I am looking around at the wide variety of GTR1400's available the last few months as I get ready to buy ready for next spring. It seems like there is a decent step in price between a pre 2010 model and post 2010 model with all other considerations such as presence of a FSH, low/high mileage etc and storage conditions etc taken into account. Please can you let me know your views on the following?
Is it better to save up for an equivalent post 2010 model? My budget presently doesn't stretch comfortably to low mileage FSH post 2010 bikes.
Is it better to buy a post 2010 with high miles and limited servicing instead of a better condition pre 2010 with a better service history and general condition?
Any general tips please on what you consider differentiates a great bike from a mediocre one?
Guidance welcomed as I'm a bit lost for direction presently!
Andy
In some respects I'd look at a few bikes and go on how it looks and how the person you are dealing with describes the bike and it's history, I'd say also to go for the newest bike you can get and aim for a well looked after bike. Don't always be put off by higher mileages, not on a purpose built long distance bike, it's what they are built to do.
I service my bikes myself, (I'm an engineer), I know I do a better job than the average dealer, It's my bike, I cover big miles each year and have trust and reliance in my own work. I use the best quality oil available, genuine filters etc to maintain warranty. I don't get any less for a bike I have cared for myself as I knock up 12-16,000 miles a year the bike is worth what it's worth, most dealers don't like higher mileage bikes, they don't sell as well. A friend bought my ZZR1200 off me with 66,000 miles on it at 4 years old, it still looked in excellent condition, he still has the bike, I still maintain it and it's now done over 150,000 miles and still looks good. High miles does not always mean a bad bike, to me condition reflects on how it has been maintained and cared for.
There are good and bad dealers, all will achieve a minimum standard but some do go the extra mile for customers and do things that are not necessarily part of a service but are best just done.
Just buy the best you can with the budget you have ,, I buy what I want for the best deal I can get at the time ,, it will be worth bugger all 5 years down the line ,buy it and enjoy ,,I always buy the newest car I can but it will have 100000 miles on it at three to four years old , that way I can afford a better car , Bikes are different and people are put off by miles ,, so get a excellent condition high mileage bike that's not to old , keep it long anough and it won't matter ,, these gtr's will do mega miles and are bulletproof,,
I'd probably go for a higher mileage post 2010 one, but that's what I bought anyway. If you use it what it's designed for then you'll clock the miles up anyway and lose value accordingly - just enjoy the bike and the adventures it takes you on, sod the depreciation. The same will happen with a pre 2010 bike, maybe a little more with it being the mk1? The best guys to answer this will be those who have owned both models and tell you what the advantages / disadvantages are on each one. I think the mk2 has higher mirrors, abs as standard and better engine cooling... it doesn't blow hot air on your legs like the mk1 does I believe. If you're not bothered about the slight tweaks then just look out for the deal that suits you.
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Gen 1 owner.
Never been bothered by the hot air coming off the engine even riding in Portugal.
Mirrors, you can raise them but even in the standard position they are still the best of any bike I've owned excluding the ST1100.
Linked brakes? Can take em or leave em.
Traction control ditto
Only thing that potentially I miss on the Gen 1 is the Eco mode for better fuel consumption especially on a longer run (that said normal commuting chicken light is about 165, out with the GF its about 195).
Oh and I believe he Gen 2s you can toggle through the dashboard displays from the handlebar
Many thanks for all of your guidance and tips.
I would go for the Gen2, even if i have to Beg - Borrow or Steal the extra cash, nothing wrong with the Gen 1 but the Gen 2 looks better and has refined the minor issues of the Gen 1, as said previously Heat - mirrors -- etc also you will not be able to fit a tank bag because there is a small storage box with a fixed flip cover in the top of the tank, and the screen is smaller and narrower i got quite a bit of buffeting at all settings. End of the day you pays your money and makes your choice.
See you have a Cagiva Raptor i used to have a V Raptor great bike, stonking engine, bitch to keep maintained though.
Quote from: zedmeister on November 19, 2017, 10:12:06 PM
I would go for the Gen2, even if i have to Beg - Borrow or Steal the extra cash, nothing wrong with the Gen 1 but the Gen 2 looks better and has refined the minor issues of the Gen 1, as said previously Heat - mirrors -- etc also you will not be able to fit a tank bag because there is a small storage box with a fixed flip cover in the top of the tank, and the screen is smaller and narrower i got quite a bit of buffeting at all settings. End of the day you pays your money and makes your choice.
See you have a Cagiva Raptor i used to have a V Raptor great bike, stonking engine, bitch to keep maintained though.
You may have problems fitting some tank bags that use a ringlock however Mag Bags work nicely (& I like the little pocket anyways)
Screen wise , TBH I have no experience with the OEM Gen 1 as mine came with an MRA screen which I'm more than happy with.
Looks wise, I actually prefer the look of the Gen1 but then maybe I'm odd :)
Many thanks to all for your comments and suggestions. I'm taking the first steps into GTR1400 ownership by having just bought a 2010 one with nearly 50k miles on owned until recently by a popular poster on this forum called "Debs".
Am picking it up from Bournemouth Kawasaki next weekend. Hoping for no snow and ice on Sunday when I will be riding back to Lancashire in the late afternoon and evening.
