So the ZZR1400 is at 56k miles, it's still riding well but with my mileage its time to get something new.

Another ZZR is still a possibility but I'd been keen to hear from anyone who has had the 2 bikes in the title.

Any thoughts?

Had an XR just shy of a year...I can say without fear of contradiction it is a Sportsbike on stilts. They are tall...lowered versions are available but I was advised they are harsh.
Ask me what YOU want to know about the bike and I'll answer as best I can.

GT say no more

I'm 6ft 3 with a 36inch inside leg so superbike on stilts sounds grand!

Mainly interested in quirks, running costs day to day observations on real roads

Did a Euro trip circa 3500 miles...no hanging around some days...others days doing Passes etc...averaged 46mpg over the whole trip...insurance was way cheaper than current S1000R. The engine is a peach...pulls from everywhere...pop it in 6th and it will pull from 25mph to top speed...alternatively rev the nuts in every gear and it turns in to an animal. Switchgear is the weak point so make sure it all works and feels smooth...on cold start ups the Camchain slaps around and sounds like its ready to come through the engine casing...it lasts for about 0.5 of a second until oil pressure builds and fills the adjuster...normal...if it does it for longer there's an issue...revised tensioners or full camchain set. Try and buy a Euro 4 engined bike...bit more power over the whole rev range and soft camshaft issue sorted from 1st generation bike. Handling is top notch...brakes as with all BMW models are superb...they connect with your hand and brain to a level where you just feel the input.
A great bike...if honest a bit tall for me..I returned to an S1000R as I still haven't matured yet despite my birth certificate suggesting otherwise...but it has that engine...that creamy smooth powerhouse that just keeps on giving...this part alone makes me forgive the lesser parts.
No experience of KTM other than a lad on tour has GT...complaints were heat from rear cylinder and mid corner stability had him doubting the bike at times. I had a little tussle with a local on a Superduke 1290 on the XR...it got tasty but neither machine was for giving up.
Hope this helps.

H2 SX If you want the natural successor to the ZZR.

Quote from: David W on January 31, 2019, 07:14:20 AM
H2 SX If you want the natural successor to the ZZR.

It may be suggested...but every test the ZZR has the beating of it...supercharger still doesn't overcome cubic capacity.,

Buying new or used???

The 19MY Superduke GT is very different to the older one with both issues Alzo mentions addressed.

Big bikes are awesome. Depends if you're a v twin winner or IL4 loser really 

Quote from: The Wizard of MOz on January 31, 2019, 01:07:23 PM
Buying new or used???

The 19MY Superduke GT is very different to the older one with both issues Alzo mentions addressed.

Big bikes are awesome. Depends if you're a v twin loser or IL4 winner really 

Quote from: The Wizard of MOz on January 31, 2019, 01:07:23 PM
Buying new or used???

The 19MY Superduke GT is very different to the older one with both issues Alzo mentions addressed.

Big bikes are awesome. Depends if you're a v twin winner or IL4 loser really 

I haven't ridden the KTM but I rented the XR for a day last summer here in Austria while the Euro tour guys were over. I didn't get along with it. Technically, it's a very accomplished machine but something about it and me didn't agree. Particularly when going down to hairpins, the autoblipper on downchanges seemed to shoot me towards the corners I was braking for, and the linked brakes nearly caught me out once when I didn't realise they were linked and I was applying some front and back brake and the rear locked up two or three times and squirmed around as I was trying to get it turned. I was heading worryingly close to a tunnel entrance wall even though I wasn't going particularly fast.  There was very little engine braking too.

I liked the quickshifter, the engine was very smooth and hugely powerful if a bit characterless (I prefer some naughtiness and burbling on the overrun etc). But I've a feeling I would prefer the KTM. I thought I would love the XR but I was wrong. The only way to really know is to try them yourself.

Quote from: Alzo on January 31, 2019, 12:42:42 PM

Quote from: David W on January 31, 2019, 07:14:20 AM
H2 SX If you want the natural successor to the ZZR.

It may be suggested...but every test the ZZR has the beating of it...supercharger still doesn't overcome cubic capacity.,

What tests are they?  John McAvoy from PB reckons it runs rings round the ZZR.

Quote from: David W on January 31, 2019, 01:58:52 PM

Quote from: Alzo on January 31, 2019, 12:42:42 PM

Quote from: David W on January 31, 2019, 07:14:20 AM
H2 SX If you want the natural successor to the ZZR.

It may be suggested...but every test the ZZR has the beating of it...supercharger still doesn't overcome cubic capacity.,

What tests are they?  John McAvoy from PB reckons it runs rings round the ZZR.

One example...more to be found if you look.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.motorcyclenews.com/amp/news/2018/march/kawasaki-h2-sx-zzr1400-dyno/

Quote from: Raydial on January 31, 2019, 01:58:35 PM

Quote from: The Wizard of MOz on January 31, 2019, 01:07:23 PM
Buying new or used???

The 19MY Superduke GT is very different to the older one with both issues Alzo mentions addressed.

Big bikes are awesome. Depends if you're a v twin winner or IL4 loser really 

I haven't ridden the KTM but I rented the XR for a day last summer here in Austria while the Euro tour guys were over. I didn't get along with it. Technically, it's a very accomplished machine but something about it and me didn't agree. Particularly when going down to hairpins, the autoblipper on downchanges seemed to shoot me towards the corners I was braking for, and the linked brakes nearly caught me out once when I didn't realise they were linked and I was applying some front and back brake and the rear locked up two or three times and squirmed around as I was trying to get it turned. I was heading worryingly close to a tunnel entrance wall even though I wasn't going particularly fast.  There was very little engine braking too.

I liked the quickshifter, the engine was very smooth and hugely powerful if a bit characterless (I prefer some naughtiness and burbling on the overrun etc). But I've a feeling I would prefer the KTM. I thought I would love the XR but I was wrong. The only way to really know is to try them yourself.

It's great we're all different...I couldn't live with a V-Twin...actually I still find it incredible they still make them.

personally prefer the characteristics of a v-twin
the torque
the engine braking
the noise
and i suspect so do a lot of other people... and that is why they are still making them

this would be a no brainer for me, superduke all day long

Quote from: komp on January 31, 2019, 04:30:25 PM
personally prefer the characteristics of a v-twin
the torque
the engine braking
the noise
and i suspect so do a lot of other people... and that is why they are still making them

this would be a no brainer for me, superduke all day long

I'm only winding up Moz...all bikes are ace regardless of piston counts...and each to their own. 😊