Pan rider thinkg of a !400 GTR

[Essexman]

Hi GTR forum, I have a similar query to Chorleyboy but from a different direction. I have been riding nothing but 1300 Pan Europeans since 2005, now on my second which I bought new in Nov 2009 and now showing 119,000 miles. I fancy a new bike and if Mr Honda had brought out an updated Pan, that would be my first choice but........I like the look of the 1400 GTR and would welcome some hints and tips as to what to do to keep it for a few years doing about 20k per year. Also, what are the service intervals, there's no mention in the glossy Kawasaki brochure? Thanks in advance

[viper]

Kawasaki service interval are pretty dire for a high miler like yourself, oil is every 4k or so ( not necc unless bike is under warranty. the big service is valve clearances every 24k and is about £700 at the stealer. its all do-able if you can do the oil changes and some routine stuff yourself as the engine is pretty bomb proof , rear drive failures are very rare and probably due to lack of oil change .

Resell values of the gtr fall off the cliff when the bike is over 50k, I think the pan does better with high miles in terms of depreciation.

nether the less the gtr is a great bike and will serve you well , some high mileage guys on here who will chime in soon

[Winston Smith]

I loved (still do) the Pan, but it's long in tooth.

Pan comfort is similar on GTR although it is a very different bike.

I chopped a Pan and a Blackbird in Px for the GTR.  Effectively I got Pan comfort and 'bird go!

Better luggage capacity than the Pan and comfy over long distances.  Not so for a pillion though.

Consider the RT too, as it is a nearer relative to the Pan although more modern, lighter and nimbler.

GTR is a good machine though, just a lot sportier and needs the front end pushing to make it work.  Not as relaxed as a Pan

[Essexman]

Kawasaki service interval are pretty dire for a high miler like yourself, oil is every 4k or so

Oh! Oil changes at 4k miles are not good news.

[virginiajim]

Come to the US.  They are 7500 miles..  Welcome, by the way.

[viper]

Oh! Oil changes at 4k miles are not good news.

only necc if its still under warranty, use a good synthetic oil and im sure you can go 10k, the engine is no different to a car engine so im sure its possible

with the right home set up the oil change is a snap !

[mick_corkgtr]

Hi Essexman,

I was similar to yourself Pan Europeans since 2000 both versions served me very well, unfortunately due to Mr Honda not caring about the Pan I was forced to look elsewhere. Friends of mine had the GTR and I was impressed by test rides so I bit the bullet and purchased.. I picked mine up in Germany and drove it home to Ireland as its first spin, very impressive machine..

Best thing would be to go do the test drives, high mileage aside, if your not going to be happy living with it the service intervals wont matter. Drive it and decide if its what you want...just my 2 cents...

[Boomer]

Oil changes are NOT at 4000 miles, they are 7500 miles. The changes in between are OPTIONAL.
Download a copy of the Owners Manual (there is a link on here somewhere) and check it for yourself.
I can't compare to the Pan as I never fitted on them due to lack of knee room.
The 1400 is a quick bike but has one of the smoothest motors I have ever owned, even smoother than a Z1300/6.
Handling is improved by fitting decent tyres and depending on yer height you'll need a taller screen.

[beegee]

Very welcome here 

Good luck whatever you choose...