2004 gsxr600k4 long term test.

[Cajun]

Hitcher - I know but but more info than a quick ride, which you are most times impressed with what it can do, but living with it for a month or two, you find out bad areas with it.

[Hitcher]

Hitcher - I know but but more info than a quick ride, which you are most times impressed with what it can do, but living with it for a month or two, you find out bad areas with it.

Ride what you like, like what you ride!!

After 20,000km astride my Zrex since November last year I have yet to tire of it. Yes, it could be more "flickable"; yes, it would be nice at times to have a bit more wind protection; yes, the standard high beam leaves much to be desired (although a xenon bulb sorts this). But it is still pretty agile for a 225kg machine with my sylph-like frame upon it; wearing the wind is what biking is all about for me; the Zrex has shameless amounts of earth-spinning grunt, great stopping power, is a comfy ride, has good space for a pillion or tailbag and looks gorgeous in green.

Just because I've ordered doesn't mean I've stopped looking at the menu, but I have yet to see anything else on the road that I would prefer to own and ride (if I was only allowed one bike).

[Cajun]

Ride what you like, like what you ride!!

Damn straight that is very very true.

But with any bike there are always down sides, but thats why we ride we ride, for prime example i do not like riding the wifes vtr1000f, but she loves it, we are all different and like different things

Those zrx are nice bikes a guy up here brought one a while ago, i was thinking of something along those, couldn't make up my mind for ages what i really wanted.

Just because I've ordered doesn't mean I've stopped looking at the menu, but I have yet to see anything else on the road that I would prefer to own and ride (if I was only allowed one bike).

Thats like everything in life, you can always look at other things. hahahha

Thats the same with me not really seen any else i would own how, i take a zx10r for a blast, i was looking at one of those at begin of year but now i got my 600 its more than what i expect and keep me happy for years to come i do believe

[Cajun]

update read top

[Cajun]

Okay 28,000kms installed new set of chain sprockets, -1 on front +2 on rear which equals

15 teeth on front
47 teeth on rear

All running on 520 pitch chain. Which gives me a ratio of 3.13. This is pretty much a race bike gearing setup

Damn what a huge difference this made to the bike, it feels so more responsive, and so much more fun to ride. Down side you will make you speedo read way to fast, so if you do go down this method grab a speedohealer all up chain and speedohealer cost me $500.

After all this time this bike still turns me on. i could stare at it for hours. Even two years later, and close to 30,000kms, on,

Many complain about suzuki finsh, my bike gets riden every day rain hail shine, gets parked out side, while at work in the sun rain dust, ocean wind. and apart from a few stone chips paint still in top condition, faded a little, but thats expected with no matter what. It only gets a wash once ever 6 weeks. Polish made every 3 months.

Have spend about $700 all 5 services up to this point which works out to about $140 each service.

Costs So far
Services $700
Brake Pads $200 (Upgraded to ebc HH, and changed rear to remove squeak)
BMC filter $120
NYK Irdiums $50
Chain parts $500
Tires $1400 (3 fronts, 4 Rears)
Fuel $2400

so thats about $5400 in 2 years of use
so thats $2700 per year
$52 a week for running expenses (including fuel)
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Always had a problem with the front end getting very unsettled over bumper corners.Even my preload was maxed out from static.
But thanks to Nicko scored myself a set of traxxion dynamics, front fork springs, So send the forks down to shaun harris last week, to set install and setup and change the oil(he also noted that the front fork where full of gunk)

Only done about 300kms on these, and damn what a huge improvement. While the forks were away i also change the oil in the steering damper, i only went up to 10w, this also helpd the feeling in the faster corners(never had any slapper moments to date)

[Cajun]

3rd Birthday

Today i start the 3rd year of ownership of my GSXR600k4, i brought it brand new 10th April 2004 from Motogb in Tauranga.

