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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:12:30 GMT
I was after a GSX1400 for a while. Every time I ended up with something else or my budget wouldn't stretch to one. I ended up bidding on a few damaged ones at the auctions. I wasn't after a mint one, just one to have a play with. A lad on another forum offered me his. It had been thrown down the road but still started and rode straight. $2500 (£1200) bought me this:  |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:18:16 GMT
The Bad: Dented tank, smashed clocks that the rain had got into, scars to the headlight, cases, levers etc. The Good: It's a 2007/8 model, one of the very last sold. Has a fork brace, rad guard, drag bars, GIVI rack and top box, after market handlebar clamp, mini indicators, genuine Pazzo levers, and best of all, a Yoshimura Cyclone full system and a PC111 that was dyno mapped and go's real hard. A bit of research found it was the quickest of a few local GSX1400's when they had a day at the drags.  ![]() ![]() |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:24:52 GMT
Stock clocks aren't common at the wreckers or cheap enough for me, so the Mrs treated me to a set of KOSO clocks as an engagement prezzie...  |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:29:00 GMT
It got my normal "I fit to everything" Renthal 789 bars and aftermarket mirrors, a good clean and straighten up and went through its safety cert (MOT) without drama.    |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:33:13 GMT
Several on the owners forum warned me about Jack up kits. "You'll die / it'll spit you off at speed / they are dangerous / DON'T DO IT!" I thought they sound just up my street so on went a 30mm lift at the rear.    |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:35:26 GMT
Not really into touring bikes, but seeing as I was heading North for a few days and had all the stuff sat here, I chucked on the rack, box, screen and tank bag.  |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:39:21 GMT
Got an ET cowl off Ebay recently to replace one that had been cut, so the cut one went onto the 14. Most folk dont seem to like it but I do so it can stay. I won't lose any sleep over it.  |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:46:08 GMT
Tank is still caved in, the left hand side still has its scars from tarmac surfing, and 3rd gear has the start of a very slight "whine". Nothing that will stress me. It's just a cheap bruiser that is a handful to throw around and eats the miles in comfort.  |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 5:53:42 GMT
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froudy
Junior Member
Posts: 63 
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Post by froudy on Nov 21, 2015 13:17:57 GMT
Hi Tony.
Thats a lot of bike for the money, even if it is a bit of a rough diamond.
How do you find the jack up kit..I was thinking of fitting one as I find mine a bit low. Any issues with side or centre stands??
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 19:05:29 GMT
It suits me but won't suit everyone!
I don't have a centre stand, side stand is OK.
The seat felt slightly different. I was going to get it recovered / re shaped but I got used to it
and forgot all about it.
I did it because the pegs dragged to easy for my likening and I wanted the steering to be a
bit sharper, quicker.
It took a bit of pissing about with suspension settings but its OK now.
30mm is probably a bit much. Flat out the steering is a little more twitchy. Two mates have
done the same and now run dampers to fix that. Normally I'd go a 190/55 tyre but that didn't
pick the rear up enough. Ideally I'd try a 20mm lift, maybe +20mm shocks ?
Some do it for "the look" of the raised rear.
It's not for everyone. I ride 90% mountain roads so there's heaps of bends but few
high speed straights, I'm tall and don't use a centre stand. It works or me.
Plenty of folks hate the mod and the lack of high speed stability.
I use other bikes for high speed rides.
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froudy
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by froudy on Nov 21, 2015 19:07:31 GMT
Hmmm...Not sure then as most of my riding is high speed motorway. I like the look of the kicked up arse end, but dont want to lose high speed stability.
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 19:19:53 GMT
Yeah, doesn't suit everyone.
If you mention fitting a steering damper on the 14 forum you get flamed as they say you
are only trying to fix a problem you have caused and the 1400 doesn't need one.
My argument was my GSXR, Hayabusa and B-King all have quicker steering and all
run steering dampers !
I'd problem put the jack up back off if I could find shocks with a little less lift.
Then again, i Might try a damper one day.
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froudy
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by froudy on Nov 21, 2015 19:27:07 GMT
I've never run a steering damper on any of my bikes. I like the look of a kicked up arse end..Just look at my Bandit. Until I owned and rode a GSX14 I thought the Bandit 12 a heavy bike...However, compared to the GSX it's like a nimble sports bike. I like the aggression of the Bandit, but also like the smooth grunt of the GSX. As said, most of my miles are fast motorway as I use the GSX as my commuter. I do 70 miles a day, three times a week for shift work in all winds and weathers.The GSX fits the bill perfectly. PS. That GSX your mate Ben built is porn...I already had photo's of it to drool over  |
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Post by tonynitrous on Nov 21, 2015 19:31:45 GMT
Mine was bought as a cheap pillion / touring bike.
B-King is awful for pillions, and my Busa has a GSXR tail and no grab rail.
Wife agreed we needed another bike with a nice seat, grab rail and less than 160hp,
She's been on it twice in two years !!! (About 2 miles each time)
Suits me, I get another bike to play with!
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