At one end of the scale is the Yamaha YZF R1. Anyone who has ridden an R1 will agree that the motorcycle offers extreme performance. The available power and acceleration is staggering and the handling characteristics are excellent. I once read an article in a Bike Magazine which puts the bike's performance in perspective. The article described riding an R1 as very similar to swimming with a Great White Shark - if you don't respect it you are going to get eaten.
I have ridden the R1 for the past two years having bought it from new. During that two year period I covered nearly 18000 miles on the R1 in all types of weather and road conditions throughout the UK and abroad. In all those miles the bike's performance never got me into trouble and got me out of far more difficulties than it got me into. The engine offers flexible power in every gear and will not leave the rider stranded. Getting on board an R1 will leave any experienced rider feeling exhilarated and any lover of motorcycles could not help but feel a few years younger for the experience.
So why change? Well there are downsides to riding a 'Super-sport' motorcycle. The main disadvantage being weather protection and rider comfort. This is particularly when the bike is being used for purposes other than a Sunday blast. A considerable proportion of my riding over the past two years has involved touring and long distance rides and the disadvantages were highlighted during last year's Annual Trek to France. Torrential rain during the last three days of the tour presented very real problems in terms of visibility, weather protection and overall rider comfort. The difficulties were highlighted by the itinerary which demanded that long distances be covered each day to move the party of riders on to the next pre-booked venue. (This year's Tour has been re-structured to take account of the difficulties encountered by certain riders last year.
At the other end of the scale is the Honda ST1300 Pan European. I took delivery of the bike in the early part of March. The Pan European is the ultimate Touring machine and in that regard may be considered to be positioned at the opposite end of the motorcycle scale from the R1.(Or is it?)
Despite the disadvantages described above, my transition from R1 rider to Pan rider was not planned to any great degree. It came about a little by chance. The R1 was booked into JT's for a service and I took the opportunity to take out the demonstrator ST1300 to find out for myself if the claims of the Pan Euro Supporters (fanatics) within the Club were true. What was all the fuss about? After all, how much fun could an oversized touring bike be after riding a sports bike.
I took the Pan out on a fine Saturday morning in February and I am grateful to JT's for allowing me to use it for several hours to get a proper feel for the bike. The Pan European is a fantastic motorcycle. The bike is very easy to ride. It is well balanced and the weight disappears when the machine starts to move. The riding position is so comfortable that long distance rides or touring will not present rider discomfort or fatigue. The motorised windscreen provides the rider with every option in respect of wind/weather protection.
Performance is another matter entirely and I expected to be disappointed. However, the bike has loads of power. Once the rider is familiar with the gearing, the performance and handling characteristics are excellent and riders will not be disappointed. The smooth ride and wind protection can deceive the rider into believing that they are travelling a lot slower than they actually are. Believe me - your licence can disappear just as easily on a Pan European as it can on an R1
I arrived back at JT's and did not want to hand over the Pan European. By the same token, I did not want to give up my R1. In the best of worlds I would have had both in the bike-shed. In the end, I weighed up the main use and type of riding required of the bike and surrendered the R1 for the Pan.
The Pan European is a fantastic tool and I have no regrets. The first days riding covered 130 miles on a variety of roads and left me delighted with all aspects of the bike. The other advantage (or disadvantage dependant upon your view) is that Mrs 'J' had one trip on the Pan and announced that she would be only too pleased to accompany me on biking holidays - We are booked to go touring in Cornwall in the early part of April. This would not be an option for her with the R1.
Footnote - one day I hope to have another Sports Bike in the shed for those Sunday Morning Blasts.