Kawasaki 1400 GTR

Off Topic => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lonewolf on December 23, 2014, 06:23:57 PM

Title: Billy No Mates
Post by: Lonewolf on December 23, 2014, 06:23:57 PM
Well here it is, after owning it for a few weeks I finally got an opportunity to exercise it. As hard as I tried last night, nobody, absolutely nobody would come out for a ride with me, (because of the BMW)  :popcorn: making excuses about it being Christmas, having to work, having to pick kids up from London.....the list goes on & on.  :whistling:

So not really knowing exactly where I was going to go, I just set off and found myself at Seaways at Fridaythorpe near Driffield planning to get a lovely sarnie but even they let me down as they were closed. I thought it looked a bit quiet as I approached.  :mfr_lol:


I'm still getting used to the beast but it is a sweet ride. Oh yes it is heavy, much heavier than the GTR but I believe it's a more manageable ride, its immensely smooth, powerful and it sounds awesome even with the standard cans on.

It's totally standard, even the screen and although it's not as high as the C Baileys I had on the GTR surprisingly it doesn't cause any buffering, possibly due to the shape of it. Heated grips, pretty standard on a lot of bikes these days but the heated seat is a bonus, thaws your trunk out and keeps you focused when the temperature drops. I'm still getting used to the brakes which are as keen as mustard for such a brute of a bike. The mirrors I would say are just as good as those on the GTR and they were excellent on the GTR, the GTR and the K16 are the only two bikes where I haven't seen mirrors full of my shoulders. Absolutely no vibrations from anywhere on the bike which is a refreshing change. It has a similar road presence to the GTR in that it attracts double glances from pedestrians and motorists alike. Fuel economy seems comparable to the GTR and I suppose this is helped by the cruise control which is really impressive.

I'm running on Metzeler Z8's at the moment but only because they were on the bike when I bought it. They're ok, but I'll be putting PR4's on in the New Year. Lots of toys on the bike, some which are very useful, some which are a luxury, but many that I haven't yet fathomed out.

At the end of the day it's just a bike, (says the wife!)  :2guns:

Looking forward to getting out on it more in the New Year providing we have no snow. I've even recently discovered who bought my previous bike, the GTR so it looks like I could be having a reunion with it in the not too distant future which would be cool.

(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/All%20Things%20Bright%20And%20BMW/DSCN5146_zpsa6b40c30.jpg) (http://s151.photobucket.com/user/Jaffa_Cake101/media/All%20Things%20Bright%20And%20BMW/DSCN5146_zpsa6b40c30.jpg.html)





Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Kawdolph on December 23, 2014, 06:54:54 PM
What did you think was going to happen ,wait until you salute other bikers and they fall off with the shock,  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: BigAlan on December 23, 2014, 06:57:28 PM
Looks good, I like it white as well.

I shall have to try one of these, my daughter gets 19% discount on new ones so perhaps it might be an option when I decide to change the GTR.

Alan
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: pross on December 23, 2014, 08:35:22 PM
Quote from: The Wolf on December 23, 2014, 06:23:57 PM
Well here it is, after owning it for a few weeks I finally got an opportunity to exercise it. As hard as I tried last night, nobody, absolutely nobody would come out for a ride with me, (because of the BMW)  :popcorn: making excuses about it being Christmas, having to work, having to pick kids up from London.....the list goes on & on.  :whistling:

So not really knowing exactly where I was going to go, I just set off and found myself at Seaways at Fridaythorpe near Driffield planning to get a lovely sarnie but even they let me down as they were closed. I thought it looked a bit quiet as I approached.  :mfr_lol:


I'm still getting used to the beast but it is a sweet ride. Oh yes it is heavy, much heavier than the GTR but I believe it's a more manageable ride, its immensely smooth, powerful and it sounds awesome even with the standard cans on.

It's totally standard, even the screen and although it's not as high as the C Baileys I had on the GTR surprisingly it doesn't cause any buffering, possibly due to the shape of it. Heated grips, pretty standard on a lot of bikes these days but the heated seat is a bonus, thaws your trunk out and keeps you focused when the temperature drops. I'm still getting used to the brakes which are as keen as mustard for such a brute of a bike. The mirrors I would say are just as good as those on the GTR and they were excellent on the GTR, the GTR and the K16 are the only two bikes where I haven't seen mirrors full of my shoulders. Absolutely no vibrations from anywhere on the bike which is a refreshing change. It has a similar road presence to the GTR in that it attracts double glances from pedestrians and motorists alike. Fuel economy seems comparable to the GTR and I suppose this is helped by the cruise control which is really impressive.

I'm running on Metzeler Z8's at the moment but only because they were on the bike when I bought it. They're ok, but I'll be putting PR4's on in the New Year. Lots of toys on the bike, some which are very useful, some which are a luxury, but many that I haven't yet fathomed out.

At the end of the day it's just a bike, (says the wife!)  :2guns:

Looking forward to getting out on it more in the New Year providing we have no snow. I've even recently discovered who bought my previous bike, the GTR so it looks like I could be having a reunion with it in the not too distant future which would be cool.

(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/All%20Things%20Bright%20And%20BMW/DSCN5146_zpsa6b40c30.jpg) (http://s151.photobucket.com/user/Jaffa_Cake101/media/All%20Things%20Bright%20And%20BMW/DSCN5146_zpsa6b40c30.jpg.html)


It looks nice . It's a sham you wasn't round by me I would have gone for a ride.
Ow sorry I was washing my hair :mfr_lol: :whistling:
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Rusty on December 23, 2014, 08:45:48 PM
Glad to hear you have got out and about on the beast .. nice bit of Photoshop editing too !  :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:  That colour is growing on me but would never be as cool as "Vermillion Red".
I'm sure by now the garage is of suitable quality to house such a lovely bit of kit.  :yes:
Looks nice mate.
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Lonewolf on December 23, 2014, 09:10:54 PM
Nige, there was a terrible colour cast on it, it had to be improved however slightly. Santa doesn't bring my pannier bags for a couple of days so I had to manage with a small compact camera.  :sad:
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: 100milesaway on December 24, 2014, 09:35:00 AM
Kin ell Steve It's nearly as big as the cafe  :eek:.   Way to big, even for a pie eater like me :chef:.    Hope you enjoy it though.   :banana: :banana: :banana:
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Charlie747 on December 24, 2014, 11:27:13 AM
Nice  :scooter: mate  :punk:

Some would even go as far to say AWESOME End Of ...................... :popcorn:

:mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Winston Smith on December 24, 2014, 01:34:21 PM
Oi!  Billy!  I was out on mine (the Vermillion Red one Rusty  :wink: fastest colour)

Should have said, could've met up.

Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Lonewolf on December 24, 2014, 03:07:52 PM
Quote from: Winston Smith on December 24, 2014, 01:34:21 PM
Oi!  Billy!  I was out on mine (the Vermillion Red one Rusty  :wink: fastest colour)

Should have said, could've met up.


I didn't have your PayPal details....    :whistling:
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Winston Smith on December 24, 2014, 03:15:31 PM
Would have made an exception for you matey - Cash-Tuesday lol!
Title: Re: Billy No Mates
Post by: Kwikasfuki on December 24, 2014, 09:13:36 PM
Looks good Steve. Does it make you a coffee as well?