The Honda ST series, also known as the Pan-European in Europe, is a pair of sport touring motorcycles comprising the ST1100 and the later ST1300. The series was created to fill the niche between the VFR750F sports tourer and the larger Gold Wing.
Honda Pan-European at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Series | ST1100 and ST1300 |
| European name | Pan-European |
| ST1100 introduced | 1990 |
| ST1100 production | 1990–2002 |
| ST1100 engine | 1,085 cc longitudinal 90-degree V4 |
| ST1100 layout | water-cooled V4, shaft drive |
| ST1100 features | full fairing, integral panniers, optional ABS and TCS |
| ST1100 fuel tank | below the saddle |
| ST1300 introduced | 2002, US 2003 |
| ST1300 production | through the 2012 model year |
| Replacement | CTX1300, announced November 2013 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the ST series.
History of the Honda Pan-European
Why a Pan-European
After the launch of the Gold Wing, which was very successful in the United States, Honda’s marketing team believed the European market would appreciate a lighter, sportier and more manoeuvrable motorcycle. Introduced in 1990, the ST1100 was given a water-cooled 90-degree V4 mounted inline instead of the Gold Wing’s flat four, and took most of the Gold Wing’s other touring engineering: shaft drive, a full fairing and integral panniers. It reached Europe a year before the United States and supplied touring features in a sportier package.
ST1100 details
The ST1100 had a 1,085 cc longitudinal 90-degree V4. Its fuel tank was placed below the saddle, with the tank-shaped item in the usual position actually covering the air filter, to lower the centre of gravity and improve handling. It was built between 1990 and 2002, and a police variant, the ST1100P, was available for several more years. It was optimised for long-distance touring with a low-maintenance shaft drive and optional anti-lock brakes and traction control; ABS models from 1992 to 1995 had conventional separate front and rear braking systems.
ST1300 and the end
The ST1300, also called the Pan-European in Europe, was introduced in 2002 and became available in the United States in 2003. Production continued through the 2012 model year. In November 2013, after the ST1300 was dropped, Honda announced the CTX1300, a cruiser powered by a version of the ST1300 engine modified for better fuel economy and more low-rpm torque.
Design and features
- Longitudinal V4: 1,085 cc in the ST1100, mounted inline.
- Shaft drive and fairing: Gold Wing touring engineering in a sportier bike.
- Integral panniers: built-in luggage rather than bolt-on cases.
- Low fuel tank: under the saddle for a lower centre of gravity.
Honda Pan-European versions
- ST1100 (1990–2002): the original sport tourer.
- ST1100P: the police version, built for longer.
- ST1300 (2002–2012): the larger successor.
- CTX1300 (2013): the cruiser that used the ST1300 engine.
The Pan-European sits between the Honda VFR800 and the Gold Wing, and was replaced in spirit by the CTX1300. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda ST series, English Wikipedia: origins, ST1100, ST1300, replacement
