RiDE Magazine needs you....

[KevRide]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to introduce myself here, having joined (gatecrashed would be more accurate) your forum as part of my research for a big feature on the GTR1400 for RiDE Magazine, which will appear in a couple of months' time.
This will be one of our big (7-8 pages) buying guides which we produce every month, relying heavily on real-world experience and tips from the people who know the bikes best - the owners.
In other words, you lot....   

I'll be emailing every GTR1400 owner we have on our database, asking for information and experiences, but I'm also keen to cast the net as wide as possible, so if anyone would like a questionnaire to fill in, please feel free to email me at [email protected] , or alternatively I'm happy to post it here for people to cut and paste. Please also feel free to pass it on to other owners or to cross-post this request in other GTR-related forums. Every response helps!

Thanks for reading,

Kev Raymond

[BigAlan]

Don't tell everyone how good the GTR is as Kawasaki will realise what a gem that have and put the prices up.

Mine is 20 months old and awesome in every way, especially when chasing sports cars on the German Autobahn on my way back from Colditz.

Alan

[O.C.]

I'm on my third.

There really can't be any other bike that can munch the Motorway/Autobahn miles like the GTR, or, one which will scratch A and B roads with total ease

QED 

[mecki]

I'm on my third.

There really can't be any other bike that can munch the Motorway/Autobahn miles like the GTR, or, one which will scratch A and B roads with total ease

QED 

I wouldn't say that.
There are plenty of bikes around that can do one or the other as good if not better than the GTR but you will be hard pressed to find one that does both without paying a lot more. 

[Wirralmark]

It does exactly what it says on the tin. Sports/tourer. Very quick, very comfortable. And carries pillions with the utmost ease. Simple. 

Mark

[JohnnyTh]

Best bike i ever had. German Autobahn was pure joy and then it took me around on the crappy roads in Romania whitout any issues. Dirt roads in Turkey was  not a problem.

11 000km, much of it on some of the most shitty roads in Europe and no issues.

[SirToU]

Hi,

The GTR is a fantastic bike...... I've done everything from Motogymkhana (talk to Matt Hull) to Touring across France and everything in between on my GTR.

I've covered over 100,000 miles across three GTR's..... what is there not to like.....Kawasaki made a winner!

Neil

[zedmeister]

I am on my fourth GTR, know the bike inside out, and covered well in xs of 60,000  miles.

[PCPeteUK]

Came to the GTR from an 1800 Goldwing. Best move I ever made. More 'bike', more grin and more storage surprisingly - less armchair though. OK and I do miss the reverse gear/cruise control/ Radio/CD player :)

[Winston Smith]

I shan't make too many comments on here.......

Did 26.5k on mine in 34 months and it was a fantastic machine.  It's just that I had the opportunity to move on to the K16GT, otherwise I would probably still have it.

Blame the tall one from south Lincolnshire for taking me to Europe for the grand tourer test for the change!

Seriously, the GTR is a fantastic all round bike.

I moved on to it having had a Blackbird and a Pan ST1300.

I enjoyed the power of the 'bird and the comfort of the Pan (both handled well enough) but wanted a bike that did both.  The 1400GTR did the trick in bucketfuls.

The GTR is more 'SPORT Tourer than Sport TOURER, and is a great touring tool for solo riders.  There are other less cramped options for pillions.

It is a solid well engineered and substantial machine.  It feels like quality and indeed it is.

Kawasaki after care is second to none which is another bonus if there are problems.

Negatives? 
Warping discs, regular cleaning can offset this. 
Mine suffered ignition failure (09 plate) which was resolved quickly and never effected it again. 
A tendency for welded seams under the saddle to rust appears common.
I had a split in the fairing under the left mirror.  Replacement upper fairing under warranty within 72 hours - first class
Flimsy rear rack plate

Positives?
As per initial comments.
All day comfort.
Fantastic turbine like engine.
Great handling.
Good size panniers.
Good looking
Quality piece of kit!

Needs?
Cruise control
Heated seats
Better load capacity top box / rack as standard

As a now BMW owner, and very pleased with it too, I would still recommend the 1400GTR as a serious touring and scratching tool.  Had BMW not done the 'six' I would probably either still have the GTR or have a new one with starship mileage accruing!

[Boomer]

Welcome Kev,

I'd say post it here by all means.
I'll certainly complete a copy as I imagine most here would.