Any gsx1400 riders out there

[Fiddy40]

How many GSX1400 riders are on this site? I am about to pick one up so interested to hear from any of you. Have looked for 1400 club here but non found.

cheers Fiddy

[Owl]

1400 club

Think they're called zones and they'll take you to another place.:rolleyes:

[blackdog]

Widen your search a little? Plenty of oil boiler lads around that would be happy to talk shit with ya.

[GrayWolf]

Dont own, but ride with one frequently and have ridden...
that motor is bloody fantastic. It ooozes torque, and flexibility, did I mention Torque? It's a big bike, for 'big boys'. if point n squirt are not your thing, but ripping up chunks of tarmac exiting corners, not having to overly worry about 'uneven' road surfaces, prefer comfort to pose value or simply being a lazy arse who cant be frakked to gearchange every hill? Then you have found your ideal bike. :niceone::niceone:

[Fiddy40]

Dont own, but ride with one frequently and have ridden...
that motor is bloody fantastic. It ooozes torque, and flexibility, did I mention Torque? It's a big bike, for 'big boys'. if point n squirt are not your thing, but ripping up chunks of tarmac exiting corners, not having to overly worry about 'uneven' road surfaces, prefer comfort to pose value or simply being a lazy arse who cant be frakked to gearchange every hill? Then you have found your ideal bike. :niceone::niceone:

Hi, been thinking for a while which bike to get, knew it would be a Suzuki, but had little idea which model, had a SV650 years ago,tried the Strom 650, but needed something bigger but not a sport bike, can't remember how I came apon the 1400 but glad I did. There are 8 or 9 on trade me and I boiled it down to 3,they were pretty close in year and Ks and colour was not a biggie. I plan to do some mods but not over the top stuff, suspenion, braided hoses,fender extender that sort of thing. A mod I am going to do is the gear position indicator that uses the rev counter, will find a link on youtube type in (GSX1400GPi) the guy does other bikes too I believe. It would be interesting to know what other 1400 owners have done or thinking of doing.

Cheers Fiddy

[wysper]

Can't help you with your search, but that bike is on my "I want one" list for sure.

[Swoop]

Search for KB user "Beyond".
He had one and absolutely raved about it. as you will see from his posts.
A few others on here have that ride, and comments are always positive.

[Fiddy40]

Can't help you with your search, but that bike is on my "I want one" list for sure.

Hi, When I hopped on the 1400 the first thing was seat height that is important to me and at 790mm it is a good fit, the HP2 has a height of 820mm (for the live of me I can't remember of hand if it is correct) anyway the 1400 is fine, I was impressed with how smooth the engine is, as Greywolf says it really is just that, now I did not belt the hell out of it did not have to and the handling of bends and corners the bike rolled in with ease. I found the front brake a bit soft and can well do with braided hoses to start with and pads. A fender extender is a must what with the engine covers taking the brunt of chips. There are other mods to do but none urgent. As you are in hamilton you are welcome to come over and see it when I get it and if you have not seen an HP2 come see that as well before it goes.

Cheers Fiddy

[Fiddy40]

Search for KB user "Beyond".
He had one and absolutely raved about it. as you will see from his posts.
A few others on here have that ride, and comments are always positive.

Hi, Will do, thanks for that the more the better.
Cheers Fiddy

[BigOne]

I have a GSX1400K7, for around 4 years now, and I've done nearly 60,000km on it. Several friends also have one, including a turboed one.
Ive done lots of minor mods, mostly to improve handling and braking. I have not modified the engine at all, except to remove the pairs O2 system.

There is an excellent website in England called gsx1400.org, where I have done most of my research. You will find posts of mine under the same name.

My mods list goes:
steel braided brake and clutch lines
HH brake pads and petal discs
SV1000 4 piston calipers, which are possibly better than the 6 piston originals (early SRAD gixxers also had these calipers)
2 degrees of ignition advance, by slotted back-plate
pollution control gizmo (pairs) removed
10wt fork oil, slightly over filled
oil cooler stone guard
Rizoma fat bars with Zeta risers and Oberon bar end mirror
fenda extenda
power commader PC3 usb tuner, dynoed by Country Honda in Ashburton
radar detector mount
Kisan indicator auto cancel
Oxford heated grips, essential in the south island
in winter, I use DL1000 hand guards- I can wear summer gloves all year round. They look hoady, but improve winter riding immensely
135dB air horns, hidden under the tank
the rear shock mounts on the swing-arm are extended, slightly jacking the rear and improving ground clearance and handling
Iv'e had the seat re-built, improving comfort and slide-forward
and other little things.

By far the best tyres for this bike are the Michelin PR2s and PR3s, and tho a set of Pilot power 2CTs allowed some pretty extreme riding! they did not last well! I run 36PSI cold front and rear, or a bit less on a hot day.
I have found that it's possible to make this bike handle very very well, despite poor reviews by testers when they first came out. It leaps out of corners like few sports bikes can, but can be a handful to stop when really nailing it. The brake improvements and slightly raised rear end help a lot here.
Interestingly, the bike did not feel really run-in until past 40k. The gear box is now perfect, and I love it more and more. It's got a lot of chips on the front from chasing mates up and down hills and thru gorges, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's hard to make the big engine work hard, but I keep trying!

good luck with yours!

