2007–2022 · Sport Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Continent Eater, Bulletproof Engine
Kawasaki's GTR 1400, sold in the US as the Concours 14, is a full-size sport-tourer built around an inline-four taken from the ZZ-R1400 and detuned for the long haul. With variable valve timing it makes 155 hp and 100 lb-ft from 1352 cc, and the tune favors strong pull from low revs. The engine sits in an aluminum monocoque frame with adjustable suspension at both ends and sends its power through a shaft. Keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring, a slipper clutch, an electrically adjustable windscreen and a center stand all come standard. That makes it a complete, honest touring tool, not a sportbike with bags bolted on.
On the road it's all about stability and calm. At 661 lb (300 kg) wet it is no lightweight. Still, the chassis stays planted at highway speed, and the frame and adjustable suspension carry it through a mountain pass with more composure than the scale suggests. The shaft drive and a proven, durable engine keep ownership simple over big mileage. This bike is for riders who cover serious distance, often two-up. The caveat is the equipment list. No traction control, no ride modes, no cruise control and no heated grips are fitted. ABS and the luggage system are options, and nobody should buy it expecting nimbleness.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 155 hp (114 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 100 lb-ft (136 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1352 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 310 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/50-17 |
| Seat height | 32.1 in (815 mm) |
| Wet weight | 661 lb (300 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 gal (22 L) |
| Top speed | 151 mph (243 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 30 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Safety
Over the years I've heard plenty about this bike. Some came from paddock talk and club nights, some from long chats with owners, and a lot from the messages riders send me directly. On the GTR 1400 the story is consistent: owners love the engine and the comfort, and most of their complaints are about the weight.
Riders mention the engine first and most often. They describe effortless thrust low in the revs and a motor that keeps pulling hard right up to high rpm. Comfort comes a close second, with owners praising the plush suspension and upright position on long days. Several single out the shaft drive for its smoothness and minimal lash, and call it close to maintenance-free.
The most common complaint is weight. Owners say paddling and slow maneuvers take real strength and tire you out. A few riders find the soft suspension loses precision and ground clearance when they push hard on twisty roads. Some report engine heat on their legs in slow traffic or hot weather, mostly on pre-2010 bikes. Others mention the short range and the lack of cruise control, heated grips and ride modes.
Where this Kawasaki GTR 1400 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GTR 1400 is actually built for.
If your year revolves around Beartooth, Going-to-the-Sun and the long miles between them, this is a smart fit. It's stable, well protected and roomy for two. Just add the optional cases.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
It handles 300-mile days that mix Blue Ridge curves with open highway very well. Expect calm, planted comfort and strong pull, not a light, flickable bike.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
For the ride up from Atlanta or Knoxville, it's superb. On the Dragon itself, 661 lb makes it a heavy dance partner, and a lighter bike will sharpen your technique faster.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
