Now back to the real subject! Dunno what's been more frequent of late...Ponti falling off motorbikes...or me buying them!
Guy Allen wrote this a while back......
"Big tourer, medium price
It's very unusual to go through Glass's Dealer Guide (the industry bike valuation bible) and see a model that's listed with little change over a period of 15 years. There was a break of a year (1989) but not much else has happened, other than the inevitable price hikes with inflation.
For me, it was a little spooky to renew acquaintance with a bike that was launched all that time ago. In 1986 I was Assistant Ed on Australian Motorcycle News, and Features Ed Steve Hynes went on the Australian launch. I got to ride it a few months later, on a trip which had a little in common with Dr Hunter's Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, minus the Vegas. Let's not go there, just for the moment.
History
It's worth going back to 1985/86 when the GTR hit the motorcycle headlines. It was a big move for Kawasaki to come up with what's now regarded as a medium tourer. Brand K was best known for its high-performance road and dirt bikes, though it did have an entry in the heavy tourer stakes - namely the Z1300 Voyager, which was a USA-only model.
The idea of a medium tourer wasn't new, if you looked at what BMW had produced (e.g. R100RT, K100RT), but Kawa was the first Japanese manufacturer to seriously pitch in this area. Honda was to follow later with its ST1100.
It wasn't a bad idea: give the punters a motorcycle with serious touring kit like fairing and panniers, but with some measure of sporting ability thanks in part to decent brakes and a willing engine. In Australia, Kawasaki made a lot of noise about this being a sports-capable bike with strong touring credentials.
What you got was a variation on the GPz900R/GPz1000RX powerplant mated to shaft drive and the touring gear. Kawasaki promised it would be on the market unchanged for five years, while it provided a plate near the left-hand sidecover which could be engraved with the proud owner's name. There was an air of exclusivity and brand-building. You even scored a chain-type security lock as part of the package.
On the road
So how does it stack up today? Not bad, as it happens, particularly given the rec retail price of $16,290.
What you get is about 90-100 horses, though I don't have accurate figures and the bike has had to go through ever-increasing noise restrictions during its model life.
Urge is adequate. It's quite happy to just slope around at low revs, though if you get up the higher end of the tacho range (redline is 10,500) it puts in some respectable performances. Not earth-shattering, but enough. Upper mid-range is a bit flat, so you tend to ride the ample torque at low revs or have a fang.
There's an annoying buzzing in the handlebars at 100kmh in top (but not at 95 or 110), and it would be worth fitting foam handlebar grips to minimise it.
Gear selection is accurate, though lever travel between gears is longer than what we've become accustomed to on current machinery.
Suspension and steering are predicatable. There's air-preload up front and the test bike felt good in the dry. The front end didn't inspire confidence in the wet. The front and rear on our bike weren't well-matched. I'd be inclined to work the stock adjustments so they talk to each other better, and eventually investigate upgrading the rear for serious two-up use.
Steering speed is about medium for this class, though accuracy could be improved - again, careful owner adjustment will have a big impact.
Braking is fine, if not cutting-edge. The front stoppers are basic two-piston items - not rocket science, though there's good feel at the lever.
Cornering clearance is very good. Footpegs and centrestand touch down first.
Creature comforts
This is where the GTR works well. The fairing, which has a look vaguely reminscent of the Vetter touring offerings from a decade before the GTR's launch, provides ample coverage. There's a lip on the top of the screen of post-1990 models (available as an accessory before then), which taller riders will apreciate. At 6'3" in old measure, I copped some wind noise (that's what earplugs are for) but no buffeting. This makes it the most effective in its class - regardless of age.
Seating is generous and well-padded. Again, one of the best set-ups in the class. Some riders might be uncomfortable with the slightly forward lean to the handlebars, though I recommend adapting to it rather than changing an otherwise effective arrangement.
Pillions will like the legroom, but the grab handles are too low - a bit of creative work with brackets would fix this. I'd also fit a topbox from day one.
The rider cops some heat on the lower legs from the powerplant, minimised by air-scoops on the fairing that are supplied as part of the package. Leave them on in summer - remove them in winter.
Speaking of the pilot, you get some nice stuff like adjustable clutch and brake lever, plus two analogue trip meters, and a couple of useful fairing pockets.
Mr Practical
Though not colour-matched, the panniers are mounted solidly and work well enough. They're wide (same width as the mirrors), and will take a standard helmet shell size. Larger Shoei and Arai items won't fit. You also cop lots of ocky strap hooks and a couple of helmet locks.
The radiator and oil cooler have stone screens fitted standard, while the forks have protective blades. Oh, and I should mention the monster 28-litre fuel tank. Ten out of ten points for thinking of the touring customer.
Good thing?
The price is good when you look at it compared to an ST1100 or similar - real good. It's not so competitive when you look over the fence at other vaguely-related possibles such as Triumph Sprint ST with bags or Cagiva Navigator (ditto).
However, if you want a big motorcycle with pukka touring kit (albeit not the latest generation), it's well-priced. You could do a lot to improve the stock package without spending a fortune, and
it would last.
Something I didn't mention till now is the GTR has a very distinctive Kawasaki feel. Solid, even a little industrial compared to the brand's own more current offerings. There's nothing wrong with that.
This is one you buy for the long-term - to use often and enjoy."
I've highlighted it' most redeeming feature!
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
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What I can't wait for is next years Snowies to the supers trip! Gos up front on the 12, me chasing him down on the GTR and you........................Well hopefully this time you won't be fossicking for gold! 
You're sick!!! She's 65 FFS!!! 