[wysper]

BigOnes post shows the different potentials of this bike.
I was looking for it of fulfil a different riding purpose.
I was after an effortless cruiser that would also handle a commute.
With the bonus of being able to really get up and boogie when you gave a twist of the wrist.
And it would have met my requirements just as easily as meeting BigOnes, perhaps even more easily as I suspect I would not have needed to do quite so many mods.

It is a real shame Suzuki stopped making this bike.

[BigOne]

I mod my 1400 because it's fun to. The cheaper Suzukis are a blank canvas in many ways, unlike expensive European machines which are already engineered to the max and are hard to improve.
And the 1400 was unbelievable value for money, even better than the Bandits, because it has a top quality Showa suspension which is fully adjustable. Mine cost about 13k including ORCs.
The only mods this bike really needs are good tyres, better fork oil, and suspension adjustment by someone who knows what they are doing. The original bt020s were rubbish, and some low km bikes still have them fitted.

[BMWST?]

........ and if you have not seen an HP2 come see that as well before it goes.

Cheers Fiddy

pics of said hp2?

[Fiddy40]

pics of said hp2?

Hi there you go.

regards Fiddy

[mulletman]

Hey Fiddy i have some new front braided hoses [and a front fender ext somewhere] for $250 if yr keen.

As with what Big1 recommends PR2 or 3s are they way for these machines, and join the gsx1400 org for everything you need to
know about 1400s.

[mulletman]

Oh and nice pics of ya Beemer , i like..

[BMWST?]

Prolly way out for me but how much for the hp2?

[Latte]

Owned a K2 for about 1 year now. Super reliable , plenty fast and loads of torque. I bought it mainly for 2-up work and it does that with ease, but I've ended up making it my daily ride as well. Still have another bike for playing silly buggers in the weekends but even then sometimes the 14 gets the nod instead.

More character than a modern WC IL4, I dont notice how heavy it is, unless Ive spent a lot of time riding something else then jump on it - but it doesnt last long.

[Fiddy40]

I have a GSX1400K7, for around 4 years now, and I've done nearly 60,000km on it. Several friends also have one, including a turboed one.
Ive done lots of minor mods, mostly to improve handling and braking. I have not modified the engine at all, except to remove the pairs O2 system.

There is an excellent website in England called gsx1400.org, where I have done most of my research. You will find posts of mine under the same name.

My mods list goes:
steel braided brake and clutch lines
HH brake pads and petal discs
SV1000 4 piston calipers, which are possibly better than the 6 piston originals (early SRAD gixxers also had these calipers)
2 degrees of ignition advance, by slotted back-plate
pollution control gizmo (pairs) removed
10wt fork oil, slightly over filled
oil cooler stone guard
Rizoma fat bars with Zeta risers and Oberon bar end mirror
fenda extenda
power commader PC3 usb tuner, dynoed by Country Honda in Ashburton
radar detector mount
Kisan indicator auto cancel
Oxford heated grips, essential in the south island
in winter, I use DL1000 hand guards- I can wear summer gloves all year round. They look hoady, but improve winter riding immensely
135dB air horns, hidden under the tank
the rear shock mounts on the swing-arm are extended, slightly jacking the rear and improving ground clearance and handling
Iv'e had the seat re-built, improving comfort and slide-forward
and other little things.

By far the best tyres for this bike are the Michelin PR2s and PR3s, and tho a set of Pilot power 2CTs allowed some pretty extreme riding! they did not last well! I run 36PSI cold front and rear, or a bit less on a hot day.
I have found that it's possible to make this bike handle very very well, despite poor reviews by testers when they first came out. It leaps out of corners like few sports bikes can, but can be a handful to stop when really nailing it. The brake improvements and slightly raised rear end help a lot here.
Interestingly, the bike did not feel really run-in until past 40k. The gear box is now perfect, and I love it more and more. It's got a lot of chips on the front from chasing mates up and down hills and thru gorges, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's hard to make the big engine work hard, but I keep trying!

good luck with yours!

Great looking 14 you have there,I like the mods you have done, I,m looking forward to getting the bike to handle as best as I can so suspension will be looked at along with the brakes,already looking for parts and prices and man does it go on and on:eek: ha ha. I have tried and tried to get validated on the UK site and cant even contact them!! I never receive a email from them regardless of how many I send?
Changing the oil cooler for a Hel Perfomance one and ofcourse oil,brake and fuel lines for braided type. Yep I noticed the same with the seat, who did you use for the re-build?

Many thanks for the post.

Regards

Fiddy

[BigOne]

I used a local upholsterer for the seat, who has done good work for lots of others I know. He needs the bike, as well as the seat.

