06/07/2010 VFR1200(1400m) ST1300(72m)
Early days to even consider a comparison, but this column will be about my thoughts on both these bikes and how they might or might not relate.
Indeed if the VFR1200 Engine is one possible power plant for the rumored new Pan then all the more relevant.
The common bond between both bikes is the V4 engine layout, different engines but both V4's that Mr Honda truly believed to be the ultimate engine layout.
The VFR1200 has an addictive edge to its engine, you can be fooled into thinking that it is muted and bland, especially if you take all your experience from watching Youtube. It has a much deeper soul and once discovered becomes part of the daily order.
The sun rises, you mount your daily steed, you tune into the sound of 4 beats to the bar of melodic hypnosis. The sun sets and the waves of contentment resonate long after the garage door closes.
That addiction has now dug deep into me. I first discovered it in the VFR800, the VFR1200 felt an enhancement of the already perfect tune and I think that the Pan has this too.
I say think because, I am still not opening the Pan up beyond 5000 RPM, however once I get the first 100 miles in then I am going to push the engine more. There is a hint its there and that is a very positive start.
My plan is to take both bikes on my favorite run, 300 miles of some of Scotland's finest roads, allowing me to see what I miss from either and what is common between both.
This will allow me to take notes on fuel consumption, journey time between points, fuel stops, feel and performance of both bikes, overall comfort.
I might try and do something were I can score individual elements and get an overall idea of how the bikes compared. I might also get some video footage.
Of course there will eventually also be a build up of overall cost of ownership.
I know it is boys with toys but you only live once, all in the name of fun and adventure. Make the most of it whilst I can.
12/07/2010 VFR1200(1400m) ST1300 (245m)
My problem is the Pan is very good, better than I thought. The VFR is exceptional but for 80% of the time you could use the PAN and in fact the Pan would be better for most of it. Touring, Commuting, solo day trips.
However its that 20%, it does not seem much but when the mood takes you and the road is clear, nothing matches the VFR for tearing the road apart with an exceptional level of ergonomics, handling and silky smooth seductive power.
You get sucked into the Vortex, like and drug induced time traveler the world disappears at an alarming rate, yet you feel in control and thats the real buzz.
It falsely flatters you with a firm pat on the back that you are one corner away from that TT win. But unlike riding something a bit more focused like the ZX10R Ninja you never actually feel you are knocking on heavens door.
The question for me is, can the Pan encroach on any of this 20 percent?
These figures mean nothing, they are just my way of expressing the balance I feel between the bikes.
I need to take the Pan away on my traditional run. I think that 10% is untouchable just through the design of the bikes but maybe I could live without that and live with just the Pan. Potentially saving me a fortune and bringing some normality to my addiction and my bank balance.
Comparison Update
I have owned the ST1300 for 6 weeks, covered nearly 1500 miles, I have owned the VFR1200 14 weeks and just over 1600 miles, I suppose that in itself should tell you something
I have joined the Pan Clan so that has had me going out on a fair few runs with the ST1300, which has helped hike the mileage, as has my two work runs to Glenmassen
As far as comparing, the Pan for me easily fills 90% of what I need out of a bike and the VFR is indeed that 10% that puts you on the saddle solo, on a sunny dry day and with that get your head down and go mode
Alike? chalk and cheese really completely different bikes, both brilliant but each in their own special way. Both share the fantastic V4 and shaft drive, both go better than they look. Both are so well made and presented. Both are worthy of owning but yet if i lost the VFR then I would be happy and content with the Pan but if it was the other way around I would truly miss the Pan
If that surprises you then believe me it has truly astounded me!!!!
January 2011 VFR 1200(2012 Miles) ST1300(1948 Miles)
Snow Snow Snow !!!!!
Much has happened since my last post, a few more miles but not much. I have since started a new job and after 14 years in one position i decided the time was right for moving. I was unsure how long my existing job might last and the future of the bikes would certainly be bleak should I find myself unemployed.
So keeping the roof over our heads and hanging onto my bikes the hunt had no sooner begun before I landed a new job in an exciting expanding company. Should it work out then i think the house and the bikes should be safe. With that in mind I can hopefully look forward to another season of riding.
So what about this season? It has been great, two amazing bikes, both in their own way. The VFR
I started this comparison thinking that I had two bikes that overlapped, truth be told if I had to choose one it would only be for financial sense and to look after the pillion, i would therefore retain the ST1300, I would miss life without it. But the best road bike ever is the VFR1200 but I could live without it having the Pan, but as bikes they are chalk and cheese and can live under the same garage. Long may that be the case.
June 2011 - VFR1200 - 14 Months - (2240 Miles), ST1300 - 11 Months - (3850 Miles)
Well what can I say, I still have both bikes, I am still very much smitten by both. However the VFR has done very little miles and the Pan has been eating them up.
I have a weeks holiday coming up next week and it will be a time to rekindle my fondness of the best road bike ever. The Pan has smothered me and it's no surprise, it is a stonking bike, best all round bike ever.
But so is the VFR, Very different bikes but with a common bond - V4.
16/07/2011 VFR1200 (2700m) ST1300(4030m)
OK I could rattle on about the Pan and all it's positive virtues but I would only repeat what I have already said. Mileage keeps rising and so does the smiles. 1 Year old and I am a very proud owner.
Well I kept my promise and I took the VFR for a re-bonding session, 470 odd miles in one day I was really surprised by the level of comfort this bike provided. I left the house knowing I was going for a full long day in the saddle. As I wheeled the VFR out the garage I gave the Pan a sorry glance and inside i resisted the urge to surrender to the Pans obvious charms
How wrong could I have been, as a solo bike I can now question that its ergonomics just might have the upright position of the Pan licked. Certainly a big surprise.
This bike is an awesome road steed and now long distance under its belt and 46 mpg average on a run were I was not shy to overtake the highland barrage of traffic.
Brilliant and and 15 months old, am I truly found a perfect mixture of bikes. Certainly they both hold their own in very different ways. My original fears of them being alike have now been laid to rest.
I truly believe that I own the two best bikes Honda have ever built.
I feel very lucky and privileged.
