SO today I collected my new (to me) GTR1400 and had an enjoyable little 65 mile ride back from Bradford to Bolton via a mixture of city traffic, open(ish) A roads and a touch of motorway, nothing too silly as she has a new rear tyre fitted
So how does she compare to my Bird(s) ?
Well straight away you're (pretty obviously really) sat much more upright and for some reason she feels smaller. She certainly seems easier in traffic than the Bird but then again I've had Givi E41s fitted which are wider than the birds mirrors, at least on the GTR the mirrors (which incidentally are the second best of any bike I've ridden, the best for me are still the old ST1100 mirrors) are the widest part of the bike.
She also feels less "aggressive" than the Bird and almost encourages a more relaxed riding style although she can certainly pick up her skirts (did I mention a new rear tyre?) should you so choose.
I do like the ability to alter the screen depending on where you are and what you're doing. Mine has a Vario laminar lip fitted and I found most of the time it was best in the fully down position with the lip in a mid position. Just let enough air hit the shoulders (I'm about5'10" with a 32" inside leg) whilst not giving any helmet buffering at (ahem) motorway speeds
That said taking the screen to about halfway took the air of the shoulders & arms and would probably be my preferred position for rain riding although this did increase helmet noise (but still no buffeting).
Luggage wise I knew the panniers had less capacity than the E41s but pleasingly they did contain the fitted bags. She also has the Kawasaki (rebadged Givi monolock) 39l top box fitted which will be fine for daily use but i think will probably get replaced with a larger item for longer trips.
Handling wise she felt nice & stable at all times but then again did I mention she has a new rear tyre on :whistling:
Overall my first impressions are very favourable and can , for me at least, be summed up as more touring than sport when compared to the Bird.
I like :clap: :clap:
