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.
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.
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.
@@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
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.
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.
@@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.
