I'm Paul from Peterborough and I'm very much looking forward to Friday when I will become the proud owner of a 2016 GTR (17,000 miles, 1 owner, fully stamped book). I was instantly smitten when I test rode it.
I am trading in a 2013 Honda Varadero which I only owned for around 10 weeks (that's another story) which is an underrated bike). I also have a mint Honda Blackbird (stonking bike!) an RD400 and an RD250 in bits. I'm a fair weather rider so its going to be a long winter chomping at the bit to get out on the GTR.
I very much look forward to chatting with you all (and no doubt seeking advice!).
Welcome to the forum, friendly and knowledgeable bunch on here, loads of information on the site to keep you busy over the winter.
:185: to the forum. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want, somebody will generally know the answer.
On a 2016 model, the only immediate thing I can think of to check prior to collection would be, is the shock adjuster seized? Odds are it will be, but fear not if it is, as it can normally be freed up with some TLC. However if it is stuck, it would be wise to see if the dealer can rectify it for you.
Welcome along Paul, you may need a larger helmet to accommodate the big grin you are about to experience with GTR ownership
Welcome
Thanks very much everyone for your warm welcome and advice. I'll check the rear shock as suggested.
Experienced the oversized grin during the test ride yesterday...what a bike!
Paul, have you bought the bike from Sycamore (previously Balderston) BMW in Peterborough? I'm only asking because I did see a "66" Plate GTR for sale there when I was recently in for some service work!
Nice one in wheels other day.
very welcome here :smiley:
its still the nicest GT :punk:
Flatfour - I'm buying it from wheels (16 plate in grey/silver) which I believe, PRD is the one you saw?
Quote from: beegee on November 05, 2019, 11:12:52 PM
very welcome here :smiley:
its still the nicest GT :punk:
Thanks Beegee. It certainly ticks every box for me. I thought that the only downside might have been fuel range compared to my varadero. I was very pleasantly surprised to see the trip metre showing the average MPG we at 56. I had a fairly long test drive (not hanging around) and the average improve very slightly if anything. Well impressed.
Yep that's the one I saw. Looks very nice. Only problem is silver one is not as fast as black one!!
I think it's probably not the one that I saw then, as I'm sure it was a "66 plate. They did though have two in on that day, although one of them was being loaded into a van (not theirs) when I arrived.
There seem to be more GTR's at the BMW Dealer than I've seen at Kawasaki Dealers in many years!
Welcome aboard, Paul, from someone who used to own a Blackbird and Varadero and now owns the Blackbird and a GTR1400. You'll love the GTR. Like the Bird, it has instant torque from tickover and a fair bit of get up and go should you be in the mood but in an even more comfortable package. Brilliant for long runs.
Just make sure you park it facing uphill cos it isn't a bike you want to wheel backwards up a slope. Other than a taller screen there's not much about it you'd need to change.
Hello Paul :banana:
Hi Paul, welcome to the forum. I was over your way last Saturday at BSD for an ecu remap. It's unleashed the Dragon, taking away the slight delay in throttle responce. I recommend it to the house, Enjoy your GTR, plenty on here than can help out with info.
Quote from: PRD on November 06, 2019, 07:58:57 AM
Yep that's the one I saw. Looks very nice. Only problem is silver one is not as fast as black one!!
Thats precisely what they say about non black blackbirds! Hopefully the same applies to the GTR in terms of the accuracy of such a statement (my blackbird is titanium, I.e. silver ish) :grin: :wink:
Quote from: flatfour on November 06, 2019, 08:54:12 AM
There seem to be more GTR's at the BMW Dealer than I've seen at Kawasaki Dealers in many years!
If/when I do change the GTR, I'll be sticking with the japs...always served me very well.
Quote from: Pielight on November 07, 2019, 09:17:54 PM
If/when I do change the GTR, I'll be sticking with the japs...always served me very well.
:agree: :agree:
Quote from: mcfroyce44 on November 06, 2019, 09:11:41 PM
Welcome aboard, Paul, from someone who used to own a Blackbird and Varadero and now owns the Blackbird and a GTR1400. You'll love the GTR. Like the Bird, it has instant torque from tickover and a fair bit of get up and go should you be in the mood but in an even more comfortable package. Brilliant for long runs.
