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

[Phill P]

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.

You won't mis the revs as you will be too busy holding on for dear life as both needles sweep around the clocks, no doubt noticing that you have the aerodynamics of a parachute 

[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.

You won't mis the revs as you will be too busy holding on for dear life as both needles sweep around the clocks, no doubt noticing that you have the aerodynamics of a parachute 

Reminds me of riding a 2-stroke, yet to test ride one though. And I weigh only 70kg, that usually helps to make things feel more powerful also. I do like the idea of keeping in shape by riding a powerful bike. Big Single cylinders also have some torque in it's own right and enjoy that feeling.

[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.

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.

That's what I'm missing right now, below 3000rpm on a big single like mine nothing happens, the bike even starts jerking. A few months ago a V8 SUV pushed me out of the way on the highway,

I couldn't accelerate fast enough and he tried to force me to go over a solid line, cause he couldn't wait a few hundred meters for me to do it legally. If I had a 14 I bet I could just accelerate without feeling that pressure / sense of danger. (Almost turned into a road rage situation as I followed the guy for a bit after, tried to get him to pull over as he endangered my life.)

[Tony Nitrous]

Hayabusa.   

[Batkwaka]

Hi Dreamer, I bought mine new in 2009, the only reliability issue has been the fuel pump to which you can find the remedy within these virtual pages.
I put 90k/km on it in 3 years with no issues, my friend rode his from Perth to Melbourne and back for the 2015 MotoGP without issues (actually handlebar warmers and spotlights drew too much power). Mine had the full hard panniers & Topbox which made life easier.

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

Hayabusa.   

Busa is a beautiful machine. That huge fairing gives a nice canvas for graphics. Always liked that writing on it. At the same time don't miss taking off fairings to service, and like the naked look. Something about the riding position I was never too certain about, being a shorter guy myself it seems kind of forward leaning. Been looking at the B-King for that reason, apparently some say the GSX 1400 is basically the precursor to the B-King. It just doesn't come close in looks

[GSX 1400 dreamer]

Hi Dreamer, I bought mine new in 2009, the only reliability issue has been the fuel pump to which you can find the remedy within these virtual pages.
I put 90k/km on it in 3 years with no issues, my friend rode his from Perth to Melbourne and back for the 2015 MotoGP without issues (actually handlebar warmers and spotlights drew too much power). Mine had the full hard panniers & Topbox which made life easier.

Hi Batkwaka,

That's nice to hear. Seem like strong engine if people add superchargers and turbos to open them op on the high end. I suppose that's too be expected, fuel pumps and such things. That's good to know, perhaps best to add low power draw auxiliary lights.
Currently have the use of Topbox and side panniers on my current bike, it's very useful indeed. I even detach the side pannier and carry it around as luggage.

[Speedy1959]

I added a H4 LED bulb for my headlight..
It only draws 12 watts as opposed to the 55 watts the standard Halogen draws!
The saving effectively gives me free heated grips (Oxford).. Thats assuming I have them set on full power, which I never do !

S

[Tony Nitrous]

Hayabusa. 

At the same time don't miss taking off fairings to service, and like the naked look.

Fairings on Busa's are optional... 

[Snapey]

That thing is worse than ugly.