Menus
Driving report Honda Pan European ABS
A seetrip is funny…
… thought the journalists when they were able to navigate Honda’s new touring flagship Pan European for the first time during torrential rain.
Honda had thought of everything when presenting the new Pan European in Carcassonne in the south of France? just not about making contact with Peter. He was not interested in the general staff planning and opened all the sky locks. Actually no reason to despair, because a touring steamer like the Pan European should transport passengers appropriately even under such conditions. But the journalists hesitated, like Noah once, to confide in the floods and took a noticeably long time to adapt the ergonomics to their personal circumstances.
The driver’s seat of the Pan European is three-way adjustable in height and moves backwards with the two higher steps at the same time, so that almost everyone can find an ideal seating position. The engine moved further forward, and thanks to timing chains instead of toothed belts as a camshaft drive and other modifications, its length has shrunk by a full 60 millimeters. As a result, the driver sits closer to the handlebars than with the predecessor.
But explanations or ergonomics, the moment has finally come for the testers to defy wind and weather. When starting the 90-degree V4 still pleasantly stands out from the consonance of the in-line four-cylinder faction through its guttural, gnarled expressions of life. The first thing to do is take the Autobahn, where the Pan European can emphatically demonstrate its tourer qualities. The screen offers perfect protection even for drivers who are 1.90 meters tall. Electrically adjustable in height of almost 19 centimeters, practically everyone in a certain position has a largely calm. In contrast to the old ST and the Supertourer competition, where strong wind pressure in the back tries to push the driver forward, only slight turbulences can be felt with the new Pan European.
The calm behind the raised window is even more astonishing. The annoying wind noises are almost completely in the background, then the engine noises are present. The Pan-European captain sits physically on the upper deck, acoustically in the engine room and can change this state very quickly if necessary by lowering the window. When it comes to wind and weather protection, the Honda Tourer is suspect.
Less in terms of driving stability. Even at the French motorway limit of 130 km / h, the Pan European is annoying with constant slight unrest around the steering axis, which causes permanent tilting around the longitudinal axis. And in fast corners on country roads, the tourer tends, as it turned out later, to significant pendulum movements, additionally intensified by bumps. A downer in the otherwise exemplary driving behavior. The spring elements respond sensitively and ensure a high level of comfort, the handiness measured in this category as well as the lush total weight is exemplary. The new Pan European shines with the old “ST 1100 symptom”: Difficult to maneuver when stationary, the 300 kg heavy passenger steamer behaves as if transformed even at walking pace and masters alternating curves with amazing agility even at higher speeds. The engine with a longitudinal crankshaft shows a lasting effect. The lowered center of gravity, the wheelbase shortened by 50 to 1500 millimeters and, last but not least, the moderate 170 tires on the rear wheel also contribute to the good handling.
Honda has heavily upgraded the engine. An injection with 36 throttle valves now prepares the mixture, a regulated catalytic converter plus secondary air system keep the air clean. With more stroke and bore, the displacement increased to 1261 cm³ and with it power and torque. With 126 hp at 8000 rpm and 125 Newton meters at 6000 rpm, the new engine has not only increased significantly in paper form compared to the 1100 (98 hp / 109 Nm). Even from low engine speeds, the Pan European takes off strongly, pushes forward evenly over the entire range and strives towards the red area much more willing than its predecessor in higher regions. In addition to the more powerful engine, the six percent shorter overall transmission and the 15 kilograms lower weight are also helpful. Despite two balancer shafts, the V4 begins to vibrate significantly from 6500 rpm. Then the tourer is already driving 190 km / h in last gear. If you stay just below that, you are vibration-free and still travel quickly. The Pan European also enables long travel stages with its ample tank volume of 29 liters.
When it comes to anchoring, the Honda, which is exclusively delivered with ABS in Germany, shows a mixed picture. Moderate hand strength is sufficient for medium delays. However, if the driver wants to brake hard or, in an emergency, get into the ABS control range, the strength of a real sea dog is required. The footbrake is largely unimpressed by the toughest kicks. The combination of composite brakes and ABS offers ideal conditions for low actuation forces with optimum controllability. The ABS itself is convincing in the blocking area thanks to its very gentle regulation, which does not pose problems even for normal drivers in any situation.