Just make sure you park it facing uphill cos it isn't a bike you want to wheel backwards up a slope. Other than a taller screen there's not much about it you'd need to change.
Thats reassuring to hear Mc. The bird is a very hard act to follow and has survived both a CB1300S and a Varadero which I subsequently acquired and vie'd for my attention. Test riding the GTR gives me the feeling this is the one to finally oust the bird! I'll remember the avoid downhill parking tip! I did find the Varadero even more unwieldy than the GTR just going from the short time I had it on test.
Quote from: Nitty Gritty on November 07, 2019, 08:09:02 PM
Hi Paul, welcome to the forum. I was over your way last Saturday at BSD for an ecu remap. It's unleashed the Dragon, taking away the slight delay in throttle responce. I recommend it to the house, Enjoy your GTR, plenty on here than can help out with info.
thanks. Nitty...Thats interesting. I may very well follow your lead..BSD have a really good reputation as well. I'm a member of various bike forums and am already getting great vibes on here. I can readily see you are a very friendly and helpful bunch :smiley: :smiley:
Welcome to the forum.
Always good to have new blood here.
Enjoy the bike :)
Quote from: Rynglieder on November 10, 2019, 08:14:19 PM
Welcome to the forum.
Always good to have new blood here.
Enjoy the bike :)
thanks very much. Looking forward to all matters GTR conversations.
Quote from: Nitty Gritty on November 07, 2019, 08:09:02 PM
Hi Paul, welcome to the forum. I was over your way last Saturday at BSD for an ecu remap. It's unleashed the Dragon, taking away the slight delay in throttle responce. I recommend it to the house, Enjoy your GTR, plenty on here than can help out with info.
how much was the e cu mapping at BSD?
£320 + VAT
They did mine in 2017 their website said at the time they gave you the old map and a copy of the new map too.
They got very arsey when I asked, eventually they did send it via email.
I suppose they thought I'd sell it on?
Can't fault their work tho.
How would you both describe the difference in power characteristics since you had it done? Also, is there any noticeable difference in fuel consumption?
hello; fuel range is very ok with me. type 2 model 2010 (with ecomodus) gives me a range of ca 450 kms. start looking for fuel at ca 400...
type 2 can be filled ca 2 liters more than the manual learns us too :wink:
the only thing i had as negative was the wind buffering. now a laminar rma x-creen solved that prob too :punk:
Quote from: Pielight on November 05, 2019, 11:43:31 PM
Thanks Beegee. It certainly ticks every box for me. I thought that the only downside might have been fuel range compared to my varadero. I was very pleasantly surprised to see the trip metre showing the average MPG we at 56. I had a fairly long test drive (not hanging around) and the average improve very slightly if anything. Well impressed.
I start looking for fuel (always 2 up) around 180 miles to be safe, I'm ok until 210 miles+ dependant on conditions/speed etc.
The huge difference is pottering, say <50 mph riding, so much easier and smoother 2 up.
Seeing as it makes the bike run richer you must use more fuel but its hardly noticeable.
I got the piss taken out of me for paying all that money to take it from 142hp to 143hp, but it was fast enough for me to start with, don't think I've ever been over 140 mph on the autobahn.
A very useful gadget is the one sold on the US 1400 site that clears the fuel alert off the dashboard display.
Much easier to judge what is left in the tank, remind him to label it as a sample to avoid import tax nearly doubling the price.
Hi Pielight,
Not much change in MPG.
On the standard map fueling is shut off on a closed throttle, so approaching a hair pin on a closed throttle the engine will use up any fuel that is left in the system as it runs on a close throttle to the bend. When you open the throttle, say cranked over in the hair pin, there isn't an immediate response from the engine. With the new map the fueling continues on a close throttle (not running on) so when you ask for power it's immediately there.
