GTR ignorance

[O.C.]

For years I have read articles and reports of this bike and that bike in various publications, and on many occasions I've felt that the Kawasaki brand has been completely ignored by various journalists when they choose the brand that is to form the subject of their report, or when a brand is chosen as a comparative within such reports.

Its happened again.

Having just read a very good report about the Triumph Trophy in December issue of Ride Magazine, which I must say does speak very highly of the Trophy, (could be worth a test ride methinks) I was staggered to see that the only bikes used for comparison within the article are the BMW Tourers (1600) and Yamaha FJR1300 

Where was the comparison with the GTR which surely must be competition for the new Triumph

So come on Bike publications, wake up, and recognise just what a bloody good bike the GTR really is....maybe now that Kawasaki has won the BSB Championship we will see an improvement in Kawasaki Motorcycle awareness


Rant over   

[Deon]

I agree OC   

Surely a comparison test cannot be accurate with only the BM and FJ to compare against ? The GTR is direct competition for the Triumph and should've been tested back to back.


Deon

[SirToU]

Totally agree.

However, I don't think the GTR has a natural competitor now the BMW GT is no more.

The 1600 is too big and the new Trophy doesn't lie in the Kawasaki Ethos.  super fast tourer.

It might be quick, but I can't see it doing 160mph with ease out of the crate.

The Pan and FJR - well, just dated.


just my 2p.

Neil

[AJ]

I read a really good review of the new Trophy, cant remember which mag it was as I get so many and its gone to recycling now - but it was recent.. They did compare it against the GTR - the GTR did not come out favourably...

They said that the Trophy had better protection than the GTR, was not as top heavy as the GTR and handled massively better.. TBH the BMW is not in the same ball park regarding price, but I think the Trophy is going to be a real contender...

I am off to the launch event tonight, so will report back when I have seen it 'in the metal'

[mecki]

Already put my name down for a test ride on the Trophy a couple of months ago.   

[trousersnake01]

We have a BMW 1600 in at work at the moment and guys that have rode it says its lovely and based on a pan 13 size (minus panniers). It appears to a lot narrower then our GTR's but longer on the wheel base. It is a nice looking bike but for 17k it should be.

Triumph have quality issues at the moment.  We have a hundred bikers at work, those who had triumph have got rid of them for others.
I only see one or two and ones a tiger and ones a triple .

[mecki]

They said that the Trophy had better protection than the GTR, was not as top heavy as the GTR and handled massively better..

Top heavy? Sounds like whoever wrote that has never ridden one. 

[tommytool]

I'm quite glad in a way the GTR is "overlooked".  Bike journo's pitching one bike against another isnt going to sway me one way or the other. Its a decent bike REVIEW I'm more interested in.

Did I choose the GTR for the job it has to do on blind faith or an informed decision based on good research ?

Mags have always liked facing off one makers wares against anothers (ask any R1 veteran). In the superbikes arena this is a natural theme but when comparing heavyweight tourers then this aint so easy as the K1600 vs GTR shows. If I were  a journo I'd look for the natural competitor - if there wasnt one then I'd accept that and not try and force a comparison - it only gets ripped apart as a bad choice.

Dont be upset with these "experts" missing the GTR. I spent 6 months looking at the Tiger's replacement and did my own comparisons. Whatever was out there I was aware of and bought what I humbly consider to the the best overall. This bike is superb at what it does and the lack of visibility in the market place doesnt bother me a jot!

[Bryn]

I sold my Explorer back to the dealers, and told them I wanted a 1400 GTR... the salesman said   'don't have a pre 2010 one as they're really shit...'
Anyway... really pleased with my '09 one 

[zedmeister]

i think they are a little afraid of what the GTR can do, if you read most of the rags they are linked to each other somehow, take MCN you will rarely hear of a triumph or a BMW slated, so biased.

Anyway i am putting my GTR 10 reg Blue up for sale this weekend for another GTR, ( fourth one ) they really are that good.
Anyone interested PM Me.

[O.C.]

Will you be replacing before 2013, and what colour do you fancy ?

[shaggs147]

I don't think there are many bad bikes these days, or cars for that matter. Most bikes are reliable, with only the odd niggle here or there, and can probably out perform most riders capabilities. I think its just down to individual taste as to what bike you like the look and feel of, and what little goodies it comes with. When bike mags say this one will do 150mph, but this other one will do 155 mph would we really notice in the real world? I read an article on the new triumph, then a few pages over, they were giving star ratings for various bikes. I don't think the GTR came out all that well, but its not the latest model out there, so not fashionable to rate it any more.
Maybe I'm a  rider, or missing the point   
Bugger..... Just realised..... Its because I'm getting older 

[Bryn]

Bike magazine comes to mind.....

" Fast, well equipped, endless trinkets and toys. But Gizmo's can't mask steering, ride quality and screen that aren't good enough..tut tut '

They then give it 2 stars out of 5   

Steering :  I've put a couple of lb extra in each tyre... steers a lot better now   
Ride Quality  : seems fine to me  ( but what do I know - I've only owned around 80 bikes )  Top Sellerie seat I've got on now is really comfy
Screen     :  Yes the standard one is shit... the Calsci large I've put on is brilliant though.

Having been used to GS's and similar for a few years- I'm surprised how little I've had to do to make the bike WAY more comfortable than any 'Adventure' bike I've owned

No bike is perfect, but some will swallow your cash in an unending quest to make them right 

[zedmeister]

Hi OC i want a black 61 reg+ theres an 11 reg one in scotland but i have a mint 10 reg blue, i will keep looking but at £7500 trade in for a retail price of £8500+ i feel is not quite close enough, my bike also has a few extras on it too. I was however offered a new red one for an extra £1250 on mine, but not the right colour for me. The dealer told me they are struggling to sell the red.

[O.C.]

The 2012 Red is an unusual colour, which I quite like, however I'd be even more impressed if it was more Burgundy and less Brown,

I'm sure that in the States there used to be a Burgundy option

Good luck with your search