GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => General Technical discussion => Topic started by: loxsmith on Monday, 01 October 2018, 08:46 PM

Title: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: loxsmith on Monday, 01 October 2018, 08:46 PM
I did a search and it turned up nothing

I am new the GSX1400's, is there any common problems that I should be aware of?
Thanks Glen
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Kiwifruit on Monday, 01 October 2018, 08:49 PM
Yes the main thing is you finish up with a silly grin on your face after riding one.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Monday, 01 October 2018, 09:39 PM
Sticky or seized shock preload adjusters
Clutch slave cylinder full of road crap (just clean it out and fit a seal)
Not the best quality paint and chrome (not such a problem in the relatively dry climate you have in Oz)
Dirty / clogged fuel pump filter
The oil cooler might crack one day

That's really about it. Even by the high standards of Japanese motorcycles, it's bloody reliable.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: seth on Monday, 01 October 2018, 10:17 PM
What he said
:cheers:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: northern on Monday, 01 October 2018, 11:43 PM
Exhaust header bolts could crack, if they were not relived from time to time (once a year)
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: mlivkovich on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 12:50 AM
Rear wheel bearing seals...
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Notty on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 01:54 AM
Bling and mods - costs loads of money  :rofl2:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: seth on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 02:05 AM
Sprocket carrier bearing
Change every 30,000 miles max and if you don't know when it was last changed I'd say change it asap.
The standard Suzuki fitted bearings are open to the atmosphere of the inside and nobody ever checks or regrease's them so they can fail at this mileage or even slightly earlier if powerwashers have been used.
I change with every chain and sprocket kit change.
:cheers:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Blubber on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 02:47 AM
And very sensitive for throttle play and the throttle position sensor setting.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Globalrider on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 03:01 AM
Front warping rotors - bobins seizing
Rear rotor scoring - badly positioned caliper
Head bearing wear
down pipe corrosion
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 03:30 AM
Corrosion to fork legs and engine cases.

Adjusters on rear shocks seize.

Bearing in the Cush drive.

Rare cases of rot in the rear frame rails near the top shock mount on really neglected bikes.

2nd gear on some models (although mine has a 3rd gear issue!)

Not specific to GSX1400's but like other bikes of their age and type they can have issues with the in-tank fuel pump and filter,   seized exhaust studs in the head,   sticking front disc floating bobbins.

Two downsides to the 14 are that it was never sold in the huge US market and it doesn't share much with other models. This isn't a huge drama as they aren't super rare, but it means parts and spares aren't quite as easy or cheap to find as say GSXR's / Bandits / Hayabusa's etc.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 03:50 AM
Ye gods, if I was a new owner, and read all these replies I think I'd be regretting my purchase and looking to sell ASAP !

Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: northern on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 04:02 AM
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 02 October  2018, 03:50 AM
Ye gods, if I was a new owner, and read all these replies I think I'd be regretting my purchase and looking to sell ASAP !
yep. I read this topic, and though - who the hell want this bike anyway! So many problems... :lol:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: seth on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 04:26 AM
Hopefully he'll read all the good stuff too .
The faults as they are seam pretty common across most modern bikes .
My statement about the gsx1400 is
"I've only owned gsx1400's since 2002 (except 800 miles of a gsx1300 bking that's a whole story on it's own and a gsx1400) and can't see another bike in my future currently on my 6th and 7th gsx1400 plus my wife has a gsx1400 .
I can't recommend them enough as a great all round bike .
It's no mega fast brilliant handling sports bike it is what it is goes like it looks and I wouldn't swop mine for anything .
:cheers:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 04:31 AM
Pretty sure Lockys bike's an 08 ...........thats not 1908 lads. But in saying that on most models the tyres wear out.   :onya:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: loxsmith on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 06:49 AM
Mmm, Cush drive bearing eh? That could explain the slight crunching I heard yesterday when I let the clutch out

I'll check it out soon

Thanks Gents
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 07:15 AM
The bikes like the throttle cable and chain to be well adjusted. It makes the world of difference to how they ride. Check for tight spots in chain.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 02 October 2018, 07:11 PM
Read all its faults in one go, doesnt look good. Spreads it out over the years and many owners, looks great. We know it is.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: VladTepes on Wednesday, 03 October 2018, 04:14 PM
Exactly right grog.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Wednesday, 03 October 2018, 04:35 PM
For a design that's at least 17 or 18 years old, and bikes that are 10 years old or more, and remembering Suzuki aren't exactly award winners for build quality, AND it was a new model on release, not a spin off of a proven design.... the list of issues or stuff to watch out for (as a worst case scenario) isn't actually that bad.

