GSX 1400 2002 with unknown mileage for sale as primary transport. bad idea?

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

Good day,

I've had my eye on these for a while now, but almost none for sale in my country until now. There's one with unknown mileage, potentially clocked over already (who knows with shops / salesmen when profit is their main goal).

What do you guys say, is it a bad idea to buy one as primary transport? How reliable are they really being 20+ years old, will I have warning before it drops me. Living in a country where you don't want to break down next to most roads due to safety concerns, but growing tired of riding a tall single cylinder (been riding for 20+ years though).

Please share your opinions, as I'm thinking about trading in a 2013 model bike for one. The look and torque is really intriguing.

[Tony Nitrous]

Mine has "unknown" mileage, smashed clocks, bought as a crashed bike. Mileage isn't everything. I've done some long hauls and commuted on mine for several years, no dramas. The 14 isn't really high tech and is pretty reliable anyway.

I've had a 1300 that felt tired at 50,000k's, I've had a 650 that was much nicer at 100,000+k's.

I'm looking for another bike right now. Low mileage is nice but it's not a deal breaker for me, it's easy to forge and doesn't tell you if the bikes been loved or abused anyway.

When we had Covid lockdowns I used my 14 for work as a way to get bike rides in. Mines a bit rough with a noisy 3rd gear (it's had a hard life) but commuting through the city and on the motorway was still fun.

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

Thank you Tony,

Does your GSX have Nitrous on it? Saw a few 1550 & turbo mod videos and they sound insane. I try to appreciate a bike in it's original / standard form as far as possible.

Less easy to tell with all the chrome work also, things that can be polished and re-chromed, covers colour sprayed to hide potential damage. I just tend to become paranoid when things get older, as usually that's when things start packing up systematically. When cars did that to me I usually sold it. And can only think how many owners before, etc. Guess it depends yes, some might really look after it and some just never ride it and let it stand for decades at a time.

I ride 100+ kms sometimes to work, and really crave the power and little more movement highway than single cyl running out of revs quickly.

I see in UK there's a lot of GSX 1400s on the market. You're lucky in that sense if you're in UK. Lack of complete service history leaves anything to the imagination and wonder what that engine overhaul will cost and availability of parts locally seeing as it's a grey import. Something about the bikes appearance tells me the trouble and sacrifice might be worth the while.

Most what I read about them is about corrosion and squashy suspension and breaks. I'm happy to ride within the bikes limitations, but I've seen people ride heavy bikes like Bandits at close to it's limits and seems quite manageable. Those things are secondary to me than reliability. I do like the fact that there's less tech, as my time with a luxury brand vehicle workshop showed me how often complicated electronics can fail, and more components interviewing with things.

I've been looking at the MT07 Yamaha for that reason. The motor is used in MT 07 Tracer (nice high riding position) and the new T7  XT Tenere, so it seems that's a reliable engine and a little more torque than a single. And lighter, but at the same time I like that riding a bike can give you varying levels of exercise. People complaining about wind when riding getting pains in their shoulders, I see it as a workout and some of my best riding memories has been in the worst storms with little to no visibility.

I did prefer the light handling & feel of something such as a GSX 750 R (k6) compared to something heavy like a late 90's Fireblade. The way the Fireblade was much moveable in the corners, but I've come to like the idea of using wind resistance and throwing a heavy bike around (my current one is around 220 and much taller, feet don't even touch the ground flat on either side   

[KiwiCol]

Gidday Dreamer, welcome to the forum.  As Tony said, mileage isn't everything with these machines, but, tell us a bit more about it & the country you're in.  Is the bike in Km or Miles? Which model is it?  any pic's of it? How much does the dealer want for it?

We actually prefer new members to do an Intro before posting on the main forum boards, link is below if you want to do that.

https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?board=20.0

[Hooli]

If it's been serviced on time then mileage doesn't matter. Mines on 168k miles and still sweet as a nut with no engine or gearbox issues. It's not treated that gently either, I ride it to enjoy it

[Tony Nitrous]

Thank you Tony,

No nitrous on this one. The name came from my previous bikes.

