Too to long in the Tooth for this Bike mag Stuff.

[Ziderman]

 

Any one out there who is thinking of buying a GTR , or who has recently brought one & if they have just read Bikes road test report are going to be wondering...." should I buy one" ,or wish they had not.
Well the Guy who wrote the piece is in-famous for doing just this. Put it this way, when I brought my first FJR, he promptly gave them a slating. Now he does nothing but sing it's praises...strange. Sure journalists have their Job to do & like any critic have to find fault. Nice work if you can get it...!

What there saying is the GTR is less than perfect, compared to the BMW mainly..
Few issues , like handling & size etc. Handling more often than not down to Tyres & set up. Got to admit when the ZZR 1400 first came out I thought..fekin Ugly. Same with the GTR, then I seen one stood next to an FJR in a show room...Ah , fekin gorgeous. Now I had, had 2 FJRs by this time , plus heap of other shapes & sizes before that, so I was highly tempted.
Could  go with another FJR , never let me down , rock solid , bullet proof. But wanted a Change. I'm no Pan Man...or Beemer Man. Got an Arm chair at home as it is..... Just don't like them....that's allowed isn't it ?
Sub consciously my mind was made up over the FJR . Why do  I need such a big Bike now though?  No Wife to lug around & all she took on Tour with us !  Surely a VFR would do the trick. No of course it would not. This Bastard is Big Big Big & Beautiful...I want the Biggest bike on the road in it's class. Short guy see !
That's what the GTR is. For people like me who would love to have the zz1400, but cant reach the handle bars as we are too old to do Yoga stretches to reach the controls & want to tour.

It's very much a personal thing too. I've had two Quackers before the GTR. There good , style , engines &  Sex appeal I reckon, to. Right from my Kh250 Lime Green triple. That's dated me ! All them years ago in the Quacker show Room in Taunton , the guys all looked Like Barry Sheen. So all you needed was the Bike & the Brut.
Like some Woman, the GTR is a stunning looking Bike , but good looking women are often , in my experience , far from perfect. You put up with them though . You get what you want from them....Sexist sounding I know. Sure some Ugly women , can do all you want & often better , may be, like the BMW, but there Ugly! As for the Triumph....well , sure, lot Cheaper , good looking , but lot smaller. Bad ride position as far as I am concerned, like the VFR...I want to sit up & be seen. Not have to stretch across the tank & have so much pressure on my wrists . Have problem with my right wrist as it is...that's another story....!

I guess what I am trying to say is . One Mans opinion is one Mans opinion. The Quacker is awesome. Butter smooth engine, faultless gear changing . Good in low gears & without a doubt far , far less Buffeting than the FJR  & I have a standard screen. 
So try not to read too much into what you read.
Here is a good example of how good the GTR is...When picked mine up the battery was flat.  Dealer shoved it up road & sales bloke took it for little spin. These are his words when he got back. Been gone half an hour..
"Fekin hell that's awesome , if I had the money I would have one of them straight away" The look on his face was amazing. Gobsamacked he was. In his Forties & must have ridden a bike or two in his time , like me.
What more can you say....?

Alan

[Lonewolf]

Alan, got to agree with you. I looked at a Pan and a BMW RT 1150 before I was smitten by the GTR. The GTR had always been in my sights though it was just a question of how much the boss would let me spend on a new bike. Even the wife loves the GTR and she hates bikes....if that makes sense.  ;D

I dont take any notice whatsoever of reviews that I read in the glossy mags, MCN, dont even go there.  >:( I'm sick to death of them for example comparing a GTR with a RT1200 for example and some other randam shaft driven tourer, usually the one they go for is the FJR, they are not even in the same league!!!

End of rant!

[Kwikasfuki]

A bike is a personal choice. I take with a grain of salt what I read in a bike review. Ultimately its how I feel on the bike. The BMW 1200GS adventure had rave reviews. I went to Allan Jefferies to test ride one with the intention of buying the top of the range model. After the first 30 mins of riding I knew the bike wasn't for me. Same with the BMW 1300GT (although I like the look of the 1600GT model).

