Hello all.
Last month I purchased a 4,400 mile 2016 GTR (66 plate) which will be used for touring with my wife. I nearly went for a BMW 1600GT but in my experience BMW's I have found them not to be that reliable coupled with poor dealer service (I have had three BMW's), I decided on the Kawasaki GTR 1400 having had Kawasaki's since I was 17 years old.
Welcome. Good looking bike. Definitely better than a BMW but you know that. Enjoy.
Welcome, you've certainly been busy with it since you bought it. You won't be disappointed in its ability that's for sure. By all means have a look at the Adventure section, there is an organised meet up in Scotland next year if that takes your fancy.
The GTR is indeed an outstanding machine, and better (more reliable) than the two BMWs that I owned :yes:
Quote from: Lonewolf on October 05, 2019, 10:26:09 AM
Welcome, you've certainly been busy with it since you bought it. You won't be disappointed in its ability that's for sure. By all means have a look at the Adventure section, there is an organised meet up in Scotland next year if that takes your fancy.
Thanks for the heads-up on the organised meet up Lonewolf, but I doubt I would head up to Scotland as the traffic is a nightmare in the UK now (my wife is from the North East of England) and I could be in the Black Forest in Germany in a similar or less time that it would take me get North of the border. I fully appreciate I would then miss the opportunity to meet the fine fellows of this forum.
The weather was good yesterday and the roads dry, so I took the opportunity to take my wife on the back of the GTR for a 80 mile test run.
Yes the Picos is great and ferry is the way to go.
Quote from: Redzed on October 06, 2019, 05:21:27 AM
Thanks for the heads-up on the organised meet up Lonewolf, but I doubt I would head up to Scotland as the traffic is a nightmare in the UK now (my wife is from the North East of England) and I could be in the Black Forest in Germany in a similar or less time that it would take me get North of the border. I fully appreciate I would then miss the opportunity to meet the fine fellows of this forum.
No problems, I just thought I'd mention it & throw an invitation out as you are very welcome to attend. One of the attendees is heading up from Worthing in West Sussex and has done so on a number of occasions since I introduced him to life outside The Smoke!
Nice looking GSA you have there, I have had two, a 2014 Alpine White GSA......
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FhwQB8p/0/37afae93/XL/i-FhwQB8p-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/My-BMW-GSA/Woodland-Shot-in-Antique-/n-KsMQ7J/i-FhwQB8p/A)
And then this year I bought a 68 plate GSA Rallye.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KCwwf6n/0/b2614403/X2/i-KCwwf6n-X2.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-May-2019/n-wDf2Ch/i-KCwwf6n/A)
And finally a 2014 K1600.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Qr6kBS8/0/2f13fd68/X2/i-Qr6kBS8-X2.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-Qr6kBS8/A)
I had no issues whatsoever with the first GSA but the GSA Rallye, :whistling: I struggled keeping it upright and dropped it a few times and I can confirm it is a bloody heavy bike to lift. The TFT was nice though. Although the K1600 is significantly heavier than the GSA it's slightly lower, so I find it easier to manouvre .
You'll find many members on here started off with GTR's but still remain active members despite PX (ing) their Kawasaki's some time ago for other makes, models etc.
A great set of bikes and pictures.
Lonewolf, do you still have the Rayle?
That's a very nice invitation but alas I sold it a couple of months ago approximately.
K16 in the Sahara now that's a thought!
:mfr_lol:9
Quote from: PRD on October 06, 2019, 07:40:20 PM
K16 in the Sahara now that's a thought!
Have a look at Teapot One on YouTube. He went round the world on the most unlikely of bikes, never underestimate the power of a desire to succeed.
:help:8
The GSA comes in to its own in Africa, a fantastic machine but not so good for just tarmac use, just a waste.
I am looking forward to touring in the GTR, a great bike for the money and it has enough electronic toys for me and I have a good chance of maintaining the bike myself.
You will love it. If you send me your email address will send you picture of wire that makes sure panniers
Don't come off.
Quote from: Redzed on October 08, 2019, 12:47:31 PM
The GSA comes in to its own in Africa, a fantastic machine but not so good for just tarmac use, just a waste.
I am looking forward to touring in the GTR, a great bike for the money and it has enough electronic boys for me and I have a good chance of maintaining the bike myself.
You like electronic boys? :mfr_lol:
:biker3:
Quote from: Lonewolf on October 08, 2019, 06:56:46 PM
You like electronic boys? :mfr_lol:
Lol..... I must admit I am struggling with the slow speed of this website, almost impossible to post and edit at times, also to send PM's
I type and the text appears 30 seconds later.. I have a website that I have run for 11 years with no issues like this one. I am in Aberdeen right now so maybe that has something to do with it?
:185: :185: Redzed. :banana: :punk:
Quote from: Redzed on October 08, 2019, 07:57:22 PM
:biker3:
Lol..... I must admit I am struggling with the slow speed of this website, almost impossible to post and edit at times, also to send PM's
I type and the text appears 30 seconds later.. I have a website that I have run for 11 years with no issues like this one. I am in Aberdeen right now so maybe that has something to do with it?
I have never experienced slowness on this site to that degree :no:
Works just fine for me as well
And me.
Welcome to the world of the GTR.
I've gotta love the bike as it's the same yaer and colour as mine :smiley:
Somewhere in the ride-outs section on here is the trip report with photos of when I took mine through Spain & Portugal last year if it is of any interest as it is what you are thinking of doing.
Enjoy the ride and stay safe.
Pete.
Thanks Pete.
I checked out your post on your trip to Spain, it looked fantastic and a great write-up which is good for a future reference.
I am still away on my business travels but back home at tomorrow. If the weather is dry next week I will try an overnight trip to Lille or Ypres as my first mini-adventure on the GTR:
If you're going to go to Ypres, you got to watch "The Last Post" played by the local police inside the Menin Gate. 8.00pm every night, but get there at least 15 mins early is you want to be able to see anything
We have stayed in Ypres several times, it is a wonderful and historically significant town, the locals are very friendly and accommodating.... as Burchy says the playing of the Last Post at the Menin Gate is a moving experience
We have stayed at the Main Street hotel twice and it is exceptional :yes:
https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Ypres/entity/CgoI6IGEyI3S3OlmEAE?g2lb=2502548%2C4208993%2C4254308%2C4258168%2C4260007%2C4270442%2C4274032%2C4276661%2C4282066%2C4282188%2C4285990%2C4287732%2C4288815%2C4291318%2C4296668%2C4301054%2C4308216%2C4309597%2C4314827%2C4270859%2C4284970%2C4291517%2C4292955&hl=en&gl=uk&un=1&q=guest%20house%20main%20street%20Ypres&rp=EKXktZew2JHNnwEQjOWopfWc3_3kARDx9fP6392P4EQQ6IGEyI3S3OlmOAJAAEgC&ictx=1&ved=2ahUKEwiSs_qFxaDlAhU1pnEKHXrmANoQvS4wA3oECAoQMw&hrf=CgUIrwEQACIDR0JQKhYKBwjjDxAKGBQSBwjjDxAKGBUYASgAWAGSAQIgAQ&tcfs=EhoaGAoKMjAxOS0xMC0yMBIKMjAxOS0xMC0yMVIA
I have been to Ypres about 10-12 times already, but thanks for the guidance guys. I am only an hour from the tunnel and go over to France / Belgium 6-8 times a year. It is just £28-£30 return on the tunnel for a night, so better than going to the South Coast of the UK.
Lille is one of my favourite places.
Maybe a GTR meet up for a beer when the weather breaks next year so long as Brexit does not scupper us LOL ?
very welcome here !
great choice :punk:
when much older still can go fr the bmw... :grin: