test ride

[Lonewolf]

Mecki the ZZR is a tourer, there is an option to have it fitted with hard luggage just like the GTR. Theres a lad on YouTube who has been touring many parts of the world on a Honda C90 or something equally bizarre. Anythings a tourer if you want it to be.

Dave, was I slightly right then when I said the ZZR is a tourer? 

[beemanjohn]

hi guys i have just swopped my 62 plate zzr1400 for a gtr . yes they are fast and handle the twisties  but loading them with panniers &top box is not recommended by kawasaki as i found out . the dealer who sold me it said you can so i had a top box fitted by them . later i went to get panniers and was told by a local dealer that kawasaki dont do a set with atop box guess what . a whole new set up from givi would have to be fitted . apart from that the bike is brilliant but you need bar risers under 50 ish your wrists kill you then you need a double bubble screen cos you are in the w(excuse my grammar) anyway enjoy your zzr          cheers john       
                            by the way the dealer was alan at millenium motorcycles, which is also motor cycle centre orrell and preston superbikes
                                   

[Essex Boy]

Surely I'm not the only one to have solved this difficult conundrum........by buying both 

[zedmeister]

I have even heard the GTR called A Hyper Tourer. Both marques are extremely good at what they do, you pays you money and takes your choice.

We have 6 horses ( 2 are shetland ponies for the grandkids ) 3 are eventing horses and 1 is an X race horse, the 3 eventers can jump fences of all kinds, have the stamina to do a 6000mtr course  the race horse cant do any jumping at all, he can trott the 6000mtr course, but get all 4 into a gallop and the race horse leaves the others as though they are standing still. As the saying goes, Horses for courses.

[Winston Smith]

2kwaks - I did say I would await the slating......

I think the ZZR is a brilliant bike, but I have seen one tackle Stelvio one year and the same rider, having traded (up?!!) to a GTR found the GTR much easier on such 'twisties'

ZZR is very capable, all I'm saying is horses for courses and personal preference

[Lonewolf]

Zed, now you've got me intrigued.....how would the Shetland ponies fare then against the ex racehorse do they ever try to keep up....even for a short while. 

[2kwacks]

Surely I'm not the only one to have solved this difficult conundrum........by buying both 

your not I owned both the zzr1400 and the GTR1400 at the same time my 2008 df8 zzr1400 which I done 9,400 miles on and my 2010 gtr1400 which I done 7,900 miles on. so I'm speaking through past experience on owning and riding both bikes anyone who hasn't toured long distance on the zzr1400 or hasn't put the zzr1400 through it's paces on the twisties are not really in a position to comment on it's touring and handling abilities

[2kwacks]

Dave, was I slightly right then when I said the ZZR is a tourer? 

steve it's classed as a hyper sports tourer

[Lonewolf]

  steve it's classed as a hyper sports tourer

Yeah, whatever the hell that is.

[2kwacks]

2kwaks - I did say I would await the slating......

I think the ZZR is a brilliant bike, but I have seen one tackle Stelvio one year and the same rider, having traded (up?!!) to a GTR found the GTR much easier on such 'twisties'

ZZR is very capable, all I'm saying is horses for courses and personal preference

it depends on the rider I've always owned a middle weight super sport as a second bike, so where you find the more upright riding position to be better on the twisties, I find the more sport riding position to be better my most recent middle weight super sport was a 2012 zx6r ninja with the new showa front forks and had various other improvements over the previous zx6r model, and the 2012 zx6r was a very sweet precise handling bike but I find the zzr1441 very easy and to be just as good on the twisites, the zzr1441 is so well balance you don't even noticed the weight difference when the bike is moving but you sure as hell noticed the difference when the power is wound on

[mecki]

the zzr1441 comes into its own when you want to smack some others bikes or super car owners arse at the lights

And that really sums it up quite nicely what a ZZR is only good for. 

But since I don't feel the urge for drag racing at the lights I rather ride my GTR all day in a comfortable upright position, have plenty of torque and more then enough top speed for the Autobahn while it's surprisingly nimble even around tight corners on twisty mountain passes.
OK it is not designed for racing but I don't think that's a good thing to do on public roads anyway.
IMHO the GTR is a good bike for normal every day or weekend use (even though I wouldn't buy one if that's all I wanted a bike for) and brilliant when it comes to long distance touring and since I don't have a car shopping as well.
I get plenty of miles out of a rear tyre with a good range and fuel economy, I can carry loads of luggage and have no messy chain to look after. 
And best of all I don't have a stiff neck, no aching wrists, knees and back at the end of a 8 or 10 hour tour.

[2kwacks]

And that really sums it up quite nicely what a ZZR is only good for. 

But since I don't feel the urge for drag racing at the lights I rather ride my GTR all day in a comfortable upright position, have plenty of torque and more then enough top speed for the Autobahn while it's surprisingly nimble even around tight corners on twisty mountain passes.
OK it is not designed for racing but I don't think that's a good thing to do on public roads anyway.
IMHO the GTR is a good bike for normal every day or weekend use (even though I wouldn't buy one if that's all I wanted a bike for) and brilliant when it comes to long distance touring and since I don't have a car shopping as well.
I get plenty of miles out of a rear tyre with a good range and fuel economy, I can carry loads of luggage and have no messy chain to look after. 
And best of all I don't have a stiff neck, no aching wrists, knees and back at the end of a 8 or 10 hour tour.

meckie.. I've got more important things to do like sorting out my sock drawer than replying to your comments on what the zzr1400 is good for my time is important to me and I don't have the patiences or inclination to "egg" you on even more    

[zedmeister]

Zed, now you've got me intrigued.....how would the Shetland ponies fare then against the ex racehorse do they ever try to keep up....even for a short while. 

You don't race the little ones, only if you want to be shaken to pieces. I tell you one thing though they are the boss when it comes to territory, if the big boys are in their patch they will chase them off no problem. i would rather tackle a 750kg piece of pure muscle than a 200kg stroppy shetland any day.

[Essex Boy]

With full Givi side pannier pack I have taken the ZZR from London to Bosnia Herzegovinia and back in 10 days, and from the Pyrenees through South of France, the Alps, Black Forest and back in 8 days and at  :oops:6ft tall, never ever had a problem with aching wrists, bad back or stiff neck.......but the one bike the rozzers got me on was the GTR......

dURHHH.

[BigAlan]

I have never ridden the ZZR but today I ferried myself upwards of 160 miles on the GTR on both A roads and yes a M road and just one car came past me, plenty quick enough for me to "progress safely" as I did.

But, a mate of mine has just bought one brand new and when the novelty has worn off I an going to get myself a ride on it, but no way am I changing to one as nothing (IMHO) can be as nice and quick as the GTR.

Alan