HI I am a newbie to this site and to Kawasaki.
I am in the process of buying ( to be test ridden first ) only paid a holding fee. :yes:
a gtr1400 2009 REG with 18500 miles on the clock I am looking for good advice as what to look out for any help will be gratefully received.
Regards pross :clap:
Hi and welcome
Did you consider going for a 2010 model, you may already know that the bike under went a few improvements and fairing redesign. The resale would be slightly better as well.
what to look for, the only complaint is corrosion dependant on what kind of use the bike had and its enviroment/storage situation. Around the centre stand, exhaust and under the seat at the tank base. Does the rear suspension adjuster turn freely , front wheel bearing can wear . look out for front disc warp. My bike has had none of these faults but members on here have had a few .
check the tyre pressure sensors and the rest of the dash info when you ride it . You want service history and be aware that the 24k service can be a whopping £800 , its valve check time and its mini strip down
Hi and welcome to the forum
Welcome to this forum pross, I'm sure that you will be able to get as much help as you need on here.
As Viper has stated look for the items he has mentioned, and I would also suggest that you go for the 2010 model as it will present a better option, you should be able to 'haggle' a deal at this time of year, and finally ask for a proper warranty to protect your investment :wink:
I'd also recommend purchasing from an authorised Kawasaki dealership so I've just checked in your area and Cradley Heath, who I think have a good reputation have two for sale....2008 model Black with 12000 miles @ £7295
But a much better option would be the 2011 model in magnesium Grey, 12500 miles @ £8695
I don't know what your budget is but the 2011 bike looks like a goodun :yes:
Agree with all the above, ask if all the recall work has been done too, there were 3 of them,
1) front disc warping
2) rear brake issue with small stones
3) pannier locking issues
look around the radiator for damage / pitt marks
general wear and tear on heel plates
pitting on the front edge of the fairing ( next to radiator )
paint rubbing off bar ends
footpeg rubbers wearing ( Dependent on mileage )
scuffs on the top of the panniers
look under the sump for signs of scrape etc.
grab rail can suffer paint coming off due to pillion
sides of fairing can have rub marks where your knees go
Check the KIPASS system
Thanks for all your imput I am p/x my triumph against it and the balance cash I would love a 2010 but alas the budget won't stretch that far I have been offered 3 months warrany so not to bad I have looked for some of the things mentioned but this has been a great help £800 the 24 thou service that's a good one .
Regards pross
Got my 2009 15 months ago...can see no reason to trade it in for a newer one... Its now got an MRA X-creen, lowered passenger pegs, heated grips, decent rear rack....and it cost me £6k when I bought it with 9000 miles and new PR3's on it.....
For a change I feel I'm not losing money on it daily :laugh:
if possible , buy one with ABS
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well if your mind is made up then at least get them to throw in the 24k service if you still have the bike in 6k miles, im sure they will go for it
my understanding is that ABS is (was) an option for the 09 models.
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Quote from: pistole on January 01, 2014, 02:28:24 AM
my understanding is that ABS is (was) an option for the 09 models.
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I'm pretty sure all the UK models had ABS. My first GTR which was on an 07 plate had ABS. Perhaps I'm wrong, the more I think about it now I don't know. :surrender: I give up! Anyone else know? :ohplease:
Quote from: The Wolf on January 01, 2014, 02:55:30 AM
I'm pretty sure all the UK models had ABS. My first GTR which was on an 07 plate had ABS. Perhaps I'm wrong, the more I think about it now I don't know. :surrender: I give up! Anyone else know? :ohplease:
My 2009 had ABS too...
ABS is not an option on UK models, or at least the dealers never offered it.
For it to be non-abs, it would be a US model, but gone are the days of mass imports.
:-)
Neil
thank you all for the help.
it has ABS as one of you stated. it is a credit to the previous owner who also fitted heated grips and Kawasaki crash protectors.
I could note see any rust in the areas mentioned just normal heat marks on the exhaust.
all dash and tyre sensors seem to be ok ( awaiting good weather to test ride and check the gauges and up and down each gear to see if any wear )
it is from a Beemer Dealer a trade in. as one of you suggested I will ask about the 24000 service or some cash off you never know.
how is the best way to find out if the recalls have been done will there be paperwork or check via the reg through a Kawasaki dealer.
thanks all again for your valuable help.
Regards Pross :clap:
Dealer should know by the registration number if the recalls have been done.... my recall on the back calliper hadn't been done when I got it......they put that right while I waited :cool:
thanks for that Bryn much appreciated. :yes:
Some may argue that the pre 2010 model is more robust that its revised edition. I don't know of any preload shock adjusters which seized on a 2007-2009 model, the flies can be removed in the older models, can they in the newer models?
