The Kawasaki 1400 GTR is an extreme joy to ride. Motorcycle enthusiasts would love the power and instant acceleration offered by this vehicle on the open road. The motorcycle was engineered to meet and even surpass the expectations of what a motorcycle should be. It is highly responsive and agile and blends both performance and rider comfort into one compact motorcycle package. It is however not perfect and can develop problems. These will be the topic of discussion in this article.
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What Is The Kawasaki 1400 GTR?
The Kawasaki 1400 GTR is a robust motorcycle from Kawasaki. It is powered by a 1352 cc liquid cooled 4-stroke, 4-cylinder engine with DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine has a max power of 114KW/155Hp at 8800 Rpm and max Power Ram Air of 118.4 KW / 161Hp at 8800 Rpm. A max torque output of 136Nm or 102.0 Ib-ft at 6200 Rpm is also produced by the engine. Special features include the electric start and digital ignition.
Kawasaki 1400 GTR Problems
NB: The Kawasaki 1400 GTR is usually sold without any defects or problems. Any issues that may develop on the motorcycle over time, such as those listed down in this article are usually caused by abusing or overloading the Kawasaki 1400 GTR motorcycle. Wear and tear may also develop on the motorcycle overtime and especially if it is not being properly maintained.
1. Starter Motor Not Turning
The Kawasaki 1400 GTR engine starter motor can develop problems causing the motorcycle to fail to move. Problems with the starter motor are normally caused by,
- The transmission not being in neutral.
- A blown fuse.
- The battery being discharged, or the battery leads not making good electrical contact with the battery terminals.
Troubleshooting Starter Motor Problems
When the engine starter motor fails to start, the following can be done to try and solve the problem,
- Setting the engine to the neutral position before starting the engine.
- Replacing a blown fuse.
- Charging the battery to the rated voltage and inspecting the battery leads to ensure they are making good electrical contacts, if not they need to be reset. If the battery is defective, it needs to be replaced.
2. Engine Cranking But Not Starting
When one notices that the engine of Kawasaki 1400 GTR is cranking when started but refusing to start or to run, the problem may be because of the following,
- No fuel in the tank or the fuel lines being clogged.
- The fuel being used may be old and have broken down. The engine may also be flooded.
- The spark plug may also have an incorrect gap hence not making good contact or may be fouled. The spark plug may also be wet due to the use of contaminated fuel.
Troubleshooting Engine Cranking Problem
To solve the problem of the engine only cranking but failing to run, one can try the following,
- Refilling the fuel tank and inspecting the fuel lines for any clogs. If the clogs are present, they need to be removed. There is need to replace the fuel lines when they are defective.
- Ensure to drain the old and fouled fuel and replace it with new fuel that is compatible with the motorcycle engine. If the engine is flooded with fuel, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from a trusted dealer on how to solve the problem.
- Readjusting the spark plug gap to the manufacture recommended limits. Also inspect and replace any defective spark plugs. Also ensure the fuel being used in the engine is not contaminated with water.
3. Engine Stalling While Riding
One of the biggest and most frustrating problems one may encounter while using the Kawasaki 1400 GTR is that it is stalling while running. This problem may be caused by,
- A lack of fuel in the fuel tank or the fuel tank air vent being obstructed.
- The engine overheating.
- The battery being discharged.
Troubleshooting Engine Stalling Problem
To solve the problem of the Kawasaki 1400 GTR engine stalling while running, the following can be done,
- Refilling the fuel tank and checking the fuel tank air vent to ensure there are no obstructions that need to be removed.
- Seeking assistance form a trusted dealer to ensure the overheating problem is attended to.
- Checking the battery connections to ensure they are all connected to ensure the battery charges as intended.
4. Clutching Difficulties
Another huge problem that one may encounter on the 1400 GTR is difficulties with the clutch. The engagement and disengagement of the clutch may be loose or damaged hence preventing one from effectively controlling the motorcycle. Problems with the clutch can be caused by,
- Low clutch fluid level.
- Damage to clutch hose leading to clutch fluid leakages.
- Wrong oil level of the final gear case or loose and damaged components in the clutching system.
Troubleshooting Clutching Difficulties
To restore the clutching system to its proper functioning state, the following can be done,
- Regularly inspecting and refilling the clutch fluid to the correct levels.
- Inspecting and replacing a damaged clutch hose or any other broken components to prevent leakages.
- Regularly filling the final gear case oil level to the correct level. Also inspect and repair or replace any loose or damaged component in the clutch system.
5. Control And Handling Difficulties
Proper control and handling are absolutely of paramount importance on a fast and powerful motorcycle such as the Kawasaki 1400 GTR. Problems with the handling of the motorcycle can therefore be detrimental. Handling difficulties can be caused by,
- The wheel bearings being damaged.
- Low tire pressure or abnormal tire tread wear.
- Front forks/rear shock absorbers oil leakages or damage.
Troubleshooting Motorcycle Handling Problem
Problems with the motorcycle handling can be addressed by,
- Inspecting and replacing worn or damaged wheel bearings.
- Inflating tires to the correct pressure and replacing worn tires.
- Seeking assistance from a trusted dealer on getting any leaks in the front forks or rear shock absorbers addressed. One should also replace the front forks and rear shock absorbers when the damping and smooth stroke is no longer up to standard.
6. Problematic Brakes
Without the brakes, controlling the 1400 GTR motorcycle is next to impossible when moving at high speeds, hence problems with the bakes can be very detrimental. Problems with the brakes usually occur because of the following,
- Incorrect brake fluid level.
- Brake hoses and pipes damage leading to leakages.
- Brake pad wear.
Troubleshooting Problematic Brakes
To solve problems with the brakes, the following can be done,
- Inspecting and refilling the brake fluid to the correct level.
- Regularly inspecting leaks in the pipes and hoses and repairing or replacing damaged brake hoses and pipes.
- Replacing worn brake pads.
How To Avoid Kawasaki 1400 GTR Problems?
The best way to ensure no problems develop with the Kawasaki 1400 GTR is to regularize with the motorcycle’s owner manual and therefore using the motorcycle as advised in the manual. It is also highly recommended to avoid overloading the Kawasaki 1400 GTR motorcycle or using it environments where it might be damaged. These may include excessively muddy grounds where it may fail to gain traction.
What Should The Tire Pressure Be On a Kawasaki GTR 1400?
The recommended tire pressure on the 1400 GTR / Concours 14, for both the front and rear tires is 290kPa (approximately 2.9 kgf/cm2). Should it fall below 220kPa (approximately 2.9 kgf/cm2), a warning mark will appear.
How Much Oil Does a Kawasaki GTR1400 Take?
The Kawasaki 1400 GTR can take 4L (4.2qt) of oil when the filter is not removed and 4.4L (4.7qt) when removed. It needs oil of viscosity SAE 10W-40, and the oil should be changed once every 3,000 to 7000 miles depending on the riding conditions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kawasaki 1400 GTR is a powerful and robust motorcycle offering. It combines incredible power and rider comfort into a wonderful and robust motorcycle offering. Problems however can develop with the Kawasaki 1400 GTR hence to keep it in good working condition, maintenance and regular servicing are a must.