Thinking of upgrading

[Kwikasfuki]

That's what my mate said as well. His view is there a floor level at which the bike won't depreciate much more, and mine is probably hitting that now.

Decisions, decisions ...

[Nok12rs]

As a newbie to the K1400GTR,  I was unaware of its existence a month ago ,

I was interested to hear, on this forum, that the body shape of later models is less attractive than their predecessors'.

I will have to see them side by side to understand but in the meantime, I would appreciate any comments on this.

Thanks

[Martin#30]

I was interested to hear, on this forum, that the body shape of later models is less attractive than their predecessors'.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but I find the 2010 onward models more attractive.

That metallic brown paint though (which did not stop me buying one, and admittedly has grown on me), I can see how that is an acquired taste 

Martin

[Boomer]

I ride mine. Don't look at it that often.
When I do, I like the look, but she's not the prettiest thing out there.
As for early/late I prefer the early, but not because of the looks.
Because the early ones don't have Linked-brakes 

Yes, I know some people like them. Me, I hate them.
ABS is fine, TCS is fine, Linked Brakes are the spawn of SATAN!
It's a f*****g BIKE, not a car!!

[Martin#30]

Linked Brakes are the spawn of SATAN!

Interesting comment. This is the only bike I have ever owned with linked brakes, and after 23k miles, I can honestly say it has *never* performed differently to a bike without them. I have not noticed any issues, nor any benefits to them.

I never use the rear brake though (well, almost never, the odd slow speed manouvering on snow scenario).

Martin.

[Kwikasfuki]

I had linked brakes on my Varadero and they worked great. Don't know if the Kawasaki tech is much different but its one of the things that attracts me to the new model.

99% of the time I'm on the front brake. I think I press the rear now and then to check it hasn't seized

[Martin#30]

Don't know if the Kawasaki tech is much different but its one of the things that attracts me to the new model.

Me too. I have been so impressed with TC and ABS, that I can honestly say I will not buy a bike without them again. In addition to that increased feeling of all-weather safety, my next race bike will have to have this kit too as it is worth seconds a lap to us amateurs.

Martin.

[2kwacks]

I've not noticed any difference between the zzr and the gtr when braking, the principle of link brakes sounds great in theory, but as yet, not really noticed any benefits to having a link brake system. suppose you may need to push the gtr to near it's limits to noticed a significant difference. then if it's needed or even wanted! would be a personal choice.

[Mogster]

I rather like the linked brake system...sorry and all that  .... I do find that changing the system for the 2 up setting makes for much better braking balance when one is fully loaded and trying to brake from speed.
It takes away that feeling that the backend is trying to overtake the front...like my tuono.. which enjoys 'backing it's self in' whenever it can... 

[Nok12rs]

Interesting comment. This is the only bike I have ever owned with linked brakes, and after 23k miles, I can honestly say it has *never* performed differently to a bike without them. I have not noticed any issues, nor any benefits to them.

I never use the rear brake though (well, almost never, the odd slow speed manouvering on snow scenario).

Martin.

Mr Boomer,

Your comment is, as usual, incisively to the point.  I doubt that you have ever sat on a fence; they are not, after all, comfortable places to be for the thinking man

[Nok12rs]

I rather like the linked brake system...sorry and all that  .... I do find that changing the system for the 2 up setting makes for much better braking balance when one is fully loaded and trying to brake from speed.
It takes away that feeling that the backend is trying to overtake the front...like my tuono.. which enjoys 'backing it's self in' whenever it can... 

When I did my, now infamous (and probably by now, tedious for yooos ) rental day, I had two concerns (totally ignoring the real potential problem :ME).

Firstly, fork dive because I had ridden the K12) for more than a decade and linked brakes, of which I had experience on a K13rs, about a year ago and did not especially like.

Well, neither proved an issue for me on the GTR; although I was in no position to evaluate the effect of fork dive on impact.

[Nok12rs]

/quote]

Talking of two up:  How is the GTR with large rider and substantial co-pilot?
I refer not to HID, but a well built, 15 stone, non riding, mate who finds my K12 and the K13 very comfortable.

Thanks

[mecki]

I never use the rear brake though (well, almost never, the odd slow speed manouvering on snow scenario).

Sounds like you've never been to the Alps.
Try going into a hairpin downhill with the rear brake and then try the same using just the front. 

[nigelp]

Asif

Colchester Kawasaki have a 2011 in black on the floor, £11600 or so to you sir!

I'm sure there's some haggle room there!

Cheers

Nigel

[nigelp]

http://metropolismotorcycles.com/

Asif these guys are wortha try also, have several colour options according to their website, so haggle hard on the older bikes!

Bought my ZZR here and proved sound to deal with and bike was prepped well.

Remember any new model will attract a premium as well as the lack of 2% finance almost certainly.

I would invest an hour ringing MCO and a few other dealers to see what they can do.

Let us know how it goes.