First impressions..

[alibx11]

OK folks just had my first proper run on bike today and had a few thoughts..

First of all... Feck it's a big bugger. talk about wide, don't remember my old Pan Euro being that big with the same style mirrors..

I've now got the bike to handle, when I first rode it at purchase it felt like the tyres were flat as it didn't want to turn into corners, checked the tyres this morning and both tyres were low, now set both at 42psi, so it now turns a lot quicker...

Seat felt fine at start but after 30+ miles felt a bit on the firm flat side, so feel an airhawk or similar may be on order.

Suspension felt very harsh, so will be checking that out this week when I start fitting the hugger etc, rebound and damping etc, got the settings printed out so hopefully the shock adjusters aren't seized...

Loved the engine, once you get it going, very torquey (no substitute for cubes), there were a few vibes so will check balances etc. when I get the time. I've missed the inline fours.

Am waiting for the 2" risers to come but think they may create another problem.. by making me sit more upright I'll need a taller screen.. hay ho, more money... 

Was riding around for over 20 miles thinking " this looks familiar", can't decide if it's more like Gizmo or Stitch, what do you think?

[nightrider]

looks like a gizmo to me .  like you say its a big old bus . i have just had ohlins rear shock put on mine and had the front forks done with ohlins springs and internal parts   set up by kais suspension , it is now a lot more composed and less bouncy when going from braking to back on the power. the seat is very good compared to some  i just keep movimg about to shift the load off me bum.  power is ok am going to fit a power comander and pipe and get it set up on a dyno . have been told there is more to be had ,,,,,,

[alibx11]

Ohhh lins, ... If only I had the money.... wishful thinking.. I'll have to make do with something less extravagant, but I'm jealous of you.

I think I'll try Hilltop Motorcycle's in Leic.
Boys on the ZZR14 forum seem to rate him, he can remove the secondary butterflies and dyno tune the existing ECU without having to get a power commander.

[2kwacks]

it will seem big till you get use to it I'm only 5 ft 7 inchs and 12 stone and have  problems handling the beast. infact it still amazes me how nimble and how extremely well it handles for such a big bike. As far as the power is concearned, I find theres more than enough. I've had the zzr1400 df8 model and except for a few runs on a 1/4 mile strip, I ever only used 75% of the power that was available to me on the zzr1400 so can't see the point in trying to get more b.h.p out of a large tourer that already has 150 ponies. As far as the seat is concearned, I've gone for the kawasaki low gel seat. it is 25mm lower and 20mm narrower so suits the short arses like me and is a lot more comfy on the arse they are £400 smackers new but have seen them sell used for around £200 in good condition. here is a ebay link for a kawasaki gel seat for sale, if your arse has stop speaking to you

[Bryn]

Ohhh lins, ... If only I had the money.... wishful thinking.. I'll have to make do with something less extravagant, but I'm jealous of you.

I think I'll try Hilltop Motorcycle's in Leic.
Boys on the ZZR14 forum seem to rate him, he can remove the secondary butterflies and dyno tune the existing ECU without having to get a power commander.

Geoff knows what he's talking about .... and no power commanders in sight either   

[2kwacks]

Geoff knows what he's talking about .... and no power commanders in sight either   

well geoff "100milesaway" if that's who you mean.. has had years of experience.. ho! he's 64 ya know he could even be "64 and a half" by now

[Bryn]

well geoff "100milesaway" if that's who you mean.. has had years of experience.. ho! he's 64 ya know he could even be "64 and a half" by now

I'm talking about Geoff at Hill Top motorcycles...and he's about 2000 miles away at the moment... he's in Turkey 

[O.C.]

alibx11, I think you will find that once you have the suspension set to suit your riding, which BTW isn't such a big task, and once you have ridden the bike more, and got used to it, that you will find that the GTR rides very light in relation to its kerb weight.

Good luck with the set up

[alibx11]

LOL, the actual weight of it isn't any concern, always had big bikes and this handles a lot better than some, the fact that the fuel tank shape keeps the weight so low helps, I was relating to the actual width of the thing when trying to filter, get it out through the driveway gates etc, just so bleeding wide.

Have had some emails saying some new extras are despatched so am looking forward to fiddling...

[ChrisB]

In Antrim earlier this year, I swapped bik :laugh:es with my son for a short while. He rides an SV650 which was great fun until I got back on the GTR and had to get used to it again. The nearest thing I could compare was driving a speedboat then a canal long boat. Both great at what they do but cant be compared. But the SV was fun, but Rob wanted it back, he is 6 foot tall and weighs about 3 stone wet through. 

[skill]

I agee with olde coney, ride,ride,ride. I bought mine new, ran it in rode to Germany and had it on the ring with under a 1000 mls on "me fingers n toes crossed i didn`t drop it". Last wk end did 200 mls around Hawes n Alston, its what you get used to, its heavy on braking n corners but expected. I love it, done 13000 mls in 2.5 yrs.
  As for more power !! its enough for me and had it up to 150 easypeasylemonsqueezy. Enoy   

[SirToU]

My love for this bike is well documented.... It will do everything you could throw at it... :-). And trust me - there's not much I haven't done... :-)

Heavy, maybe... But a someone's signature says..... A bumble bee should not fly - but it does... The GTR shouldn't do many things, but she does..... :-)

Let the good times roll.... :-)

Neil

[O.C.]

My love for this bike is well documented.... It will do everything you could throw at it... :-). And trust me - there's not much I haven't done... :-)

Heavy, maybe... But a someone's signature says..... A bumble bee should not fly - but it does... The GTR shouldn't do many things, but she does..... :-)

Let the good times roll.... :-)

Neil

hear hear Neil.....

The GTR may not everyones cup of tea, I'm on record as saying there probably isn't a "perfect bike which suits everyone", but the GTR is, as far as I'm concerned, and absolutely stunning machine, which ticks my boxes, its big enough, rides small enough, comfy and as faaaaaast as F******k 

I'm also on record for saying that when/if I change it will almost certainly be for a lighter machine which would be easier for me to push around.