Hi all, long time lover of big cc bikes, specially GSX'sss if that's a word. I feel in love with these particular bikes when the world of motorcycles changed BIG TIME. GSX1100R hyper sport first came out. I was only 16 and easily impressed.
So I am here more so to pick brains as I am maybe going to drop some coin on a 2004 1400. I'm interested in what to look for.
Looking forward to seeing what this ever evolving beast has to offer me, now no longer 16.
Currently living in Brisbane however heading home later this year to Country Victoria. Cheers all.
Afternoon sounds like you've got good taste in bikes there.
There is a buyer's guide tucked away in our technical section for these https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=3137.0
Gidday ajs18s, welcome to the forum. 2004, that'd make it a K4. They're a rare find, hardly any k4's around.
Welcome mate, enjoy the search for your 1402. Start off slow, so you may need a black one....
But seriously, yes K4s are rare, I'm biased but the K2/K3 are great. A clean FE (Final Edition) from 2008 would make a great bike too. Red and black ones are hard to find, as are the single colour bikes, the silver grey ones especially. The later models are identified by the red rear coils, paint scheme and that they have an immobiliser.
Look for rust in the tank, pitting on the fork stanchions, engine casings etc as signs of abuse. Warped discs, sticking brake calipers are common if not looked after, but easy to replace or fix.
Plenty of info on here, happy reading.
Welcome to the Org ajs18s.
You are making a wise choice in picking a 14.
Love to see some photo's, once you have made your purchase
:welcome: :1400spray:
Thanks for the warm welcome all.
My story, Im retirring from full-time work sometime this year and this is going to be a "hobby". So I am after a sidecar due to injuries, makes life a little easier. My first plan was going to be a K1100rt as I love BMWs. However, I have found a beautiful 1400 a few streets away, and it already has a sidecar attached, perfect. But it's not going to stop there, I intend on spending my free time rebuilding, painting.......We all know how this goes. This bike will be used for a lap of Australia, camping trips and basically to keep me from going insane....
So I will be watching every youtube video on these bikes.
:salute:
The 1402 is/was a popular choice for sidecar fitment.
Welcome.
What to look for ?
Apart from the normal tyres, chains, steering and swingarm bearings etc etc...
The alloy on the cases and forks doesn't take much encouragement to corrode.
Later bikes have an immobiliser. That's good, unless the seller only has 1 key.
Tokic-6 plop front calipers are average on a good day. Love them and care for them, and when they need work bin them. Some folk think they are OK, I don't, and Suzuki went back to 4's on other models.
Yoshi Cyclone pipes sound real nice and give good performance, but it's an arse to get the oil filter out.
Like lots of bikes, exhaust studs can be fragile to remove if neglected, I'm not sure if 14's are worse than others but I know a few folk with 14's who have suffered.
You won't care if it's a S/car hauler but a taller 55 tyre is nice for a solo.
Despite having injection and an ECU flashing isn't that common. Even the later ones with access are still pretty basic. It's one of the few bikes I didn't mind a Powercommander on.
There's a piece on here somewhere about punching the breather hole out in the filler neck. It lets you add an extra couple of ltrs or similar. I don't brim mine, but I can certainly hold more than a stock tank.
Hi and welcome.
Hope you find the bike that suits your needs.
Or find a bland one to farkle up :onya:
The fuel tank filler mod allows an extra 2 or so litres, handy if going on a long ride, you get ~24l in the tank if you fill it to the brim.
6 pots with std rubber brake hoses are shite. Braided ss lines and a rebuild of the calipers with a decent seal kit, sintered pads and true running discs, plus cleaned out disc bobbins make for an acceptable package, whilst not brembo level performance, still not bad for a +22 yo bike imho.
Welcome to the forum ajs18s. :onya: Good luck with your search.
:welcome1:
To all things 1402
:cheers:
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/gallery/0/1-290517235220.png)
I don't think we have any other outfits on here so we are looking forward to seeing what you get :)
Gumtree OZ listed as for sale in Perth WA
Suzuki gsx1400 side car
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/1339921151
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Friday, 30 January 2026, 06:57 PMGumtree OZ listed as for sale in Perth WA
Suzuki gsx1400 side car
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/1339921151
Wow, interesting looking beast. :onya:
Good idea for the terrain but the chain must take an awful lot, of maintenance.
A shaft drive would make life much, simpler. :hat:
$11,000 dollars 💸 there must be a lot more to it than I see.
