First days on 2000 Honda ST1100 Pan European

Filmed August 2023, from the first couple of days riding it. By far the biggest and heaviest bike I've ridden, but very pleasant. Look forward to some longer ones this year.

[@bennyhultofficial]

Btw I'm getting mine on friday 😃 Can't wait.

[@bike_runs]

Enjoy! Had mine a year now, and still totally love it. Only downside is the weight when pushing it around my lumpy garage. But once I get smooth concrete it'll be perfect

[@pureblood2020]

Beautiful road! I have a mint '99 st in my stable. Shifts smoother than my 2020 Goldwing tour.

[@andrewstones2921]

Thank you for this video, it’s very nice. I just bought a near identical ST1100, the ride home was a bit scary as the seat had been raised, but now that I have the seat lowered it feels a lot better. I’m loving the ST1100, and I’m even growing to love its distinctive whirring noise. I did raise the handlebars by an inch which for me makes a significant difference.

[@bike_runs]

Yeah its definitely on the intimidating side for me, always conscious of the weight when stopping/starting. Those first few miles on the ride home from where I bought it were daunting, but once on the open road it was easy to relax! Fitting an adjustable clutch lever from a VFR800 helped me a lot, the standard one was just too far away for my smaller hands. With the lever much closer, feathering the clutch became much easier, and reduced hand strain on longer rides.

[@andrewstones2921]

@@bike_runs wow thanks for that tip, feathering the clutch is essential for low speed control on a heavy bike like this. I’m getting more used to it, learning not to use the front brake during slow speed maneuvers was a big one for me when the handlebars are not perfectly straight

[@wietie3336]

Those views are simply breathtaking

[@vyrnmn]

Great video.

[@anthonygardner155]

Gary, Looks like you have a very good example of the Pan-European. You have found some roads that really suit the bike and it seems to run well. I noticed the temp didn't move far on the gauge, mine did this until I was recommended to change the thermostat. Now it reads halfway and the bike runs smother with more mpg.

[@bike_runs]

Its well known these run cool, if the cooling system is working properly. I too was a little concerned when I first got it, but I did research and found it was normal for it to run cool when in motion, it only rises up to halfway when very slow/stopped or if the ambient temps are very hot (which they are never here). I did however go through the cooling system to be sure, being a used bike its good practice. I replaced a bunch of hoses, tested the thermostat (works fine, it opened at the indicated temp), flushed and replaced with new coolant. You could probably get it to run hotter by choosing a higher temp thermostat, but I'm happy having it work as designed, even if it is cooler than other bikes.

[@anthonygardner155]

@@bike_runs Gary, Great response, my bike ran cool this for about the first 18 years until after a club ride and before putting it away it spat coolant out of the overflow/header tank. I checked the thermostat and it seemed to be very slow to operate so I spoke to David Silver who recommended swapping it out. The overflow pipe at the radiator end had also begun to split when I inspected the system. New coolant, hose, thermostat and radiator cap completed the parts and afternoon fitting them. The engine now warms up much faster and holds the temperature gauge constantly just below halfway for the last 5 years. This is something which may happen to your bike as they are around the same age and if it does you have some information. I have had mine from new in 2002 and apart from a sticking rear brake caliper, it has been fluid changes with general servicing that I do myself. Every time I look to change it for something new I can find anything more comfortable so I will just keep riding this one. I am sure you will get the most out of your bike and if looked after will see thousands of great roads to ride. Best Regards, Tony.

[@bennyhultofficial]

Awesome vid mate. I see you switch gears whitout clutch. Is that particular ok on these bikes or can one do that with any bike if practiced?

[@bike_runs]

Can do it on any bike, though this is the only one I bother with, as the clutch lever is a little heavier and further reach than my other bikes. This fatigues my hand on long rides. If i can reduce the amount of clutch squeezes, my hand will thank me later!

[@jonm7272]

​@@bike_runshi, if you're finding the clutch to be particularly heavy it might be worth giving the slave cylinder a rebuild (piston and seals, quite cheap) and make sure the handlebar lever pivot is clean and well greased. I've done this with mine and the clutch is surprisingly quite light for such a big bike. The lever pivot needs cleaning and greasing quite regularly to keep it nice.

[@pedroclaro7822]

You can on any bike. Give it throttle to down shift, and get off the throttle to go up in gears. Ideally you press the pedal the moment your hand is in the farthest position it will go ( meaning fully on or off the clutch depending of the shifting type). On my cbf125 I only use the clutch on first and neutral gear to pull over or get going again.

[@jonm7272]

@@pedroclaro7822 good luck changing down in the lower gears without a clutch on an 1100cc shaft drive.

[@GPR111]

Nice roads but you are trying to ride the Pan like your other bikes ..... 😉 if you keep it long enough you will know what I mean

[@emaeder18]

You could give her a chance and rev it a bit more

[@waldek32]

Sound is not nice