Kawasaki GTR1400

Manic

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
2,918
Reaction score
0
Location
Winnipeg
This is the information I can find so far for the new Sport/tourer:

Here's the text of a descriptive article translated from Italian:

Kawasaki has its own take on Touring. The result is the new GTR1400 (2008 model year) that represents a totally new concept in high performance motorcycles: The Supersport Tourer.

Starting with an engine that offers breath-taking performance, impecable managebility, and an extremely comfortable riding position, the new GTR1400 incorporates technical solutions that make it unbeatable over long distances.

The new GTR1400 is built to a high standard, keeping true to the company's performance tradition. Thanks to being the first in its class to carry a VVT (Variable Valve Timing) system, and a variable distribution system (variable length induction???), the efficiency of the GTR engine is very impressive. Together the two provide power from very low and middle in the rev range, that'll stand your hair on end, as well as acceleration anywhere in the regime. Thanks to the new final drive system, via Tretra-Lever (similar to BMW's shaft drive???), that delivers power to the rear wheel with the same smooth action of a traditional chain drive.

Like its engine, the chassis of the GTR is based on the ZZR1400. There have been some modifications to the chassis and riding position to increase the comfort of this aluminum monocoque frame but its sport qualities remain intact. The new GTR 1400, as well as the ZZR1400, is dedicated to sharp handling thanks to the rigid chassis, the inverted fork, and other high tech touches. All this, combined with the latest generation ABS raises the braking to a level on par with the best Supersports, and make the new GTR1400 the only Tourer in the world with a monocoque, leaving the competition far behind.

In addition to Sport performance the new GTR1400 provides features like an electrically adjustable windshield, large capacity luggage, tire pressure sensors, KI-PASS (a swipe card ignition key), and an AC power source under the dash.

For those who cross countries and continents like others cross cities, the new GTR1400 gives more of everything than any other bike in its catergory.
 

Attachments

  • noticia1271.jpg
    noticia1271.jpg
    8.2 KB · Views: 108
  • GTR1400_pic.jpg
    GTR1400_pic.jpg
    76.2 KB · Views: 137
  • GTR1400_txt.jpg
    GTR1400_txt.jpg
    53 KB · Views: 109
Very interesting.

I just sold my 1989 Kawasaki ZX10, which I used for long distance sports touring for trips to Canada, Mexico and throughout the western USA reliably for over 16 years. Unfortunately, the bike just got too old & needed some fixing, so I just decided it was time to sell it.

I was thinking about buying a 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 to replace it. The FJR gets great reviews, but I don't like all of the angular lines on the bike, so I've held off buying it.

A previously purchased a 2002 BMW K1200RS in order to get a more up to date sport tourer, but the BMW I got was a piece of "sh*t that never stopped leaking oil from the front engine cover. The dealer replaced the cover 3 times and had the nerve to tell me that the ALUMINUM cover must be a "porus" casting. What a crock!

Anyway, ended up trading the BMW in after only 6 months for a 2002 Ducati 998, which I just loved to ride but wasn't really what I needed in a motorcycle, so I sold it and bought my 2002 Toyota MR2, which is a blast to drive through the twisties and which I have no intention of selling or trading in any time soon.

Ironically, the new Kawasaki GT1400 looks very much like the K1200RS I owned and very "BMWish" in that ugly BMW motorcycle kind of way, but I'll keep an eye out for it to see if it'll meet my sport touring needs. Thanks for the info!
 
Last edited:
No problem. A friend of mine has a '03 FJR and loves it but of course wants more power. I am not sure if 15 more hp will meet his needs but there are a lot of options this bike has that the FJR doesn't. We have been discussing a road trip from Winnipeg down to mexico. If you don't mind I would like to pm you for your thoughts.

Good luck in your search.

Will
 
Manic said:
This is the information I can find so far for the new Sport/tourer:

Here's the text of a descriptive article translated from Italian:

Kawasaki has its own take on Touring. The result is the new GTR1400 (2008 model year) that represents a totally new concept in high performance motorcycles: The Supersport Tourer.

Starting with an engine that offers breath-taking performance, impecable managebility, and an extremely comfortable riding position, the new GTR1400 incorporates technical solutions that make it unbeatable over long distances.