The bike that has bought the biggest thrill has to be the ZZR 1400. I would have one in an instant if it was practical. However, the GTR suits me fine. I've read various reviews where the GTR has both come top and lower down the table. That doesn't bother me. I know the bike has its little faults, but then again, no more so than the competition. But on the road it does what it was designed for and it does it well.

[Nygie]

I wanted a GTR since the first time I saw it in the comic, While I still had the Busa.
They were alot of money tho, so 4 years after that initial want a trader mate of mine come along with an 09 plate with 3600 miles that I couldn't turn down. I couldn't get to the bank quick enough.  ;D
I had not even test ridden it!
Not disappointed, lets face it if they use them in Le Tour they must be good :-*

[Ziderman]

Not disappointed, lets face it if they use them in Le Tour they must be good :-*

Yeah I noticed that too...always have look to see what there using . Got to be stable for that job. When you consider some of them Cyclist are descending at 60mph .

[Nygie]

Yep, they use them 'cos they're good or as some kinda promo from Kwak.

[2kwacks]

 I take no "bread potus" of what they say in bike magazines! no bike is perfect, also theses guys would not have a job if they did not find faults. no faults, nothink to write about = no job!!!
also had my zzr1400 since 2008, and am sure somewhere along the way, theses bike mags have slagged it off in some way. guess what! it dose everythink great straite from the grate. I would go as far as to say the zzr1400 is faultless!! "ok it eats tyres, but nearly 200 b.h.p! dont need a bike mag guy to tell me that the tyres wont last long! am sure the gtr1400 is more than up to the job, after all its based on the zzr1400 ;)

[Winston Smith]

Having been involved on several occassions with one of the national UK magazines, and being involved in testing the bikes back to back in real touring situations, I can tell you that the testing is done fairly and where possible with bikes of a similar genre, i.e. if the manufacturer, punts the bike as a tourer that is what the public expect.
I have tested back to back 1400GTR, K1300GT, R1200RT, FJR 1300, ST1300 and HD (something or other??! - which HD classed a tourer) over several tours.
The results of these tests (there were more than one) varied and were real world opinions, 5 riders with different approaches, views, preferences, which, when opinions were totted gave a balanced result.
There are no hidden agendas, just honest feedback which, if your marque doesn't do well results in 'they don't know what they're on about' comments or if it tops the chart the opposite comments!

Ultimmately each to their own, but such articles can help give an overview for punters.

[Ziderman]

Having been involved on several occassions with one of the national UK magazines, and being involved in testing the bikes back to back in real touring situations, I can tell you that the testing is done fairly and where possible with bikes of a similar genre, i.e. if the manufacturer, punts the bike as a tourer that is what the public expect.
I have tested back to back 1400GTR, K1300GT, R1200RT, FJR 1300, ST1300 and HD (something or other??! - which HD classed a tourer) over several tours.
The results of these tests (there were more than one) varied and were real world opinions, 5 riders with different approaches, views, preferences, which, when opinions were totted gave a balanced result.
There are no hidden agendas, just honest feedback which, if your marque doesn't do well results in 'they don't know what they're on about' comments or if it tops the chart the opposite comments!

Ultimmately each to their own, but such articles can help give an overview for punters.

Crap....if that's case why did at least 4 Mags at time of FJRs arriving slate it , only to say it's Dogs Bolix now....! How are we supposed to believe what they say.
I rarely buy any of these Mags as like I say...Toooo long in the Molars for it....!

[Kwikasfuki]

All reviews are subjective. Until you ride the bike yourself you will never know. I remember going to Allan Jefferies in Bradford ready to buy a top of the range 1200GS Adventure based on all the reviews. Took it for a ride and didn't like it. Same with the 1300GT. Hence how I ended up with a GTR  ;D

The biggest problem with reviews is that they will slate any fault with the bike and make it into a major issue.

