How Do You Improve The Poor Steering Characteristics : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Belco100 · 07-20-2009, 10:01 AM

Hi to all,

I currently own a Tiger 1050 and have just got rid of my Sprint 1050. I also have a ‘97 Trophy 1200 with a Daytona engine kicking out around 125rwhp. I have been looking at the 1400GTR for nearly a year now as I am getting old and want a fast, good handling sports tourer

Well, I had my test ride last weekend. Before I got there I was looking forward to bargaining out a deal and the 0% finance that they have got at the moment and was actually going to buy one. They wheeled it out for me, went through the gizmos and then my wife jumped on the back and off we went.

By the time I had hit the first roundabout I had realised that this is probably the worst steering bike I have ridden for years. All the weight seems to be on the front and it just wants to flop into corners. You really need to muscle it to go where you want. As the speed picked up the steering got a bit better and the suspension felt quite plush, but it still didn’t handle as well as my 12 year old Trophy.

I had read a bit about the screen, and in the lower position looks good and the wind hit me square on the shoulders, which was fine. But as I raised it the wind protection wasn't bad but the noise was terrible.

My questions to everyone are:

1. Can you make these things handle and steer better?
2. Can you get a screen that doesn’t look like a barn door to work?

It was such a disappointment I went and tried a BMW K1300 GT on the way home. That felt so much better to me - Sporty riding position, fast engine (a lot lower gearing helped), the screen worked well and then there is traction control and Sport Mode for the suspension, and my wife noticed the heated rear seat button (not that we needed it this weekend). Only problem is the £14,000 price tag and 13.9% APR – and it’s a BMW!

JBearSVT · 07-20-2009, 10:09 AM

You could always try out the ZX14... most of the magazines have actually given it higher marks than the Concourse as a sport tourer. I'm sure it isn't quite as plush, but it'll sure as hell handle better and it doesn't have the barn door. :)

cherokee · 07-20-2009, 02:04 PM

Hi buddy,interested in your post,if its the bike i tested at colchester kawasaki,id say the tires are shagged.I went there and tested it and couldnt believe how much counter steering i had to put in to get it to turn,it was crap compared to my 1150gsa,but i bought one new from vines in Rayleigh and mate the bike handles like a dream rolls into corners with ease i took a chance cause i really wanted one and im well pleased,try another or just go for it because the one i tested was bad but the one i bought is great.Oh and i got it for £1200 less so happy days...........

philipintexas · 07-20-2009, 04:10 PM

I think the biggest improvement comes with different tires. I like the PR2s.

Belco100 · 07-21-2009, 02:54 AM

Cherokee

You are right; it was the Colchester Kawasaki one. I went there for a test ride (Vines is just down the road from me, but doesn’t do test rides), and considering they run a BSB race team I couldn’t believe haw bad the bike was. I know these bikes are supposed to be good and get a good write up. I really wanted to like the 1400 and like I felt like I had had my dog put down after the test ride, I was so disappointed.

When did you get yours and is it standard? Are you near Southend?

cherokee · 07-21-2009, 11:55 AM

I was just the same mate was really dissapointed,their bike handled so bad,i think the tyres are squared off,you ride out of their shop and most people head straight on to the A12.But id researched the bike loads and all reports from eveywhere said how good it handled.I decided having had and ridden loads of sports and sports tourers there was no way the gtr could handle as crap as theirs did so i took the chance and three weeks ago me and a mate bought one each from vines.Colchester wanted £11699 vines did me an 09 in sapphire blue for £10500.And i gotta say im well pleased with the bike it handles excellent is like riding ice on ice the build is fantastic.One thing i would say is if you're edging for the Beemer its alot of bucks for not a better bike,my mates just bought a K1300s,£14000 and he's having probs already and the service he's getting from Cannons is shite.PS the GTR screen is the only minus for me but thanks to the guys here im gonna invest in a cee baileys eurocut screen and get me some still air behind it...Hope this helps

grumpy2 · 07-21-2009, 01:55 PM

the tyres are the problem on the bike u tested i know of only 1 person who has refitted bridgestones on the GTR they r crap, read all the threads about tyeres that will tell u and help which ones to use, the bike is brilliant, i have just fitted Pirelli's angels bedding in nice, have previously had storms that where good hope this helps.

pedrogordo · 07-22-2009, 03:55 AM

Hi

I allways say that there's only a problem when many people says the same thing! Well, Belco100, I had some difficulty on reading your post. I didn't understand it?!!

Compare a GTR 1400 to a Throphy 1200 is like comparing a BMW M3 with a truck SCANNIA or VOLVO.

Like others GTR owners, I'm very satisfied woth GTR 1400. I've had a Pan European 1300 for 3 years and a FJR 1300. I've ride BMW K1300GT several times and I'm sure GTR 1400 is the best bike in the class, at least in the sporty side.

The unit you tried should have a problem in the tires or in the suspension. The stering and handling are wonderfoul in GTR.

My GTR 1400 has 2 months and 4.000km. I've ordered a pair of Metzeler Z6 Interact, because I simply don't like the OEM Bridgestone BT-021. Even the old BT-020 were better. The BT-021 makes the GTR heavy and they are a mess in the rain.

NOTE: sorry my "portuguese" english.

Regards,

Belco100 · 07-22-2009, 07:01 AM

Pedrogordo,

My 1200 Trophy actually handled very well. We had a Speed Triple Challenge race series in the UK in the mid ‘90s, and the Trophy has the same chassis. Fit the same suspension and you have a big tourer that handles like a mid nineties sports bike. But that was the problem, I expected the 1400GTR to be a lot better, and it wasn’t. It was actually worse. It does seem that it is mainly down to tyre choice.

Cherokee,

How do you find Vines for Service?

cherokee · 07-23-2009, 01:28 AM

Iv found vines real helpful and have friends who use them loads and find them on the ball.colchester kawasaki are great also friend was well pleased with their work,so if your gonna buy one go see vines and then you can choose who you want to service it.....

GT-Ron · 08-03-2009, 07:10 AM

You said the bike you tested rode was plush. I would not really classify mine as plush, at least not the way I have it set up. Apparentally there is some sort of tire issue with the test bike in question, but I would also encourage you to take a look at the suspension settings. Could be that it needs to be adjusted a little fimer. That's where I have found my best handling even though it does make the bumpy parts a bit harsher.

Hitman · 08-08-2009, 03:46 AM

One thing about demo bikes as well apart from shagged tyres is that they don't keep the pressures up. Tyre pressures are critical on this bike especially with the OEM's. Check that you have 42 F & R when you take the bike out for a demo. Any less when cold will give you crap / heavy steering.