Thought I'd say hi, be rude not to.
Currenty not the owner of a gsx1400, I will be lurking in the background just gaining knowledge and will hopefully purchasing one some time next year, in blue and white, could be sooner if someone offers to buy my focus st lol.
This isn't my first rodeo on large muscle bikes, around 12 years ago I had a lovely XJR 1300 SP, which I did a nut and bolt rebuild with new paint etc. Prior to that was a blue and white gsxr 750 srad, nice bike but my wrists couldn't handle it. Before that some smaller bikes. I'll get pics up at some point. Will be interesting to compare the xjr to gsx, 6 speed box will be an advantage.
Cheers Paul
:welcome1:
To all things 1402
The for is a great small introduction bike into the world of muscle bikes 🤔
Welcome to the fill sizes version 😎
🍻🍻🍻🍻
Cheers
Paul
Hi Phill and Welcome.
The XJR looked tidy. Nice. It'll be interesting to hear you're option on a comparison. Obviously folk on here are biased but I don't hate on the Yam. I never found the 6 speed box to be a big deal, more so I noticed the GSX's stronger torque and extra grunt. Stock shocks (now getting old) in good condition aren't bad on the GSX at all but the Yam's budget factory "Ohlins" really weren't up to the famous name.
All just my opinion. I look forward to hearing yours.
EDIT:
Although they won't win many comps for horsepower the torque is real nice....
(https://i.ibb.co/Wgd7MhZ/E3-F5391-E-853-D-4-B82-B24-D-07-D1-D5710224.gif) (https://imgbb.com/)
Not sure how clue'd up you are on GSX's ?
There's a few differences between early and later models, and a few common mods that folk do and a few others dislike.
Any questions ask away.
Welcome mate
Welcome Phil :cheers:
Welcome from Downunder.
A nice group of bikes you have had over the years.
Smart move to get on the Forum prior to getting your 1400.
Lots of good info here and lots of very experienced owners.
You never know but someone may be moving one on.
Welcome to the nuthouse 🥳🥳
You hit the nail on the head 👍6 speed is the major difference you'll be amazed 😳😳
Welcome Mate
Welcome Phill / Paul..
I have had 3 CB 1300's in the past 6 years..
I am on my 2nd GSX1400 (08 plate FE)..
Decent ones are not cheap, but actually are still worth every penny..
I got back into bikes 7 years ago and have had 13 bikes in that time (inc 3 BMW 1200 GS's)...
Previous bike was a 2017 Triumph Explorer 1200... Very nice but a pig to do servicing on !
Yet still I kept getting drawn back to the GSX1400
The very generous space under the seat is not to be taken for granted..
I reckon if you ride a good one you will want it !
I have only owned my 08 model for 3 months.. I was very lucky to find it with only 6,800 miles on it.. She was a private sale.
I had to travel to the midlands from the North West, so be prepared to travel for a good one!
I wish you well with your search,
Simon
Welcome Paul :cheers:
Hi Phill P & welcome to the forum. As said, it's a good move to join & find out about the bike before purchase. As for 6 gears, well, quite a lot of us still grab for 7th . . .
:welcome:
Welcome to the forum Paul. :onya:
Cheers for the warm welcome everyone.
The xjr handled ok but would wallow when pushed, hagon front springs helped, hagon rear springs would helped too but I never fitted them.
Engine wise it received inlet rubbers from an FJR1200, code 36y from memory, tad larger, really improved midrange, as did the complete delkevic exhaust, sounded good but did seem a little flimsy on exhaust hangers, however this was 12 years ago.
As you can see from the pic I am a fan of the rd350lc pro am style look, the handlebar fairing was actually a reproductions rd 350 ypvs fairing and I see Chic design do one for the gsx, should be easier than the fettling needed for the xjr one :facepalm:
The xjr was good but was never keen on the later style tank and the very latest versions had shorty style back end with 70's style motorcross side panels :whatever:
Cheers
Paul
The old RD's were super popular here. Quite the rocket for a 15 year old that just got his or her license (please note PC inclusivity)
Paul you will find one of the best mods for a 14 is to paint it black or even better is to buy one born black. :drool:
Welcome Phill P xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Good to see you here :onya:
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/gallery/0/1-290517235220.png)
Welcome aboard, I'm in Sussex, might need to be selling my GSX in the new year... :bugga:
Good intro :onya:
Another Sussextier here, note to self must get down to spec savers sometime soon! nice photo of your bike i assumed it was a black gsx1400! :facepalm: tbh it was a quick look :smile2:
Few years back i had a maroon xjr 1200, both nice bikes but always preferred the blue & white colour scheme of the Suzuki gsx1400 which i own today.
