Best review of GTR

[Winston Smith]

By that I take it you're getting one!

Not just yet, but it's my next machine.  If I hadn't got a new car this year............

[100milesaway]

Not just yet, but it's my next machine.  If I hadn't got a new car this year............

Talking to a chap up at Kirby Lonsdale today who owns one he was telling me he had a test ride on a GTR loved it  ;D then went and bought a BMW6 he has had reliability issues with it already and 4 months in  is having severe reservations as to having made the right choice. I have never owned a BMW but know lots who have and there is not a single one of them that has not had problems, and yes I understand  that all manufacturers have their problems BUT,  a collapsed diff!!!!!!a new wiring harness!!!!!!a snapped conrod the latter on a three month old bike, I just find alarming  >:( I am also of the belief that once you are into buying a BMW you are stuck when it comes time to change as other dealers will not take them in swop, so you are compelled to buy another BMW. So no sorry not for me I am still of the opinion that japanese engineering and build quality is still a fair way ahead of anything else. ;D

[Winston Smith]

  Talking to a chap up at Kirby Lonsdale today who owns one he was telling me he had a test ride on a GTR loved it  ;D then went and bought a BMW6 he has had reliability issues with it already and 4 months in  is having severe reservations as to having made the right choice. I have never owned a BMW but know lots who have and there is not a single one of them that has not had problems, and yes I understand  that all manufacturers have their problems BUT,  a collapsed diff!!!!!!a new wiring harness!!!!!!a snapped conrod the latter on a three month old bike, I just find alarming  >:( I am also of the belief that once you are into buying a BMW you are stuck when it comes time to change as other dealers will not take them in swop, so you are compelled to buy another BMW. So no sorry not for me I am still of the opinion that japanese engineering and build quality is still a fair way ahead of anything else. ;D

Just don't test ride one then  ;)

On a serious note though, all manufacturers do have problems on some models, and BMW or Big K are no different.

We have R1200RT's at work, love em to bits but they have had problems which are now sorted out.  The previous machine was the ST1300 that was a super machine but had problems resulting in them being withdrawn altogether!

I've had a BMW of my own before and never had problems with it.  Had many issues with the GTR (2 x sets of discs, new nose cone, new fairing insert panel, new ignition barrel) more than any other bike I've ever owned to be honest.

That said, I still love the GTR and when asked which I would have at the end of the test week I had to say it was the GTR.  I will have the K16 some day, it is phenomenal, but the GTR is a brilliant tool and delivers what it's meant to.  It is a brillient solo Sports Tourer and the best looking by far.

On the engineering side though, the question on the launch was asked why a six?  The head of BMW simply said - because we can. 

I am not becoming anti GTR at all, I will have mine another couple of years, b ut come the revolution......... ;D

[Martin#30]

I am sure the K16 is a truly magnificent machine, I am tempted personally just on the strength of the noise it makes in videos posted on t'internet.

But ...... , it is six thousand pounds more than the GTR. Just think what Kawasaki's engineers could come up with if they were allowed to add another 6k to the RRP  ;)

Martin.

[Lonewolf]

Its 6k more than the GTR and it's got a bloody ugly dashboard.

[Kwikasfuki]

I've not taken the BMW for a test ride yet, but just from sitting on it could tell out would be a brilliant cruiser on the motorway, but not so good for commuting in heavy traffic, especially filtering. I actually think the BMW is more orientated to the touring market rather than the sport touring market, where the bikes tend to be slightly more agile.

[Winston Smith]

Trust me Az, it filters no differently than the GTR, I would actually say it's probably a bit more nimble.  It isn't heavy at all when moving and the steering is as like as a feather.

To be honest the motorway (autoroute) bit was what confused me initially about the 16.  That was my first stint on it and it didn't seem to make much sense.  It was only when I had it on twisties then urban that it all came together.

And yes, it is great as a motorway/autoroute/autobahn muncher too.............!!

[Andy]

Right, and it will be a 190/50 since that is the Kawasaki recommended size.
The first number describes the width and the second number the height of the tyre. So the 190/55 will have the same width as a 190/50 but is higher and therefore will have steeper sides and tip easier into corners. Most likely there will be a trade-off in straight line stability, though. And what those guys in the BMW commercial obviously didn't take into account, mounting a tyre with a bigger radius on the rear will most likely confuse the hell out of the computer controlling the traction control system.

50 & 55 refer to the ratio of the height to the width so 190/50 is 95mm & 190/55 104.5mm tall. Might not fit if you have a hugger and gearing will be higher so speedo will underead  :)

[mecki]

50 & 55 refer to the ratio of the height to the width so 190/50 is 95mm & 190/55 104.5mm tall. Might not fit if you have a hugger and gearing will be higher so speedo will underead  :)

Since the speed is usually measured at the front wheel I doubt that mounting a bigger tyre on the rear will have any effect on the accuracy of the speedo.
But I am still wondering what it might do to the traction control.
Probably nothing since with a bigger tyre on the rear the front will turn faster and the traction control only kicks in if the rear wheel turns faster than the front.
So who's game to try it out?

[coman37]

Speed on most newish bikes is taken from gearbox revs and assumes standard sprocket and tyre sizes, so any change to the rolling diameter will cause the speedo to misread

regards Coman

[mecki]

Speed on most newish bikes is taken from gearbox revs and assumes standard sprocket and tyre sizes, so any change to the rolling diameter will cause the speedo to misread

Sounds like a very complicated way to measure speed to me.
And how is that supposed to work when you pull the clutch?

[coastrider]

And how is that supposed to work when you pull the clutch?

If it reads the speed from the gearbox output shaft (which is most logical place as it negates any gear ratios being used) When you pull the clutch in, the speed will be that generated from the momentum of the bike. It will register the declining speed as the bike slows with the drive disengaged as it is in constant mesh with the rear wheel through the drive shaft.

[Ziderman]

I gave up reading reviews years ago...there all full of Bolox.....! Test it ride it , ask others about it. Then decide. All reviews end up contradicting there selves in the end. Seen it oh so many times.

I dont care what they say about BMWs there still Fuggin Ugly unlike the GTR Gorgeous. Said it before. Like a woman , she might be the best cook & give you shag any time you want, but if she looks like a BMW.....urrr no thanks.

[Andy]

I gave up reading reviews years ago...there all full of Bolox.....! Test it ride it , ask others about it. Then decide. All reviews end up contradicting there selves in the end. Seen it oh so many times.

I dont care what they say about BMWs there still Fuggin Ugly unlike the GTR Gorgeous. Said it before. Like a woman , she might be the best cook & give you shag any time you want, but if she looks like a BMW.....urrr no thanks.

I had alook at K1300 didn't like the look of it, didn't bother with test ride. Dealership was more like a bank with people signing their lives away for all the extras  :)

[Rusty]

ZedMan ... you make me LOL  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D