Looking at going back to bikes but not crotch rockets as they are just not nice for touring.
My new lass likes bikes and I wanted to do this for ages.


I have had bikes in the past in the warmer climate of South Africa and briefly rode bikes here when I
was a lot younger. rd 400 and a BMW r600 with full touring spec krauser paniers

Im looking at the cheaper pans to get going with a view to using it to commute to the next job I take.
( possibly wont have a transport option included in the package.)

I will have to sit a uk licence so I will have to factor this into the cost



So whats the LCB crew think of cheap pans up to 2k

If I get a 1100 I could always get an engine size upgrade to 1300





Theres loads out there so we could really take a pick.....

A couple of years ago I did a bike safe weekend with SY Police, they had always used the 1100 Pans, and were very happy with them, tough and relliable bikes he said. They were switching to 1300s at the time, and were having lots of problems with them, engine reliability, I think they've gone BMW now.

So for my 2p worth, go with an 1100 and leave it as is.

The Whitham vehicles place at Grantham usually have several 'in stock' as ex-MOD bikes. They were featured on Top Gear a couple of weeks back.
If I was going to get a Pan then that is where I would head.

ETA, argh, just seen you are a bit 'oop north' so maybe Grantham isn't the best location for you.

[Edited on 8/8/11 by balidey]

Why think of upgrading 1100 to 1300? It's not like swapping a car engine and will probably cost more than getting what you wanted in the first place. If your commute is not going to be 100 miles the pan is a bit overkill.

I recently got back into biking after a while off and also after a long time with an air-cooled BMW and got a ST1100. It really is good - I tried a new oil-cooled BMW first but it didn't really 'fit me' and the biggest thing about both is how much bikes have improved. Better tyres, brakes etc.

Anyway, the Pan is great. Much lighter and nimbler than I expected and also great for long distance motorway which was my main reason for getting it. The reported trouble with the 1300s is really only a factor at high speeds (like 100mph) and was a bigger factor with all the police gubbins on.

One major but rare fault is cracking of the block at the back of the right cylinder bank - mine has it but still runs fine. It's difficult to see but needs checking. There's a bit of Pan support online:

http://www.bikersoracle.com/paneuropean/forum/

quote:

---

Originally posted by balidey
The Whitham vehicles place at Grantham usually have several 'in stock' as ex-MOD bikes. They were featured on Top Gear a couple of weeks back.
If I was going to get a Pan then that is where I would head.

ETA, argh, just seen you are a bit 'oop north' so maybe Grantham isn't the best location for you.

[Edited on 8/8/11 by balidey]

---

It's been a while since I've seen him, but a chap I used to ride with (observer with RoSPA) and Cardington approved advanced instructor used to have them (and may still have).

He absolutely loved them having done, at the time, over 1/4 million miles on them.

ATB

Simon

Never heard a bad word against them...