I'm in Australia and on longer rural rides reliability is a big deal.

Service History? In my last job I had several thousand service books, I ordered them by the pallet load, most bike ones have a part number, buy a book, get a rubber stamp made and in 10 minutes you have a great "fake" service history. Service history's are worth nothing unless you get them confirmed by the dealer doing them. I have a few bikes, only 2 were bought new, I don't think any of the others had a service history, it's not something I hugely trust or value.

The 14 has is good and bad points but as they have been around so long there's very few surprises. A proven, strong, solid bike.  I do like my 14 but I'm not obsessed with them so I have a balanced opinion.
* Build quality is OK but not amazing. Forks and engine cases tarnish pretty easy.
* They have heaps of grunt which suits the style of bike but don't have serious top end punch.
* I don't think you can ECU flash early bikes and later ones only offer the very basics so whilst ECU flashing is very popular on other bikes lots of folk still use PowerCommanders.
* Being a stand alone model and not part of a family like other Suzuki's, and not being sold in the huge US market means spares and part swapping isn't as easy or common as other bikes. 
* Suspension and the 6-plop brakes are easy to upgrade. Pretty common with many owners.

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

I see yes, wouldn't be surprised if you had on the GSX, seen some drags of them against Busa (both modified). I guess 11.xx seconds quarter mile isn't that slow already as it stands.

I hear what you're saying about the service history. I guess for me it would depend on how a person does it, like you say a lot can be faked. I service my bikes myself and try to replace seals before they leak when checking something, etc. I write everything down that I do and honest about the history in some cases I would believe the owner if he kept receipts on everything like I do, etc. But usually when I bought a bike I'd go according to the condition of the motorcycle, photos posted for the ad, signs of corrosion and such things to see if the bike slept inside, etc. But having none at all and no contact with the previous owner leaves so much for the imagination.

Thank you for your insights, it's good to see a realistic view. Most videos on YT I've seen everyone is either saying the regret selling theirs or that it's the best bike they've ever owned.

Yeah, I know with my imported 2 strokes some parts was an issue and some dealers don't care to bother with grey imports using it as an excuse to not get involved.

Been watching some GSX 1400s on dynos (YT) and it sounds great. I saw a video of those 6 pot calipers being high maintenance and some nice setups with straight handle bars and SV 1000 front brakes, etc. I've never had to replace calipers or shocks on any bike this far, this one might've had a shock service at some stage as there's stickers on it so at least not untouched completely. Doubt I'd upgrade brakes or suspension as long as it's in workable condition. I only way 70 kg even though I do occasion spirited riding it's mostly primary transport and the torque seems perfect for that.

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

If it's been serviced on time then mileage doesn't matter. Mines on 168k miles and still sweet as a nut with no engine or gearbox issues. It's not treated that gently either, I ride it to enjoy it

168k sounds comforting

Perhaps a person can assume with a lower engine rev character of this engine and higher size capacity that it's capable of higher mileages when compared to higher performance engines of let's say a 1000cc Superbike. Perhaps I should rather think of the GSX as a fast car on two wheels. As many bikes seem to give a lot of issues before 100 000.

[grog]

Mate, you commute on a 500 single and worried about a 14 being up to it?

[Mick_J]

Welcome to the forum Dreamer.  I've had my 1400 for 16 years and the only "real fault" has been the TPS failed.  Other than that I just ride it and service it.  It's a very reliable bike.  I wouldn't worry about changing the front brakes, eth six pots are fine just remember to keep them clean and give them a good scrub out every two years or so.  Where Are you?

[Tony Nitrous]

If it's been serviced on time then mileage doesn't matter. Mines on 168k miles and still sweet as a nut with no engine or gearbox issues. It's not treated that gently either, I ride it to enjoy it

168k sounds comforting

Perhaps a person can assume with a lower engine rev character of this engine and higher size capacity that it's capable of higher mileages when compared to higher performance engines of let's say a 1000cc Superbike. Perhaps I should rather think of the GSX as a fast car on two wheels. As many bikes seem to give a lot of issues before 100 000.