Having had both I do prefer the newer model however I kid you not it is a pain in the arse constantly (weekly) manipulating the shock adjuster through its range simply to keep it free from seizure.
I never had any issues with my old GTR and yet I've had an unexpectedly high number of warranty claims with the new one.
Either way, good to have you on board & I'm sure you'll love the new bike.
Hey Wolf,
After freeing mine off in July with shed loads of WD, i filled the gap between the adjuster and knob with grease, forcing it up between the 2, cleaned off any visible grease. 8k miles later, without adjustment id thought I would check the 'bodge' in October. Turned in and out with ease so I was well pleased.
I guess a little cover, like the shock tubes you can get would work just as well....worth a try.. :yes:
Quote from: Ant on January 01, 2014, 01:55:29 PM
Hey Wolf,
After freeing mine off in July with shed loads of WD, i filled the gap between the adjuster and knob with grease, forcing it up between the 2, cleaned off any visible grease. 8k miles later, without adjustment id thought I would check the 'bodge' in October. Turned in and out with ease so I was well pleased.
I guess a little cover, like the shock tubes you can get would work just as well....worth a try.. :yes:
Is it worth it Steve?
Hello Pross and Welcome .... Happy New Year too. THis place is great and as you can see .. plenty of friendly help and advice ! :yes:
Quote from: Winston Smith on January 01, 2014, 02:07:19 PM
Is it worth it Steve?
Whats that ?? being nosey.. :mfr_lol:
Took my 2009 rear adjuster to bits as it was getting stiff, cleaned the rust off the the thread and packed it with castrol LM grease..used a bit of cycle inner tube as a sleeve over the body, sits just below the adjuster knob.. Now its easy to turn :cool:
There was never an issue with the pre 2010 adjusters that I can recall. However, still doesn't do any harm to show a bit of TLC and look after them.
Quote from: The Wolf on January 01, 2014, 05:52:49 PM
There was never an issue with the pre 2010 adjusters that I recall
There was with mine ....so stiff I had a job turning it
Quote from: Bryn on January 01, 2014, 06:28:45 PM
There was with mine ....so stiff I had a job turning it
Then I stand corrected. :surrender:
Thanks to all for your imput and advice . It's worth its weight in gold the knowledge of owners like yourselves once again thanks for your help.
Regards pross. :yes:
no no. the Old adjusters were jamming also. There is a vid on youtube about how they can be disassembled and lubed.
The new style adjusters cannot be opened up.
as mentioned above : soak in oil , and use a rubber/plastic sleeve. No issues after that. Mine was replaced under warranty once (entire preload adjuster & shock) and promptly jammed again.
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I don't recall EVER doing any maintenance on the old GTR's shock adjuster and yet I never had any issues with it. I guess I was just extremely lucky then. :yes:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=14888.msg183049#msg183049
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its by that fellow , so its a bit hard to understand.
nevermind
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The video does not exist! (Apparently)
yeah , he probably removed it on account of abuse
:grin:
but the pic at the top shows the old style adjuster.
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I'm sure I used MG Valeri's excellent video to work out what to do with mine..... if you ask him I'm sure he 'll re-post it :yes:
Quote from: The Wolf on January 01, 2014, 10:41:51 PM
I don't recall EVER doing any maintenance on the old GTR's shock adjuster and yet I never had any issues with it. I guess I was just extremely lucky then. :yes:
Likewise. 54k miles and never done anything other than adjust it.
Well we finally had a break in the rain and a tested the gtr finally .
Could not fault the handling it let me know it wanted to go a couple of times lol.as I posted before it's from a bmw dealer who has given me 3 months warranty and a pre collection service.
On the test ride after about 40 minutes the R battery sensor low warning came on!!.the dealer said they would sort it out . Should I be concerned and also does the sensor warning come on straight away or like today about 30 to 40 minutes later . :clap: :clap:
Thanks again everyone. Regards Pross
Pross, if the battery low warning showed itself after about 40 minutes then I would suggest it needs replacing. If the dealer is offering to sort this out then good on them as it wont be cheap. It'll be about the £300 mark.
In cold conditions, at the commencement of a ride I have seen the low battery warning message being displayed briefly however after the tyres had suitably warmed up the message disappeared, if the warning came on after a decent ride as yours has then I would suggest without a doubt the battery is on its way out.
What's the R battery sensor?
Is that one of the batteries in the tyre pressure monitor valve things inside the wheels? seems to me theyr'e more trouble than they are worth is a two pound coin battery ens up costing hundreds!!
thanks for that.
