2014 GTR

[O.C.]

I have it on reasonably good authority that there will be quite a few changes to the 2014 model year GTR, which may include amongst other things the installation of the 1441 engine   

[viper]

im sooo excited, what other changes ?  hope to god they make a lime green one

[Kwikasfuki]

http://m.kawasaki.ca/product/concours-14-abs

Same spec as the current model?

Love the red though

[Kwikasfuki]

Checked here as well: http://www.kawasaki.eu/Product/Details/3408EEACCCE
Defo same as current model.

Black and Gray available. Colours are getting boring

[SirToU]

I got all excited then, and was just about to pick up the phone!


I guess I'll have to wait another year....  :-(

Neil

[Lonewolf]

  These Versy's owners love winding us up don't they? 

[O.C.]

These Versy's owners love winding us up don't they? 

Actually no Steve it wasn't a wind up......Canadian and Euro spec bikes may vary along with KHI policies between now and the next model year, previous Euro spec machines have 'featured' restricted engine power

Anyway more power wouldn't be much use to you Steve ...eh 

My info may prove to be totally inaccurate ~ but it has come from a good source...anyway it's not really important to me personally I just thought you might be interested.......obviously not


DOH 

[Lonewolf]

Roger, don't be like that. Of course I'm interested, 1441cc, sounds good.

[O.C.]

I was just responding to 'all guns blazing' post Steve   

[ZG]

2014 Special Edition ZX14R being sold with full Ohlins and gold wheels... copy cats. 

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2013/09/09/manufacturers/kawasaki/ohlins-equipped-special-edition-2014-kawasaki-ninja-zx-14r-announced/


Would have been nice had they done something like this for the GTR market... 

[viper]

oc maybe right here. A Kawasaki dealer told me 18 months before the gtr got launched that he was "leaked info " on a new big k tourer and he was right. Kawa aint stupid and they will " leak" info to generate interest and forum activity. OC obviously knows one of the chosen oracles !

[SirToU]

Well, I'll be keeping a weather eye on the horizon for a new model GTR.

Active suspension, I think is a marketing gimmick....  But more power is always a bonus.  Proper traction control makes things more interesting... 

Design wise, it's pretty good, and little things would be better - helmet hooks for touring....  Panniers and top box full of two weeks of gear... You find a little museum and nowhere to secure lids...  Grrrrr.... End up carting them around....

Other little things would be nice...  But hey... I'm not complaining....

Neil

[Martin#30]

I was discussing this with the dealer principle earlier this week whilst mine was in for yet another service.

His view was that there were only colour changes to the GTR for 2014, but the Z1000SX was getting some fairly serious revisions - traction control, riding modes and better brakes appear to be suggested elsewhere on t'internet. I would imagine that this is what is generating the 'new K big tourer' type comments.

He also told me that the Z1000SX is easily their best selling Kawa road bike, with the GTR hardly figuring on the greater sales figures. If this is a reflection of the global picture, then it makes much more sense for Kawasaki to invest in the SX rather than the GTR.

Of course it is a Catch-22, if you only ever change the colours, the sales will naturally tail off further removing the R&D spend that can be invested in a model. But, in a tough motorcycling climate, you have to spend the R&D money on the proven sellers I guess.

Martin

[O.C.]

I was discussing this with the dealer principle earlier this week whilst mine was in for yet another service.

His view was that there were only colour changes to the GTR for 2014, but the Z1000SX was getting some fairly serious revisions - traction control, riding modes and better brakes appear to be suggested elsewhere on t'internet. I would imagine that this is what is generating the 'new K big tourer' type comments.

He also told me that the Z1000SX is easily their best selling Kawa road bike, with the GTR hardly figuring on the greater sales figures. If this is a reflection of the global picture, then it makes much more sense for Kawasaki to invest in the SX rather than the GTR.

Of course it is a Catch-22, if you only ever change the colours, the sales will naturally tail off further removing the R&D spend that can be invested in a model. But, in a tough motorcycling climate, you have to spend the R&D money on the proven sellers I guess.

Martin

Correct about the 1000SX 2014 WILL see the following

Great power and torque especially within mid range
Tokico radial-mount monobloc calipers (first time ever on a Kawasaki)
New ABS unit giving precise control of bike and surpressing rear wheel lift under braking
Enhanced intake note
Quicker handling from more direct response to rider input
'Perfectly' integrated  panniers each capable of holding a full face helmet and reducing overall width by 70mm
remote rear pre - load adjuster
Improved rear view mirrors
taller 6th gear Better more comfy seat construction
Kawasakis latest 3 mode traction control as fitted to ZZR 1400
Power mode selection Full and Low
Improved instrumentation

I reckon this demonstrates that Kawasaki do listen to customers and are prepared to act positively in order to improve products within this competitive marketplace

Mybe there will be some changes to the GTR.................we'll have to wait and see 

[Martin#30]

Mybe there will be some changes to the GTR.................we'll have to wait and see 

I do hope you are right, but I don't think sales volumes justify it. Looking at the HowManyLeft website, as far as I can see, the following sales numbers are valid (this assumes all bikes sold are still taxed/not written off, a fair-ish assumption on a new-ish bike):
2011 GTR, 186 units
2012 GTR, 66 units

2011 ZX1000SX, 553 units
2012 ZX1000SX, 439 units

If these numbers are true, I have to wonder how much longer they will continue marketing and selling our beloved GTRs - in the UK at least.

Martin.