I have / had a few bikes that make more power than my 14, but as you say, that power is higher up the rev range and the motors often get rev'ed more and work harder. Most 14 owners don't buy them to rev them hard like a Sportsbike.  They go OK, certainly no slouch but they work best in the midrange not topend and a big motor at lower revs gives them an easier life.

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

Mate, you commute on a 500 single and worried about a 14 being up to it?

Well, my thinking is the single cylinder bike is a newer model (2013) and lighter on fuel, Even though it's limited in top speed the engine is known to be reliable but approaching 40k. Just feel it works to hard on the highways. My concern about the 14 is more the age of it also combined with unknown wear and tear and things packing up due to these factors without warning. I'm sure the 14 has plenty power to get there though.

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

Welcome to the forum Dreamer.  I've had my 1400 for 16 years and the only "real fault" has been the TPS failed.  Other than that I just ride it and service it.  It's a very reliable bike.  I wouldn't worry about changing the front brakes, eth six pots are fine just remember to keep them clean and give them a good scrub out every two years or so.  Where Are you?

Thank you That sounds reassuring yes, thank you.

Yeah, I was used to old 2 strokes having to clean out things such as brake calipers, but currently less convenient space to work in and clean / service a bike properly. Which is why my current bike is just being ridden and serviced mostly yearly. I used to clean my bikes every weekend almost when I had space to do it. Almost seems like the GSX is that kind of bike that prefers to be cleaned often, etc. I commute through all seasons, but have a bike cover for extended hours parked outside in the rain.

I'm in South Africa.

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

If it's been serviced on time then mileage doesn't matter. Mines on 168k miles and still sweet as a nut with no engine or gearbox issues. It's not treated that gently either, I ride it to enjoy it

168k sounds comforting

Perhaps a person can assume with a lower engine rev character of this engine and higher size capacity that it's capable of higher mileages when compared to higher performance engines of let's say a 1000cc Superbike. Perhaps I should rather think of the GSX as a fast car on two wheels. As many bikes seem to give a lot of issues before 100 000.

I have / had a few bikes that make more power than my 14, but as you say, that power is higher up the rev range and the motors often get rev'ed more and work harder. Most 14 owners don't buy them to rev them hard like a Sportsbike.  They go OK, certainly no slouch but they work best in the midrange not topend and a big motor at lower revs gives them an easier life.

I guess that's kind of my thinking also. Just sometimes I think I'll miss having revs available, but would enjoy usable power for sure, compared to a single on the highway.

[KiwiCol]

If it's been serviced on time then mileage doesn't matter. Mines on 168k miles and still sweet as a nut with no engine or gearbox issues. It's not treated that gently either, I ride it to enjoy it

168k sounds comforting

Perhaps a person can assume with a lower engine rev character of this engine and higher size capacity that it's capable of higher mileages when compared to higher performance engines of let's say a 1000cc Superbike. Perhaps I should rather think of the GSX as a fast car on two wheels. As many bikes seem to give a lot of issues before 100 000.

I have / had a few bikes that make more power than my 14, but as you say, that power is higher up the rev range and the motors often get rev'ed more and work harder. Most 14 owners don't buy them to rev them hard like a Sportsbike.  They go OK, certainly no slouch but they work best in the midrange not topend and a big motor at lower revs gives them an easier life.

I guess that's kind of my thinking also. Just sometimes I think I'll miss having revs available, but would enjoy usable power for sure, compared to a single on the highway.

With these motors you don't need to rev them, changing gear to overtake a vehicle on the motorway is optional.  At 100kph, you'll be pulling around 3200rpm, just crack the throttle & you'll be passed in no time, probably doing around 140kph after the manoeuvre, depending on how hard you twist your right wrist.
These motors have heaps of torque & will pull away quite happily from just over idle revs, you do not need to rev them to get anywhere, like you do with a stroker.