6 weeks of ownership

[Speedy1959]

I have now owned the new "Sophie" for around 6 weeks or so, and I thought it would be good to do a review of my thoughts and findings of this bike.

As some of you will know I originally owned a K4 (05 plate) Black and Red version which I owned for quite a while (for me)..

I sold it to a friend of Seth's (on here) who came all the way from Scotland with his car and Trailer to pick up.

I cant remember the time frame exactly, but before very long I contacted Seth's friend (I am sorry to say I have forgotten his name.. He was on this forum).
I offered to do a straight swap with a later Honda CB1300 I had..
He agreed and I rode the Honda to the Scottish Borders and then rode Sophie straight back.
I remember at the time thinking how much more comfortable the GSX 1400 was than the Honda, even though I had just ridden around 100 miles to collect Sophie and so that put me in an excellent position to make an informed opinion about the merits of these 2 bikes.

When I went with my Friend Alison to pick up my 08 GSX, I went into the sellers garage and sat on the bike (Thank You Mr Notty!!).. It was like meeting up with an old friend..
I knew in seconds it was the right thing to do!

My previous bike, the 2017 Triumph Explorer 1200 was very comfortable, fast smooth (for 3 cylinders) and has SUPERB build quality..
Yes it had various "Ride Modes" and Cruise control and electric screen and Electric suspension control etc, etc.
But for all that it wasn't a bike that I turned back to look at as I walked away, if you know what I mean.
Incidentally once I had played with the modes and the suspension etc for a few days I never touched it again!

The other BIG issue (for me) with the Triumph is that they are NOT DIY friendly at all!!
Even Spark Plugs and Air filter mean removing the Tank..
Not a big job on the GSX, BUT MUCH more complex on the Triumph.. Not only is there an hours worth of "Tupperware" to remove to get to the tank, but you then have to drain the tank due to the balancer pipes that connect each front lobe of the tank... They are a brilliant idea for day to day running as it means you have access to all of the fuel.. But a total pain when doing DIY.
The Triumph was approaching 18,000 miles..
On that model 20,000 miles is the BIG Valve adjustment service..
A lot of people on that forum suggested NOT leaving the valves the full 20,000 miles as when they had theirs checked the were TOO TIGHT !

I was quoted £860 for the 20k service !!
I learned of an expert mechanic working from his home in Anglesey (Wales).
I contacted him and arranged for a 2 day visit to do the full Valve service PLUS disassemble the steering head to clean and re grease the Head bearings.
The price for the whole lot including 1 nights B&B / Fuel / and of course payment to Mark was around half what the dealership would have charged!
Because I was allowed to watch / assist I can tell you with some authority what a PIG OF A JOB the valve service is!!

If I am honest this was a BIG factor in me deciding to get rid of the Triumph!

To my fellow GSX1400 owners...

1.   No the GSX isn't the latest all singing Gadget packed bike, but that absolutely is the BIG attraction.
2.   It's all too easy to take for granted just how easy the GSX is to work on. Once you've strayed away onto complex modern bikes I can assure you, that your fond memories of a more simple and honest bike will start to surface. For some time before I got my latest GSX I was feeling pangs of desire for another!!
3.   It's too easy to convince yourself you need gadgetry and over complex electronics in you life...You do not !

If this post has made some of you think a bit before getting rid of your faithful friend, then I am pretty pleased..
My bike history below shows how I kept searching for "That special Bike".
It cost a lot of money, and in the end my conclusion is this:

A comfortable, reliable work Horse of a Bike that even today does so many things so well.
Out of the list below, I can now say that my current GSX1400 is my favourite bike of the lot!
In other words, "That Special Bike" is peeping through my window! (Photo)

S.
My Bike History since February 2015

1.   2005 BMW R1200GS 
2.   2009 BMW R1200GS
3.   2007 Yamaha MT01   
4.   2007 Honda CB1300 Faired
5.   2007 Blue Naked CB1300
6.   2009 BMW R1200GS
7.   2011 Yamaha FJR1300
8.   2008 Yamaha MT01
9.   2005 Suzuki GSX1400 (Sophie)
10.    2011 Yamaha MT01 (Final Year)
11.    2008 Honda CB1300
12.    2005 Suzuki GSX1400 (Sophie back)
13.    2010 Honda CB1300
14.    2017 Triumph Explorer 1200
15.    2008 Suzuki GSX1400K7 (FE)

(Well done for making it to the end)
S.

[Notty]

When I went with my Friend Alison to pick up my 08 GSX, I went into the sellers garage and sat on her.. It was like meeting up with an old friend..
I knew in seconds it was the right thing to do!

Incidentally once I had played with the modes and the suspension etc for a few days I never touched it again!

