Dilema...

[Richie3264]

Now the F800GS has gone i've been toying with an RT but I am also swayed towards the Pan European
I do like the boxer twin and front end of the BMW but I am also keen on the Big "H"
This type of bike suits my needs for the near future and will have to be 4 to 5 years old.
Yeah I know, do a search and I have but I was just wondering if any of you guys have experienced riding both and which did you prefer?

Hoping to test ride both later this week

Thanks for your opinions in advance

Richie

 

[Shipwreck]

I don't think you can go wrong with either bike. Both have excellent build quality. I have not ridden the Pan but the RT that I currently ride is superb. It is lighter than the Honda which may sway you. But I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Richie3264]

Thanks for the reply Shipwreck,

Both bikes make sense and for the right reasons and I really cant decide.

Cheers,

Richie

 

[tallthinhack]

The RT I had and the Pan ST1100 that I now ride were/are older than the bikes you are looking at but my 2p's worth -

The RT1100 had nice touches about it - adjustable screen, much better balanced to get on and off the centre stand (the ST takes a bit of a tug to get up on the stand but I think the 1300 is better sorted in this respect).

It scrubbed up nicely (silver paintwork) and was very comfortable (I am 6ft 4inches) over long distances. When I had a job in Paris I had no worries taking the RT to get there and in the two years I had it never had a problem regarding reliability.

The ST1100 is as comfortable, and certainly as reliable. The way it delivers its power is totally different though, as the V4 accelerates so smoothly with a seemingly constant and consistent flow of torque. The screen does not adjust but for me it is perfect, as with the RT. The Pan though will take you through 90, 95 to 100 and on and is as stress-free as at 75 - 80. In fact you have to watch the clocks to make sure you don't do do anything daft on the speed front. With the RT it felt as if the bike had to work harder.

The RT panniers were bigger, and the plastic hardier than the ST1100's though I don't know if the ST1300 panniers are more sturdy.

As the other guys say, it will be a tough call between the two. Probably the RT has a bit more "character", eg tweak the throttle at a standstill and the bike will rock, that sort of thing, but the ST is almost like a Q bike - it looks staid and boring, but give it some welly and it really shifts, and, I think, it is slightly more stable at very slow, traffic-jam speeds.

Whichever you go for though, for reliable, long-distance and, when needed, high speed riding, you'll have to be very unlucky to go wrong.

Good luck.

 

[Richie3264]

The RT I had and the Pan ST1100 that I now ride were/are older than the bikes you are looking at but my 2p's worth -

The RT1100 had nice touches about it - adjustable screen, much better balanced to get on and off the centre stand (the ST takes a bit of a tug to get up on the stand but I think the 1300 is better sorted in this respect).

It scrubbed up nicely (silver paintwork) and was very comfortable (I am 6ft 4inches) over long distances. When I had a job in Paris I had no worries taking the RT to get there and in the two years I had it never had a problem regarding reliability.

The ST1100 is as comfortable, and certainly as reliable. The way it delivers its power is totally different though, as the V4 accelerates so smoothly with a seemingly constant and consistent flow of torque. The screen does not adjust but for me it is perfect, as with the RT. The Pan though will take you through 90, 95 to 100 and on and is as stress-free as at 75 - 80. In fact you have to watch the clocks to make sure you don't do do anything daft on the speed front. With the RT it felt as if the bike had to work harder.

The RT panniers were bigger, and the plastic hardier than the ST1100's though I don't know if the ST1300 panniers are more sturdy.

As the other guys say, it will be a tough call between the two. Probably the RT has a bit more "character", eg tweak the throttle at a standstill and the bike will rock, that sort of thing, but the ST is almost like a Q bike - it looks staid and boring, but give it some welly and it really shifts, and, I think, it is slightly more stable at very slow, traffic-jam speeds.

Whichever you go for though, for reliable, long-distance and, when needed, high speed riding, you'll have to be very unlucky to go wrong.

Good luck.

Thanks very much, I must admit that I do like the "character of the boxer twin engine and I think I undersand when you say the RT seems to work harder.

At the moment it seems like it is six and two threes between the two bikes IYKWIM

 

[JJH]

My rt12 is doing 53/54 mpg I don't think you will get that from a pan JJH

 

[Giles]

Owned two Pans (11 and 13) and ridden Rt's since they became the police pan replacement.