[Winston Smith]

Having been involved on several occassions with one of the national UK magazines, and being involved in testing the bikes back to back in real touring situations, I can tell you that the testing is done fairly and where possible with bikes of a similar genre, i.e. if the manufacturer, punts the bike as a tourer that is what the public expect.
I have tested back to back 1400GTR, K1300GT, R1200RT, FJR 1300, ST1300 and HD (something or other??! - which HD classed a tourer) over several tours.
The results of these tests (there were more than one) varied and were real world opinions, 5 riders with different approaches, views, preferences, which, when opinions were totted gave a balanced result.
There are no hidden agendas, just honest feedback which, if your marque doesn't do well results in 'they don't know what they're on about' comments or if it tops the chart the opposite comments!

Ultimmately each to their own, but such articles can help give an overview for punters.

Crap....if that's case why did at least 4 Mags at time of FJRs arriving slate it , only to say it's Dogs Bolix now....! How are we supposed to believe what they say.
I rarely buy any of these Mags as like I say...Toooo long in the Molars for it....!

Each to their own opinion. 
All I was doing was offering the view of someone who has done the job independantly and knows how it works. 
We tested the 1400GTR in 2009 and it came almost joint top with the 1300GT. 
A retest last year and it struggled to beat the ST1300. 
The FJR suffered terrible handling issues (which upset the FJ/FJR OC)

Mag reviews are a good place to research and get an idea, byt the only way to be sure is getting your ass sat on your weapon of choice and making your own mind up.

I personally love the GTR, but it has issues.  (I actually think the 1300GT is the best on the market as a result of 2000 miles back to back riding but still love my GTR and won't be trading in just yet!)

[Lonewolf]

I must be from a different breed from the majority. I never test ride a bike before I buy it, I foolishly buy on looks alone of the machine. Daft I know, but thats me all over.  ;D

[Andy]

I've finally got to read the above test (I pick up my GTR in March anyway). I didn't want a BMW (K1300 slab sided & ugly) and the 2010 GTR is a revised model. "They" didn't like feel of ABS brake lever, soft suspension (workshop manual says it's set for an 150 lb rider who ever he/she is !), need to use key for tank & panniers, bottom end power (secondary butterflies?), poor screen.

[Winston Smith]

I've finally got to read the above test (I pick up my GTR in March anyway). I didn't want a BMW (K1300 slab sided & ugly) and the 2010 GTR is a revised model. "They" didn't like feel of ABS brake lever, soft suspension (workshop manual says it's set for an 150 lb rider who ever he/she is !), need to use key for tank & panniers, bottom end power (secondary butterflies?), poor screen.

It didn't feel anything like the 2009 machine - the brakes lacked feel compared to the older machine and the feedback from the suspension was nowhere near the old bikes.

Nothing wrong with the 2010 model, just didn't cut it with the company and had a different feel to the older one.

[2kwacks]

I must be from a different breed from the majority. I never test ride a bike before I buy it, I foolishly buy on looks alone of the machine. Daft I know, but thats me all over.  ;D

thats not daft at all! remember when you buy a new bike its more than likely from one of the the big four, i.e kawasaki,yamaha,suzuki or honda! none of theses make bad bikes. I tend to stick to kawasaki because have mostly had kawasaki through the years. I did not test ride the gtr1400,zzr1400,zx636,zrx1200s,zx7r,or the zx6rg2,gsxr600 just to name a few! I bought them because I liked the looks of them, and theses bikes where so popular when I did buy them, am sure if there was any problems I would have heard about it, not from bike mags! but from the bikers who allready have theses bikes, theses are the testers who know about the bikes the best! which are the owners, who have ridden them in the way they where designed to be ridden in every day conditions, and 99% of the time the bikes dont reach anywhere near there limit! theses bike mags pick up on anythink and most of the minor faults "which they tend to be" would never even bother the average rider! for example! this bike is excellent" but if you push this bike to hard its very unforgiven! well this would not bother the average rider unless you where say on a race track! or going like the dam clappers! so buy a track based bike with all the upgraded mods, but for the purpose for what theses bikes are made to do there excellent! I bought the gtr1400 to do some major touring on. which am 100% positive it will do with flying colours, I bought the zzr1400 for its acceleration,looks,handleing and comfort on longer trips "over the middel weight super sports" which it dose with flying colours! so its fine to buy with your heart. providing you buy a bike for what its intended for, then most or all of the minor faults theses bike mags pick up on will not matter!