Long term test.

[PRD]

Nice to see motorcycle sport and leisure doing a long term test on a GTR.

[Charlie747]

 

[O.C.]

Yeah I read that, TBH I did wonder where the report was going after the first sentence

[Winston Smith]

Just done a weeks test riding of this years selection of tourers with RiDE.
Gotta say, the GTR, for me, was still a great ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it after 4 years since I had mine.
Great bike still, but definitely more Sport than Tourer in the company it found itself!

[Charlie747]

Just done a weeks test riding of this years selection of tourers with RiDE.
Gotta say, the GTR, for me, was still a great ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it after 4 years since I had mine.
Great bike still, but definitely more Sport than Tourer in the company it found itself!

Love the rush above 7K 

[PRD]

Better than BMW then?!

[estrenuo]

Better than BMW then?!

Definitely better than an R1200RT in my opinion. That boxer engine sounds like a tractor. And it shifts like one too. Although the BMW is a little more agile.

[Charlie747]

Better than BMW then?!

For the challenge and rewards of riding it well.  Wins hands down. Above 7k it's so addictive.

It's exciting. The K16 is an all day easy comfy ride. Two very different bikes in character 

[Winston Smith]

GTR suits my style of riding really well, but I may have developed it from riding the GTR for 3 years!
I won't be swapping back from the K16 to the GTR though!
The RT is the best bike out there at the moment, comfortable, very rapid, great value and excellent weather protection.  It'll do the long distances in extreme comfort and the agility makes it fun when you get there.
The GTR is a very demanding ride that rewards you for working it hard. 
It is not as easy as other tourers due to it's sport orientation and for the pillions was the worse of the bikes.
Personally I really enjoyed the GTR, but objectively it isn't the all singing all dancing bike the others, especially the RT, are.
Generally the Japanese bikes just don't cut it compared to the European options, particularly, again, the RT.
The Trophy is surprisingly capable, especially two up and the K16 a force of nature.
The GTR is the 'selfish' tourer!  Leave the missus behind and ride it like you stole it - but avoid bumpy roads!

[Charlie747]

GTR suits my style of riding really well, but I may have developed it from riding the GTR for 3 years!
I won't be swapping back from the K16 to the GTR though!
The RT is the best bike out there at the moment, comfortable, very rapid, great value and excellent weather protection.  It'll do the long distances in extreme comfort and the agility makes it fun when you get there.
The GTR is a very demanding ride that rewards you for working it hard. 
It is not as easy as other tourers due to it's sport orientation and for the pillions was the worse of the bikes.
Personally I really enjoyed the GTR, but objectively it isn't the all singing all dancing bike the others, especially the RT, are.
Generally the Japanese bikes just don't cut it compared to the European options, particularly, again, the RT.
The Trophy is surprisingly capable, especially two up and the K16 a force of nature.
The GTR is the 'selfish' tourer!  Leave the missus behind and ride it like you stole it - but avoid bumpy roads!

Like the analogy Chris..........I've not tried the others but I love my K16 for the effortless ride, comfort and pace day in day out.

My GTR on the other hand makes horns grow out of my head as I look for apex's, use the box and throttle like I was a kid again and when dismounting at the end of a ride feeling that inner warm glow of satisfaction of a job well done.

A few years ago you were involved in a group tourer test were the GTR strap line was single person tourer.

Only now having the K16 as well do I fully understand that comment.  Looking forward to reading the write up 

PS I hope you've returned the Vicar of Dibbly home without him needing therapy 

[PRD]

But there do seem to be more reliability issues with the bm's.

[estrenuo]

Maybe the RT is a better bike objectively but I didn't like it. My back likes the more sportier seating position of the GTR and didn't like the chair like seating position of the RT. Having driven the Z1000 4 in line engine in different versions, I didn't like the boxer feel either. Even the quick shifter on the RT didn't seem to do its work properly (at least not on the test bike). The ESA is nice but I didn't feel that much difference between modes. I did like the fact that the RT hardly dives when braking.

As far as pillion comfort, will have to see what my misses thinks of the GTR, still waiting for its delivery next week 

[Lonewolf]

But there do seem to be more reliability issues with the bm's.

Such as? 

[O.C.]

Such as? 

you're kidding aren't you Steve, I like a man with a sense of humour     

Even mother Kawa have  few issues 


http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/search.asp?whichpage=1&pagesize=10&resultString=(BMW%20MOTORCYCLES%20All%20Models)%20%20for%20the%20date%20range%2001/Jan/2010%20to%2001/Jan/2016&tx=

[PRD]

Such as? 

too many too list! Also their owners have an unshakeable belief in them. Itis called BMW itis. I understand the cure is to buy any other make of bike! And enjoy real quality at an affordable price.