Coming back to Kawasaki?

[mark]

Hi All,

I sold my 2010 GTR1400 a good while back now and went back to the BMW GSA.

The reason for the sale was to do with the linked brakes, I just couldn't get used to them and if I needed to trail the rear into a corner it made the front dip which for me was really unnerving. So back to BMW I went but im looking at a couple of long tours this year and already one in prep for 2016 and I still really like the GTR. So have Kawasaki changed or altered / upgraded the linked brakes on the 2015 model?

If they are still the same then i'll be staying with BMW but if the brakes have been changed I would seriously look at a 2015 GTR.

Your kind advice would be appreciated.

[Debs]

Still have the Linked Brakes..

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/sport_tourer/2014/1400gtr/overview?Uid=0603WlhZW1laWFpaWllQWVBdUVtZXV9eRg0GRT0j

[Boomer]

Buy a used 2009. No linked brakes. 

[Burchy]

The 2015 model does have a revised linked braking pattern to make it less aggressive

[Redrat]

If you can't adapt your riding style to the Kawasaki and still 'need to trail the rear into a corner' I suggest you stay with the BMW GSA - what on earth are you doing on a tour where you 'need' this style of riding? Is it anything to do with some advanced training you might have taken (tongue in cheek)?

[100milesaway]

If you can't adapt your riding style to the Kawasaki and still 'need to trail the rear into a corner' I suggest you stay with the BMW GSA - what on earth are you doing on a tour where you 'need' this style of riding? Is it anything to do with some advanced training you might have taken (tongue in cheek)?

Mmmm.   One of the reasons that I sold my GTR was the fact that I didn't like the linked brakes. I have never taken any advanced riding courses, and often trail brake into tight nadgery slow corners. I just find that it helps to tip the bike into a turn, whilst keeping the bike very stable. I have had lots of bikes over the years, and the 2 that I disliked the most both had linked brakes.  Everyone to their own I suppose. 

[Longtom]

Welcome. I have never been a fan of linked brakes, I can remember them starting out on Hondas back in the '80's, on CBR 1000's.  ABS was the big coming thing and I always felt that Honda put out linked brakes a a kind of poor man's ABS in order to help in emergency braking situations when panic might overcome knowledge of using differential pressure on front and  rear. The main problem I had was in slow riding trying to balance brake against clutch/throttle, on the GTR  the linked brake system is reputed to drop out below a certain speed, but I've never really noticed it. The rest of the package suited me and so I went with the GTR and will ride around other issues. working on the assumption that I'm not likely to find 100% perfection (to me) anywhere really.  It's a nice machine, but I know where you are coming from and I fully support your last comment-"everyone to their own". whatever you decide, enjoy it and safe riding.

[Lonewolf]

I have to admit I've never understood why people can't get on with linked brakes.   

[Kwikasfuki]

How hard would it be too provide an option to unlink the brakes. Keep everyone happy that way

[100milesaway]

I have to admit I've never understood why people can't get on with linked brakes. 

I would have thought that most OLDER riders, ie those that started biking before all this modern technology took over, are more than capable of deciding for themselves which brake is needed and when to use them.   More recent converts to motorcycling, and indeed almost all car drivers that have been converted to bikes, will not know the difference in control given by independant braking of each wheel.  We have been brainwashed into thinking that all modern techno stuff added to bikes is the be all and end all, but apart from ABS which is probably THE ONE thing that has truly made life easier and safer for riders, the rest is just technology overload that no one asked for nor needs.

[exBanditOwner]

i always thought i'd never like linked brakes. but i love the two modes on the 2010 GTR. shame you can't swtich them on the hoof though.
the second option is great for filtering as it means you can forget the front brake lever. simply use the rear pedalfo all your brakign needs and that frees up throttle hand to get back on it quicker.
the 1st option only really dips the front if you stand on the rear. and if you are having to brake that hard anyway, you should have used the front to begin with.
it reverts to no link when slow for u-turns and parking. and as for trailing the brake in corners, go in slower and power out. a comfort brake of the rear won't be using the front in mode 1.

I must say i'm a convert.

[mark]

If you can't adapt your riding style to the Kawasaki and still 'need to trail the rear into a corner' I suggest you stay with the BMW GSA - what on earth are you doing on a tour where you 'need' this style of riding? Is it anything to do with some advanced training you might have taken (tongue in cheek)?

Thank you guys for all your replies I appreciate your comments, after all if you need advice about a GTR where else would you get it from other than GTR owners instead of the "salesman's advice".

The question was specifically to do with the linked brakes on the new 2015 model, as stated in my opening question that I couldn't get on with the linked brakes so sold my 2010 GTR after 12 weeks of ownership. I love the look of the GTR and would buy another tomorrow if the brakes had been improved (many youtube vids also comment on the linked brakes as well as some of you fellow GTR owners)

I also refer to Redrat's comment above which he seems to think that if you cant get on with Kawasaki's linked brakes you have a sub standard riding style or some specialised advanced riding style unknown to any other biker than me. These type of comment are not constructive and I wouldn't dream of suggesting anyone else's riding style is substandard after all we all do things differently.

So thank you again to the people who have offered constructive comments.

I think i'll need to find a dealer with a 2015 demo bike and just give it a go and see if the upgrades to the linked system suits me.

Mark

[virginiajim]

I would have thought that most OLDER riders, ie those that started biking before all this modern technology took over, are more than capable of deciding for themselves which brake is needed and when to use them.   More recent converts to motorcycling, and indeed almost all car drivers that have been converted to bikes, will not know the difference in control given by independant braking of each wheel.  We have been brainwashed into thinking that all modern techno stuff added to bikes is the be all and end all, but apart from ABS which is probably THE ONE thing that has truly made life easier and safer for riders, the rest is just technology overload that no one asked for nor needs.

As an older gent that got into the sport somewhat late in life (40)...I use both at the same time.  Paid for two, going to use two.  Plus, I was 'trained' to use both in my riding class.  One of the few things that actually stuck with me.  Course it helps having a bike with ABS on both wheels during those times of sheer terror when logical thinking goes out the window...  The 08/09 bikes do not have linked brakes.

[100milesaway]

As an older gent that got into the sport somewhat late in life (40)...I use both at the same time.  Paid for two, going to use two.  Plus, I was 'trained' to use both in my riding class.  One of the few things that actually stuck with me.  Course it helps having a bike with ABS on both wheels during those times of sheer terror when logical thinking goes out the window...  The 08/09 bikes do not have linked brakes.

I fully agree that most riders (including me) are trained to use both brakes at the same time, although the front should be used slightly before the rear.  But as your riding develops, most of us have our own way/style of riding.  My experience in braking into tight downhill turns, and I'm talking the last seconds before tip in, not braking in a straight line on the approach, has told me that ignoring the front brake and just using the rear is best.  Something that a bike with linked brakes wont let you do.

[Redrat]

Apologies Mark - I was not calling your riding sub-standard only questioning the technique and this 'need' to trail the rear brake - also whether you had considered adapting your style to ride around this feature. The tongue in cheek part was a post of yours as to further training with IAM or ROSPA where I am sure this 'need' does not feature. On my tours we take the piss out of each other when a late brake light means 'got it wrong' or 'comfort' apart from when it settles the bike for a difficult corner.