[Fiddy40]

Owned a K2 for about 1 year now. Super reliable , plenty fast and loads of torque. I bought it mainly for 2-up work and it does that with ease, but I've ended up making it my daily ride as well. Still have another bike for playing silly buggers in the weekends but even then sometimes the 14 gets the nod instead.

More character than a modern WC IL4, I dont notice how heavy it is, unless Ive spent a lot of time riding something else then jump on it - but it doesnt last long.

Hey Latte
Isn't it what we like to hear about a bike we have or about to get, yahoo LOL. Looking forward to getting it end of month can hardly wait:wari:

Cheers Fiddy

[BigOne]

the last bike I had (after a long break from bikes, with young kids and all) was a SV650 roundy. Eventually, it died on the Akaroas, like so many other bikes, and I was paid out. I always did look a bit big for that bike, being 6' 2" tall.
But years before it was wrecked, I already coveted a 1400. After I got the insurance, Mark came around with his black 14, I went outside with the wife and asked her if my arse looked big on it. She said there was never any danger of that. So it came to pass, I tried a 2nd hand one, then bought a new one.

[Latte]

Hey Latte
Isn't it what we like to hear about a bike we have or about to get, yahoo LOL. Looking forward to getting it end of month can hardly wait:wari:

Cheers Fiddy

Yep - I bought mine sight unseen, never even ridden one before, but I knew I'd like it... it's exactly what I expected.



the last bike I had (after a long break from bikes, with young kids and all) was a SV650 roundy. Eventually, it died on the Akaroas, like so many other bikes, and I was paid out. I always did look a bit big for that bike, being 6' 2" tall.
But years before it was wrecked, I already coveted a 1400. After I got the insurance, Mark came around with his black 14, I went outside with the wife and asked her if my arse looked big on it. She said there was never any danger of that. So it came to pass, I tried a 2nd hand one, then bought a new one.

Shame they stopped making it, would buy a new one if this one ever gives up or gets smashed.

[Fiddy40]

Owned a K2 for about 1 year now. Super reliable , plenty fast and loads of torque. I bought it mainly for 2-up work and it does that with ease, but I've ended up making it my daily ride as well. Still have another bike for playing silly buggers in the weekends but even then sometimes the 14 gets the nod instead.

More character than a modern WC IL4, I dont notice how heavy it is, unless Ive spent a lot of time riding something else then jump on it - but it doesnt last long.

Hi Latte
Have you had any issues with this model? I just had a quote come in from Hel Performance for a oil cooler for the 1400 $481.00AU any idea what the OEM part costs? Not that I know I need one, just doing my homework.

Cheers Fiddy

[Latte]

Hi Latte
Have you had any issues with this model? I just had a quote come in from Hel Performance for a oil cooler for the 1400 $481.00AU any idea what the OEM part costs? Not that I know I need one, just doing my homework.

Cheers Fiddy

Ummm, little clunky from 1st to 2nd, but it's due for an oil change and chain tightened - and the fuel pump doesnt prime some mornings (flick the key a couple times and its golden) - never a problem cranking it over, just if the pumps not primed FI wont allow a start.

My bike is 60+ k's and gets abused a bit so dont be alarmed. Also ground clearance in corners :rolleyes: - either soft shocks or an issue with throttle application hehe.

I wasn't aware of a need for a larger cooler - I had thought it was due to the oem being easy to hole , so a stone guard would be enough?

[Fiddy40]

Ummm, little clunky from 1st to 2nd, but it's due for an oil change and chain tightened - and the fuel pump doesnt prime some mornings (flick the key a couple times and its golden) - never a problem cranking it over, just if the pumps not primed FI wont allow a start.

My bike is 60+ k's and gets abused a bit so dont be alarmed. Also ground clearance in corners :rolleyes: - either soft shocks or an issue with throttle application hehe.

I wasn't aware of a need for a larger cooler - I had thought it was due to the oem being easy to hole , so a stone guard would be enough?

I was reading that the oil coolers could crack at the flange where the hose fits, this is with all models.... sooooo thought I will do a bit more homework.....yes a guard is a must for any bike with cooler stuck out front. The rear shocks also appear to have their faults with leaking then being unable to adjust. Hey this is what I have read on www.gsx-1400.co.uk so obviously had to check it out. Will let you know when I get the old girl.

Cheers Fiddy

[BigOne]

its pretty unlikely you'll need an oil cooler. What if all the owners who never had an issue posted? Nah, only the tiny number who have an issue with something post about it.

And there are enough off wrecks to keep us going.
the rear shock adjuster was an issue on 2002-3 models only, and it is repairable.
the box can be clunky through 1st -2nd if you get the wrong oil. I had this with a top-end Castrol bike oil. Changed it for ordinary car-grade 15W40. Problem gone.
clean the fuel filter at 25k, and keep the clutch switch clean and you'll never have any problems.

on the plus side, plugs last 50k, and you won't need to think about a valve clearance check or new clutch until 100k. Tell that to a Ducati owner!

[Fiddy40]

I ride the mighty 1400 and would like to hook up with others that ride this bike...............there ya go, nice and simple..........