Messages

Hi Guys, well the GTR is gone and i now have a BMW1200RT(2012Model) so here are my thoughts compairing the two bikes.
I dont miss the weight of the GTR,the BMW is a lot nimpler round the bends,i do miss the out right acceleration of the GTR.
I like the ESA (Allows me to alter the surpension setting as i go along),hated the position of the gear lever,its now been moved up one spline(huge improvement)
Miss the sound the GTR made,the BMW is mouse like. Slight vibration due to being a twin but hardly worth mentioning. Standard screen is very good,i wont be changing it, I like the heated seats and my boss loves the fact she has a heated seat which she can control(i know small things!!!).
Fuel consumption seems to be about 55 to 60mpg.The one biggest differance is the brillant brakes and no dive when braking hard.
The service from BMW GB in referance to the Conformity cert was amazing,not only was it free they sent it next day and it was all in French.
Some parts of France still insist on Conformity cert where as others will use the latest GB log book,either way the bike is now on French plated and no restrictions on it.
Just come back from a ride,dry and sunny over here today and no traffic. So all in all a very different bike some good and some not,out tomorrow with the boss on for a afternoon ride so will be interestering what she thinks.
H

Hi Guys
The Kawasaki is now sold,snapped up by a French man who wanted a GTR that was unrestricted.
Will miss the bike as iv had it from new.
I love living in France just hate being ripped of when it comes to buying another bike so back to the GB to get my new bike. A BMW1200 RT has my name on it,not owned a BMW before but after a road test I was impressed with the handeling and the brakes,so we shall see.
This is one of the best Forums about.
H

The GTR is going, one days for sale in France where i live and its sold. Four years of fun and reliability. Hope fully next March i will have saved up to buy my next bike,
Possiably a BMW 1200rt, lots of good reports about them so we shall see. The pillion seat on the RT looks very bum friendly,you can tell by this remark who influnces me getting a RT.

Just of to northern Spain,Picos De Europe and then through the Pyrenees and back through central France home to the Charente,the bike will be fully loaded up,i exspect to get 50mpg but theres a lot of mountain roads to enjoy. The bike is sitting in my barn fully loaded and very clean. Im now getting itchey feet,leaving tomorrow at 7am. Doing this trip with a French mate who rides a Kawaski 1000sx so will be interesting to see what his bike does to the gallon/litre.
Theres alot to be said for living in south west France with some amazing roads just on my door step...H

whats the name of this Kawasaki dealer,remind me never to use them if im back in the UK...

 i agree, discs and pads should not be worn out at 3800m,I had my discs and pads changed under warranty for brake vibration with 9k on the clock and the pads were only 40% worn and the discs were not marked. I think your dealer is taking the piss!. I would inform him that you are going to inform Kawasaki about his aproach to your problen and then take your bike to a different dealer, one that cares.  H

Hi I live in France and I know all the bikes(NEW) that are in the showrooms all are listed with a 106 bhp limit.. there are not many bikes over here that have not been modifyed to the correct bhp....In referance to the head light all 1400GTR have a flat beam so they have a universal headlight,i know this as i was concerned when i imported my bike to France... I think you need to find out which country the bike was 1st registered...

Hi because the KPH nos are a lot smaller,my eyes are getting older and the Police hide behind trees and they dont wear hi viz jackets..All villages are 50KPH unless marked different. H

Hi Guys, I have a UK bike here in France so it has a UK speedo with MPH on the outer ring and KPH on the inner, what I want is a overlay that converts the MPH to KPH. I can only find overlays the other way round...Any ideas...H

Hi Guys.. Just taken the beast to Maxcess in Limoges for new tyres, Mitchlin Pilot 2 lasted 8000 miles, so iv just had Mitchlin Pilot 3 fitted, £228 fully fitted,sounds like a good price, what are they going for in Britain now including fitting....H

Hi I have the gen Kawasaki crash protectors fitted to my GTR, they were fitted by the dealer when I purchased the bike, it took them all morning so they sound a bitch to fit,but they do look a lot better then some after market ones. Luckly the bike has not fallen over yet so I dont know how effective they are..

Hi no its not normal,your 1st port of call must be your coolant level,i suspect you might have a leak,my bike runs with 3 bars on the temp gauge and the fans only cuts in about 5 bars when the bike has been in prolonged heavy traffic.

Hi
I replaced my original Bridgestones at 4k as they were worn out as well as being a poor tyre for the GTR. I fitted Mitchilin Pilot 2,what a differance,they transformed the bike. I have done 8k on these tyres and they are brilliant so I will be fitting MP2 again as I consider 8k out of a pair of tyres is really good and I love the way they handel. In referance to the MP3 are they worth the extra?. Not for me this time but i might consider them next time.
Ihave a mate that has a Kawasaki1000SX which came with the dreaded Bridgstones and they were finished at 3k,guess what he now has MP2 and they have allso transformed this bike as well.
Just as a foot note MP2 fitted are £25 cheaper here in Sunny France....Thats a genaral prive comparison with Mitcheldever Tyres.

It looks like the eco mode on the newer bike helps the fuel consumption. I think if any bike is doing 50 plus that is really good as the GTR is a heavey bike and lets not forgett it makes 150 bhp and goes like the wind......a RT BMW might be lighter and better on fuel but i can not see my self riding one after owning the big K.
H

I agree most mags are being  paid by BMW and Triumph to promote there products.
In referance to mpg quoted most of them are in the low 40s. In the real world and having done 12k on my bike from new, and its averaged 50mpg.
One might get 60mpg downhill or hardly using the throttle but my figure is based on normal use and most of the miles are 2 up.....
Brill bike shame about the poor press it gets.