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I've just bought the 12MY GTR (arrived at the dealer today!) and part of the deal was for the all the services (5?), upto and including the 16K one, for £700! It did come out around £1150 but they gave me a discount for buying all 5 up front and becuase I'll be having a K&N air filter and Iridium plugs, I basically said "I'll give you £700 and you guys use it as you will for all the services, just don't touch the air filter and plugs. Stamp my book and make sure the bike is safe". They will obviously change oil etc but becuase they're not stripping the bike down to get to the plugs etc, they're happy and my pocket is too; especially as I have the 4 years warranty!

They were happy with that. So am I.

Maybe see if your dealers will 'do a deal' on services up front... My dealer? Drayton Croft in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

How will you be breaking in the engine?

That is a very good question actually. The sensible part of me says take it easy, but logically it makes sense to ride it hard (oo'er!). I'll just ride as normal, giving it some welly every now and then :)

Thanks Kwikas..

It'll be ready from this afternoon so can pick it up from then I suppose. It may have to wait until Saturday though, as I'm pretty busy until then unfortunately :(

Yes, they do a full PDI; fluid fill, accessory/ancilllary fit (mirrors/panniers/etc), set the clocks/settings, remove transport bolts, check tyre pressures etc and basically make sure it's not going to fall apart when I ride it away! :D

Might nip in later to dribble & drool over her whilst I randomly sign some sales paperwork...

@ Rusty, I asked them to send me pics of her being born :)  I was going to go there myself to watch, at the end of September when they originally promised it, but since then I've lost some enthusiasm :(

Just hope she rides as well as she looks! :D

Just had the dealership MMS me pictures of the bike being delivered and born!.... It's taken me months to get here from the original order back in August and boy am I excited! :D

Wow guys, you're really giving me food for thought on the GTR development programme!

A lot of our developments don't suit everyone, indeed, but nevertheless to be able to have that choice as a consumer is what a lot of people say they're lacking when looking for aftermarket (or even factory fitted!) items for their bikes.

The mirrors would look exactly as they do now. (They're original equipment so I'd hope so!  ;D) BUT, they'd fold in when you want, or indeed, if you want, be heated etc and have integrated DRL's with an OEM plug that will connect to the OEM lighting harness.

The camera/telematics system (amongst others) is more aimed at the forces etc and will be shown at the next NAPFM (The National Association of Police Fleet Managers') Conference and exhibition show next year hopefully. It will be a covert install in the bike and will also be sold to Joe Public too! It's already being used on many other bikes we developed it for so the GTR will simply be the next in line  :)

I'm going to really have to understand what the score is with the screen; some people say stock is fine but noisy, some say it's rubbish and needs to be more aerodynamic etc.. Until we throw it in front of varying wind speeds, we're not going to find out the bugbears of it  :(

In agreement with many of you, one of the main things I pesonally hate about bikes is the lighting; front, rear and sides. It's usually pants, especially in comparrison to a car/van etc. The only thing that stops me from riding my bike daily is snow and I cover at least 14,000 miles a year on my Bandit. I WILL be developing a contemporary lighting system for the GTR, using the top box, panniers etc and again, like everything else we do, it will be incorporated neatly and covertly.

I'm just throwing feelers out there for a heads up as I'm yet to collect this bike, so until I can work out what makes it tick underneath, I'm relying on you guys to give me a list of the niggles, warts'n'all, that could be improved. Only if you don't mind and have time or course  :)

Matt

Great feedback so far, thanks!

So the screen 'shape/aerodynamics' seems to be an issue with how it manipulates the air around the rider then. The reason we are looking at automating the speed dependant up/down action is so that once you've set your height, you won't have to mess around with pressing buttons whilst riding along; during slow town speeds it will be down, for example, and increase in height as you get faster on the motorways.. it's all about safety and comfort I suppose. You'll still have control via the manual mode buttons though don't forget.

Lots of the accessories we develop are probably aimed at tourers/distance and police riders, such as the forward/rearview camera/recording & telematics system and the comfort of cruise control from behind a more automated front screen. It would probably be more efficient to monitor the pressure from behind the screen to adjust the height of it... just thinking out loud  ::)

Anyway, keep the suggestions coming!

@ Cartman, we could probably design a false side fairing panel that would open via solenoid or hydraulics to reveal some kind of automated weapon if you wanted to scare someone on your commute (paintball gun might be safer here!)  ;)

Hi all,

I'm taking this out of my intro thread. I've got a new 2012 1400GTR on order and once I receive it, it'll be stripped down and kitted out with prototype gadgets and gizmos that my company is/has developing/ed (not just for the GTR). I'm looking to you guys for feedback please if you'd be so kind.. some of it might already exist, in which case, we'll make it better  ;)

* Screen: would an automatic feature of the screen be of interest to GTR owners? One would press a button to enable it and it would travel up and down smoothly depending on the vehicle speed (the up/down button overides it). We're going to test it in a wind tunnel for optimum speed/travel/noise etc. It would be a plugin module, switch and possibly a stronger mechanism for the screen.

* Cruise Control? Yes/no?

* Electric, folding, heated side mirrors. These are currently being developed and will autofold with ignition on/off/on etc and have a control like a cars, whereby you can select RH/LH and electronically adjust up/down/left/right or fold the mirrors when filtering etc. The mirrors will also incorporate DRL's (Daylight Running Lights), linked to the bike's lighting for 'E' Homologation. An incorporated front facing camera system will be an optional fitment (see below)

* (Discreetly mounted) Rear camera/rearview. One or two widescreen monitors will be mounted to the left and/or right of the instrument panel and display the rear of the bike with distance grid (170 degree mirrored view). Can be linked to a mini-DVR system and also the front cameras to create a near 360 degree view. GPS overlay can be used, recording speed, altitude, longitude/latitude etc (usefull for ride-outs!!)

