GTR1400 (2007 - present) review

In this molly-coddled, nappy-wearing world Kawasaki stick out like a sore thumb. The Kawasaki marque has always been about power and speed and despite ever-increasing legislation they stick to their guns. Big Kawasaki guns. For this, they are to be saluted.

Sometimes they make rather heavy bikes, sometimes they haven't gone round corners very well, but Kawasakis always make lots of horsepower and go extremely fast. And that is, after all, what motorcycles are supposed to do.

So when they launched their new Kawasaki GTR1400 super-tourer in the rain-lashed Alsace region near the French/Swiss border, Kawasaki have come out with all guns blazing. At the press conference there was no cocking about with dreamy images or girly voice-over, instead we were treated to a pounding re-hashed edit of 'Eye of the Tiger' and video images of the GTR kicking the shit out of corners. ZZR1400 power and Kawasaki's ethos of maximum speed had just invaded the previously peaceful world of sports-touring. Goodness gracious, I nearly spilt my tea.

It's a hell of a thing, this Kawasaki. It looks damn imposing just sat there: muscular lines, bulging bodywork, built-in panniers (that don't leak) with speed strakes down the side, massive shotgun exhaust pointing way out the back. The shaft-drive castings are a work of art, the build quality is extremely high and with plenty of stainless steel and solid anodizing, it's a sensation confirmed when you sit on the bike for the first time. It feels solid. Kawasaki have really done their homework on this one, and the whole bike exudes an air of purpose and excellence. The GTR's a bit aloof actually, the new bully on the block making the FJR1300 and Pan European look a bit weedy by comparison. Is it intimidating? No, but it's a whole lot of motorbike and it commands a certain respect.

Click to read the rest of the GTR1400 Kawasaki review.

In this molly-coddled, nappy-wearing world Kawasaki stick out like a sore thumb. The Kawasaki marque has always been about power and speed and despite ever-increasing legislation they stick to their guns. Big Kawasaki guns. For this, they are to be saluted.

Sometimes they make rather heavy bikes, sometimes they haven't gone round corners very well, but Kawasakis always make lots of horsepower and go extremely fast. And that is, after all, what motorcycles are supposed to do.

So when they launched their new Kawasaki GTR1400 super-tourer in the rain-lashed Alsace region near the French/Swiss border, Kawasaki have come out with all guns blazing. At the press conference there was no cocking about with dreamy images or girly voice-over, instead we were treated to a pounding re-hashed edit of 'Eye of the Tiger' and video images of the GTR kicking the shit out of corners. ZZR1400 power and Kawasaki's ethos of maximum speed had just invaded the previously peaceful world of sports-touring. Goodness gracious, I nearly spilt my tea.

It's a hell of a thing, this Kawasaki. It looks damn imposing just sat there: muscular lines, bulging bodywork, built-in panniers (that don't leak) with speed strakes down the side, massive shotgun exhaust pointing way out the back. The shaft-drive castings are a work of art, the build quality is extremely high and with plenty of stainless steel and solid anodizing, it's a sensation confirmed when you sit on the bike for the first time. It feels solid. Kawasaki have really done their homework on this one, and the whole bike exudes an air of purpose and excellence. The GTR's a bit aloof actually, the new bully on the block making the FJR1300 and Pan European look a bit weedy by comparison. Is it intimidating? No, but it's a whole lot of motorbike and it commands a certain respect.

Click to read the rest of the GTR1400 Kawasaki review.