Gtr Specifications Update

[Kaiser Soze]

Originally Posted by JamminJere

Well the new FJR1300A is about 582lbs dry.... thats a whole 33 pounds difference.. and the ST is probably about the same amount more than the C1400.. again, we are talking about what? 3 to 5 percent difference in total weight.

And you can feel that difference on the street?..

First, let me say that I like your less passionate tone much better. In fact, your use of a less passionate tone, seems to have caused me to re-evaluate whether the weight difference is really that significant. And I have to say, that compared to the present FJR, and the K12GT as well, the difference, being in the range of 3% to 5% as you correctly point out, is not what I would consider a significant difference.

However, my situation is a little different, and in order to appreciate my dissatisfaction with the weight of the C-14, you have to put on my shoes. As compared to the '03 FJR sans ABS, which can still be bought slightly used, the difference, now more like 10%, starts to become significant. Especially when you consider that my issue with the weight has very little to do with how it feels once I am under way, and has more to do with things such as how difficult it will be for me to hold it upright while stopped on a cross-wise slope, or making a U-turn on a steep slope. Or for that matter, just being able to maneuver it in parking lots, or push it around in the garage, etc. We have entire towns here in Colorado where the only flat places to be found are inside the buildings.

When I placed the order for the FJR, on the very day that the program began in March or April of '02, my intent was to replace the XX. That never happened, for several reasons, one of which is that the '03 FJR *feels* so much heavier than the XX. When news of the new K12GT first came out, I was all excited over the possibility of it being the replacement for both the XX and the FJR. But then before it arrived, all of the reports of the excessive engine vibration in the other models with that engine, dashed my hopes. When news of the C-14 came out, I had the same hopes once again. In hindsight, perhaps I was foolish for ever thinking that it would weigh much less than it does, but hindsight is 20/20, and given that it was to be based on the ZX-14, I was keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that it would weigh about the same as my '03 FJR, given that the ZX-14 was at least 75 lbs lighter than my '03 FJR. It seemed reasonable to me that you could transform the ZX-14 into a "sport-tourer" without adding more than 75 lbs.

Originally Posted by JamminJere

Sorry you lost me there... but I understand everyone has their own likings as to what they want in a motorcycle..

I personally did not see anything on this forum that qualified as "whining". Not one person jumped up and down hollering, "It's Hogzilla!" Nothing of that sort took place. Only a couple or three people, in a very moderate, dispassionate tone, made note of its weight, and expressed, using a reasonably moderate tone, their dissatisfaction. I see nothing whatsoever wrong with doing that on a forum such as this.

Originally Posted by JamminJere

And I never insinuated anyone was a fat obese slob...

Looking back, I realize that you did not. I erroneously connected this:

Originally Posted by JamminJere

...its an obese slob crap...

with this:

Originally Posted by JamminJere

come on whiners... lose some weight... go to the gym...

Part of the reason that I did not look at it more carefully, and part of the reason for my overall reaction, is because frankly, I was a little repulsed by this:

Originally Posted by JamminJere

...did I **** this morning...
...a pinch of **** if ...

For the record, I still fully intend to take a test ride on the C-14, and I would not do that if I did not think that there was a reasonable chance that I would buy one. At present, I'd say that the probability is around 50/50. Two weeks ago, I would have said 80/20. I'm keeping an open mind about it. Perhaps what I need to do is go ahead and sell the FJR, and then ask myself how badly I want a bike that will be more suitable for trips that last more than one day, knowing that if I get it, it will be in addition to, and not a replacement for the XX. Speaking of the XX, if I get up early enough in the morning ...

[08CC14]

Originally Posted by UsualSuspect

:From: a fit, lean, little, old, grey hair'd, appropriate weight speedster, sonny
.

Hahahahaha,,,, crackin' me up! Yeah, me too... 48 and showin' a bit o' gray myself.

