GSX1400 review

[martybabe]

Never had problems in side winds and in fact it's proved very stable in high winds from all directions.
It may be becuase if the forks are dropped through the yokes you get quicker turn in on the 1400's but the trade off is instability at high speed which may also be effected by wind as well.

Also make sure you are running 38 rear and 36 front. Ensure your head stock bearing is not worn as this can effect how it rides in the wind also.

Cheers

Dunno what I'd do without ya. Original bars going back on thursday+ full service including head stock check,tyre pessure ok ,so should be runnin on full gas by the weekend. many thanx dude if yer ever down New Plymouth way I owe ya a beer.

[selyahnitram]

hey there, I also run 38 rear / 36 front, any harder and it gets skippy. on the suspension front, I tried the MCN suspension settings - there are 3 sets from 3 different riders - I found on open flat roads it was ok, on all settings, but as soon as I hit the twisties and b roads with slightly uneven parts the basta*% bounces all over the place. I am 5 foot 9 and 80kgs, maybe the guys from MCN are a bit heavier and taller. I found once I softened the settings back just one point all round from the softest set in the article she turned into a carving machine, guess you need to go to the settings and then spen some time playing, I found it helpful to write each setting down and then look back until you find the best combination. I did move to a set of braced renthal bars, but found as the bike is very heavy they flexed nervously under pressure especially around tight corners at speed - went back to the standard ones at a flatter angle, much better leverage and cornering. Only other mod I am looking at will be bar end mirrors as I cant see past my shoulders well, possibly and under seat conversion with led rear lights (uk ebay is a good source) and matbe an aftermarket air system, but I dont really want to have to dyno the bike.
Martin.

[martybabe]

hey there, I also run 38 rear / 36 front, any harder and it gets skippy. on the suspension front, I tried the MCN suspension settings - there are 3 sets from 3 different riders - I found on open flat roads it was ok, on all settings, but as soon as I hit the twisties and b roads with slightly uneven parts the basta*% bounces all over the place. I am 5 foot 9 and 80kgs, maybe the guys from MCN are a bit heavier and taller. I found once I softened the settings back just one point all round from the softest set in the article she turned into a carving machine, guess you need to go to the settings and then spen some time playing, I found it helpful to write each setting down and then look back until you find the best combination. I did move to a set of braced renthal bars, but found as the bike is very heavy they flexed nervously under pressure especially around tight corners at speed - went back to the standard ones at a flatter angle, much better leverage and cornering. Only other mod I am looking at will be bar end mirrors as I cant see past my shoulders well, possibly and under seat conversion with led rear lights (uk ebay is a good source) and matbe an aftermarket air system, but I dont really want to have to dyno the bike.
Martin.

ha ha aint that the truth I'm sick of looking at my manly shoulders.

Thanx for the info , very useful,dunno what settings it's on at the mo but seems ok, then again I aint exactly pushin it just yet.

[beyond]

Ok, for the GSX1400 riders out there.

Here's my jealously guarded suspension settings for those interested. May help depending on your riding style. I push hard at times and are 186cms tall at 85kgs and add about another 5kgs for gear. These settings suit my riding and are great when pushing hard. Road feel is increased of course and some may not like that but I don't find long distance comfort an issue on these settings.

Rear shocks: I have five rings showing on preload (maximum) The upper dial is set at three on the shocks and the adjuster at the bottom is set on four (maximum)

On the front I used the settings available under the member area on the GSX1400.org but tweaked them for best performance. I went two clicks harder for compression and damping over and above the recommended settings for the heaviest rider and my preload at the top of the forks has two rings showing only.

This makes a hell of a difference to the bikes handling over stock.

Ground clearance then becomes a smaller issue but when pushing hard you must lean more than the bike using upper body weight and your head. There is no need to hang right off or try and get a knee down. With practive you will literally thrive on the twisty roads and find good stability at speed through the sweepers.

Hope this helps.

[Zuki Bandit]

Great write up!!!

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Like the write up Beyond, Suzuki should pay you a commision!!

I run slightly softer pressures than you at 36/34 I feel I get more feed back at these pressures I'm 6' and 82kg. I've also tweeked the suspension generally firming it up and increasing the damping, I wouldnt recommend dropping the forks though with ground clearance already an issue when the going gets more enthusiastic!! I just really enjoy riding this bike either as an everyday commuter, a holiday tourer or a sunny day scratcher.

However BLACK is the best colour......and faster

[beyond]

Like the write up Beyond, Suzuki should pay you a commision!!

I run slightly softer pressures than you at 36/34 I feel I get more feed back at these pressures I'm 6' and 82kg. I've also tweeked the suspension generally firming it up and increasing the damping, I wouldnt recommend dropping the forks though with ground clearance already an issue when the going gets more enthusiastic!! I just really enjoy riding this bike either as an everyday commuter, a holiday tourer or a sunny day scratcher.

However BLACK is the best colour......and faster

Thanks mate.

yep, ground clearance has always been an issue but I rarely touch down the pegs these days. Used to hang right off the bike
Bloody awesome bikes they are.

[rygsx]

cool review awesome bike i have a k2 grey one any ideas on aftermaket pipes cheers

[beyond]

cool review awesome bike i have a k2 grey one any ideas on aftermaket pipes cheers

Good choice of bike mate

Yep, scorpion cans are pretty good and sound rather nice on full song.
I'm running a scorpion can on mine but it was a four into 1 for the K6 but you can get two for the K2.

The headers on the 1400's are restrictive so if you want more grunt go the four into one route, full akropovich.

[chrisso]

Howdy all, Im seriously thinking of buying a GSX1400K6, got 64,000k, build 10/06....... hes asking Aus$8750. Thats not very high ks for one of these is it???---I had a GSX1100 back in NZ in the early 80s & loved it -the 14 would be Much More of the same......120Nm of torque sounds good.
Any thoughts????? Cheers

[beyond]

Seems a tad high in price for the K's mate but I'm not sure what they go for in Oz.

Hop on the GSX1400 org as there is an Aussie Kiwi section and you'll get help from some of the Oz members on price etc.


http://gsx1400.org/ Sign up as a member and get on the messages and find the section Aussie Kiwis etc.

These bikes go for ever. Oil air cooled, under stressed for there size and idling when other bikes are in the high revs

Easily do 100,000kms before things need doing if serviced regularly.
In the UK they are talking 100,000 miles before work needs to be done on some areas of the mill.

[roogazza]

Hey Beyond, did you catch the 'Rapid' bike mag, 1400. They turned it into a 1640 or some such and it was pushing out about 160 hp ! Even with just yoshie cams and exhaust/power commander it was 144 .Thats pretty good increases for one of those.
It sounds like you get along pretty well for an older fella ? Have fun. Gaz.

[beyond]

Hey Beyond, did you catch the 'Rapid' bike mag, 1400. They turned it into a 1640 or some such and it was pushing out about 160 hp ! Even with just yoshie cams and exhaust/power commander it was 144 .Thats pretty good increases for one of those.
It sounds like you get along pretty well for an older fella ? Have fun. Gaz.

Yeah, caught that mag when they were doing the 1400 up. Love one of those

I think I do ok for an older geezer LOL
You can check out some of my vids by doing a search on "beyondkiwi" on youtube.
Have 8 vids in there.