Paging Timo or other Pan Europeanisti...

Work keep on at me about how they've got so much bike based work on at the
mo, that they'd like me to consider doing more work on the bike.

As things stand, I do the odd job on the CBR for them, but only when it
suits me; the Golf does more MPG, is more comfortable and doesn't need it's
chain adjusting or tyres replacing every five minutes.

So... I'm looking into possibly getting a Pan or similar for work - any
other decent shaftie capable of going to the moon and back on the original
engine suggestions would be gratefully received.

My main concern with the Pan, is the physical size - are they a bit unwieldy
when you're doing a 'Moses' (1)?

Also, what sort of MPG is the norm when ridden hard, and on a sensible paced
distance run, and how heavy are they in terms of mileage on average, for
tyres / servicing etc.

TIA

(1) The parting of the sea that is otherwise known as 'traffic in Central
London'

 

Get a white Pan with stripes (like Tuppys) and the traffic parts for
you. I have no problem with my black Pan, you just have to close your
eyes and go for it!

It's only at low speeds that you feel the weight & bulk of the bike.
But you get used to it very quickly (after you've lain the bike down a
few times in car parks with people pointing and laughing).

38mpg when *really* having fun, 45mpg as an average and 50mpg
bimbling.

Front & rear tyres (020) last 11 and 8,000 miles.

Oil every 4,000 and filters every 8,000 miles.

A friend is selling an immaculate '97 ABS Pan if you are interested.

HTH

 

No. The 1100, at least, is unbelievably nimble. It's one reason why Plod
likes them. I've not ridden the 1300.To me, it's just not a
Pan-European, somehow.

Worst I ever got was about 30mpg, cruising at a steady 110 or so. High
30s overall, best of 50-ish when cruising alongside a ShiteoldCX500 at
about 75.

The original Pan is a blinding bike. People who slag 'em off probably
have never ridden them.

 

Wot 'e said.
Especially, the white and stripes bit.

--
ColonelTupperware,
spouting bollocks on Usenet since 1997
Usenet FAQ at
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Curses... the one I've seen, is gold.

The 'Price is Right' though, so I'll have to consider a paintjob

 

Not at all. They look like they are too big to filter but they aren't.
Remember, if the mirrors fit through, then eveything else will fit.

Once you have got your feet up they feel incredibly light and nimble -
and are easier (by miles) to through around town than a sports bike
(more leverage on the bars, good sitting position, excellent mirrors).

Anything from 30 (caned shitless) to 50 (high speed cruise (say 90 to
100 mph) on motorway)

and how heavy are they in terms of

Depends on the tyres and how you ride. I used to use 020's - and they
did about 10k rear and 12 front. Now I use the Avons AV45/46 and they
grip *much* better than 020's in the wet or dry and last longer - I
reckon 12 to 15k on a rear and I've had 20k out of a front.

Linked brakes are best on the Pan - so try to get the ABS/TCS model.
Pads seem to last 16 to 20 k all round. Official oil and filter is 8k
- I do both every 4k - the old oil can go into the SOLandy.

Cambelt is supposed to be changed every 90k miles.

Weak spots - Exhaust collector (as always), and the alternators on
pre-94 models.

Fit HG heated grips and a wind-deflector kit from Dave Silver and
you'll be warm and dry all year round.

 

It's also *way* out of my price range

Ok, that sounds acceptable in exchange for barn door style protection from
the elements.

Anyone bothered to fit a stereo to one?

We did have one come in with one fitted when I was at the shop, but I never
got round to trying it out - just wondered if it was worth doing or is it
drowned out when you're on the move?

 

TBH, I've seen one in 'used' condition with a price that reflects - given if
I do make the switch, it'll soon be looking slightly 'weathered' due to the
high miles etc. it'll have lobbed on it, rain or shine.

In other words, for one thing it would be a shame to trash a minter, and for
another, anything I do buy will depreciate rapidly due to the miles lobbed
on it, so if I can get one a bit worn round the cosmetic edges with a price
that reflects this, it'll make more sense financially.

Ta for the info anyway.

 

<waves>

I've got FM radio and Minidisc on mine - make commuting a lot nicer.
I've fitted it vertically in the left hand pannier, and the cables
connect to the pannier under the seat via a couple of plugs (so I can
still remove the pannier in seconds).

I haven't bothered with speakers, instead I stripped down a pair of
'over the ear' headphones and mounted the 'speaker' bits inside my
helmet. I still wear earplugs but can hear the radio perfectly.

I can bung some pics somewhere if you're interested.

 

Should look like new unless it's done real galactic milage. Mines now
done 70k (bought new in August 2000) and still looks like a showroom
bike.

Hondas (unless very neglected) keep their looks.

 

I know... the VFR I had off of Sorby had done 100k when I got it - apart
from the generally weathered forks, it scrubbed up much better than I'd
hoped it would.

And that was a bike that had been ridden all year round, never garaged,
rarely cleaned...

 

Simon Atkinson was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Well, you've seen mine - it's now done about 76k and it doesn't look
like a showroom bike, but still rather good.

What lets mine down are the silencers...

 

I was thinking of getting a JVC for the car that has MP3 and DAB, so the MP3
that's in there would be the most probable choice.

That's where they'd fitted the stereo on the Pan we had in at the shop.

Sounds like a sensible way of doing it.

Yes please.

Even if I don't go over to a Pan, I can see something like this being a
'good thing' full stop whatever bike I've got, especially if I can patch in
my mobile as well.

And no, I don't talk whilst riding along - for one thing the CBR is too loud
to here yourself think, never mind talk... but I do need to be aware of when
the phone is ringing. I normally stuff the earpieces of my hands free kit
in my ears, and leave the mic hanging out over the top of my jacket - if the
phone rings, I pull over then hit the answer button on the mic.

Saves a lot of time and effort anyway, and I think I'm right in saying it's
legal to do so.

If not, I stand corrected, and promise never to do it again... ;-)

 

It's only because *you* said that, that I can see you changing your
posting name to Simes Honda.


Where've you been, anyway?

 

JackH was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Only other one that comes to mind would be the K100 (pref. the 16V
RS). They're somewhat smaller than a Pan, but strangely enough that
doesn't make that much of a difference.

Well, I work in central London (near St Pauls) - using the Husky saves
me a few minutes max compared to the Pan, but the Pan is a lot more
comfy, so it does filter reasonably well.

I get something like 40-50mpg most of the time, tyres tend to last
well if you don't pick up screws. I change oil & filter roughly every
4k. Main annoyance is the amount of plastic you have to remove even
for simple jobs.

 

Funnily enough, that's the other one I've been looking at.

I think the Pan is more 'me' though, tbh.

There is a possibility I may be able to score a reasonably high priced and
leggy Divvie 900, but I just don't think one of those would be as comfy or
resilient to live with compared to a Pan, given 50k miles minimum is likely,
a year.

Obviously the price difference reflects that though.

So you're saying I should get an unfaired B12 instead? ;-)

 

JackH was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

For easy home servicing, definitely...

 

I shall take that as a compliment - and maybe as a bit of a come-on...

Hiding.

Or more accurately, working like a slave and too knackered and tired to
read UKRM.

Also been a bit poorly (ahhhh...) and now waiting for some treatment -
but under our wonderful new NHS waiting times, it means that I'm not
actually on a waiting list yet - just to keep the stats heading the
right way... Sorry - did that sound bitter?

Looks like not much has changed round here - it's nice in a way that in
an ever changing world, there is always UKRM - like a well sucked
Werthers.

How's you? Still in Hot-Land (Mesopotamia wasn't it?)?

 

'The Hotel California'

 

I've found that CD based players are quite likely to drive you mad on a
bike - most of them can't cope with the bouncing around they get and
start jumping or going silent for long periods. Minidisc seems a lot
more rugged. YMMV of course.

It's out of sight, lockable, removeable and doesn't really take up much
room - does mean I can't get a FF helmet in that pannier now, but I've
got the other side and the top-box (Which will hold two).

I thought that - and I tend to go out early and get home late, so
didn't want to wake up the entire street to the sounds of the World
Service or Farming Today.

Okey Doke - give me the usual year or so to get round to it...

I did that originally - had a mount for the mobile in the pannir so it
would charge as well. Then when the phone rang it muted the radio and
auto answered after 2 rings and let me chat. I could hear them fine at
100mph - however, all they could hear was a faint sounding Simes and
wind noise. It was fine below about 50mph - so if you're mostly around
town I'm sure it will work fine.

I decided after about a week to stick to just charging the phone on the
bike and not chatting. If they want to talk to me they can fecking
wait until I'm ready to chat to them.

It's one of the plusses of riding - you're out of contact for a bit -
until it suits you.