I popped into cradley kawasaki last Saturday after info about recalls ETC. :yes:
even the sales man there said they last about 2 yrs better to check your self old school than as you said pay out about £300. per wheel.
I hope the dealer gets them cost and does both ( wishful Thinking ) or the front goes in the next 3 months during the warranty. :yes:.
is there anyway the dealer ( BMW ) can cancel the alarm ?.
or does it stay of after a certain time if not replaced.
hi wolf.
thanks for all your input .
when I fired her up the only thing lit were fuel /temp/ gear.
and the abs lamp I m led to believe this comes on till you move away which it did.
and as I said the sensor warning came on intermittently for about 5 to 10 minutes then stayed off. :no:
I had one of my tyre pressure sensor batteries changed under warranty last year. It only came on at the beginning of my rides so as I explained to the dealer I would never be able to show the fault being displayed to them as by the time I reached their showroom, the tyres had suitably warmed up and the fault message had disappeared.
The dealer, Autorama at Batley was excellent, they weren't bothered about never having seen the warning they just ordered the new part from Kawasaki and replaced it.
Quote from: The Wolf on January 12, 2014, 07:12:56 PM
I had one of my tyre pressure sensor batteries changed under warranty last year. It only came on at the beginning of my rides so as I explained to the dealer I would never be able to show the fault being displayed to them as by the time I reached their showroom, the tyres had suitably warmed up and the fault message had disappeared.
The dealer, Autorama at Batley was excellent, they weren't bothered about never having seen the warning they just ordered the new part from Kawasaki and replaced it.
I just got the warning screen today Steve.................A job to do at tyre change time me thinks :popcorn:
Yep, it pays to keep on top of these jobs.
Quote from: The Wolf on January 12, 2014, 07:12:56 PM
I had one of my tyre pressure sensor batteries changed under warranty last year. It only came on at the beginning of my rides so as I explained to the dealer I would never be able to show the fault being displayed to them as by the time I reached their showroom, the tyres had suitably warmed up and the fault message had disappeared.
The dealer, Autorama at Batley was excellent, they weren't bothered about never having seen the warning they just ordered the new part from Kawasaki and replaced it.
I had the same conversation about the low batt warning only being on when cold at the start of the ride and them never seeing it as they were 2 hours away. They sorted it with no problems.
A nice result today from the dealer who I am buying the gtr of he has serviced it and ordered the new rear sensor :clap: I asked if he will replace the front being the same age :yes:.
You have to ask don't you, hoping if it fails it's during the 3 months warranty :clap:
Pross, I'm pleased it looks as though you are getting things sorted.
The GTR is all done serviced sensor sorted all being well with the weather collecting Tuesday about 12.
Can't wait for the weather to change to really enjoy it.
Thanks all again for your valuable information. :clap: :clap:
1 happy chappie. :yes:
Quote from: pross on January 16, 2014, 10:07:44 PM
The GTR is all done serviced sensor sorted all being well with the weather collecting Tuesday about 12.
Can't wait for the weather to change to really enjoy it.
Thanks all again for your valuable information. :clap: :clap:
1 happy chappie. :yes:
:clap: :punk: :banana: :clap: :banana: :mfr_lol:
Hi all. We had a decent break in the weather collected the GTR today :clap: :clap:
Everything working hunky durry tyre sensers heated grips etc .
Acceleration nearly snapped my neck lol I can see how easy this will collect points :oops:
I am looking for a radiator grille guard any recommendations.
thanks all pross.
I have a Beowulf rad guard on mine.
http://www.beowulfuk.com/proddetail.asp?prod=K024AB
Beowulf :agree:
I've got an R&G on mine, fitted by the dealer. After a few hundred miles it became loose (it had "lifted" from the radiator with air pressure and changed shape). The dealer put in a claim to R&G, who were uninterested (in fact they said it must have been badly fitted). My dealer removed the guard, reshaped it and reinforced the seams (invisibly) with weld and then refitted it. Since then, all has been well.
Definetely left me (and the dealer) with a poor opinion of R&G, will not buy their products again!
Quote from: O.C. on January 22, 2014, 07:39:41 AM
Is there any other :agree: :mfr_lol:
yes, there is the Viper Homebrew !
thank you all for your imput. the Beowulf guard was ordered :yes:
Pross
hi all after going with the advice of the masses :yes:
Beowulf guard was fitted Saturday easy peasy. looking at it from the front two clips on top the rad bolt lower right and on the lower right a bracket secured with two allenkey/nuts I was tempted to put some lock thread on these will se what happens. and the bonus was I found satnav wiring tucked underneath out the way :yes: just need the bracket from the cradley dealer and sorted :clap: :clap: