Honda ST1300 Pan European Bike Review

Honda ST1300 Pan European Bike Overview

The original ST1100 Pan European was one of Honda’s best-ever machines, launched in 1990 as a heavy sporty tourer with a 1,085cc transverse V-four, shaft drive, full fairing and hard luggage as standard. It was also the first bike with an optional safety-biased traction control system and ABS, available from 1992-on.

By 2002 though, the 1100 was getting on a bit, so Honda replaced it with the fuel-injected STX1300 Pan European. Power was up from 100bhp to 125bhp, engine capacity went up to 1,261cc, it lost 10kg or so, and it got a full restyle. But the basics remained the same – a fast, comfy, practical tourer with a sweet transverse V-four motor that can waft you gently across continents, but also hustle like a sports bike when you want it to. There’s an electrically-adjustable windscreen, ABS and a massive 29-litre fuel tank, good for over 300 miles at pace, but the overall tech level is basic, with no traction control or other goodies. 

Early bikes had a few recalls and problems with corrosion and build quality, but later bikes all sorted this. More worryingly, there were some stability issues with the first STX1300 police bikes, which actually resulted in some nasty crashes. That was found to be down to the heavy radio and other special equipment installed though, and hasn’t been a problem for non-police Pan Europeans.

Take a look at the Honda ST1300 Pan European…