Here is some basic run down on costs i have incurred with running this bike

Km Traveled
Year 1 = 15,000km (15,000kms traveled this year)
Year 2 = 25,000km (10,000kms traveled this year)
Year 3 = 33,000km (8,000kms traveled this year)

Where Money Spend
Total Fuel = $2,824.94 (Average l/100 km 6.55)
6 Services = $738
Tires 4 fronts, 6 rears total = $2,160
Mods spend = $2,084

TOTAL RUNNING COSTS $7,461.44 ($2,500ish per year)

------------------------------------

I have only really have had 1 major problem in 3 years of ownership (the secdonary throttle valve aucator,[part that controls the secondary butterflys from moving]stoped working, its not a major fault, but is a known problem with the k4/k5 600-750)

I was tossing up earlyer this year to sell this bike, but i have decided to keep riding it.

Future mods
Ohlins rear
Correct Map for PC3.

[Alltrax]

your servicing is really cheap! do you do it your self?

[Cajun]

your servicing is really cheap! do you do it your self?

No i only did the 30,000 service myself, all others have been been completed by local suzuki dealer, But also note, i make servicing cheaper by taking them the bike less side fairings and like to make live easier/cheaper.

And if i know bike is gonna need plugs/filter, i supply this which i can get elsewear cheap(which is include in the mods costing)

KM $
1000 100
6000 120
12000 150
18000 148
24000 120
30000 100

------
I know where i misculated i also provided the filter on the two cheaper 120 services

[Cajun]

Just installed a second hand ohlins rear shock i picked up second hand(dirt cheap)

What a huge difference it made, i have only had a chance to ride with on the track, but bike feels tons better after my stock.

[Cajun]

Finally got around to fixing the long term problem i have had with the stva(secondary throttle valve actuator).

Was a rather simple fix in big scheme of things, rather than replaceing the whole throttle bodies US$800(ebay for US$200), which is only other way to correct the problem.

Regarding the Ohlins shock, bike feels alot better, i am not getting the tearing up on the michlein 2cts as i was on the stock shock, didn't really believe the stock was that bad, but now i do know.
--
Picked up a second hand hot bodies rear huger from trade me, second hand had done about 1000kms, not a scratch on it, guy had replace it with a carbon fibre one, so scored that, had it hugger on the bike (including being painted[black before you ask not yellow]) for under $100


Only thing really do do now is get a good true tune for the pc3 for my bike.

[Pussy]

How did you fix the STVA?

[justsomeguy]

Hi Cajun,

Had a look but couldn't find anything, could you please tell us more about your GSXR1000K4.

Kind regards,
JSG

[Cajun]

How did you fix the STVA?

pulled it a part and worked some magic,


acutally it has some dodgy solders on it, so resolded it and its away again, strange riding my bike with out this FI warning light on my dash, been that so long i got use to it.

[Cajun]

Hi Cajun,

Had a look but couldn't find anything, could you please tell us more about your GSXR1000K4.

Kind regards,
JSG

i pm you JSG

[Cajun]

Happy Birthday GSX-R 600

Another year has rolled around of owning my 600, being a total of 4 years of ownership

Only done 12,000kms over the past year, i am not clocking up as many kms since i moved
house and bike is only used on weekend for fun now isntead of communting to work.

Made a few changes this year to the bike
second hand ohlins rear shock
rear hugger
ohlins steering damper
Low expanstion rubber front hoses.
front brake pads replaced EBC HH(25,000kms)

Bike is starting to show its mileage a bit now its nudging 50,000kms, nothing a good bit of TLC and basic
repair work can't fix the tour of the SI i did this year did more damage(to shine/state of fairings)
in 5000kms than the previous 40,000kms.
But its not a new bike and well gonna get damaged, got my first scratch/rub on my tank while away )c:<

Was tempted to sell this bike this year, but i still enjoy riding it. And decided i might as well keep it long term,
Got all the after market parts you would want, and maybe not want. still goes really well.
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I have changed my service intervals to every 5,000kms instead of every 6,000kms, I have also always use the same brand/make of oil in it, and plan on doing that for long haul. "Shell Advance Ultra 4 (Fully Synthetic)"