Hi all,
I thought I would say hi as I am new to the forum and indeed, my new Kawasaki GTR1400!
I bought mine last week after a running a number of different bikes over the years. I had a Triumph ST 955 for a while and took her on a few trips to Europe but she was getting tired.
I saw a GTR on a website and I must admit, I loked the look of her. She reminded me of the ZZR. My mind was made up and afte picking her up, I took her on a little trip around the UK to get a grip of her.
She is a 2009 model registered in 2010 and had 4000 miles on the clock. I have just put 1000 miles on her and after doing my checks, noticed that she needed a new front boot. Is this normal for 5k? (I changed the rear too as it wsn't too far off).
The only critisism I have so far is the rear panniers keep getting kicked when getting on and off by either myself or my pillion. Anyone have any ideas on protection?
Anyway, thats me here, and if there are any clubs/meets near south London/surrey, let me know as I am always looking for an excuse to get out and about....:-)
Hi Dive1082 and welcome to the forum.
By boot, do you mean tyre? Given the mileage of the bike I'd assume it was the stock Bridgestone BT021 which lasts about that mileage. Get the new PR3 and watch them improve the handling of the bikes.
As for the panniers, you can get protection film. Mine, I just kick now and then ;D
Hi to everyone. i am new to the GTR. I purchased mine a week Saturday. I previously had a Bandit 1250 GT on '08' plate. Great value bike. The bike is a '59' plate which had just under 1700 miles. Love it. The only thing that disappoints me is the screen. Wind protection is not that great. I am only 5'10" and my lid is a C3 Schuberth which is supposedly one of the quietist around.Is it worth replacing the screen with an after market one. Would appreciate help. I have to assume the screen is the original fitment.Maybe someone could tell me the dimensions of an OE screen to confirm this. I know I could ring the local dealer, but from past experience they are useless. ???
I had the original short screen on mine and got the touring screen (which will be the one you have I assume)
Some folk have found the MRA Vario a good addition or there are CalSi or Cee Baileys options.
Where are you, because our local dealers are excellent!
I live in the North East and the local dealer is a multi franchise one. They have just taken on the kawasaki franchise. I did have a Vario screen on my bandit. Thanks for your reply.
Two new members for the price of one. The pannier kicking excercise is something no doubt we have all done. Its a question of remembering to cock your leg high enough to avoid it. Like NB say though you can get protective film, Heres one selling on Ebay now.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190474514978&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I'm no expert on tyres and their life expectancy but 5000 aint that bad for a front one.
I have a C Baileys screen of some description, I'm 6' and also have a C3 helmet and the air goes straight over my head. The helmet is as quiet as it it should be.
Anyway welcome to the pair of you, good to have you onboard.
2 of you in one thread .... Brilliant ! Welcome to both of you ... this is a great place for a bit of banter and fun.
Sounds like 5000 miles for a front tyre is about right .... kicking and marking the panniers ? Try lifting your leg a bit higher, and as for the noise ... a decent helmet would help ! ;D ;D
Only joking ! You will find that quite a few blokes here have added bits to their screens and or changed them completely ... it's really a matter of personal choice.
Dive1082 .... nice to have someone else from the deep south .... most of these chaps are from up North ( wherever that is ) ... me ? A sussex man working in London and riding around Sussex/Surrey... hope to bump into you at some stage .... take a look at the " Adventure " thread .. there is a trip planned for end of August up to North Wales for a night or two of camping if you are interested .. there is quite a few of us going ... Anyway, once again, welcome to both of you !
welcome newpeople, boot marks on the panniers is no bad thing, lots of more serious stuff in the world at the mo, the screen, however, can make or break this fantastic bike, MRA works for me, others pre fare different options, rider only- rider plus pillion- height-weight, riding style, your gonna have to work on it, its there somewhere.
Welcome, both of you...agree on the screen.....i'm 6ft2" and have recently put on an MRA Vario....it reduces the wind noise and buffeting, but doesn't give me the silence some report...that being said i am quite happy with it, as it doesn't ruin the lines of the bike ;D, also agree on the boots, i have almost 4k on my 021 and it is showing signs of wear, plus the performance has dropped off a cliff...but some new tyres will be going on next week
I am based in Berks, and go out and about regularly, i'll post something in the adventure section next time a ride out is planned....Loomies a regular haunt of mine near Petersfield
Wow, thanks for the warm welcome everyone! It seems like I am in the right place...
Thanks for all the comments on tyres. I guess the rumours about the GTR being a little greedy on the front is true. :-) I will look at the new PR3's in another 5k (about a month at this rate! lol).
I have just bought a paint protector kit from the ebay link posted so thanks. I will be putting that on asap. As for getting my leg higher....lol I feel like Van Dam or Bruce Lee everytime I get off! lol At least I won't get mugged! The muggers would think I am some karate expert..... Although I am very suprised at how flexible I still am at 40!!!
I will be looking on the "adventure" forum to see if there are any rides out so I hope to see you all out and about... :-)
Glad the eBay link was of some use. If you need any help on how to post photos on the site ask Lord Rusty he's a bit of a whizz kid when it comes to computers. ;D
You are very welcome at the GTR first ever annual meeting in North Wales in August if that's up your street. Nothing officious or too serious, just a few of us, about a dozen or so I think it is now meeting up for a chat and a great weekend. There's a couple coming up from the deep south too so it wouldn't be too tedious you traveling up.
Hi Lonewolf,
August sounds like a good plan! lol Let me know of the dates so I can see if I am free. As for coming up from the "deep south" I am a Yorkshireman at heart, just moved here 10 years ago as the missus is from here. lol
Quote from: Dive1082 on May 04, 2011, 10:19:19 AM
Hi Lonewolf,
August sounds like a good plan! lol Let me know of the dates so I can see if I am free. As for coming up from the "deep south" I am a Yorkshireman at heart, just moved here 10 years ago as the missus is from here. lol
We are going over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Here's the thread link...
http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,174.45.html Have a look at reply 48 there is a link there to the place we are staying at.
Then on page 5 of the thread, reply 65 is a current list of everyone who is going.
Welcome both,
The GTR is only greedy with the Piece-Of-Shite OEM BT021s.
My last PR2 lasted 11000 miles on the front and the previous one lasted 12000.
I fully expect the PR3 to beat that as currently at 7000 with plenty of tread left.
Looks like the PR3 rear (currently 7000) is gonna beat my best for the PR2 (8500) as well.
Whats even better is that the PR2s wear more evenly than the BT021s so give better handling for longer.
Better still is the wet grip with the PR3. Quite simply stunning.
Sounds like the ideal screen for you at 5'10" would be a CalSci +4" or else a Cee Baileys Euro 4".
I have a CalSci +6" and want their new +7.5".
The stock screen is 10" tall from the topmost bolt.
This shows the stock vs Cee Baileys screens.
http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/concours14ws.html (http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/concours14ws.html)
Thanks to all of you for advice. Good to be part of the forum. Look forward to more chats soon.
Should have joined this forum "before" buying the new tyres! lol A bit peeved now as I will know for the next 5k that I could be on something better! lol
I have to say Dive that I always ask here on the forum before I commit to anything ... there is a wealth of knowledge out there ( NB and Mr Wolf for example ) ... I have sought advice on all sorts of stuff, especially Sat Nav which I shall buy in June for my French trip... so don't be afraid to start a thread and ask !