On the standard map the bike is over fueled in places through the rev range, the new map adjusts the fueling for optimal settings all through the rev range. This saves some fuel, which makes up for the extra fuel used on a closed throttle. My 2017 has 150 BHP at the back wheel and is as fast as I want prior to the remap so not interested in extra top speed, but the dyno showed a steep straight line up to 142 mph then a more moderate incline for the last 10 mph or so. For me the main benifits have been at slow speed manouvering, U turns, Alpine hair pins when the bikes cranked over and the roads changing altitude by the height of a double decker bus in a few meters, you want a touch of power to keep it upright, no slight delays, the finest of touches on the throttle produces smooth controllable power. Uk riding you mightn't want, need or notice the benifits of a remap, but I'm a bit anul, all the other types - throttle tammer, power commander etc seem to be around the £300 mark (if you allow for knackering the heated grips fitting a throttle tamer), this is the least obvious way to remove the fuel injection lag.
Quote from: Nitty Gritty on November 21, 2019, 06:39:06 PM
Hi Pielight,
Not much change in MPG.
On the standard map fueling is shut off on a closed throttle, so approaching a hair pin on a closed throttle the engine will use up any fuel that is left in the system as it runs on a close throttle to the bend. When you open the throttle, say cranked over in the hair pin, there isn't an immediate response from the engine. With the new map the fueling continues on a close throttle (not running on) so when you ask for power it's immediately there.
On the standard map the bike is over fueled in places through the rev range, the new map adjusts the fueling for optimal settings all through the rev range. This saves some fuel, which makes up for the extra fuel used on a closed throttle. My 2017 has 150 BHP at the back wheel and is as fast as I want prior to the remap so not interested in extra top speed, but the dyno showed a steep straight line up to 142 mph then a more moderate incline for the last 10 mph or so. For me the main benifits have been at slow speed manouvering, U turns, Alpine hair pins when the bikes cranked over and the roads changing altitude by the height of a double decker bus in a few meters, you want a touch of power to keep it upright, no slight delays, the finest of touches on the throttle produces smooth controllable power. Uk riding you mightn't want, need or notice the benifits of a remap, but I'm a bit anul, all the other types - throttle tammer, power commander etc seem to be around the £300 mark (if you allow for knackering the heated grips fitting a throttle tamer), this is the least obvious way to remove the fuel injection lag.
Hi Nitty Gritty. Thanks for taking the time to give such detail....apologies I've not responded sooner...not been on here for a while as it's been manic at both home and work!
I've laid the bike up for the winter so won't get a chance to properly evaluate it for a while. I had noticed the slight throttle lag you describe though. I also have a carb model blackbird whose response is instantaneous and eager, but I'll ride the GTR for a bit to see if I feel the need to address it. These things shouldn't be of concern but tend to be...I'm also a bit anal myself! With this kind of thing, if there was no potential solution you'd not give it another thought, but because there is it niggles away :wacko: :wacko:
Quote from: beegee on November 21, 2019, 01:12:11 AM
the only thing i had as negative was the wind buffering. now a laminar rma x-creen solved that prob too :punk:
Looks a good option. Will consider a one myself.
Welcome Paul.
Quote from: GLA55Y on December 10, 2019, 07:31:36 AM
Welcome Paul.
Thanks Gla55y. I see you are from my neck of the woods (I live in Peterborough now but from Washington/Newcastle.
Quote from: Pielight on December 11, 2019, 01:32:49 PM
Thanks Gla55y. I see you are from my neck of the woods (I live in Peterborough now but from Washington/Newcastle.
Yes I'm in Ormesby near to the A174 (Parkway). You will probably have used it to go to Whitby etc.
I've only had the GTR about 6 months but loving it. The ECU map is on my list though as I have noticed the throttle lag.
Mick.
Quote from: GLA55Y on December 11, 2019, 08:21:11 PM
Yes I'm in Ormesby near to the A174 (Parkway). You will probably have used it to go to Whitby etc.
I've only had the GTR about 6 months but loving it. The ECU map is on my list though as I have noticed the throttle lag.
Mick.
Passed by many times Mick. Had an Aunt & Uncle who lived in Brid so from the age of 5 spent almost every school holiday there. It took 5 hours from Newcastle by coach back then! This included a stop off at Guisborough. Driven/ridden there countless times too. Once had an extremely close shave with two sheep in the dark travelling at speed on my RD400 many years ago!
Now the seed is planted the ecu map is almost inevitable for me too! There does not seem to be a downside either.