Kawasaki 1400GTR
Encyclopedia
The Kawasaki 1400GTR, also known as the Concours 14 or ZG1400 in some markets, is a motorcycle
produced by Kawasaki
. The 1400GTR was introduced in September 2007 and is based on the ZX-14
platform.
It replaces the original GTR1000 (Concours), which was built from 1986 to 2006.
16-valve inline-four with a displacement of 1352 cc. It features variable valve timing
, derived from a Mitsubishi Motors
car engine, which allows the phasing of the intake camshaft
to be advanced by up to 24°. At the time of its launch in 2007, it was the only motorcycle engine to feature variable valve timing.
The fuel injected
engine on the 2008 and 2009 models has a power output of 114 kW at 8,800 rpm and produces torque of 136 N·m (100.3 ft·lbf) at 6,200 rpm. The ram-air intake
on the 2010 model increases power to 117.6 kW.
The bike's rear suspension-drive system is known as Tetra-Lever and is similar to the BMW
Paralever and Moto Guzzi
CARC systems. It is designed to handle the conflicting drive and suspension forces (known as shaft effect
) typical when shaft-driven motorcycles carry powerful engines.
The 1400GTR is fitted with a keyless ignition
, KIPASS (Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System), which means that no key is needed to start the bike as long as the rider is carrying the coded transponder—typically in a pocket.
From launch the 1400GTR had the option of an anti-lock braking system
(ABS). In 2010, Kawasaki added KTRC, a traction control system
, and replaced the previous ABS systems with K-ACT (Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology), an improved system with power-assisted brake force redistribution.
K-ACT is also a combined braking system
in which both the front and rear brakes are applied in differing amounts depending on whether the front brake lever or rear brake pedal is used. The rider is able to select, using a handlebar switch, the amount of front brake force applied when the rear brake pedal is used.
The traction control uses the ABS sensors to detect when the front and rear wheel speeds differ—reducing rear wheel speed by telling the engine management system to reduce power output.
which are optional in some markets and standard in others.
The 2010 model also features revised bodywork to improve engine cooling, mirrors raised by 40 mm (1.6 in), a larger wind screen and with memory function, a handlebar-mounted switch to control the dash computer, variable heated grips, and an eco-mode switch that tells the ECU
to use a leaner, more economical air-fuel ratio
at engine speeds less than 6,000 rpm and road speed less than 80 mph (35.8 m/s). The tank-mounted storage area was removed and replaced with an auto-locking glove box
in the left fairing, the exhaust silencer cap was changed, the instrument cluster illumination was changed from red to white, included key sets were changed from two active fobs/keys to one active fob/key and one passive mini fob/key, and the front fork
fluid levels were increased by 25ml.
magazine Motorcycle of the Year awards.
It was also named best sport-touring bike by Cycle World
magazine for 2008 and 2009.
(VOSA) has issued two separate vehicle recalls
for the 1400GTR. The first concerned the pannier
latch pivot pin, which could result in panniers becoming detached from the bike.
The second concerned the rear brake pedal which was susceptible to becoming jammed by small stones thrown up from the road.
The same issues also resulted in recalls by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) in the USA,
in addition to a third recall concerning the rear luggage carrier.
Road tests of the 2008 and 2009 models had criticised the bike's engine heat dissipation, which resulted in hot air being directed onto the rider's legs. This issue was addressed with the 2010 model, which featured a revised fairing
with improved airflow management.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
produced by Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Consumer Products and Machinery Company
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine is a division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries that produces motorcycles, ATVs, utility vehicles, jet ski personal watercraft, and general-purpose gasoline engines. Before the 2011 fiscal year it was called Consumer Products & Machinery...
. The 1400GTR was introduced in September 2007 and is based on the ZX-14
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
The ZZR1400 is a motorcycle made by Kawasaki and is currently their most powerful sport bike. It was introduced at the Tokyo 2005 show and released for the 2006 model year as a replacement for the ZX-12R. The ZZR1400 is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds...
platform.
It replaces the original GTR1000 (Concours), which was built from 1986 to 2006.
Technology
The engine is a transverse-mountedTransverse engine
A transverse engine is an engine mounted in a vehicle so that the engine's crankshaft axis is perpendicular to the long axis of the vehicle. Many modern front wheel drive vehicles use this engine mounting configuration...
16-valve inline-four with a displacement of 1352 cc. It features variable valve timing
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
, derived from a Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
car engine, which allows the phasing of the intake camshaft
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
to be advanced by up to 24°. At the time of its launch in 2007, it was the only motorcycle engine to feature variable valve timing.
The fuel injected
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
engine on the 2008 and 2009 models has a power output of 114 kW at 8,800 rpm and produces torque of 136 N·m (100.3 ft·lbf) at 6,200 rpm. The ram-air intake
Ram-air intake
A ram-air intake is any intake design which uses the dynamic air pressure created by vehicle motion to increase the static air pressure inside of the intake manifold on an engine, thus allowing a greater massflow through the engine and hence increasing engine power.The ram air intake works by...
on the 2010 model increases power to 117.6 kW.
The bike's rear suspension-drive system is known as Tetra-Lever and is similar to the BMW
BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand of the German company BMW, part of its Corporate and Brand Development division. The current General Director of the unit is Hendrik von Kuenheim....
Paralever and Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It is one of seven brands owned by Piaggio.Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its central historic role in Italy's motorcycling manufacture, its prominence worldwide in motorcycle racing, and a series of...
