. Also, if you are a tall bugger like me (6'5") or have long legs then you might find your knees out in the breeze. I also found the standard screen annoying, bought the tallest replacement available, then still had helmet buffeting issues.

Whats so good about them? They do distance *very* well. I did Aosta to West Kent in one sitting with numb bum the only complaint. (1068km / 663 miles). The fuel tank is large with ~250mile range possible. I think I averaged 40mpg. The panniers are good but getting them off can be a knack. I preferrred to use inner bags. Taking a pillion is a breeze - you can barely notice a difference. They do accelerate well for such a big bike and handling is *fun* but definately not sporty. They do take miles well, several have gone round the clock no bother.

What's not so good? The weight can catch you out when stopping on hills. The mirrors mean filtering is a chore if you are used to narrow bikes. The fuel tap valve can split but is bypassable. Swingarms rot to buggery as no-one ever cleans them. No one cleans and services the rear drive hub either so inspect that. Mega £££ if fubar'd. Air filter is same as Ford Cortina - go figure. The carbs can be a sod to get off because it's a V4. You do *need* to inspect the carb rubbers if it's been sat for a long time - they split. Some of the ally hoses on the block (under carbs) can split leading to coolant leaks - replace before they go. The rear bracket under the passenger grab rails can crack if a top-box has been overloaded before - inspect this. The typical Honda REG/REC can go on the smaller unit models - you can upgrade from a later bike. Exhausts can rot too.

HTH
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[krytenboog]

Ive had mine a few months now, 1999, and I cant complain at all. Its taken me around Ireland on a long trip and I regularly do 300 mile trips on it. I average 47 mpg and I dont ride slow so its very economical. I have taking the fairings off sorted and can take all the plastic off in an hour.

I havea bad back so need something comfotable and this is a comfy bike, heavy at slow speeds as someone said and a pig to push around but manageable.

I would say go for it but check the swingarm, wheel bearings and final drive. Use Honda moly paste or another grease with at least 60% moly for the splines.

There are plenty of sites for the pan with guides on what to check for, I read these before I bought mine so had an idea what to look out for

[Marmalade]

I've got a couple that work and 3 others that don't.

The main one i use has 120,000+ on it and it often does 800 mile days without fault.

As mentioned the rear swing arms rot but despite nobody wanting to do them or charging silly money they can be out, cleaned, welded and back in in an afternoon.

It'll have a 28amp alternator with a regulator next to the battery. As said the alternator can be upgraded but very rare used and £450 ish for a new one. Swinging arm needs to come out to change it.

Starter relay is a very common type, same as fitted to loads of bikes including a piaggio 125, they can and often do get hot and melt around the 30a fuse which then kills all the electrics. It's not nice when it happens on a dark road.
Check and clean it and you can do a modification and put in a bypass wire to relieve some of the load. Google it for the details.

Front wheel bearings fall apart, I carry a spare set with me. Use genuine or at least some decent ones. The cheapies last a few months if doing lots of miles.

Brakes seize regularly, the callipers get covered in crud, keep them clean and when changing the pads clean and grease the sliders and pistons to keep it as good as you can.

The panniers, once you've worked out how they go on and off you'll find it a lot easier to do it when you close your eyes.

I fill up the tank near ashford and it'll get me to amsterdam with plenty to spare.

Never had a fuel tap go wrong but sold a few so they must do

Feel free to pm if you're stuck with anything while getting it sorted
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[bassmastergen...]

Thanks guys, you've given me plenty to think about there. Sounds like it could be a goer then... will let you know if it comes off

[Marmalade]

If not and you still want one, I'm looking to shift this one.
Needs some work doing but T&T and can be used as is

https://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo141/bramble43/triumphe400.jpg
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Gerrard]

You dont mention price so whatever he's asking look in the ads and see if its about right..
Not my sort of bike but it gets good reviews..
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