I love Busa's and B-Kings and have had no dramas with mine, but it's easy to make a list of folk having issues with Reg/Rec's, fuel pumps, clutch baskets, subframes etc.

Any bike of its age is going to have a list of stuff to keep an eye on.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Wednesday, 03 October 2018, 11:31 PM
For the record, I wasn't trying to bash the 14. Just making a list of stuff to look at, like the OP requested.

In my opinion it's a very short list and none of the items are serious. Definitely nothing that would stop me buying one (which I did).
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: BbigMmac on Thursday, 04 October 2018, 12:40 AM
If I look at the list and look at the things that have been a problem one my GSX then it would only be the rear shocks. The bearing in the cush drive has been cause I was doing a mod to my rear sproket holder anyways. Suzuki didn`t use much grease on the bearings and the paintwork on most of the frames isn`t that thick either but for the rest.......lovely bike. Wouldn`t want anything else.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: ajl on Friday, 05 October 2018, 05:47 PM
seth . how does yr wife manage to maneuver  her 14 around engine off. . i find  that the only pain with this otherwise great bike . some would hate the idea,but i think a reverse gear would have been grand, can she get it on the centre stand .i struggle!!!!!!
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: seth on Friday, 05 October 2018, 06:37 PM
She finds it so much easier to manouver her gsx1400 than the mk2 1200 bandit she had before even when it's fully loaded with luggage.
She doesn't like it being put on the Center stand tho .
She's had her 14 for 12 years now so I guess she got used to it .
:onya:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Kiwifruit on Friday, 05 October 2018, 06:45 PM
Sometimes a bit of planing when parking can be a good idea. Dont park front wheel down into the gutter when angle parking  :facepalm:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: grog on Friday, 05 October 2018, 07:07 PM
all very easy compared to triumph rocket. they are difficult.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: ajl on Saturday, 06 October 2018, 02:33 AM
planing when parking ..exactly.. i always consider the exit strategy  when parking,forgetting can turn into a real pain , sure rocket no fun either  next yr i will be considering a custom cruiser if i find one easy to move around. will prob put my 14 up for sale in new yr 10,000 miles k3 ,03  std except scorpions and small screen . have done filter mod and new tank ,will block pairs but not remove. best bike i have had to date. std blue white currently at my place in france.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: DanGSX on Friday, 07 December 2018, 10:30 PM
Yeah, good shout on parking. One time I parked mine on those garden stones at a relative's house - Let's just say getting out wasn't pretty. Even letting the clutch out slowly with no throttle caused the rear wheel to dig a ditch in the stones. Had to get someone to push the grab handle haha.

EDIT: What's this about subframe rot? I've noticed on mine, the black paint on the rails under the seat have started flaking a bit. Hmm, I should probably look into fixing that before it gets bad.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Gegs on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 05:37 AM
I've had mine over a year now and done30,000 kms and the only thing I've had a 'very slight' issue with was how long it took to fill the tank, but thanks to you guy's that issue has been addressed with the tank modification  :grin:Only other thing that comes to mind is that the thread for the sump plug is close to being stripped so that will get re-lined next oil change. Dealer I bought it from said it's fairly common on the GSX 1400 but I've seen nor heard any mention of it elswhere.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: seth on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 05:59 AM
The paints not the greatest partly being water based and partly being put on so thinly.