The Pan (13) has a luverly motor, and for me, that's its gem. It's hunting ground are those fast flowing, good surfaced quick A roads. It doesn't have a punchy motor like say a tuned twin, it's delivery is quite deceptive, but its smooth and tourquey and loves those 70-90mph A roads. It's comfortable enough, the screen isn't particularly good if you're 6' or over and some peepes used to complain that the wind turbulance would creep round your back and push you forward. (with which I concur..). Nice bike though...

The RT has great ergonomics. Its a genuine all day bike and has a sweet handling about it. It doesn't have the top end of the Pan (by any stretch) and that's quite relevant. The RT can get breathless if you really push it, but the motor is still excellent at purring along, the screen and weather protection are excellent and the bike definitely has a lot more charecter than the somewhat clinically sterile Pan. Can a bike be a sweet bike? There's something about the rideability of the RT that I like .....

Which do you choose?? Only you can answer!! (test ride them both... )

 

[Richie3264]

Thanks Giles,

Some interesting points there, I wasnt aware of the wind turbulance issue.

So far the RT is tipping the balance.

Popping over to Jeffries tomorrow for a look see Hope the rain has gone past by the time I get there

Richie

 

[Bob E]

Im on my second R1200rt, done about 50,000 miles between them now .
My mate is a great honda man and wont see past them. But riding along on the road there is nothing between them , except the bm is about 10 mpg better on fuel , but most importantly the pan cannot cope with a strong blustery side wind. On a windy day my pal is down to 50/60 mph and I could set cruse control and ride hands off, The RT is a better riders bike ,but is it a better tourer ,only you can decide . the pan is also one hundred weight heavier ,for pushing back out of parking spaces, gravelly car parks,

 

[Riktus]

I rode them both and like you had a bit of a dilema.

Talked to loads of people and a Bike Cop in IAM club I attend kind of hit the nail on the head If there was such a thing as an RT with the Pan Engine - its the perfect bike!

However had to choose and went RT for a few real world reasons
1. Test ride from BMW dealer was "as long as you like" so a real test of everything, luggage, fuel economy, comfort, turbulence and general feel and controls.
2. BMW dealer in our area is the tops (Rainbow) the nearest Honda dealer is 30 + miles away in Manchester.
3. Fuel economy on test ride averaged 49.8 miles per gallon - now its bedded in I am regularly getting 54 + miles to Gallon - that is a big influencer!
4. Honda dealer said Sat Nav would have to be fitted on handel bars - WTF - it needs to be in front lof you where you can glance at it not have to tune into it - RT's fits just under feild of view but still exactly right place.

They were my reasons - but you will have yours cos not everyone the same the new twin cam bike is veerrryyy sweet though!

Rik

P.S after probably about 6 months I am absolutely sure I did the right thing - I love it!

Good Luck

 

[Martyn H]

Owned two Pans (11 and 13) and ridden Rt's since they became the police pan replacement.

The Pan (13) has a luverly motor, and for me, that's its gem. It's hunting ground are those fast flowing, good surfaced quick A roads. It doesn't have a punchy motor like say a tuned twin, it's delivery is quite deceptive, but its smooth and tourquey and loves those 70-90mph A roads. It's comfortable enough, the screen isn't particularly good if you're 6' or over and some peepes used to complain that the wind turbulance would creep round your back and push you forward. (with which I concur..). Nice bike though...

The RT has great ergonomics. Its a genuine all day bike and has a sweet handling about it. It doesn't have the top end of the Pan (by any stretch) and that's quite relevant. The RT can get breathless if you really push it, but the motor is still excellent at purring along, the screen and weather protection are excellent and the bike definitely has a lot more charecter than the somewhat clinically sterile Pan. Can a bike be a sweet bike? There's something about the rideability of the RT that I like .....

Which do you choose?? Only you can answer!! (test ride them both... )

I pretty much agree with m'learned colleague. I've had various RT's over the years, from R80RT onwards, including R100RT (stll got it ) R1150RT & R1200RT at work & personally. I love them because they do so much so well.
However, I am lucky enough to also own a GSA, & I have to say, it puts a smile on my face, especially in the warmer months. Bit of a bu**** to clean though. As Giles says, only you can decide what suits you.