Front end looks quite exotic.
Yeah nah, don't think so. Must be trying to recoup some of the build costs.
Quote from: Mr Gee on Friday, 30 January 2026, 07:27 PMQuote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Friday, 30 January 2026, 06:57 PMGumtree OZ listed as for sale in Perth WA
Suzuki gsx1400 side car
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/1339921151
Wow, interesting looking beast. :onya:
Good idea for the terrain but the chain must take an awful lot, of maintenance.
A shaft drive would make life much, simpler. :hat:
Why? fit an oiler & the chain can last 50k miles even without being ridden slow. Yeah it's pulling a bit more weight but I'd still expect 30k+ with a chair on.
Quote from: Hooli on Saturday, 31 January 2026, 09:30 PMQuote from: Mr Gee on Friday, 30 January 2026, 07:27 PMQuote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Friday, 30 January 2026, 06:57 PMGumtree OZ listed as for sale in Perth WA
Suzuki gsx1400 side car
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/1339921151
Wow, interesting looking beast. :onya:
Good idea for the terrain but the chain must take an awful lot, of maintenance.
A shaft drive would make life much, simpler. :hat:
Why? fit an oiler & the chain can last 50k miles even without being ridden slow. Yeah it's pulling a bit more weight but I'd still expect 30k+ with a chair on.
Maybe on the road but in all of that sand?
TBH I've not opened the link :lol: :cheers:
Ural building on hold for 18 months as they're moving out of Russia to possibly India !!
I thought they were in Ukraine not Russia, but wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong.
Well it has arrived, I am happy overall with the condition of my new bike. Just needs a good clean and polish.
I have been out for a quick ride and first impression is I like, very comfortable but these factory bars will be replaced very soon.
I'm not the biggest guy, 6'2 and 105kg but this bike feels so small, reminds me of one of my first 250s growing up. But I have come from owning a 1150gsa.
But I am going to enjoy that I am sure.
Let the games begin.
Nice, I used to think the 1400 was big, especially compared to the Daytona 675 I had before. But now also having a BMW K1300GT, the 1400 feels more like my old GSXF250 Bandit
Quote from: ajs18s on Friday, 20 March 2026, 10:24 AMWell it has arrived, I am happy overall with the condition of my new bike. Just needs a good clean and polish.
I have been out for a quick ride and first impression is I like, very comfortable but these factory bars will be replaced very soon.
I'm not the biggest guy, 6'2 and 105kg but this bike feels so small, reminds me of one of my first 250s growing up. But I have come from owning a 1150gsa.
But I am going to enjoy that I am sure.
Let the games begin.
That's funny, when I first got a GSX I also said it feels like my old 250. Guess I was referring to how easy it was to navigate corners & feels light on it's feet. When they're rolling along the road, they're a very manageable bike.
14s are daftly easy to ride, the small lasses I know who ride them well prove that it doesn't take muscle.
Agreed on the standard bars though, they're horrible.
Never found stock bars bad, most other bikes owned always tried different. Never found a reason to change 14 and it's been a while. I do have 30 mm risers with 18 mm pull back.Guess we're all different 🤷🏼
I find it's the sweep back, it gives me a pain between the shoulder blades. But as you say we're all different.
Bought mine with aftermarket flat bars, never known any different, I have the factory bars hanging in the shed, doubt I'll ever fit them
I'm the same my GSX feels quite light weight and nimble after I get off my BMW R1200RT. :cheers:
I've also never had anything other than factory bars so after 25 years of ownership I think I'm used to them :hat:
I think I should be asking on the Aftermarket section but I find the factory bars a little to narrow but how does one find a better fit bar?
The local bike shop won't order a few different models/brands for me just to fit up for a weekend?
I was gifted the handle bar lifter and backwards blocks.
I tried them, it made for easier wheelies but put me in the wind a lot more so was quite fatiguing. I donated them to a mate who's very happy with them.
Quote from: ajs18s on Saturday, 21 March 2026, 09:46 AMI think I should be asking on the Aftermarket section but I find the factory bars a little to narrow but how does one find a better fit bar?
The local bike shop won't order a few different models/brands for me just to fit up for a weekend?
Somewhere in the download section on here there's a chart with all the renthal bars & original bar measurements. You should be able to compare them that way & as all bars are measured the same way, it'll compare to other adverts too.
I tell a lie, it's not the download section...
https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=290.0