The new GTR1400 is built to a high standard, keeping true to the company's performance tradition. Thanks to being the first in its class to carry a VVT (Variable Valve Timing) system, and a variable distribution system (variable length induction???), the efficiency of the GTR engine is very impressive. Together the two provide power from very low and middle in the rev range, that'll stand your hair on end, as well as acceleration anywhere in the regime. Thanks to the new final drive system, via Tretra-Lever (similar to BMW's shaft drive???), that delivers power to the rear wheel with the same smooth action of a traditional chain drive.

Like its engine, the chassis of the GTR is based on the ZZR1400. There have been some modifications to the chassis and riding position to increase the comfort of this aluminum monocoque frame but its sport qualities remain intact. The new GTR 1400, as well as the ZZR1400, is dedicated to sharp handling thanks to the rigid chassis, the inverted fork, and other high tech touches. All this, combined with the latest generation ABS raises the braking to a level on par with the best Supersports, and make the new GTR1400 the only Tourer in the world with a monocoque, leaving the competition far behind.

In addition to Sport performance the new GTR1400 provides features like an electrically adjustable windshield, large capacity luggage, tire pressure sensors, KI-PASS (a swipe card ignition key), and an AC power source under the dash.

For those who cross countries and continents like others cross cities, the new GTR1400 gives more of everything than any other bike in its catergory.

BOOMER will sell these....Gary, what do you think?....This is badass...I would be intrested in one....when do they hit showrooms?

Walt
 
K-80-123 said:
BOOMER will sell these....Gary, what do you think?....This is badass...I would be intrested in one....when do they hit showrooms?

Walt

Probably this spring, Walt.


Will
 
Manic said:
No problem. A friend of mine has a '03 FJR and loves it but of course wants more power. I am not sure if 15 more hp will meet his needs but there are a lot of options this bike has that the FJR doesn't. We have been discussing a road trip from Winnipeg down to mexico. If you don't mind I would like to pm you for your thoughts.

Good luck in your search.

Will

I'd be happy to give you any help that I can to plan a motorcycle trip to Mexico.

Apart from occasional border crossings to Tijuana & Ensenada, Tecate (east of Tijuana), Sonoita (south of Organ Pipe National Monument) and Nogales (south of Tucson), I've been on 2 extended Mexican motorcycle tours.

One to the Colonial region east of Guadalajara and north of Mexico City (including San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato & Patzquaro) and a trip south along the coast to Matzatlan, a ferry trip to La Paz in Baja and then north to Ensenada (including a side trip to Copper Canyon (Mexico's Grand Canyon) by train.

My favorite Canadian tours were one to north to Prince Rupert via Prince George and south via a ferry trip to Vancouver Island and Victoria, and another to Jasper and south through Banff, which was just a small part of a 18 day tour through all of the major National Parks in the western US.

Feel free to PM me for any info you need.
 
the bike exists, the service manuels for the ZX14 had the new sport tour name printed on the cover by mistake!
 
BOOMER said:
the bike exists, the service manuels for the ZX14 had the new sport tour name printed on the cover by mistake!

My burning question....Think you or I could lay down 3 to 4 days of 500 mile stints on this bike without needing a team of hot Swedish massage therapists to get the cramps out ? :D
 
mmmmtorque said:
My burning question....Think you or I could lay down 3 to 4 days of 500 mile stints on this bike without needing a team of hot Swedish massage therapists to get the cramps out ? :D

I have the same question????
 
K-80-123 said:
I have the same question????

To clarify, I believe Gary is 6' 6" , I'm 6' 7" and can count the number of production bikes I comfortably fit on on one hand ;)

Of course then there is the generic question of how much tweaking was done to ergonomics for riders in general to be able to really use the "tour" part of this "sport tour" machine :D
 
mmmmtorque said:
To clarify, I believe Gary is 6' 6" , I'm 6' 7" and can count the number of production bikes I comfortably fit on on one hand ;)

Of course then there is the generic question of how much tweaking was done to ergonomics for riders in general to be able to really use the "tour" part of this "sport tour" machine :D
you know i think this one you can. the zx14 is really darn good as it is already. so this bike would be that much better for long commutes
 

Latest posts

Support Us

Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Back
Top