* Advanced Crash System. This is something we're developing for all bikes. It is descreet, incorporates lighting and is designed to allow the rider to pick the bike up after a spill and ride off (if they're able to!). Not designed for frontal accidents, it will stop footpegs smashing off, fairing getting damaged etc. We're working with insurance companies on this one for a reduction in premiums if this is fitted.

* Tell me what YOU want to see?? I'm full of ideas, yes, but you lot actually ride this bike and know it first hand. I'm looking forward to riding this bike too and moving up from a fully faired 2001 1200 Bandit (with GSXR1100 engine) that I've owned for nearly 10 years and cover over 14,000 miles/year on. It's not designed for that and never was, no matter what I 'upgrade' on it. Hence the move to the GTR beast!

Bring. It. On  ;D

Thanks guys!

Matt

lol, think you lot need to get out more!   :o

I'm going to take this out of here and start a new thread. You guys make me laugh!!  ;D

Thanks for all the feedback, gratefully appreciated! ;D

I am to believe that from the 2010 Model Year the OEM screen is 7cm (70mm) taller than pre 10MY models and the guys at Kawasaki have insisted that the screen mechanisims have been "improved" due to customer feedback. They kept talking about the 11MY onwards GTR but presume it was for the 10MY onwards too.

Kawasaki mentioned ignition on/off/on settings (?) available for the screen, whereby it travels back to where it was before the ignition was turned off, etc. We only have the 2011 service manual and not a user/operator manual for the bike so hopefully again you guys can confirm the above please?

Many thanks again and I might start this thread in a more appropriate section  :)

Really looking forward to actually getting this bike!  8)

Matt

Thanks for that info Kwikasfuki! I/we didn't realise that the screen shouldn't be operated whilst in motion  :-[

....on that subject, can any GTR owners out there comment if they've operated the screen at speed (mph: 30/60/70/80/etc) please, with their findings?? Thank you

Once we take delivery off this beast we'll be striping it anyway so will take a look at the mech that operates it and maybe come up with an automation 'kit' that includes a stronger mech too. It'll be tested fully, of course, before it gets approved/homologated  :)

Many thanks again guys,

Matt  8)

The mirrors will auto-fold when you turn the ignition on/off/on etc, but by a control panel similar to a car version, it will operate the mirrors (LH/RH selectable) up,down,left,right and fold them when you want them too. Oh, they'll be heated as well and can be linked to the hot grips if they're fitted.

This is just one project we're working on with the GTR and have already bought a few mirrors to develop the system so watch this space....

Cool!  8)

Back in August my Dealership said I'd probably be the first person in the UK to have the first registered 12MY GTR. I was a little sceptical, especially as they promised me one by the end of September, before the Press Embargo got lifted. I've chosen the ('61) registration plate (already had it made up with the GB logo) and I've got my companies telematics system kit sat in my garage waiting to be fitted (we develop things for the automotive industry).

Suffice to say the bike didn't appear and the calls back and forth with Kawasaki's businesss management confirmed a delivery date to the dealership, albeit "mid to end Novemeber". Still, I'm really excited!

I shall indeed let you guys know how it goes but it's basically just an 11MY version with black wheels and new colour, tbh. I'll probably change the tyres out straight away though as I like the PR3's I've got on my trusted 10 year old Bandit and don't care much for Bridgestone BT variants. Through my company we're already developing things for this bike; Advanced Crash System incorporating DRL's, electric heated folding mirrors (automatic fold with ignition off/on) and the best bit; automatic screen which will raise/lower depending on your speed (switchable, set by user).

This bike will be used for many things (other than the 14K miles/year I'll do on it) and I'll definately keep you guys informed if you're interested.

Thanks for having me here!

Matt

Thanks, as I've bought this without even a test ride!

...If you mean the rails along the tops of the panniers towards the top box mount, then yes, these are black also! The only picture(s) I have are of the 12MY Police liveried one so hopefully I won't get into trouble for posting this, now that the press embargo has since been lifted (I took the photos September 2nd/3rd!!):

Please note that this is the BLUE version! Yes, it looks black (second pic is closeup of blue fleck in paint so the background/reflection is out of focus).

I have some more pictures of the same bike at different angles if you're interested.

Hi everyone!

I've been secretely checking this forum out for a while now in order to make a more informed decision... yep; after a couple of years looking at various bikes in this 'catagory', I've put down a hefty deposit on a 2012 1400GTR!.. In Metallic Blue, with the extended warranty, top box, and pannier protection vinyl. At 2011MY pricing too!  8)

I'm Matt and I'd like to say a BIG THANKS to all of you posting problems, questions, etc on this site. Becuase of you guys'n'gals, I whittled it down to the GTR. Approaching the dealership at the end of August, cash in hand, I said I'd like to buy the 11MY GTR please. They had a new 12MY bike in to be liveried up for the Police. It looked black! It was blue! Strange.

Anyway, a long story cut short, Kawasaki have told me they're shipping out the 12MY bikes to the Dealer network mid to end November, so fingers crossed I'll get the bike around the same time as the NEC show  ;D

As I'm seconded to Land Rover down the road from the NEC, I might nip in there one afternoon to buy some new gear as my current stuff won't match (riding a red Suzuki) and is many years old. Giving the dealer enough money so shall give someone else some pennies for the gear.

One thing I'd like to mention though, the 2012MY GTR is unchanged other than the new colours and black wheels. Nothing technologically new from the 11MY variant  :'(

Thanks for your time guys and hope to chat with some of you over the years to come!

Matt

Hi guys'n'gals,

Thanks for posting this service manual up, but the site is asking me for a password before I can download it...

Don't suppose anyone would know what it is please?

Many thanks,

Matt