Hello,
Due to circumstances I will probably need to keep the 14 for a long time.
Mine, a 2002, K2, runs like a dream and has only done 30k miles.
However what concerns me is the aging of the electrical components.
For example where I work we make a product that is in a titanium case and operates at depths up to 1000m. They run 24/7 in harsh environments and the only thing that kills them is the electrical components aging, mainly due to heat cycles.
So with that in mind what do you think about the life span of the electrical twiddly bits (technical term).
Would it be a good idea to start acquiring spares now and if so which ones.
Thanks
I shouldn't worry too much.
Murphy's Law is that if you buy any parts it will be different parts that fail.
Electronics tend to last a long time, and even when Suzuki stops supplying / stocking parts any demand will almost certainly be met from the after-market industry.
There would be a lot of componentry that is similar/ identical in other Suzukis as well.
If you are really worried it my be worth trying to find out what components of the GSX1400 are unique.
I am not to fussed about the electronics.
If it breaks, I only then I will start to source the parts.
Downtime isn't that critical having a car and a project bike as backup.
GSX1400's aren't that rare and we are all part of a global market thanks to the internet.
I'm pretty sure that if I can't get a part repaired, or buy a new one from Suzuki,
I'd find one one where for sale or make an alternative part fit.
I do hoard spares and parts, anything 1000cc+ air/oil/water cooled, 80 to 08 Suzuki's, but that's more a "profitable hobby" than a concern about keeping bikes running long enough to see out my riding days.
Someone on here recently said that the ignition coils are no longer made.
Read that too! Are there other parts that are out of production.
Quote from: Timothy Spencer on Thursday, 15 June 2017, 11:39 PM
Someone on here recently said that the ignition coils are no longer made.
even if there not still in production you can get replacement after market ones that are better than std (dyna coils)
and im sure other suzuki's like the 1250 bandit can be made to fit .
big companies use common parts on different models so even if the plugs are different the actual part is the same.
The only electrical bit I've had to replace (except some bulbs) in 112k is the primary TPS, so I wouldn't worry too much about the electrics failing on yours.
As always thanks for the advice and comments, :)
i phoned suzuki today, coils are no longer made or sold. did a quick search and found at least 3 lots suitable. as Seth said, dyna are there. a parts place in canada had both for 150 bucks plus post. just source as you need, im not worried.
Thanks Grog
Headlights for 1980 GSX1100's are no longer available.
MR2 or Bongo Van ones are close enough.
You just need to do some homework and be open minded.
The only thing that go's against a GSX1400's ease of long life is the fact it wasn't sold in the US. The US is a HUGE market and big bikes were / are cheap so become plentiful.
The 14's world would have been better if it had been offered in the US. Oh well, we have something they don't have for a change. I am glad I relocated from the US to Germany. It's a nice perk to have a 14.
Anyone knows why Suzuki didn't offer it there.
Emissions I think Andre. We have 'dirty girls' . . . long may they continue too. :drool:
You have to remember also that quite a few parts are shared with other Suzuki's which are still in production, so its always worth doing a search on part numbers of supplier sites to see what comes up. Yes certain parts will be harder to find as the years go on, but the beauty of the 14 is that its pretty robust and solid - and (dare I say) - simple to work on (compared to many machines now on the market), so these old girls have a lot of life left in them yet.
@KiwiCol Considering how tight California emission requirements have been for a long time, that makes sense.I had heard that emissions were the reason for not making the 14 anymore as they didn't want to rework the engine. Don't really understand as it shouldn't have been that difficult putting an updated cat in it. But maybe it was low sale numbers.
@gsxbarmy I am now always looking up part numbers first before searching the sources. It helps!
The GSX14's being different / special compared to other Suzuki's go's both for and against it.
Yes, in many ways it offers what the other bikes don't, but its a stand alone model and not part of a "family" of bikes as many Suzuki's are.
All the smaller oilcooled GSX/GSXR/GSF etc are based around a similar design, from the GSX600 and early GSXR600 up to the GSXR1100 and Bandit 1200, swapping engines, clutches, or just carbs or cams is quite common. Oilcooled motors into air cooled bikes is popular.
In comparison the wider engine cased 14 is quite different, yes, discs and calipers swap but a lot of it isn't an evolution of a previous model. It's more of a clean sheet design using idea's from the past.
Had the 14 just been a next generation GSX11 or Bandit it would have been a different bike, being a true "new model" in its day has had its pro's and cons.