K1300GT ????

[Jazbee]

Seriously considering the K13GT, test rode one last weekend...awesome I was in France touring recently during days & days of ridiculously bad stormy weather and met up with a guy touring on a 13GT. I was soaked every day and he was bone dry He did have Rukka kit though, and I had the summer boots with me
Also had a look at the 30th Anniversary GS, looks very nice in both 12GS and GSA, althought the red seats on the 12GS look a bit 70's and would probably fade. The GSA has black and red and looks better. I would probably still go for the standard bike though and switch my Sargent seat over from my 07 GS, I've always felt the standard 12GS to be the better bike for me for some reason, maybe a bit more road focused?
That K13GT has turned my head though, it is superb and maybe a change is in order? Anybody bought one on here?
Would miss the GS though, best bike I've ever had, no doubt I'd be back eventually... if I did 'stray' with the dusky mistress that is the K13GT

 

[patzx12]

I have a well sorted 07 K1200GT and a 05GS.
Both great bikes and at the top of the game.
I enjoy both.
The GT is fast and smooth, i always take a gasp when i take out the GT after a couple of weeks on the GS.
I did a round trip Galway to Marabella returning through the UK 2 xmas ago.
I wouldnt think nothing of doing 10,000km in 3 weeks on the GT.
You will miss the GS its unavoidable.
Biggest problem is if you have a hankering for a GT it wont go away until you have one.

 

[Jazbee]

Biggest problem is if you have a hankering for a GT it wont go away until you have one.

I know...its eating away at me and I'm now looking at K forums...help

 

[Posh Pete]

Tested a 1300 at MRCE out of Dalkeith. Smooth. Monster torque. Overtook a couple of sports bikes on the A68 short of Soutra without even trying. On the bike's part. I had to seriously adjust my mental "clock". Plus 55mpg apparently. If I had the cash, it'd be a no brainer.

 

['Nuffsaid]

Me too ....

Had a test ride on a 1300GT ... really loved it, great handling, sublime engine and enough gadgets to entertain across several continents. Weather protection that could defeat a Sounami. I was soooo tempted, then I got off the bike and looked at it.

The thought of looking at that fugly bit of plastic everyday dawned on me - at least when I open the garage doors in the morning and look at the GSA I get a slight flutter inside, unfortunately the opposite applies to the K1300GT, well and truly having being beaten with the ugly stick , I so wish I wasn't this shallow and could live with this gorgeous creature , if only she had a good body ...

 

[Rabbitson]

I'm sure it is a great Bike but I can't help thinking that everytime you look at in your garage you'll feel like you wish you'd married the other girl . .

 

[patzx12]

I'm sure it is a great Bike but I can't help thinking that everytime you look at in your garage you'll feel like you wish you'd married the other girl . .

I love the look of the GT but we all have different tastes.
The big problem is selling a bike you like for a bike you like a bit more, you will always miss it.
I sold my adventure, loved the bike but had too many bikes, I wont even look at pictures of it now still miss it.

 

[Davel]

Know the feeling Pat!

 

[Tuono1961]

Funny init. I took out a 1300GT whilst the GS was having the brake recall done and hated it. I wanted to like it and thought it might be my next bike.

The standard screen is absolutely useless. OK thats fixable.

The steering is way to heavy and the damper is none adjustable.

The gearing is all wrong. It's supposed to be a Grand Tourer so why is it doing well over 5k revs at 80 mph.

I just couldn't get comfortable. Adjusted the seat height and played with the bar height but always felt the pegs were in the wrong place.

Just didn't work for me at all, felt really awkward

 

[immigrant]

The gearing is all wrong. It's supposed to be a Grand Tourer so why is it doing well over 5k revs at 80 mph.

Being a four, I figured it would have fairly high cruising revs. Far higher than my 1200 twin anyway. What do the FJR and Kawa 1400 cruise at?

How is the gearing at walking/filtering pace - is the bike more manageable than a GS?

