cbr1100xx blackbird to gtr1400

[tartan-jock]

Hi guys,
               just joined the fourm have been looking at replacement for cbr1100xx (10 years)  and think the gtr1400 is the bike that for me that fits the bill.   just wondering if anyone on here mover from cbr1100xx to the gtr and how they compare it.

thanks

[Icefever]

Hi Jock.....welcome to the forum,  my mate still rides his Blackbird in fact, we've just done 2 weeks in France.  His other bike is a ZZR1400, but he took the Bird as he prefers it.

I can only give you his thoughts on it, and that is he's thinking of chopping in the ZZR for a GTR for touring. He has had a test ride a while back on a GTR and I think he may go with the GTR???

[GTRpilot]

Had two Bird's before moving onto the GTR, a 2004 matt black FI from new then a carbed '98 model which was off E bay and in a state. Rebuilt her over a winter back to original '98 colour's. Comfort, luggage for touring and more modern electronic's did it for me. But miss that acceleration rush of the 'bird 😕 Would I have another 'Bird.......in a heartbeat. But I like the GTR.

[tartan-jock]

don't get me wrong the bird is a good bike but think the gtr is the bike honda should have built.     top speed not the most important thing to me comfort for touring of more importance to me now.  shaft drive, modern abs/traction control  good mirrors just more updated.

[beegee]

Very welcome here
Good luck

[Icefever]

don't get me wrong the bird is a good bike but think the gtr is the bike honda should have built.     top speed not the most important thing to me comfort for touring of more importance to me now.  shaft drive, modern abs/traction control  good mirrors just more updated.

I don't know about it's the bike Honda should have built???? I've had 3x GTR1000, then I move up to the 1100 Pan.  I had 2 of those before trading up to the 1300 Pan,  which I loved, then at the start of this year I swapped that for the GTR.

Top speed?...I'm with you, we can sit all day at 80ish  and we both love it...we don't want/need to travel at warp speed. I'm 100% with you on the comfort,drive,ABS & traction control....I feel safe with her, but, there's always a but...I still love the look of the Pan.

For me, on style the Pan just pip's the GTR, I don't know what it is??? the lines of the fairing, the panniers??? but there's just that little "Je ne sais pas".

[GTRpilot]

don't get me wrong the bird is a good bike but think the gtr is the bike honda should have built.     top speed not the most important thing to me comfort for touring of more importance to me now.  shaft drive, modern abs/traction control  good mirrors just more updated.

Totally agree, and my reason for going to the GTR. I think Mr Honda has lost his way lately.
I also had a Pan st1300, but again as with the 'Bird, it's getting dated. If Mr Honda had upgraded either of those with an improved spec then they would have kept a lot of customer's. Just my thought's.

[O.C.]

Welcome along T J , never owned a bird, but know a few who have.  So cant help with any comparison, but the GTR will surely fit the bill and tick your boxes

Are you planning a new or pre owned GTR ?

[mikeyw64]

from an early post I made here


++++++++++


So how does she compare to my Bird(s) ?


Well straight away you're (pretty obviously really) sat much more upright and for some reason she feels smaller. She certainly seems easier in traffic than the Bird but then again I've had Givi E41s fitted which are wider than the birds mirrors, at least on the GTR the mirrors (which incidentally are the second best of any bike I've ridden, the best for me are still the old ST1100 mirrors) are the widest part of the bike.


She also feels less "aggressive" than the Bird and almost encourages a more relaxed riding style although she can certainly pick up her skirts (did I mention a new rear tyre?) should you so choose.


I do like the ability to alter the screen depending on where you are and what you're doing. Mine has a Vario laminar lip fitted and I found most of the time it was best in the fully down position with the lip in a mid position. Just let enough air hit the shoulders (I'm about5'10" with a 32" inside leg) whilst not giving any helmet buffering at (ahem) motorway speeds


That said taking the screen to about halfway took the air of the shoulders & arms and would probably be my preferred position for rain riding although this did increase helmet noise (but still no buffeting).


Luggage wise I knew the panniers had less capacity than the E41s but pleasingly they did contain the fitted bags. She also has the Kawasaki (rebadged Givi monolock) 39l top box fitted which will be fine for daily use but i think will probably get replaced with a larger item for longer trips.


Handling wise she felt nice & stable at all times but then again did I mention she has a new rear tyre on


Overall my first impressions are very favourable and can , for me at least, be summed up as more touring than sport when compared to the Bird.


I like   

[tartan-jock]

thanks for all your input just confirms what im thinking about the gtr.  will be secondhand and probably going to hold out for 2010 onwards.
things to look out for- front discs,rear shock adjuster, tyre sensors, anything else i should be looking for?

[tartan-jock]

only 4 sleeps till i get to see big al's gtr1400.    have to say im looking  forward to it!  looks a great bike.

[BigAlan]

It is.

👍