Trouble is the xjr was black and as said the gsx in black does look very good but dare I say it, not that different, my gsx r was blue white with orange wheels (trust me it looked good) and I have a hankering for that again. I tend to prefer the early gsx simply because it has suzuki on the tank, sad I know. However I have read that S logo can be possibly removed and replaced with Suzuki writing.
Another reason for joining the forum was that bikes do come up for sale and these are generally well looked after by enthusiastic owners, certainly the case on the stoc...ford focus st forum
P
The blue and whites are a popular colour, they have been jokingly called the Tesco Edition after their common blue and white logo and bags.
Nothing at all wrong with having a preference on colour. Quite a few (most?) of my bikes have been black or blue and several have ended up with Yellow. / Gold or Bronze wheels. Personal taste and my preference.
Tank badge should be an easy fix I'd imagine, they aren't screwed on like the Old Skool bikes.
Later bikes do offer slightly better ECU, forks, an immobiliser etc but a lot of owners don't see that as a big deal, you still get the same bike really. Many folk seem to be more interested in the early bikes twin (wheelbarrow) cans or the later bikes 4 into 1, that seems to be a bigger issue than the ECU, Immobiliser etc.
Thats why I considered my 2008 (FE) to be the best of both worlds, in that the previous owner had converted the monstrous Bazooka back to the OEM twin silencer set up..
When I was looking for another 1400 I had a choice of 3 late ones.. The twin silencer conversion was what swung it for me..
With twin pipes there isnt "a good side".. Both sides are "Good".
S.
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Thursday, 08 December 2022, 01:12 AM
Thats why I considered my 2008 (FE) to be the best of both worlds, in that the previous owner had converted the monstrous Bazooka back to the OEM twin silencer set up..
When I was looking for another 1400 I had a choice of 3 late ones.. The twin silencer conversion was what swung it for me..
With twin pipes there isnt "a good side".. Both sides are "Good".
S.
Yeah, personal taste and personal priorities.
I much prefer bikes with a full aftermarket 4-1 or 4-2-1 system if not a stock version. I like the weight loss, performance, sound etc. Most of my bikes go this way. When I see twin cans I don't think symmetric I just think heavy and unnecessary. A 14 with a Full Akra or Cyclone system would be my pick every time.
Just different personal taste.
At least with pipes it's a common and easy thing to fix. Upgrading the forks, and the immobiliser and ECU etc is a bit more of a drama.
Phill P : Fitting twin pipes to a later bike isn't a direct bolt up but it is regularly done and not a drama if that's your thing.
Both sides of mine are ok to my eyes.
I am a twin can type person, unless it's a gsx-r or along those lines.
I like bellypans
Huggers
Handlebar fairings
Crash bars
Aftermarket seats.
I understand purists who want to keep it as Suzuki intended, but I like to play and make things mine.
I have a few ideas in my head but I also need to get a new lid and some leathers although my textiles are I good nick.
Paul
@Phill P Got these Dainese 2 piece leather 34" waist Chest 40" approx £70 Any good for you?
(https://i.imgur.com/HvLOPKj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ATamntV.jpg)
Hi
Cheers for the offer, sadly my days of 34 waist have past me by. :lol:
But thank you for the offer.
Paul
Quote from: Phill P on Saturday, 10 December 2022, 02:43 AM
Hi
Cheers for the offer, sadly my days of 34 waist have past me by. :lol:
But thank you for the offer.
Paul
Paul haven't we all lmfao 🤣
I haven't ever been that fat. :whistling:
Yeah ! Know the feeling , last time I was a 34" waist , I had hair !! :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
I think when I sold my 2 piece Frank Thomas leathers 12 years ago they was a 34 and getting......snug shall we say :undecided:
However I tried on my old boots and although stiff seem to fit ok. My AGV looks in perfect nick however I keep reading that I should get a new one, so looking at lids and reviews.