Aaaaah, you've bought Debs' "baby" then :clap:
Hopefully the flowers have been taken off it!
So what's Debs riding now then...?
Wasn't it Debs bike that had a cracked frame at one point or have I imagined that? If I'm right I wouldn't touch it.
I know that bike has been in BK for a LONG time. They had two similar ones and spent time swapping panels etc to make one good one out of them.
I'd like to know if that is the one that had the bevel box "go" when Debs had it
I know that bike has been in BK for a LONG time. They had two similar ones and spent time swapping panels etc to make one good one out of them.
I'd like to know if that is the one that had the bevel box "go" when Debs had it
Quote from: Burchy on December 03, 2017, 04:30:18 PM
I know that bike has been in BK for a LONG time. They had two similar ones and spent time swapping panels etc to make one good one out of them.
I'd like to know if that is the one that had the bevel box "go" when Debs had it
Yes, back in 2013, I think it was baby No 1
See here
http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=2987.0
My memory is better than I thought :mfr_lol:
I've no idea how much the bike is at BK but if the frame has previously cracked, competently welded or otherwise, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.
Quote from: Lonewolf on December 03, 2017, 06:55:09 PM
My memory is better than I thought :mfr_lol:
I've no idea how much the bike is at BK but if the frame has previously cracked, competently welded or otherwise, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.
I thought Debs bought a replacement frame for it? I'm sure it'll be fine, it had a good service history and was well cared for.
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I imagine handy Andy is now unsettled about his purchase following previous comments
@Handy Andy. Just speak to Ross or Pete and ask them for the full details. They will tell all, I have no doubt.
From Debs linked thread it's unclear how it was remedied. Her last post suggested she'd tied it with cable ties.
I'm sure BK will be able to confirm whether it's had a new frame or whether it's had a repair carried out. In either case for piece of mind I'd want to know if I was considering buying it.
Quote from: Lonewolf on December 03, 2017, 09:54:52 PM
From Debs linked thread it's unclear how it was remedied. Her last post suggested she'd tied it with cable ties.
I'm sure BK will be able to confirm whether it's had a new frame or whether it's had a repair carried out. In either case for piece of mind I'd want to know if I was considering buying it.
Yes Richard.. All done.. BK said the Rear Subframe I had bought off ebay looked almost new, even though it was from a A8F 2008 model.. Just now need to spend all weekend re connecting all my extras on better earth points..
This was from one of her posts, so it sounds like a good result.... the new owner can rest easy lol
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Thanks for all the detailed feedback. I'm fairly relaxed. if it had been a main part of the frame I'd have been a bit less so !
The bikes been reliably serviced at good intervals. If I was expecting perfection I should have had shallower pockets and a fatter wad!
Given a few of the nails that I've ridden in the past, I'm hopeful this one will meet my modest expectations. :-)
I'm very much into function rather than form so if it runs well and stops well I'll be a happy bunny.
Debs was happily running the bike up until she bought a replacement :yes:
All's well that ends well then. :clap:
All cool then, Just enjoy it - they all come with a built-in smile factor...
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: A happy ending then !
I shall let y'all know once I'm back in Lancashire!
BTW, does anyone know if the Halfords MOTO range of bike covers in XL will go over a GTR please? Strangely, they don't give dimensions on the cover or the website. My man-cave extension isn't likely to get started until Spring and I will need to give it a bit more protection than my lean-to will offer it.
Quote from: Handy_Andy on December 05, 2017, 10:28:41 PM
I shall let y'all know once I'm back in Lancashire!
BTW, does anyone know if the Halfords MOTO range of bike covers in XL will go over a GTR please? Strangely, they don't give dimensions on the cover or the website. My man-cave extension isn't likely to get started until Spring and I will need to give it a bit more protection than my lean-to will offer it.
I have the M&G waterproof cover for large tourers/adventure bikes, fits the GTR with luggage still attached. Good quality cover IMO.
Quote from: Robbieben on December 06, 2017, 11:40:20 AM
I have the M&G waterproof cover for large tourers/adventure bikes, fits the GTR with luggage still attached. Good quality cover IMO.
I've got the same cover, it's good
Thanks for that tip!
Quote from: Robbieben on December 06, 2017, 11:40:20 AM
I have the M&G waterproof cover for large tourers/adventure bikes, fits the GTR with luggage still attached. Good quality cover IMO.
Do you mean these guys please? M&P Direct Ltd. Phoenix Way, Garngoch, Gorseinon, Swansea. SA4 9HN
They've got various covers including one that looks big enough here -https://www.mandp.co.uk/tech7-waterproof-motorcycle-bike-cover-extra-large-xl.html that's cheap as chips.
Quote from: Handy_Andy on December 06, 2017, 10:33:34 PM
Do you mean these guys please? M&P Direct Ltd. Phoenix Way, Garngoch, Gorseinon, Swansea. SA4 9HN
They've got various covers including one that looks big enough here -https://www.mandp.co.uk/tech7-waterproof-motorcycle-bike-cover-extra-large-xl.html that's cheap as chips.
This one Andy, if you look at the list of bikes it suits the GTR is on there.
http://www.rg-racing.com/browsetype/Bike_Covers/BMW/G650_X_Country/BC0007BK/