SUZUKI GSX1400 (2001 - 2006) Review

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £100

Classic style, big, powerful and ultra smooth. I've had 3 of the these monsters (2001,2004,2007) over the last 20 years and my last one I will never sell. I've owned many naked bikes including multiple XJR1300s, ZRX1200R, CB1000, CB1300, XS1100's ect. but the Suzi 14 is my favourite. Is it perfect? No, the brakes are only average, the unnecessary protective coating Suzuki put on the forks and engine looks poor after a short while and its tedious to scrub off also some bikes have 2nd gear and fuel pump issues. (no bike is perfect though). It's easy easy to service though, lovely to ride and is a great jack of all trades. Personally I prefer the first generation with the dual pipes and no ignition immobiliser to worry about.

Buying experience: Bought 3, all privately.

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £150

Top notch bike. Bit heavy on walking pace manouvering but even slow speeds really easy and pure bliss on the road. Massive space under the seat, it could easily hold work weeks food under the seat. Sounded, looked and went like a motorcycle should. From lights or motorway pulls it walked away from 1000cc sport bikes or Busas without a problem.

Buying experience: Private seller, from second owner.

Version: k3

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £400

the best features just have to be the comfort and so smooth motor and worst features have to be the alloy forks and engine cases that started to corrode after only 2-3 years of ownership from new ,despite NEVER seeing a winters road and only ever seeing rain a couple of times ALSO those white wheels- the rear wheel was a ABSOLUTE PAIN to keep[ clean with chain lube flying off and turning the rear wheel black after only a few miles

Buying experience: bought new from a dealer in Leicestershire and cost approx £5500 in 2003

Version: k3

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £400

the best features just have to be the comfort and so smooth motor and worst features have to be the alloy forks and engine cases that started to corrode after only 2-3 years of ownership from new ,despite NEVER seeing a winters road and only ever seeing rain a couple of times ALSO those white wheels- the rear wheel was a ABSOLUTE PAIN to keep[ clean with chain lube flying off and turning the rear wheel black after only a few miles

Buying experience: bought new from a dealer in Leicestershire and cost approx £5500 in 2003

Version: K2

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £160

I just can't fault it.

Buying experience: I live in NI and bought from a dealer in UK. Delivery was inexpensive and I got a years warranty on a 20 year old bike.

Year: 2006

Awesome engine ,fantastic response, can ride it anywhere motorway ,b roads, never stop smiling when I,m riding mine

Version: K2

Year: 2003

Looks. Presence. Rideability. Love it. Would recommend to a friend.

Buying experience: Dealer. Paid £3,250 in 2007 when GSX was 4 years old.

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £100

Great ride comfort, quite not as agile as id like in bends but can be pushed a bit,( preraps thats just my set up

Buying experience: I bought from dealer 2013 for £2700, up for 3200 needed litle work so i think had a bargin

Version: K2

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £200

ITS NO GOOD FLOGGING YOUR BUT AND TRYING TO KEEP YOUR PARTS ON THE SEAT. THE GSX 1400 IS A BULL IF YOU WANT IT TO BE OR A LAM. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO MY FRIEND .S ALL DAY LONG.

Buying experience: I BOUGHT THE GSX1400 FROM CO PART. NOT A LOT WRONG WITH IT,THE BIKE HAD BEEN KNOCK OVER . BY A FORD PICK UP. I PAID 1450 I AT TO BID ON IT. AND PICK IT UP. MY VALUE YOU TO THIS BIKE 2650. IT AS COST ME SOME MONEY TO FIX IT. I COULD HAVE PAID 3450 FOR A LOW MILES ONE. AT THE TIME . BUT I FIX BIKES FOR 49 YEARS,

Year: 2001

Great all around bike. Fun to ride and love the arm stretching torque. Mine had a Givi screen when I bought it, but I took it off. Ruins the look of the bike. Just lay on the tank when you open her up.

Buying experience: Bought privately. $4500 NZD. Worth every cent

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £450

The best features of this bike are the engine which focuses its power low down in the rev range. It produces huge grunt low down and will pull strongly in any gear as long as there is about 1500 revs on the tachometer. It is a big bike and as such is comfortable for long distance and the 22litre fuel tank means you can easily go 200miles between fill ups. The GSX 1400 handles well (but obviously it is not a sports bike) it will do 145mph and will cruise effortlessly at 100mph if you are game but being a naked bike this is probably not the idea. This is a good all round bike, fast and comfortable and a buzz to ride with its huge amount of low down grunt. The engine should last for decades as it's got so much power that you don't need to rev it to go fast unless you are in a very big hurry. Mine has 28000 miles, the engine is as quiet as it was when new and nothing has ever gone wrong with it.This bike is good to ride fast and at the speed limit and this has not been the case with previous sports bikes I've owned which were fine when going VERY fast but a pain when you were not. Against? well it would not suit the dedicated sports bike enthusiast as it is a naked twin shock and weighs in at 228 dry. Track racers will want a higher revving engine and a suspension set up more suited to track conditions but in the real world its a hard bike to fault.

