She's gone !

[doebag]

Well it finally happened, Old Yeller has moved on to Kent and I am Vstromless. :violin:

Friend of mine at work expressed an interest when I was looking for a new bike, so she went on Saturday



Just over 86,000 miles between my arse and her seat, great times, and I know she will be pampered and looked after. She will look a lot better than she does in the picture, but that is what  nine winters of commuting do to a bike sometimes.

She has been replaced by a GTR1400



PS, my mate's daughter has already named her 'Buttercup'

[Juvecu]

Is it just me or does that Kwak's exhaust look too long?

[MartinW]

That's not an exhaust, that's a missile launcher !!

[Countrysailor]

Got to be the worst fitted exhaust I've ever seen. It 's a wonder it got past the design stage. I do like the handlebars though'. It looks like a comfortable set up, better than my old Pan Euro.

[macvisual]

Hi doebag:

wOw, I love those GTR-1400 Kwak's, the perfect touring tool, and that's a rare colour in green, beautiful looking, is it new? health to enjoy bro! Although I've never had the pleasure of test-riding one. We need feedback on how you like it and what's your initial thoughts/views etc???

Am I jealous.............? Just a we bit.


Superb machinery - enjoy lots!!!!

[doebag]

GTR is a bike I liked from when they first came out. My bike is new, so a lot of the niggles of the first couple of years have been ironed out.
Smooth engine, lots of toys like electric screen, traction,ABS, multi function on the dash for fuel,tyre pressures etc.
However there is absolutely no underseat storage ! just a small cubby box in the fairing which cannot even take the owners hand book !! So my bulb kit,first aid kit, tyre kit and all the rest now HAS to go in a tank bag.
Shaft drive, though now I am no longer doing the high mileages [ I will retire from the fire service in June ], chain maintainence is not such an issue.
Fairing mounted mirrors take some remembering,and with the hard luggage fitted, the bike feels really wide.
It does not feel as heavy as a Pan or RT, but heavier than a Vstrom.
The exhaust is huge, but I cannot see it when I am riding.

[Gassoon]

The weight of the gtr is low down though, you're going to have , er, ample power to hand there also!

Shame about the old strom, but nothing lasts forever...Good luck on the new steed, happy retirement in advance, doebag

[Locky]

I like the GTR , if I wanted a tourer its what id get ....The exhaust is small , this exaust is big  http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&hl= ... =105&ty=48

[wal750]

Doebag

Congrats on the new machine, I find it's great to get a new bike but always a certain amount of sadness selling a trusty steed.

How was the vee after all those miles? Was the engine still smooth, any oil burning etc?

[Piglumps]

That really is a nice bike you have there Doebag - 86k on the Strom is pretty darned good though..

[2112]

Enjoy the new bike, I tried one and they are a superb bit of kit. There are several options to cure the ugly exhaust  

[royzx7r]

Kawasaki's always.....always....have to be green.  No excuses!


Enjoy your new bike.

[doebag]

Doebag

Congrats on the new machine, I find it's great to get a new bike but always a certain amount of sadness selling a trusty steed.

How was the vee after all those miles? Was the engine still smooth, any oil burning etc?

I know the new owner will pamper the old girl, as for condition, well the engine was still oil tight with minimal oil use, the water pump seal had started to weep [ already replaced once by me ] but the clutch basket sounded like a bag of spanners falling down stairs. I just got used to it, but it really was in need of changing.
It never failed me engine wise, blew a battery in Scotland, couple of punctures, wheel bearings and minor stuff.
I have given my mate Steve the forum address, so the old girl might reappear on here .