Worth a rub down and touch up if you get a chance .
:cheers:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Andre on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 06:22 AM
Quote from: Gegs on Saturday, 08 December  2018, 05:37 AM
Only other thing that comes to mind is that the thread for the sump plug is close to being stripped so that will get re-lined next oil change. Dealer I bought it from said it's fairly common on the GSX 1400 but I've seen nor heard any mention of it elswhere.
That dealer is talking BS. There are gazillions of reports on the net about that - cars and bikes. If you use a new copper gasket, screw the bolt in by hand, and torque it correctly this will not happen.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Sweaty on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 06:54 AM
Quote from: Gegs on Saturday, 08 December  2018, 05:37 AM
I've had mine over a year now and done30,000 kms and the only thing I've had a 'very slight' issue with was how long it took to fill the tank, but thanks to you guy's that issue has been addressed with the tank modification  :grin:Only other thing that comes to mind is that the thread for the sump plug is close to being stripped so that will get re-lined next oil change. Dealer I bought it from said it's fairly common on th.
e GSX 1400 but I've seen nor heard any mention of it elswhere.

An easier option Gegs, would be to get a Fumoto drain plug, and never touch the thread again. Quite a few of us have these fitted and they are fantastic.(some worry that they sit a bit lower than the original, but not an issue with any of us that have had them for years) make sure you get the one without the nipple for connecting a hose etc. Makes the oil change a breeze & no worrying about stripping the sump thread.
You want the Fumoto F-111 (14mm-1.25) if you can get an original, but it looks like Fumoto Australia only do the SX version of the original now (too bulky) but they are doing their own range called "EZ oil drain valve" so you want, EZ-111 14mm-1.25
I have attached links below (if this is getting confusing) it is for me  :grin:
Just something to think about.

http://fumoto.com.au/announcement.html

https://shop.ezoil.com.au/collections/all-valves/products/ez111
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: KiwiCol on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 10:22 AM
They are a good thing Gegs, I had one but tore it out going through a deep pothole. My fault. Knackered the sump. Yes I'd get another one, just not got round to it.
Just stay away from deep potholes and high speed bumps, basically anything that rises up sharply n reduces sump clearance.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 10:31 AM
It took one look under my motor at the rash on the pipes and marks elsewhere to decided I didn't want any kind of plug that was lower or more vulnerable.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: KiwiCol on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 03:53 PM
Grog has gone the other way, he's fitted a sump plug from an Astra (from memory), they go in as opposed to protrude down.  Kiwicol & I looked at getting 1 each, but the cost was mental for a bloody sump plug, so we left it as is.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: grog on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 06:06 PM
Wow Col, what a memory. Id forgotten about that plug. I have it somewhere but cant remember details. I still have fumoto, never got round to changing it. Must look up that plug posts to jog memory. Maybe was a peugeot one. Allen key to undo.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Kiwifruit on Saturday, 08 December 2018, 09:14 PM
Wurth plug Grog.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Rh4000 on Thursday, 07 February 2019, 10:59 AM
Great info here lads :onya:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: VladTepes on Thursday, 07 February 2019, 02:38 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Saturday, 08 December  2018, 10:22 AM
Just stay away from deep potholes and high speed bumps, basically anything that rises up sharply n reduces sump clearance.

The same applies with the standard sump plug as evidenced in my bike thread eh.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: ajl on Friday, 31 May 2019, 04:59 AM


had mine 8 yr only bitch ,its to damn heavy almost justifies a reverse gear , have to plan exit before parking up...
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Eric GSX1400K3 on Friday, 31 May 2019, 11:34 AM
Only problem I've found is that the fuel tank empties too fast, plus the silly grin factor. Otherwise great bikes
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: grog on Friday, 31 May 2019, 07:02 PM
Mine also keeps using fuel, hard problem to solve.
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Andre on Friday, 31 May 2019, 08:47 PM
That is a real hard problem but she can take more fuel on board than most bikes, especially the newer ones :notworthy:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: GSXKING on Friday, 31 May 2019, 08:55 PM
21 litres was never going to be enough  :stir: :stir: :stir: :stir:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: Andre on Friday, 31 May 2019, 08:57 PM
Mount a trailer hitch so you can pull a fuel truck :boogie:
Title: Re: GSX14 Common Problems
Post by: KiwiCol on Saturday, 01 June 2019, 05:34 AM
Quote from: GSXKING on Friday, 31 May  2019, 08:55 PM
21 litres was never going to be enough  :stir: :stir: :stir: :stir:
You'll get 25 - 26L with the tank mod.