Thinking of a Kawasaki?

[mcatrophy]

If anyone is interested, here is a review of Kawasaki's 1400GTR in a newspaper. This reviewer usually seems to be fairly honest in his opinions, and because this is a daily newspaper, not a bike rag, he doesn't have to worry about losing advertising revenue.

 

[twowheelnut]

Yep. That article confoims my thinking... no low end grunt, ****** range. It seems the writer feels it's a bit of a chore to run this machine in the twisties, too. Thanks for that link.

By the way, it's nice to see an English article using Imperial measure.

 

[Fencer]

This is part of a package of minor issues which detract from the fluidity a touring bike needs for relaxed mile-eating. Taller riders will find the wind noise from the top of the electrically height-adjustable screen intrusive, along with a hint of turbulence that buzzes at your helmet. The gearchange can be a touch too heavy, the ride quality is fussy and bouncy and the steering tucks in very slightly at low speeds, demanding constant pressure on the bars in tight turns.

That would go with the other thread

 

[Orient_Express]

If anyone is interested, here is a review of Kawasaki's 1400GTR in a newspaper. This reviewer usually seems to be fairly honest in his opinions, and because this is a daily newspaper, not a bike rag, he doesn't have to worry about losing advertising revenue.

Interesting that he left out the ST1300 as an alternative...

 

[twowheelnut]

This is part of a package of minor issues which detract from the fluidity a touring bike needs for relaxed mile-eating. Taller riders will find the wind noise from the top of the electrically height-adjustable screen intrusive, along with a hint of turbulence that buzzes at your helmet. The gearchange can be a touch too heavy, the ride quality is fussy and bouncy and the steering tucks in very slightly at low speeds, demanding constant pressure on the bars in tight turns.

That would go with the other thread

Yep, good point.

 

[pub610]

I confess, I wanted one of these. I really liked my Concours and figured the C14 would be a nice successor. But I got a pretty good deal on an '05 FJR and am glad I dead the deal. I'll probably get the C14 some day, but I'll wait 'til Gen II comes out with a bigger gas tank and I know ther are no bugs in the VVT.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Did you notice the prices for the Kawi, BMW and FJR? The current exchange rate is $2.11 to the British pound. We're getting a bargain on our bikes here in the states.

Jill

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Did you notice the prices for the Kawi, BMW and FJR? The current exchange rate is $2.11 to the British pound. We're getting a bargain on our bikes here in the states.
Jill

I thought stuff was cheaper for us if we had to exchange fewer dollars for pounds, yen, euro, drachma or whatever.

A weak dollar means we're getting screwed right?

 

[C&C]

It's beginning to appear that a move to a Kaw would be a more lateral move, than a move to a superior bike; so personal choice is the key here. At least with another competitive bike in the class, it may light the fire for Yamaha, to make the next generation of FJR aspire to a new benchmark level for the Sport Touring crowd.

 

[05fjrman]

I've been following the release of the C14, just out of interest in FJR competition. I finally got the chance to sit on one yesterday, and I was thoroughly unimpressed. Yeah, I would like the extra 30hp and 6 speed. The radial brakes and pedal rotors seem like they would be better than the FJR's. But I just didn't like the way it felt when I lifted it off the sidestand. Very heavy and very tall seat height. And it's got a wide seat, making that worse. I left feeling happy that I ride a Feejer, and then I opened it up on the ride home. Maybe I don't need the extra hp. :yahoo:

 

[Jaycen]

I've been following the release of the C14, just out of interest in FJR competition. I finally got the chance to sit on one yesterday, and I was thoroughly unimpressed. Yeah, I would like the extra 30hp and 6 speed. The radial brakes and pedal rotors seem like they would be better than the FJR's. But I just didn't like the way it felt when I lifted it off the sidestand. Very heavy and very tall seat height. And it's got a wide seat, making that worse. I left feeling happy that I ride a Feejer, and then I opened it up on the ride home. Maybe I don't need the extra hp. :yahoo:

extra 30 hp???? how do you figure?

 

[FJRMGM]

I'm totally underwhelmed by his report.. That fuel range is poor.

 

[markjenn]

On the range issue, I don't know where the guy got a 4.8 gallon capacity. It's 5.8 US, 22L UK, which is not 4.8 gallons. I suppose it's possible he's using imperial gallons, but I doubt it and if he is, then the mpg doesn't make any sense.

Makes you wonder how accurate the rest of the report is if they can't get something basic like this right.

- Mark

 

[bramfrank]

On the range issue, I don't know where the guy got a 4.8 gallon capacity. It's 5.8 US, 22L UK, which is not 4.8 gallons. I suppose it's possible he's using imperial gallons, but I doubt it and if he is, then the mpg doesn't make any sense.
Makes you wonder how accurate the rest of the report is if they can't get something basic like this right.

- Mark

He's in England - the ONLY gallons they use are Imperial - but I wonder if the fuel economy indicator knows about imperial gallons?

 

[markjenn]

On the range issue, I don't know where the guy got a 4.8 gallon capacity. It's 5.8 US, 22L UK, which is not 4.8 gallons. I suppose it's possible he's using imperial gallons, but I doubt it and if he is, then the mpg doesn't make any sense.
Makes you wonder how accurate the rest of the report is if they can't get something basic like this right.

- Mark

He's in England - the ONLY gallons they use are Imperial - but I wonder if the fuel economy indicator knows about imperial gallons?

It might be imperial, but then I don't think he's getting 37 miles/imperial gallon, which would be down around 31 mpg on normal gallons. The range on the C14 isn't particularly good, but it's not 180 miles to empty.

- Mark