Written: 30/11/2007 : 11:14. Read 38899 times (40/day).
Some say it's a japanese bike pretending being a german bike.
Some say it's a bike for the elderly
Some say it's a pretended german bike, so a bike for the elderly
For sure, we cannot say it's an old bike for german people in disguise... 159 votes
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Winnie is here with me to introduce this Kawasaki 1400 GTR Hard task for the 1400 GTR : to replace the mythical 1000GTR, which was in the Kawasaki catalog since 1986 up to 2005. The 1000 GTR was one of the Sport Tourer benchmark motorycle when talking about road handling (except for braking...) and servicing costs. She was put under the spot lights during the bicyclist's Tour de France. I think some of you have noticed that the 1400 GTR was already on the Tour this year! The daughter replaces the mother....
logical.
As an example, i am 1m80. My weight? What about it?!!! Who cares?!!
FIRST FEELING The Kawasaki 1400 GTR (Concours 14) is not that huge once sitting behind its handlebar.
I really don't feel like sitting on some kinf of flagship like the Honda 1800 Goldwing. I allready can feel the sport GT spirit of the bike.
RIDING POSITION For me, the riding position is perfect.
The bike is idle, I'm on the seat, my two feet are on the ground, my hands easily find the handlebars.
The position is quite straight: it is not a ZZR, but a Sport Tourer. The very comfortable seat exactly fits the spirit of this bike. The passenger is not forgotten by Kawasaki: he is also comfortably seated. The panniers are not in his legs way.
The Kawasaki 1400 GTR looks good. I think it's a nice bike.
Even the heavy exhaust and silencers that looked weird on the the photos are not that ugly.
The rear led lamp is awesome and visible. The front lights add some aggressiveness to the bike.
I'm a Kawasaki enthusiastic, but I also have to be objective.
The Kawasaki 1400 GTR has many good points, so i'm going to point out some leaks: - The storage space on the fuel tank has no key! - There is no storage space under the seat.
Yes, I know there are allready 2 panniers and a top case... Anyway. - The electric wind screen is great, but way too low for me (I'm 1m80). Tall people will have to buy the optionnal wind screen.
INSTRUMENTATION The analog/digital instrumentation on the Kawasaki 1400 GTR (Concours 14) is simple, but the LCD screen is really good, and a lot of informations are available - Analog rev counter (Red zone at 10.500 RPM) - Analog tachymeter (up to 280km/h)
Digital display: - Odometer - Two trip meters - Fuel gauge - Gear position indicator - Clock - Remaining fuel: a very usefull feature as the fuel tanks is only 22l.
The range is not as good as on the 1000 GTR, I think you can ride something like 350kms. Nothint extraordinary for a tourer. - Tyres pressure.
RIDING A single word is enough to tell how riding the Kawasaki 1400 GTR is: EASY. Once seated, you feel immediately at ease. First gear? I already feel the bike flickable and easy.
Far easier than the Buelle XB12S for example. This Kawasaki 1400 GTR is a natural born easy tourer.
You don't believe me? Just try it...
Either on a straight road:
Or in curves:
Everything is easy (mmm.... did I allready told that?).
BRAKING Braking is pure wonder : the dual 300mm petal discs and four pistons axial callipers offer an excellent feedback and power.
Winnie, who followed me during the road test can tell : he was really astonished when I went from 180 to 70 km/h before entering a village.
He had to pass me on the right because he could not brake enough... We were not far from a bad situation...
The test bike has the ABS option. In order to activate the ABS, I really had to brake hard. The ABS effect is quite brutal but efficient. One more point? When leaning, braking doesn't pick up the bike.
FINAL DRIVE AND SUSPENSIONS The kawasaki Tetralever system developped for the 400 GTR is impressive.
Whenever you ride slowly or fast, you forget it except some slight knowks when re accelerating on the first gears. Anyway, this kind of bike is intended to be ridden in 5th or 6th gear (overdrive) and to use the huge torque when needed.
ENGINE AND TYRES I tested a French street legal bike (106HP french restriction). It's already an impressive bike with only 106HP, so I can only guess the feeling of the full power 1400 GTR version (155HP, 14 mkg).
The Kawasaki 1400 GTR is the most powerfull Sport Tourer. The sound is signed Kawasaki.
A little muffled, but I could still still feel the Kawasaki sport spirit.
Bridgestone BT21 are the standard tyres. Almost Casey Stoner's tyres :) They give excellent grip and feedback. They suit the bike perfectly.
CONCLUSION I'm a sportbikes addict. Whatever, I fell in love with the Kawasaki 1400 GTR : powerfull, comfortable, flickable.
What else can i ask for?
Thanks to Cottard Bike (Maromme – France -76) for the motorcycle.
Thanks to Cottard Bike (Maromme – France -76) for the bike.
KAWAMAN76 & WINNIE
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