Was it the bike or Alison you sat on played with the modes? 
@Speedy1959

[Speedy1959]

Both..
But Alison was a girlfriend who I lived with many years ago back when I was 21 !
So I have known her a LOOOOONG time now.

[GSXKING]

@Speedy1959 I wholeheartedly concur with your comments 👍👍
My friends tell me I treat motorcycles like white goods & flick them with no conscience 🤡🤡
However my GSX has never let me down so I've become sentimental about it 🤔🤔 21 years together since new is like a relationship 💍💍

[Mick_J]

I am half way through a full service on my Speed Triple and I had to remove the tank and the air box to get to the rocker cover (are they still called that?).  I only found 3 shims were tight, when I swapped them out I was able to use two old ones so only needed one new shim (Hope the bike shop will accept the other back).  I'ts a lot of work on my SIII so I can imagine the work on a tiger would take a shit load of time.  The hardest bit was, as there is no nut to turn on the SIII I had to put it in top and turn the back wheel.  I skinned my knuckle on the bloody chain guard, triumph don't make life easy for the home mechanic.  As far as the 14 is concerned Suzuki have made life fairly easy.  Not looking forward to checking the valves on my Ducati next year.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

On my K1300GT  BMW, to pull the spark plugs, the Tupperware has to come off, radiator off and oil cooler out  luckily that only get done every 100,000km.....

[KiwiCol]

On my K1300GT  BMW, to pull the spark plugs, the Tupperware has to come off, radiator off and oil cooler out  luckily that only get done every 100,000km.....

That's madness Eric, why build a machine that way, jeez!

[gsxbarmy]

I'm the opposite. Apart from losing my hobby of polishing parts, I have no regrets about selling my 14 some 6 years ago now.

Having owned a Triumph Explorer 1200 LRH (same as Simon's) from new, I agree 100% that they are a pain to work on. Triumph make great bikes but give no consideration for servicing or stripping down for a service, in fact if you remove all the tupperware before a service and put it back afterwards, you can save a couple of hours on your service bill. Having said that (and having toured extensively on it), it definitely handled better and managed changes in road conditions etc with all its jiggery pokery better than the 14.

My R1250GS is a better story yet again. Great tourer, handfuls of torque, superb handling and dead easy to work on. For general servicing, you can get at all the necessary engine parts without any stripping down; if you do need to take the tupperware off, this can be completely removed using just one torque screwdriver in about 15 mins, it really is that simple to get all the side panels, tank panels and beak off ready to do  a major service. Ok, servicing can be a little costly but nowhere near what the Triumph costs were.

Would I go back to a 14 - yes as a second bike, but as an everyday bike - no technology has moved on, and the new gadgetry of electronic suspension and the suchlike giving multiple suspension adjustments per second just makes it safer IMO.

I loved my 14, having owned 2 over a period of 10 years, still think they are one of the greatest and understated machines ever built, but I wouldn't swap my R1250GS now, just love it.

[VladTepes]

but GSX1400s are beautiful and BMW's are.... not.

[Tony Nitrous]

Well said gsxbarmy.

Love my 14, it's the end of the Old Skool bikes for me. Easy to work on too. I'm very happy to own one.

However.... I love modern bikes. Proper cruise control, auto blippers two way quick shifters, launch control, TFT dash, traction control, smart ABS, all the tech takes nothing away from the fun, you can turn it off but on it just makes a 200hp bike even more fun. Should we diss the 14 because it's way more complicated than a BSA M20 sidevalve ?

I find a lot of riders can be very divided, they either want basic, simple, basic, fix it with a rock... or they want the latest tech and toys and enjoy having them.

I try and be open minded and enjoy both. They both offer something very different. Liking one personally is fine but it doesn't make it superior.

My GSX1400 has something in common with my B-King, they are great bikes I'm very happy to own, but I wouldn't have one as an only bike.

[Hooli]

TFT dash

When I was looking for a new bike last year & again this year, anything with a TFT dash was an automatic no. The dash should have real dials with moving needles, a small side display is fine but not a video game to replace the important parts.

[grog]

Agree BMW looks, only one ever looked good was old R90S. IMO. Analogue dials i can see easily, not the screen type. Spent 2 yrs with Diavel screens, i managed but back on 14 was always better.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Agree BMW looks, only one ever looked good was old R90S. IMO. Analogue dials i can see easily, not the screen type. Spent 2 yrs with Diavel screens, i managed but back on 14 was always better.

These would be alright then....

[grog]

Yeah Mate, just beautiful. Struggle wih middle bits, not what i care abut. Revs n speed, thats enough. Sorry, i do like fuel gauge.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I must admit I'm a fan of this K1300GT dash layout, the trip computers etc don't phase me, but yes, revs speed and fuel are all you need.