[Shorty Long]

Originally Posted by 08CC14

Hahahahaha,,,, crackin' me up! Yeah, me too... 48 and showin' a bit o' gray myself.

My children think I'm getting old, and my wife thinks "I haven't grown-up yet" it doesn't bother me. I'm retired, I can just do it (Ride), every day, often days on end.. Motorcycles in the blood keep ya young.
.
Carpe' Diem on a motorcycle

[Jasperbob]

Finally! Just hit the Kawasaki USA web site

Seat Height 32.1"

Dry Weight 606 lbs. 615 lbs. (ABS model)

[Shortcircuit]

Originally Posted by Jasperbob

Finally! Just hit the Kawasaki USA web site

Seat Height 32.1"

Dry Weight 606 lbs. 615 lbs. (ABS model)

Hey the USA have got 7llbs less than the rest of the world

Headlines in Motor Cycle News UK:
Worldwide slump in sales of 1400GTR due to overweight bikes
Angry bikers demand their deposits back!

[JamminJere]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Soze

.........However, my situation is a little different, and in order to appreciate my dissatisfaction with the weight of the C-14, you have to put on my shoes. As compared to the '03 FJR sans ABS, which can still be bought slightly used, the difference, now more like 10%, starts to become significant...........



You are right, 10% is significant at low speeds and in hilly terrain, or just pushing it around, especially if top heavy. Seat height could come into play on cross-slope. I know just turning my 2000 conk around on hilly terrain or stopping with a hard slope off to the right is a little touchy, dont want to high center and have to touch down with the right boot, only to realize there's nothing there to touchdown onto until its way to heavy to hold upright. So yes, I'm in your shoes..


................. When news of the C-14 came out, I had the same hopes once again. In hindsight, perhaps I was foolish for ever thinking that it would weigh much less than it does, but hindsight is 20/20, and given that it was to be based on the ZX-14, I was keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that it would weigh about the same as my '03 FJR, given that the ZX-14 was at least 75 lbs lighter than my '03 FJR. It seemed reasonable to me that you could transform the ZX-14 into a "sport-tourer" without adding more than 75 lbs...............


Again, all points taken that seems realistic to me too.. well at least hopefully realistic.




..............I personally did not see anything on this forum that qualified as "whining". Not one person jumped up and down hollering, "It's Hogzilla!" Nothing of that sort took place. Only a couple or three people, in a very moderate, dispassionate tone, made note of its weight, and expressed, using a reasonably moderate tone, their dissatisfaction. I see nothing whatsoever wrong with doing that on a forum such as this............


Actually, I saw this issue on several forums, and took out my frustrations mostly on this one... Not fair I admit




..........Part of the reason that I did not look at it more carefully, and part of the reason for my overall reaction, is because frankly, I was a little repulsed by this.........



Didn't mean to repulse you with those four asteriks.... sorry about that.. my sarcastic nature for an even lighter bike


.................For the record, I still fully intend to take a test ride on the C-14, and I would not do that if I did not think that there was a reasonable chance that I would buy one. At present, I'd say that the probability is around 50/50. Two weeks ago, I would have said 80/20. I'm keeping an open mind about it. Perhaps what I need to do is go ahead and sell the FJR, and then ask myself how badly I want a bike that will be more suitable for trips that last more than one day, knowing that if I get it, it will be in addition to, and not a replacement for the XX. Speaking of the XX, if I get up early enough in the morning ...

For your sake, I hope the C-14 feels much lighter in the hands than your FJR, and that low center should also feel light years different manuvering at slow speeds and in your garage... which is where I hope one ends up

See you on the road,

Jerry

[08CC14]

Originally Posted by Shortcircuit

Hey the USA have got 7llbs less than the rest of the world

According to my conversions... we are getting exactly what everyone else is getting.

279 kg = 615 lb (ABS model)
815 mm = 32 inches
22 ltr = 5.8 gal

Glad to see the final specs are out... no more guessing. :)