Okay, so I’ve been eyeballing the Kawasaki GTR-1400 for a while now. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s a beast of a machine, and the idea of eating up miles on that thing just gets me going. I finally pulled the trigger and got myself a used one, in pretty good shape, I might add. So I got some time to test and play with it, and now I am gonna share my experience with you guys.
First off, getting it home. I went to look at it and make sure that everything looks good, and paid for it, then I arranged a trailer to pick it up. Man, seeing it strapped down on that trailer, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. The previous owner had kept it garaged, and honestly, it looked almost new. We got it unloaded, and I just stood there for a minute, admiring it. That’s when the real fun began.
Familiarization
- First Ride: I started with some short rides around my neighborhood. Just getting a feel for the weight, the balance, you know? It’s a big bike, no doubt, but it handles surprisingly well. The clutch, the throttle, everything felt smooth. The guy I bought it from said he had it serviced before putting it up for sale. I hope that is true. I started to ride it and make sure everything was good.
- Highway Test: Once I felt a bit more comfortable, I took it out on the highway. That’s where this thing really shines. It’s like it was built for it. Cruising at 70-80 mph, it’s so stable, so planted. And the power… oh man, the power. You twist that throttle, and it just goes. No drama, just smooth, powerful acceleration.
- Longer Trip: After a few weeks of these shorter rides, I decided to go for a longer trip. I planned a route that took me through some backroads, some twisties, and a good stretch of highway. It was about 300 miles round trip. It did great! And I tested its handling ability, the feeling of cruising, and power. That’s when I realized I was totally in love with this bike.
Conclusion
The GTR-1400 is everything I hoped it would be. It’s comfortable, it’s powerful, and it’s just a joy to ride. It is like a very good friend of mine now. I’ve put a few thousand miles on it already, and I’m planning some longer trips for the summer. I even started thinking about some upgrades – maybe a new exhaust, some better luggage. We’ll see. If any of you are thinking about getting one, I say go for it. You won’t regret it.
I will keep updating you guys about my experience with this bike. Maybe I will share more about the maintenance, or some cool trips I have done. Hope this is helpful!