08 vs 10 model year

[Lonewolf]

Go on...get a GTR you know you want to. 

[Billabong]

Go on...get a GTR you know you want to. 

I've got enough temptation as it is... 

[Winston Smith]

Thanks all, some really helpful stuff as well as some good banter!

Funnily enough I've just stumped up for a C3 Pro as it's supposed to be the quietest helmet on the market. Painful expense but I really do want to protect my hearing. Wind noise in general and buffet in particular are what I need to avoid. I still want to ride a bike though so a car is not the answer before some wit suggests it!

I've tested a Trophy 1200 with stock screen and from the lack of buffet/noise side of things it was awesome. Handling was a different matter though... I've also tested a 1200RT with a barn door V-Stream screen which was also awesome noise wise, but I'm not so keen on its engine and gearbox.  Yesterday I tried an 08 GTR1400 with stock screen. The screen didn't come anywhere near high enough for me so I ended up with it in the fully low position for least noise. I was a little cramped on it (I'm 6'2") but I'm sure there are footpeg lowering kits. I also noticed it throwing a fair bit of heat onto my legs - great yesterday but not in summer. The handling was fantastic though for such a big bike and the gearbox was one of the slickest I've ever used. I'm now trying to find a 10 plate with a tall screen to test ride as I can't really buy another bike thinking  a new screen will cure the problem only to find that it doesn't for me...

That just leaves an FJR and K1300GT with tall screen to try.

Having said that, if I could lower the pegs on a GTR and find a screen that works I'd buy one - I thought it was a cracking bike :-)

Updated FJR is a nice bike.  Small but wide.  The earlier ones (pre 2012) have terrible suspension.
Yamaha don't supply (or recommend) top box AND panniers.  Cracking engine though - phenomenal!

K13 has as high if not higher pegs than the GTR.  Great handling and another great engine.

The GTR is an awesome piece of kit though and I think I would have it over the FJR - would toss a coin between K13 and GTR though!

[O.C.]

Is that OC? 

    Yeah...obviously it's me Steve,   

BMW give you a free one of those with every K1600...didn't you get yours yet ?    

[SirToU]

LOOKIE LOOKIE LOOKIE - Kawasaki!

I've just bought these to go on the front... Not yet received.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191170975994?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

On the top of my screen I have the Laminar Lip. It deflects the wind over my head and I also wear the Schuberth C3. Sometimes with ear plugs for extra comfort.

[Billabong]

Bilabong...like Neil I have owned a 2008, 2009, and 2010 model GTRs, the 2009 was not my favourite and prompted a disappointing foray into BMWs (K1300GTEE & R1200GSA) both of which were unsatisfactory for differing reasons.

Interesting. What didn't you like about the BMWs?

[tomp]

FWIW, I have terrible tennitus, too.  I never ride without ear plugs.  My 08 has a VStream screen and a Laminar lip, too.  I can go from full breeze to no breeze with the set up.  I've found that riding with the screen combo lust below my line of sight gives me no noise and no buffeting.   I added the foam inserts I found on the US brother sight and it knocked out at least 75% of the"heat on legs" problem.   

The only item on the Gen 2 bikes I would kike, would be the ECO mode, as we have lots of long super slab roads in TX, and the improved MPG would be nice on those trips. 

As far as BMW's go, I've had four and still have an 1150RT.  It's a great bike, more sedate, but more nimble than the Kawi.  Almost bought a K1200RS a while back, but it was so smooth, quiet, and gave NO sense of speed, I knew I would either lose my license or my life on it, so I passed. 

[Billabong]

FWIW, I have terrible tennitus, too.  I never ride without ear plugs.  My 08 has a VStream screen and a Laminar lip, too.  I can go from full breeze to no breeze with the set up.  I've found that riding with the screen combo lust below my line of sight gives me no noise and no buffeting.   I added the foam inserts I found on the US brother sight and it knocked out at least 75% of the"heat on legs" problem.   

The only item on the Gen 2 bikes I would kike, would be the ECO mode, as we have lots of long super slab roads in TX, and the improved MPG would be nice on those trips. 

As far as BMW's go, I've had four and still have an 1150RT.  It's a great bike, more sedate, but more nimble than the Kawi.  Almost bought a K1200RS a while back, but it was so smooth, quiet, and gave NO sense of speed, I knew I would either lose my license or my life on it, so I passed.

Thanks tomp. I always wear ear plugs too - I paid for some moulded ones at last year's bike show in London.

How tall are you? That's two votes for the laminar lip now - sounds good!

What are the foam inserts you're referring to? Not heard of them...

One of the issues I've noticed with sitting in the quiet behind a big screen is you lose some cues for speed.  I didn't find it so much of a problem on the RT I tested but on the Trophy I found myself barrelling along a couple of times Just needs a bit of getting used to I guess...

[tomp]

I'm 5'10" with a 31' inseam.   http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-08-09-Concours-14-GTR-1400-Heat-Shields-/281294746413

Here's the link I used for the inserts, but seems they are no longer available.  May see if others are making them, on ebay or amazon, or make your own with 1+" dense foam, should you get an 08-09.  I've used laminar lips on all my bikes for years now.  They have always helped with wind noise and air flow.   I know you will enjoy which ever Gen you get.  My Harley never gets ridden anymore, and it's still being paid for every month.  tp

[Debs]

LOOKIE LOOKIE LOOKIE - Kawasaki!

You taking the piss Neil?   

Débs - those lower foot pegs look great. I think they'd make all the difference to knee comfort :-) Love the colour scheme of your bike too - I'll bet it gets taken for a police bike a lot!

If I'm following someone  But I do ride with a pink high viz vest and flowers on my Lid so I can't be accused of being a   

I take my IAM test next week.. Once passed I want to do some of this www.neggb.org.uk

[Winston Smith]

I want to do some of this www.neggb.org.uk

Good luck with your test Debs.

Get ready for the hard work if you want to come on board NEG!

[patrick]

Good luck with your test Debs.

Get ready for the hard work if you want to come on board NEG!

  hard work but I enjoy it.

P

[O.C.]

Interesting. What didn't you like about the BMWs?

It's quite a long story really and has been 'aired' on here before, so to save me boring everyone I'll condense the issues.

K 1300 GT EE
Poor finish
notchy gearbox,
electrical issues resulting in the bike cutting out and falling over !
Resulting damage claimed to be unheard of by BMW despite a recall for the same issue

Plus points
Comfy
Stonking engine

The GT was eventually swapped for another BMW as no other franchised dealers wanted it

R 1200 GS (A) pre W.C

Too agricultural..plus other issues, which led me to testing a lovely Green GTR again and from there on in it was a 'no brainer'    

[keith]

is that me or do you have some bmw oil leaks on the ground !!!!

[virginiajim]

Wow, Debs!  Can't wait to see you on YouTube!  Watch out for all those silly bicycles, though.