written by rolandpacteau on 17/05/2012
My 2002 model is very unstable..dangerously so, when on the motorway with topbox fitted.
Without the topbox the bike is still very sensitive to cross winds and truck turbulence but not dangerously so.
I have ridden/owned many bikes over 44 years of continuous biking and never have I ridden a bike with this high level of sensitivity to cross winds/truck turbulence.
In my opinion this bike should NEVER be used with a topbox fitted. Period. I intend to destroy my topbox ( inherited when I bought the bike).
I recently tested my Pan with and without the side panniers fitted and tried jacking up the preload as well as raising/lowering the screen.
I found that the panniers did not affect the high speed stability of the bike much either way. I found setting the preload to Hard improved stability. I found that raising the screen much above its lowest setting was a No No as this immediately raised stability problems. I now always use the screen in its lowest setting.
BT020 Tyres are set as standard at 42psi.
The bike handles very well at low ( under 60mph) speed and tracks beautifully through bends.
My personal recommendation to all Pan owners who wish to travel at more than 60mph is : junk the topbox !
This wind turbulence induced instability aside the bike is well engineered and a joy to ride.
rgds,
Roland.
( ps. I have 2 Honda VFRS - an early 750 and a later 800fi. Both are completely stable/safe at speed on the motorway though like all bikes they get blown about a bit by the trucks).
Terryff's Response to rolandpacteau's Review
Written on: 01/09/2012
I use mine with top box fitted all the time, ridden all my life and n ever a moments problem with stability, even at naughty speeds, one up and two up, long distance or short, do not know what the fuss is about...mine is a 2003 ST1300A