Paul :cheers:
5years for a helmet normally regardless of usage 🙏🙏
Boots stitching can deteriorate over time also 👍
Quote from: mjgt on Sunday, 11 December 2022, 08:32 PM
I haven't ever been that fat. :whistling:
:onya:
My leathers are 32", I think that's the biggest I've ever been.
Currently 76kg. I don't watch my diet until I hit 80kgs but that's hasn't happened in a while.
Almost pulled the trigger on a blue white k6 with what looked like twin delkevic exhausts, sadly close up pictures showed too many stone chips and blemishes.
P
It's mine :grin:
Nice one Phil......Enjoy :onya:
Thanks, it's going to be fun :cheers:
That's great news
@Phill P looks in great nick 👍👍👍
Good lookin bike👍
Looks Good Phill. :onya:
Cheers everyone, wheels need a refurb and colour change and the front mudguard needs a respray as its been badly done in the past.
Not sure if the seat has had some foam removed, obviously it's had a retrim.
I quite like that wheel colour tbh.
Seat looks comfy too 👍
I like the wheel colour. There's not many bikes or cars gold wheels works on, but it does there.
Seat wise, it does look cut down to me.
It's different for sure although close up they still need work.
Had some possibly bad news, garage rang today and said the bike had slight whine in first if you gave it the beans, all other gears are fine just briefly in first.
I have read on here that it's not unusual on the 1400 to do that, possibly straight cut gears in 1st, any thoughts on this anyone
Yeah, they all do that, it's that straight cut first gear, nowt to worry about. Put some decent fresh oil & filter into it & you'll be right.
Ah good,cheers for that,it's only done 14500 miles so it's hardly run in :cheers:
Quote from: Phill P on Friday, 17 February 2023, 05:39 AM
Ah good,cheers for that,it's only done 14500 miles so it's hardly run in :cheers:
Wanna lend it to Hooli for a weekend & he'll double that for ya & get it run in proper . . .
@Hooli
Quote from: KiwiCol on Friday, 17 February 2023, 09:54 AM
Quote from: Phill P on Friday, 17 February 2023, 05:39 AM
Ah good,cheers for that,it's only done 14500 miles so it's hardly run in :cheers:
Wanna lend it to Hooli for a weekend & he'll double that for ya & get it run in proper . . .
@Hooli
That's normally a quiet year's mileage for my main bike.
Mine will be somewhat less lol.
They also reported a shimmy under braking, they have replaced the discs and pads it it's still happening.
If they can't fix it I will reject it :whatever:
Quote from: Phill P on Friday, 17 February 2023, 08:37 PM
Mine will be somewhat less lol.
They also reported a shimmy under braking, they have replaced the discs and pads it it's still happening.
If they can't fix it I will reject it :whatever:
fork oil, suspension adjustment or wheel bearings. Easy fixes. I'd be negotiating some mote money off
Quote from: Phill P on Friday, 17 February 2023, 08:37 PM
They also reported a shimmy under braking, they have replaced the discs and pads it it's still happening.
If they can't fix it I will reject it :whatever:
Steering bearings & fork bushes are where I'd look next then.
I've spoken to the garage again and rejected the bike, the search continues ???
It's not back on their website yet...
It's probably still in bits, had a gsxr front spacer in it,was offered 3 year warranty for no extra but was starting to get a bad vibe. It was a cat D in 2007 which was OK but I think I'll keep looking for the right one :popcorn:
If it doesn't feel right, then don't buy it. Always a good plan.
The shimmy under braking will most probably be caused by stuck bobbins, hence their 'fixes' didn't work. That one would have been an easy one to clear up, imo. No matter now though.
Quote from: KiwiCol on Saturday, 18 February 2023, 03:42 AM
The shimmy under braking will most probably be caused by stuck bobbins, hence their 'fixes' didn't work. That one would have been an easy one to clear up, imo. No matter now though.
The shop replaced the disks & pads without fixing it so unlikley
Quote from: Hooli on Saturday, 18 February 2023, 05:24 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Saturday, 18 February 2023, 03:42 AM
The shimmy under braking will most probably be caused by stuck bobbins, hence their 'fixes' didn't work. That one would have been an easy one to clear up, imo. No matter now though.
The shop replaced the disks & pads without fixing it so unlikley
Oh yeah, I see that now. Well, did they actually replace the discs? They said they did . . .
New bike has arrived, 24500 miles 2002 model in blue white with a new nice touches, will get pics up when it let's me.