CARC systems. It is designed to handle the conflicting drive and suspension forces (known as shaft effect
Shaft effect
The shaft effect, also known as elevator effect or shaft jacking, is a phenomenon occurring in shaft-drive motorcycles. This effect occurs because the acceleration being applied to the rear wheel creates a reactive force on the drive shaft. This in turn lifts the rider and the body of the bike,...
) typical when shaft-driven motorcycles carry powerful engines.
The 1400GTR is fitted with a keyless ignition
Remote keyless system
A remote keyless system is a system designed to permit or deny access to premises or automobiles. While the "remote" system is portable and has locking capabilities, the exact phrase "keyless entry" is solely reserved for the numeric dials or keypads that are located on or near the driver side door...
, KIPASS (Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System), which means that no key is needed to start the bike as long as the rider is carrying the coded transponder—typically in a pocket.
From launch the 1400GTR had the option of an anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
(ABS). In 2010, Kawasaki added KTRC, a traction control system
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
, and replaced the previous ABS systems with K-ACT (Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology), an improved system with power-assisted brake force redistribution.
K-ACT is also a combined braking system
Combined braking system
A combined braking system , also called linked braking system , is a system for linking front and rear brakes on a motorcycle or scooter. In this system, the rider's action of depressing one of the brake levers applies both front and rear brakes...
in which both the front and rear brakes are applied in differing amounts depending on whether the front brake lever or rear brake pedal is used. The rider is able to select, using a handlebar switch, the amount of front brake force applied when the rear brake pedal is used.
The traction control uses the ABS sensors to detect when the front and rear wheel speeds differ—reducing rear wheel speed by telling the engine management system to reduce power output.
2010
For 2010, Kawasaki added the KTRC traction control and K-ACT ABS and brake assist,which are optional in some markets and standard in others.
The 2010 model also features revised bodywork to improve engine cooling, mirrors raised by 40 mm (1.6 in), a larger wind screen and with memory function, a handlebar-mounted switch to control the dash computer, variable heated grips, and an eco-mode switch that tells the ECU
Engine control unit
An engine control unit is a type of electronic control unit that determines the amount of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters an internal combustion engine needs to keep running...
to use a leaner, more economical air-fuel ratio
Air-fuel ratio
Air–fuel ratio is the mass ratio of air to fuel present in an internal combustion engine. If exactly enough air is provided to completely burn all of the fuel, the ratio is known as the stoichiometric mixture, often abbreviated to stoich...
at engine speeds less than 6,000 rpm and road speed less than 80 mph (35.8 m/s). The tank-mounted storage area was removed and replaced with an auto-locking glove box
Glove compartment
A glove compartment or glovebox, also known as a little cupboard, is a compartment built into the dashboard, located over the front-seat passenger's footwell in an automobile, often used for miscellaneous storage. The name derives from the original purpose of the compartment, to store gloves...
in the left fairing, the exhaust silencer cap was changed, the instrument cluster illumination was changed from red to white, included key sets were changed from two active fobs/keys to one active fob/key and one passive mini fob/key, and the front fork
Motorcycle fork
A motorcycle fork connects a motorcycle's front wheel and axle to its frame, typically via a pair of triple clamps. It typically incorporates the front suspension and front brake, and allows the bike to be steered via handlebars attached to the top clamp....
fluid levels were increased by 25ml.
Awards
In 2008 and 2009, the Concours 14 was named best touring bike in MotorcyclistMotorcyclist (magazine)
Motorcyclist is a motorcycling magazine in the United States. The magazine is headquartered in Los Angeles, and is published by Source Interlink Media. The current Editor in Chief, Brian Catterson, was formerly Executive Editor at rival Cycle World....
magazine Motorcycle of the Year awards.
It was also named best sport-touring bike by Cycle World
Cycle World
Cycle World is a motorcycling magazine in the United States. It was founded in 1962 by Joe Parkhurst, who was inducted to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame as "the person responsible for bringing a new era of objective journalism" to the U.S. and is now the largest motorcycling magazine in the world...
magazine for 2008 and 2009.
Issues
In the United Kingdom the Vehicle and Operator Services AgencyVehicle and Operator Services Agency
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency is a non-departmental public body granted Trading Fund status in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom Government.-History:...
(VOSA) has issued two separate vehicle recalls
Product recall
A product recall is a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product, usually due to the discovery of safety issues. The recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence and to improve or avoid damage to publicity...
for the 1400GTR. The first concerned the pannier
Pannier
A pannier is a basket, bag, box, or similar container, carried in pairs either slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to the sides of a bicycle or motorcycle. The term derives from the Old French, from Classical Latin, word for bread basket....
latch pivot pin, which could result in panniers becoming detached from the bike.
The second concerned the rear brake pedal which was susceptible to becoming jammed by small stones thrown up from the road.
The same issues also resulted in recalls by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
(NHTSA) in the USA,
in addition to a third recall concerning the rear luggage carrier.
Road tests of the 2008 and 2009 models had criticised the bike's engine heat dissipation, which resulted in hot air being directed onto the rider's legs. This issue was addressed with the 2010 model, which featured a revised fairing
Motorcycle fairing
A motorcycle fairing is a shell placed over the frame of some motorcycles, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, with the primary purpose to reduce air drag. The secondary functions are the protection of the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induced hypothermia and of the engine...
with improved airflow management.
Authorities
In some countries the 1400GTR is used by the police and ambulance services, although this is not factory-built by Kawasaki as an authorities machine, rather it is a local conversion.External links
- Concours 14 at Kawasaki USA
- 1400GTR at Kawasaki UK