Thursday 11th August 2011

Honda: Next-Gen Pan European 'On Hold'

Has new BMW K1600 caused Honda to have a re-think?

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Current Pan European will soldier on...

Honda has announced that it's put the next generation Pan European on hold.

Word is that the new BMW K1600GT has caused Honda to have a re-think on a new Pan.

There are two problems: the first is the shortage of cash that would be needed to develop a new bike that could compete with the BMW's power output and sophistication.

The second, and it's linked to the first, is that the American market wants a big comfy tourer in the Gold Wing mould and the European market prefers a bike that has excellent performance and dynamics that is still comfortable; there isn't enough cash knocking around Honda's R&D department for the company to develop both types of bike.

So it seems the current Pan European will stay in production until 2013. And possibly even longer.

[ellisd82]

Do like the Pan Euro. I say forget the Americans, they have the Gold Wing already, the Pan Euro is exactly that...Euro bike! Not Hard to compete with the BMW, as I think BMW have their own market of fans. Honda normally competes with the other jap bikes, but other than the Yam FJR, there is nothing from Kwak or Suzi that is a Big tourer like the Pan Euro or all BMWs (Majority are touring bikes).

Kwak do have a big tourer...The GTR1400.
Also Honda should not have wasted its money with the DN-01...Anyone know someone who has bought one?

Edited by ellisd82 on Thursday 11th August 11:46