To "Just pay" isn't always in RP. I fly a Container Transport, which is capable of going toe-to-toe with just about anything short of a full capital ship. With a Mk 8 armor upgrade, I can even hold my own against a bomber for a short time. (not for long, though) I often run gate/lane parts up to the Gate Construction Site in the Taus, so heavy armor is perfectly in RP, considering I'm running Kusari caps and fighters the whole way up there.
I usually try to fight my way out of piracy, and I succeed about half the time. If I find I've overestimated my chances, I surrender and throw myself on the pirates mercy. Sometimes I get killed, sometimes I pay double. No matter what happens, though, it's in RP. The only OoRP thing I do is, should I escape or kill the pirate, pay pirates who give me good RP half their original demand.