Linked braking question

[1ka]

Having had both a 2006 FJR and a 2011 GTR I can say that the brakes were similar, with the GTR having better performance (though when comparing it to a tired FJR with 60K on the clock it was bound to feel better).

The only thing I don't like is that on the GTR, when pressing front and rear brakes, then letting one go, the other will go soft/spongy as it takes up some slack. This didn't happen on the FJR, as the feel was the same regardless of what the other brake was doing.

[bradders94]

I have a 2010 GTR and ride lots of FJR's. In isolation the FJR is not a bad bike, I find it vibey, with a strange habit of "dropping in" when slow speed maneuvering and it feels like bikes I had years ago. Just my opinion and I know several people who own them and love them.
The GTR however is a whole different ball game, it's all been said before but the bottom line is, take one for a decent test ride. Not easy because there aren't many dealers who keep a demo and second hand ones are hard to find. Make sure, the front tyre isn't worn though, that can sometimes upset the handling and you won't get a true feeling for what the bike can do.
As for linked brakes, the GTR is no more or less linked than an FJR, ride them all like you've never heard of linking and you can't go wrong!

Chris   

[virginiajim]

I didn't have any issue with the OEMs.  They handled fine for me.

[Boomer]

I cant believe that anyone would  not  buy a certain bike, because of the tyres that are fitted from new.   

People take them for a test ride though and it's rare that you get to the test ride bike before it has a couple thousand miles on it.
If the handling feels off you are not going to enjoy the test ride and are not going to buy the bike.
If you supply a bike to the press with poor tyres they will slate it and you will lose sales like crazy.
Since they keep on supplying 1400GTRs fitted with BT021s I assume that Kawasaki just don't want those sales.

My OEM Bridgepoops were shot after 2500 miles. and the handling was awful.
Even when new I didn't trust the tyres as they felt vague and unresponsive.
Do bear in mind that I have a LOT of extra weight on the front wheel with my fat arse plonked on the bike.
However, whether you try an Angel, PR2, PR3, RoadSmart, Storm or whatever, you will find that for feel and handling they are all head and shoulders above the BT021.
Last time I rode a bike with a tyre that felt as bad as the new BT021 was when I fitted Avon Ditchfinders (RoadRunners) on my GS550E.

[100milesaway]

People take them for a test ride though and it's rare that you get to the test ride bike before it has a couple thousand miles on it.
If the handling feels off you are not going to enjoy the test ride and are not going to buy the bike.
If you supply a bike to the press with poor tyres they will slate it and you will lose sales like crazy.
Since they keep on supplying 1400GTRs fitted with BT021s I assume that Kawasaki just don't want those sales.

My OEM Bridgepoops were shot after 2500 miles. and the handling was awful.
Even when new I didn't trust the tyres as they felt vague and unresponsive.
Do bear in mind that I have a LOT of extra weight on the front wheel with my fat arse plonked on the bike.
However, whether you try an Angel, PR2, PR3, RoadSmart, Storm or whatever, you will find that for feel and handling they are all head and shoulders above the BT021.
Last time I rode a bike with a tyre that felt as bad as the new BT021 was when I fitted Avon Ditchfinders (RoadRunners) on my GS550E.

Whilst accepting your point on test rides, and also being in agreement regarding tyre wear on the 021s. For me, after using the 021s, PR3s and finally Roadsmarts. The original Bridgestones were the only ones that didn't deform dramatically. And even though I only got 4500 out of the 021s, they did feel good right to the end, I didn't fare much better with the other 2 either mileage wise, as both only did 5 thousand miles each, but both felt awful long before that.

[Kwikasfuki]

But Geoff, I'm surprised any tyres last with the way you throw the bike about 

Now, with Steve, I bet he's still got the original tyres on his bike

When I first test drove a GTR the handling was poor, but I'd already read that was because of the tyres. When I eventually bought the GTR, first thing I did was to upgrade the tyres.

[100milesaway]

But Geoff, I'm surprised any tyres last with the way you throw the bike about 

Now, with Steve, I bet he's still got the original tyres on his bike

When I first test drove a GTR the handling was poor, but I'd already read that was because of the tyres. When I eventually bought the GTR, first thing I did was to upgrade the tyres.

Also what must be remembered is the early GTRs wore the earlier version of the tyre, and from the upgrade model 010 onward, a different structure was used. So folk who had the first incarnation of the bike, and didn't like the tyres, wont know what the upgraded tyre felt like. I am still adamant that the later version of the tyre is as good if not better (for me) than the others that I used.

[O.C.]

Also what must be remembered is the early GTRs wore the earlier version of the tyre, and from the upgrade model 010 onward, a different structure was used. So folk who had the first incarnation of the bike, and didn't like the tyres, wont know what the upgraded tyre felt like. I am still adamant that the later version of the tyre is as good if not better (for me) than the others that I used.

Yep this is true , the difference between my 2008 and 2010 GTRs OEM Bridgestones was amazing.

I had swapped the OEM Bridgestones on my 2008 GTR for PR2s, but when I then tested the 2010 Demo which was shod with later OEM Bridgestones it felt much better, more responsive and stable than my 2008 bike with PR2s

I changed the OEM Bridgestones on my 2011 GTR  for PR3s and that improved the bike even more.   

[Charlie747]

I changed the OEM Bridgestones on my 2011 GTR  for PR3s and that improved the bike even more.   

PR4 Are on the way ?

[O.C.]

Probably  dunno when tho'   

[Lonewolf]

Asif, I have finally changed the rear PR3, I felt that after 10k+ miles and it being on the bike over a year and half what the hell, splash out, buy another! 

[Charlie747]

  

[Lonewolf]

Eh, you can laugh but I'm expecting another couple of thou out of the front yet, You've got to get your money's worth these days.