Wheel bearings

[Tally]

Hi , all knowledgable ones, how do go about finding the correct bearings for the rear wheel and sprocket carrier. All advice would be greatly appreciated ,thanks. JT.

[GSXKING]

I'm sure the numbers are on the outer race of the bearings mate. 🙄

[lurch]

Front wheel
- 2 of 6205 2RS
- 2 of 32x52x7 seals

Rear wheel
- 2 of 60/28 2RS
- No seals

Sprocket carrier
- 1 of 62/32 2RS
- Seal I can't  remember but the numbers will be on it

From memory the factory bearings are only sealed on one side. Better to replace them with some that have seals on both sides (2RS) from known quality (preferably Japanese) brands like SKF, Koyo, Timken.

Don't be tempted by any ready to go kits (e.g. All Balls, Bearing Worx). They're convenient but the bearings are shite.

[Hooli]

I'll second that, AllBalls are shit. Avoid them like the plague they failed within a month or two for me.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

3rd from me, ALL Balls, says it in the name.

Take the existing bearings or the numbers given above to a bearing shop and get quality sealed units.

Use the old bearings to drive the new ones in.

[Irish in Oz]

Thanks to Barmy

https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=197.0

[GSXKING]

Buy the best you can afford mate. Genuine Suzuki ones are 5 times the cost of any Japanese manufactured bearings.
I remember changing mine at 100,000 kms and the guy who removed/refitted said originals were still good, but for piece of mind I asked him to change them. 180,000 kms now and no issues ever.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

5x the cost seems fair when they last 5x as long.

[Hooli]

Genuine Suzuki won't be made by Suzuki though, so you're paying for the label on the plastic bag.

[Tally]

Thanks @lurch for the bearing info, as for all balls I already know they are to be given a wide birth. Right then internet here I come .

[Irish in Oz]

Over the years I have used SKF, KOYO and FAG all from different country origins.

[GSXKING]

5x the cost seems fair when they last 5x as long.

My point was, as has been said. Suzuki buys Koyo and put a part number on it.
Building a GSX1400 from parts alone would cost in excess of $150,000 Aus by my estimate. 💰💰💰💰
The one thing I'm most impressed about my 25 yo motorcycle is it's travelled 180,000+ kms and still all original motor parts and clutch, including the plates. The tolerances they were built too were exceptional for that time. 🧐
I seriously never thought back in 2001 I'd still own and ride the same bike. 😳
Those of you who know me, know I don't mind reving the ring out of it either. There's the minorist amount of oil in the exhaust when I back off rapidly so I've been told. 🏍�💨
When they complain I tell them to overtake. I don't make it easy. "Irish"Jeff taught me that one 😂😂😂😂 on the Oxley.

[Tony Nitrous]

As Chris and others said, there's a lot of stuff Suzuki don't make. No one thinks you have to have Suzuki tyres, oil, plugs etc, in the same way they don't make brake parts, hoses, bulbs and a 1000 other parts.

The bit that you have to decide on is if you buy from Suzuki or bypass them. Knowing what's the same, what's just as good or what's inferior.

One theory is buying genuine branded parts should be some form of reassurance that they have the manufacturers backing, although in reality it's been proven Suzuki don't always use the best !

The beauty of the 14 is it's been around long enough and has quite a few experienced owners to help with recommendations.

I'm quite open to Genuine or Aftermarket, I just do some homework first.

[grog]

Hard to know what to buy. OEM Suzuki crazy prices for consumables but there again. Reputable brake kit i got 2 yrs ago, seal has swelled,seized up. centre pin for pads, its guts has stripped, now fitting oem from 20 yrs back, still ok.Bleeder cap from new kit, disintegrated, original still ok.Everone says dont buy chinese, indian etc, SKF, Timken, Koyo, all made in various places, china also. Japanese i reckon best quality.

[Tony Nitrous]

Amongst my more recent bikes there have been 2 reg/rec recalls, and 2 front brake master recalls. None of which were parts made by Suzuki, but all parts they they were happy to fit as standard. Also 1 recall because they weren't doing a brake bolt up correctly, and another recall due to sending bikes out with no thread lock on clutch bolts.

Much as I'm a self confessed Suzuki Fan Boi they don't exactly set the benchmark for build quality excellence.

My lone Kawasaki would have been similar, both with Kawasaki's own build quality and the parts they bought in. Centre stand, wheel bearing, ECU etc.

"Manufacturer knows best" doesn't carry a whole lot of merit with me.