D.och not slow down, but travel comfortably is the motto of Pan European. And in this, apart from chassis defects, it shows itself from its strongest side even under the worst weather conditions. The equipment, the excellent comfort and the outstanding wind and weather protection have their price: 15990 euros without additional costs, including ABS, 35 liter suitcases, adjustable window and seat height. To make your stay on board even more pleasant, there is a long list of extras that are subject to a surcharge, from a 45-liter topcase to an audio system and CD changer. Travel on a luxury liner has never been a cheap pleasure. One can only hope that Honda will take another look at the driving behavior of its touring steamer before the start of series production, so that the sea trip remains really fun. Because nothing arouses more pity than a seasick passenger.
Technical data – Honda Pan-European ABS
Engine: Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke 90-degree V-engine, crankshaft lengthways, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts each, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, electronic intake manifold injection, O 36 mm, engine management, regulated catalytic converter, secondary air system. Bore x stroke 78 x 66 mm displacement 1261 cm³ Compression ratio 10.8: 1 Nominal output 93 kW (126 PS) at 10 500 / min Max. Torque 125 Nm at 6000 / min Power transmission: primary drive via gears, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox , Cardan. Chassis: Bridge frame made of aluminum profiles, load-bearing motor, telescopic fork, standpipe diameter 45 mm, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum profiles, central spring strut with lever deflection, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, double disc brake at the front, three-piston calipers, floating brake discs, O 310 mm, disc brake, rear, O 316 mm, Composite braking system, ABS. Cast aluminum wheels 18 x 3.50; 17 x 5.00 tires 120/70 ZR 18; 170/60 ZR 17 Chassis data: wheelbase 1490 mm, steering head angle 64 degrees, caster 98 mm, spring travel f / r 117/120 mm, dimensions and weights L / W / H 2270/830 / 1390-1575 mm, seat height 790 +/- 15 mm, weight dry 283 kg tank capacity 29 liters Guarantee two years with unlimited mileage Colors red metallic, gray metallic, green metallic Price incl. VAT 15,990 euros
Related articles
-
Driving report Honda XL 1000 V Varadero
Driving report Honda XL 1000 V Varadero coastal sailor The Japanese travel enduro, named after a Cuban beach, also comes for a Sunday party …
-
Driving report Honda CBF 600 S
Jahn Driving report Honda CBF 600 S (2004) All inclusive Honda is throwing the middle class upside down. The CBF 600 including ABS is available from 6960…
-
Driving report Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 NTX
Moto Guzzi 17 pictures Moto Guzzi 1/17 Don’t be intimidated: the NTX looks mighty like a Dolomite peak, the seat height from 820 to 840 …
-
Honda VFR 800 F in the driving report
Factory 30 pictures Factory 1/30 Honda VFR 800 F in the driving report. Plant 2/30 Honda VFR 800 F in the driving report. Plant 3/30 Honda VFR 800 F in the driving report. Plant 4/30 …
-
Driving report Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V
Moto Guzzi driving report Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V Alpen-Swinger Powerful, fateful: The Moto Guzzi Stelvio is impressive like …
-
Jahn driving report BMW R 1200 ST Boxer, the third The series will soon be complete: First came the Enduro R 1200 GS. Then the tourer R 1200 RT rolled off …
-
Driving report Aprilia ETV 1000 Caponord
Driving report Aprilia ETV 1000 Caponord Schrager Wohnen In the sports area, they rose like a phoenix from the ashes with the 1000 Rotax engine. Will Aprilia with …
-
Exclusive driving report Honda CBF 600 S
Seya Exclusive Driving Report Honda CBF 600 S The People’s Honda A lot of quality for little money ?? this is how the Japanese grew up in Europe. The Honda CBF 600 S lets …
-
Driving report: Triumph Tiger 800
Muller 24 pictures Triumph 1/24 Triumph Tiger 800: The three-cylinder engine gets 95 hp at 9300 rpm from 799 cubic meters. Triumph 2/24 Triumph Tiger 800 XC Triumph …
-
Driving report KTM 990 Adventure ABS and S
Photos: Herwig Peuker driving report KTM 990 Adventure ABS and S wave pool terrain or street, high or low version, ABS or not: KTM offers …