 

[Tuono1961]

How is the gearing at walking/filtering pace - is the bike more manageable than a GS?

Loads worse than a GS because the steering damper is so heavy. Makes the bike really unwieldy

 

[Jazbee]

Loads worse than a GS because the steering damper is so heavy. Makes the bike really unwieldy

I totally dissagree Tuono, I guess its horses for courses? I'd recommend anyone interested to try it for themselves though. I found the bike as sweet as a nut as soon as the wheels were rolling, supremely balanced. I did city, motorway and B roads in the test and found it exceptionally good in all respects. Crawling in traffic or hammering down a Mway, cornering on the B roads also smooth and planted.

It was also very comfy position wise, seat at 840mm and the test bike had the tall screen upgrade (£65), bar height was at mid point (has 1.5" adjustment). It was the SE version with premium pack so had ESA II which I found really works well between comfort, normal & sport. I'm not sure about 5k revs at 80mph, would need to check, but a 4 is always going to be higher revving, I did not find it to be an issue. It develops 80% of its torque at only 3,500 revs and peaks at HP (160) and torque (99lb/ft) at 9,000rpm. You hardly need to come out of third gear, it pulls strong from anywhere in any gear.

Don't know about the ugly comments, I really like the typical german functional styling, its a bit undestated I personnaly like the dark royal blue metalic one

 

[patzx12]

I did a trip today, first half of the trip home on the GS and came back to work on the GT. First ride on the GT in 2 weeks.
The GT takes a bit of getting used to. great in traffic 25mph in 6th if you want. the steering damper gives heavy steering at walking pace.
No issues with the engine perfect power.
The duolever suspension is a revelation. I once did an emergency brake procedure in Italy fully loaded 2 up at 140 unbeleivable control on the brakes, the best in the business i understand.
I forgot about the steering damper, i was going to put an aftermarket ajustable damper on it.
I will investigate the modification. I want to put one on the GS, i had a tank slapper from hell a couple of track days ago ( 17" wheels)

 

[SilverFish]

I went from a 12GSA to a K1300GT SE. The GT is phenomally good at what it does.

My own initial thoughts on comparing to a GSA:

GT has much better weather protection. I went on a four hour trip in the rain on Saturday, over Hardwick pass and I only got wet when I got off the bike. It's also worth another layer of clothes in the Winter.

The engine torque is just fantastic. Builds up speed very fast too - but that's not the point of a tourer...

Put the ESA into Sport mode and pretend you're on a sports bike, but with an upright posture...

Put it into Comfort mode and then glide over the cobbles.

I dont like having to rev the four cylinders more than the boxer.

It is a bit of a handful on very tight, narrow and gnarly B roads. The sort of roads that GS's love.

Faster B roads and A roads are eaten up with a progressive elegance.

Legs were cramped compared to a GS - but tbh, I didnt notice this anymore after the first week.

I love it loads, but do still miss a GSA. I dont think I'd be ever trully happy having one or the other though. It's been said before on this forum, but having a GS and also something like a Blackbird,K1300GT/S/R in your garage is a very good thing indeed. If you have the wonga

Keep an eye out for the new K1600GT - that six cylinder engine could prove to be a real star - maximum torque on a planetary scale of 129lb ft but at only 5,000 revs...

Mike

 

[dave hendy]

I went from a 05 1200GS to a 07 1200GS and now have an 09 K1300R. I miss the GS especially in hairpins but overall love my K1300. The K's are heavy in the tight corners but it is better on fast corners were it feels planted. I have just done a 3K mile 2-up tour of the French Alps on it and it did better than I thought it would. I would prefer a GS with 150 bhp (and a quick shifter) other wise the K1300 is wicked

My wife says it is almost as comfortable as the GS on the back and she says it has the WOW factor. I use the Givi 35L panniers and a 52L top box so the luggage is sorted as well.

Dave

 

[Yellow Peril]

Just wait for the new K1600GT with all its new toys

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Good idea