Kawasaki GTR1400 Sport Tourer!

[sgoat]

Just got my May 2006 edition of Cycle World, and in the "Roundup" section they are reporting on an article spotted in a Japanese Mag noted for being very reliable for breaking news about upcoming models. They are suggesting the long in the tooth Concours (of which I was once a proud owner) is soon to be replaced by a "GTR1400". Yea I know, we've heard this all before, but the computer generated image looks very believable. They go on to say "based on the 186 hp ZX-14, the GTR would get higher handlebars, a taller windscreen, color matched saddledbags and shaft drive".

The last time I was so impressed was in 2002 when I first laid eyes on the FJR. It's great to have choices and I like seeing the Sport-Touring market getting more attention. Check it out !! :clap:

 

[Warchild]

There is a photo of this bike (a black GTR1400 with hard bags) in this month's issue of BiKe magazine (a UK rag). Same photo, perhaps?

 

[sgoat]

Can't say since I haven't seen it (this one is silver), but I have seen some other pics in the Euro-rags and this one IMHO is way more finished. I was out looking for the photo on the web but haven't yet succeeded. Keep ya posted

P.S. I just looked at the article again, and it looks to me like they used an FJR muffler for the "computer enhanced " image. Gee, wonder if my Leo Vince's would bolt up!! :lol:

 

[GOPHER]

Hope it happens. Kawasaki is WAAAAAY overdue for a new sport tourer.

Doesn't the Concours come with a club in the toolkit for fighting off dinosaurs?

 

[skyway]

Like this? :reading:

 

[trinibob]

cycle world may 2006

here is the pic they have

 

[skyway]

The note of 186hp just warms my heart.

If this bike comes to market, without being dulled down from the current ZX14, and there are no mechanical surprises, I will be tempted.

Nothing like an old mans bagger, that can do the quarter mile under 9.5 seconds in stock trim should put an end the connie jokes. :dribble:

I've almost given up on the might of honda to do something special like this, and I hope right now that Yamaha are cooking up an improved replacement to keep pace with its competition. Sport touring never looked so good.

 

[BrunDog]

We were talking about this in the yet to be restored thread.

Skyway's is the photo-chopped version.

Trinibob's is a new one by me - shows shaft drive, too, although it looks oddly familiar!?!

I can't see ABS rings on either, but obviously a real bike would be a year off, minimum. Either way, more STs in the marketplace and more competition is good for all of us!! ~200hp motors are especially good! Bring it on.

-BD

 

[Toecutter]

here is the pic they have

That thing would do. I think I'd call it Sport Tourer Unlimited!

I wonder how the valve guides are? I bet it'd come in red. We could do a group buy. The worst part would be that I'd miss the company the FJR has provided.

The note of 186hp just warms my heart.

It warms me a bit south of my heart.

 

[madmike2]

Trinibob's is a new one by me - shows shaft drive, too, although it looks oddly familiar!?!

But the Kawi does look good with the FJR bags, modified tailpiece, shaftdrive, foot peg brackets and mufflers. Hmmmm, the best of both worlds?

If they build it, we will come!?!?!? As with Toecutter, I'd miss the comraderie of this board.

 

[Toecutter]

If they build it, we will come!?!?!?

Well, I wouldn't go that far, but it would definitely have me breathing hard with an accelerated pulse.

 

[twowheelnut]

Yuk! Looks like the guy fired by Bob Lutz for designing the Aztec and other such barf mobiles at Pontiac has resurfaced at Kawasaki! Thanks, but I'll save my coin for something a little less fugly.

I do remember reading somewhere that this is the Euro/Asia only model and we are to get something else based on the 1400 motor... Anyone? :dntknw:

 

[Windjammer]

Thanks, but I'll save my coin for something a little less fugly.

+1

Even if it looked better, I'd need to see more of the spec sheet before getting too excited.

 

[Toecutter]

Yuk! Looks like the guy fired by Bob Lutz for designing the Aztec and other such barf mobiles at Pontiac has resurfaced at Kawasaki! Thanks, but I'll save my coin for something a little less fugly.

Well, you haven't seen it from the back, and that's probably the only way you'll be seeing it anyhow. I gave the Z06 a good look from behind yesterday, for much the same reason.

 

[skyway]

It 'ain't the prettiest of bikes, but a taste of that kind of technology in a comfy riding position, I know I can overcome a lot of the fugliness.

And who's talking about dumping the FJR, it would become the Goldwing of the family for wifey and I. The 1400 would be rigged up as a solo unit, hello open desert. :dribble:

It does appear that the Japanese are slowly catching on that if they build a bike with a wicked fast engine, remove the ridiculous race track only required tuck position in favor of comfortable ergonomics, and package it with real world features like shaft drive, decent range, low maintenance schedule and retain the hi-tech components, folks will take interest.

I'll take mine in 200mph silver TYVM.

 

[BrunDog]

Y'know, shaft drive is cool for the ultra-tourers, but I wouldn't mind the chain. Easy maintenance, less driveline lash, beat on it all day and replace the sprockets easy-peasy, change the final ratio at will, and LESS WEIGHT are serious benefits in a bleeding edge ST like this one can be. X ring chain is good to go for many miles, certainly enough for many of us.

-BD

 

[skyway]

Shaft drive would add some weight, but a chain would require lubing every 500 or so miles? I guess a Scottoiler would take care of it.

Drain bolt and a shot of final drive oil would still be my preference, as long as the shaft drive unit doesn't hamper with the claim that the 1400 is smoother than the XX.

 

[Toecutter]

Y'know, shaft drive is cool for the ultra-tourers, but I wouldn't mind the chain. Easy maintenance, less driveline lash, beat on it all day and replace the sprockets easy-peasy, change the final ratio at will, and LESS WEIGHT are serious benefits in a bleeding edge ST like this one can be. X ring chain is good to go for many miles, certainly enough for many of us.

Shat drive would add some weight, but a chain would require lubing every 500 or so miles? I guess a Scottoiler would take care of it.

In my case, over twice a month on average. BD's, about twice a year. I'll stick with the shaft drive bike.

 

[Rentaroo]

It Kawi doesn't stray too far from the reported "facts"......I will be all over it. I've always been a Kawi fan.....strong motors......good handling......lots to like.

I really enjoy my FJR though......hmm.....could be a very difficult choice...

Oh yeah, someone forgot to photoshop passenger pegs onto the Kawi in Cycle World....not having passenger pegs would definitely be a deal breaker