2026 CB1000GT
- Thread starter Arsey
- Start date
The BMW looks hugely overpriced amongst these bikes. Kwak for me pls...
Thanks Martin.
I was surprised that they never mentioned the curious shape of the Kwaks panniers, that inverted back edge makes the inside space much less practical.
I wonder if any of them will lure me away from me old GSA?
I was surprised that they never mentioned the curious shape of the Kwaks panniers, that inverted back edge makes the inside space much less practical.
I wonder if any of them will lure me away from me old GSA?
All BMWs are hugely over-priced these days .
So the 1000GT is a good bike but lacking in mid-range .
The retro F has same motor but retuned for about 123bhp instead of 150 as in the GT.
Maybe they should have put the F motor in the GT too as it has loads of midrange grunt and sounds fantastic .
Such a shame, as the last thing you want in a tourer is an engine that you have to keep revving up to get the best out of it. Maybe a test ride to find out myself.
I'm just a bit spoilt with the flexibility of 3rd gear on my GSA, it's just perfect for hooning around Alps, Munroes or that fab road up and over Applecross.
Chasing the folk who need to have those peak power figures....daft really. Drop to 130ish hp and improve the torque....the magic stuff you use all the time. (My 94hp Africa Twin kept up with my riding mates on their 110/125 and 85 hp bikes....)
That is an interesting review, having had an earlier S1000xr (2018) I agree it is eager to go, tall, difficult to move and then the cost. I have never ridden the Suzuki so cannot comment but I have only seen 1 in a Triumph show room and as I live in Norfolk Suzuki dealers are like rocking hose muck. But I do own both Z1000sx 2024 and the CB1000gt so feel I can comment that experience. The biggest problem with the Kawasaki is that it has never had a good comfortable seat 1.5 to2 hrs at a push which was not mentioned in the review, but its had 10 years of development and is a great bike but a lot different to the Honda. The first weekend with the CB1000gt I did 2 x 225 mile days the seat is a complete contrast to the Kawasaki so is the screen operation and effectiveness and riding position, the bars are better positioned to take the weight off your shoulders the handling is smoother and easier just shift your weight on the pegs and around it goes. That is also a contrast to the XR which a constant strain on your shoulders and neck.
So why have I got 2 sports tourers? because they are totally different to each other, one will take me to Europe and one is great on local routes. By the way the Honda inner bags are standard and I did not think the panniers were any less substantial than the S1000xr's ones, they also are easier to remove than the Kawasaki's.
If you took the basic CB1000gt at £12999 and the basic S1000xr TE + panniers at £20121 the money save on the Honda, you to would be well on your way to buying a pre reg Z1100sx as a second bike. Plus you would have the Honda with 6 years and Kawasaki with 4 years warranty BMW ?
Edit
I have just read the second review probably the same people testing (MSN-Ride) and opposite result so it has to be close
PS. ignore the suspension comments on the CB1000gt as you can setup the preload to even be acceptable on Norfolk roads. My "user" setting is setup for Norfolk, one thing the test riders ignore is that if you soften suspension you "often" need to reduce throttle response otherwise each time you hit a bump the throttle moves and you start getting oscillation bump-throttle-bump etc. Also none of the reviews mention the "Tour setting" with monitors suspension and throttle to smooth out the ride similar to dynamic on the BMW.
So why have I got 2 sports tourers? because they are totally different to each other, one will take me to Europe and one is great on local routes. By the way the Honda inner bags are standard and I did not think the panniers were any less substantial than the S1000xr's ones, they also are easier to remove than the Kawasaki's.
If you took the basic CB1000gt at £12999 and the basic S1000xr TE + panniers at £20121 the money save on the Honda, you to would be well on your way to buying a pre reg Z1100sx as a second bike. Plus you would have the Honda with 6 years and Kawasaki with 4 years warranty BMW ?
Edit
I have just read the second review probably the same people testing (MSN-Ride) and opposite result so it has to be close
PS. ignore the suspension comments on the CB1000gt as you can setup the preload to even be acceptable on Norfolk roads. My "user" setting is setup for Norfolk, one thing the test riders ignore is that if you soften suspension you "often" need to reduce throttle response otherwise each time you hit a bump the throttle moves and you start getting oscillation bump-throttle-bump etc. Also none of the reviews mention the "Tour setting" with monitors suspension and throttle to smooth out the ride similar to dynamic on the BMW.
Last edited:
Looks like MCN have cocked up the prices.
Well the old battle wagon is still making life difficult for the new comers; i thought with the new Honda's extra BHP it might just have swung it; if they were to try this test 2 up they would see more of the SX advantage of stunning mid range grunt heaving them along; the reports on the Dunlops don't sound too bad; i'am still using the old BT 22s on mine and more than impressed with the sticktion; i've just put my 5th rear on in 14000 mls;
the games we play eh; cheers for the post arsey.I find it interesting that MCN go to the trouble of getting the bikes together, changing the tyres to a control set but could not find a set of panniers for the BMW XR. Also just a note the CB1000gt is fitted with PR6 gt's with stiffer side walls as original, to my mind they have probably degraded the handling to level the playing field (to a point).
I'll know what the F is like as soon as my mate get his and i sling a leg over it;; they look well and i haven't seen anything bad about them apart from perhaps the computer dash instead of clocks; but that little nose cone does a good job of hiding that;; it will definatly be better than the first 900 i had in 1979;; i'll blag a ride when he's given the tyres a hair cut;
It's easy to get spoilt with catapult engines; just roll them on and they dig in;; i've had 4 big engined Kawasaki's and they've all had that ability.
On countdown now, had an email from Andy at Miles Kingsport the bike is being PDI'd today and having the 3 packs and the Akrapovic fitted, the bike is being delivered Friday the 21st but wont be registered until the 1st of September on a 76 plate, I am going to do the wheels Gold, paint the front mudguard, pannier and top box inserts and belly pan in Red along with my white Schuberth C5 so should look nice ive done an AI pic to have a look what it will come out like !! the mudguard and belly pan look a bit matt compared to the bodywork but it wont in real life (hopefully)
Attachments
New bike day tomorrow !!
Cant wait for it to be delivered
Rob
Cant wait for it to be delivered
Rob
Hope all goes well Rob
"Andy at Miles Kingsport" Top bloke.
TD
TD
Popped over to HGB Motorcycles in Ruislip today to see the GT and F in the flesh.
Very underwhelmed to be honest .
Thought the GT looked very plasticky and not keen on the styling with those weird pointy bits out front . Did seem comfy though and the screen mechanism is genius .
They only had the red and black versions in stock .
Think the grey looks better without the busy graphics, from what I’ve seen online .
But it really didn’t float mon bateau.
And I’m so pleased I cancelled the order I had in for the F when the original March delivery was put on hold .
Ok, it looks nice apart from the hideous coolant hose carbuncle, but it’s too bloody small and cramped for non-oompah loompahs .
Very underwhelmed to be honest .
Thought the GT looked very plasticky and not keen on the styling with those weird pointy bits out front . Did seem comfy though and the screen mechanism is genius .
They only had the red and black versions in stock .
Think the grey looks better without the busy graphics, from what I’ve seen online .
But it really didn’t float mon bateau.
And I’m so pleased I cancelled the order I had in for the F when the original March delivery was put on hold .
Ok, it looks nice apart from the hideous coolant hose carbuncle, but it’s too bloody small and cramped for non-oompah loompahs .
