SECOND GTR1400

[Essex Boy]

Good evening all. A newbie to the forum signing up today. Purchased my second GTR from Colchester Kawasaki a few weeks ago. Previous one was magnesium silver but this is the fantastic looking Metallic Racing Green. I put 26,000 miles on the first one in under 2 years so know a few things to watch out for although no major problems.  Rear Shock and adjuster replaced under warranty after 9 months. (Told a hugger would have stopped it seizing), start up noise from Cam chain tensioner ?, was never sorted out, just pot worse, Key in headstock was stuck, front discs needed replacing at 26,000, black paint at side of foot rest worn off. Seems a few problems in 2 years but love the bike to bits. Hence number 2. Looking forward to my May trip with friends to Croatia and Bosnia Herzergovinia.

[100milesaway]

Hi ya Essex boy  to the forum I would say the fact you have bought another GTR tells everyone all they need to know about our mutual choice of bike. Enjoy the new one and feel free to visit here as often as you like. You will find lots of help and info, as well as having a laugh. cheers Geoff

[Essex Boy]

Thanks for the warm welcome Geoff.
Use the bike for 70 miles of commuting each day into central London. Not the easiest to manouevre between lines of traffic but the 15 mile blast down the A12 in warmth and comfort makes up for taking an extra 5 minutes a day in traffic hold-up.
And the European tours are just sublime.... 

[zedmeister]

Hi Essex Boy, welcome, i am on my third GTR, like you i have done high mileage over 50k now on the last two in 3.5 years, i can't ever see me changing from the GTR.

[Kwikasfuki]

Hi Essex Boy and welcome to the mad house forum.

I've had a few issues with my bike (now hitting 44k) but different ones from yours (other than the discs). Hopefully they will have been resolved on the newer model.

[Essex Boy]

What is your cam chain noise at start up like on a bike with 40,000 plus. Kawasaki just kept telling me the tensioner would pick up the slack and the noise (which lasted about 3 seconds on start up) would go. It never did.

I could never have sold mine when cold to a private buyer. They would simply have walked !

[O.C.]

Hi Essex boy and welcome from the Lake District...I reckon that the issues you mentioned about your previous GTR are in many ways fairly common ones...that said they are a fantastic machine.

This forum is exceptional with good company and great advice free of charge, and a bit of piss taking too 

Geoff (100miles away) and me were only talking today about the kind of commute that you have to deal with...you have my sympathy

I'm on my third GTR having visited the'Dark Side' for a couple of months....I'm back in the land of the living now though, and won't be straying again.... EVER   

[viper]

Hi Essex boy and welcome from the Lake District...I reckon that the issues you mentioned about your previous GTR are in many ways fairly common ones...that said they are a fantastic machine.

This forum is exceptional with good company and great advice free of charge, and a bit of piss taking too 

Geoff (100miles away) and me were only talking today about the kind of commute that you have to deal with...you have my sympathy

I'm on my third GTR having visited the'Dark Side' for a couple of months....I'm back in the land of the living now though, and won't be straying again.... EVER   

what was the darkside and what did you not like about it?

[Lonewolf]

The dark side I'm guessing was the BMW 

Anyway, welcome to another new member. Thats always a step in the right direction. 

[O.C.]

The Dark Side was indeed my flirtation with not one but two BMWs....no half measures here , eh

K1300GTEE ...... absolutely great engine...those that haven't tried it ,should do  . I didnt like steering, main stand almost impossible to use, panniers too small, it drank oil, hot start issue, slab sides/effected by windy weather, finally it cut out mid way through right hand manoevre and fell over £800 damage BMW didn't want to know....IT HAD TO GO...SO IT DID ...oh and it was then that I found out that contrary to popular opinion they do not hold their money

One bitten twice shy ?...nah not me...I exchanged the GT for a R1200GS, Fkn horrible thing....nuff said     

[Boomer]

Hi Essexboy,

So you live in the middle of Galleywood Common huh? Are you a Womble? 

Seriously, I have also placed mine *near* where I live, which is in Wickford.

I think I saw you a week last Sunday afternoon.
You turned onto the A130 at Rettendon Turnpike towards Chelmsford.
I was in the car 

Mine is a Black 2008 bought new in Aug 2007.
I've had a clutch friction plate disintegrate but other than that she has been pretty reliable.
Am still on the original discs at 48,500 miles.

Welcome aboard.

[Rusty]

Hello EB and  .... glad to have another Southerner on the Forum ... your impending trip sounds good !

Coney ... a chap on my team had a K1300 GT, and apart from the "slab" side panels that just ruined the look entirely he said it was a monstrous engine ... loved it to bits but didn't have it long ... SRR took over the garage ! 

[zedmeister]

That is what the M in BMW stands for Monstrous.

[Sticky]

  Essex boy, I am in essex too!!! Just thought I would let you know, that my gtr has had 30,000 miles thrown at it, and it hasnt gone wrong, the discs prob on your bike, was it just the bobbins siezed up like mine did? Fixed beside the road when it happened after reading the USA fourm. Apart from the clocks being replaced on it due to a manufacturing falt on the tacho neele (cosmetic). Thats it! Lets get together for a ride!!!

[Lonewolf]

Whats with the sudden influx of Southern softies?