Buying experience: These go for anything from £3000 for a rough one to about £7000 for a mint one.

Version: K2

Year: 2002

Excellent handling for a heavy retro, loads of power and always looks good.

Buying experience: Bought mine privately when it was only 18 months old, tank was dented so I bought a complete K3 blue/white set of paintwork, rear shocks started leaking and were replaced under warranty. I've now had the bike 13 trouble free years and can honestly say that it's the best I've ever owned. I deal in bikes and I've had 33 GSX1400s through my hands over the years, they are an excellent seller and hold their value well.

Version: bull

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £55

seat is just not made for my but.at my age.well i have had two in 3 years. what one can say about the GSX1400..it s a bike of its class.it as some power but not as much as a Yamaha xs 1100 it will pull your arms out. i not a power freak... down the motorway it will power on with eases. and can move it about.wear the yam you would need a farm yard .by one and you have lived. 8/82016

Buying experience: the value of the bike 2800.but it was insurance lose.so at to sign up to company at a cost and then at to bid. i brought the bike back to life. took me 5 weeks .and the rest. as cost me some money. value now 2350... a shop would offer you 1000. downt get stung ..MCM you no the game. i lost one in 2013.sold for 1350.god i needed my head look at.

Version: k2

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £3,000

a good bike.but like all bikes they decay in time if not luck after.some people just ride them and never keep up with the cleaning .if you do buy one never let a small amount of rust bother you.just keep on top of it. brakes are good but you can get judder.lose disc.could be the problem but it as been said calipers 6 pistons just doesn't contact in full if you can put up with that and just keep it in your head.you whont go wrong. fit kaw exhaust to it if you want a quiet bike will save your mined.from thumpin .and fuel.but if you like noues fit after markets. fit a good set of handlebars to your liking ..when you have had a GSX1400.its hard to for get. but as we all no untill you have one you will never be able to comment.om any bike.a bike is a bike to me A C50 was brill.scipping a long at 32miles a hour.now its ?.

Buying experience: 1475, insurance lose. .but cost me for parts.value was given 2800 .at to bid on it. and pay 50.be for hand. DVLA do not right motorbikes of..all bikers chud get a value on their bikes before they go on the road..talk to your insurance send them photos. if you don't you will get the market value.think about it.

Year: 2006

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definatley get a B&W as the ohers are just dull and slow! See you on the forum boys!!!

If you want an all round machine. The Gixer14 is the bike for you. It's reliable, comfortable, pillion friendly, and Tours wonderfully. Has a decent size tank, 360 ks out of a tankful at cruise mode. Docile, yet ballistic, given a handful. Motor is absolutely bullet proof. Handles like a dream. Set the suspension up and you have an excellent track day machine. Will go past anything in a straight line. from 0 to 160 it's faster than the Hyabusa. You can pick a good second hand bike up at a reasonable price nowadays. As they are a discontinued model. Do not worry about motor or drive chain parts in the future because you won't need any. Engine bars are a must. Summing up The 1400 is great value for money. and your sure to be impressed with the agility from such a heavy bike.

Only passed my test in 2006 and first bike in March 07 was SV650s. I loved it but wanted to try something that wasn't fussed by a pillion. Bought GSX14 on site at end of Aug from a dealer. Brand new last of the 14's not yet registered, 1 mile on clock. Rode 700 miles in first week to break in and just had first service. Wow. I was concerned that it would intimidate me as so new to biking and different to Sv by a mile. Not so. This bike is awesome. Easy to ride, loads of power, comfort and handles - well within my capabilities and expectations even though I was told I could ride the SV surprisingly well for a 'newbie' by my biker friends - I ride it on my favourite well known roads as well if not better than SV even if it does corner/handle differently (NOT worse however - smoother and more 'secure' feel due to weight I'm guessing). I can't keep off of it. If you're in market for a bike that does all the things I needed and also likes pillions this should be on your shortlist. Oh, and in a car park full of Porsches and Ferraris at a posh 'do' my wife and I went to on it the bike was the one that got all the attention!

speaking as the one on the back, its like riding on a cushion. its high up enough, but i dont like the cissy bar behind, I almost came off twice so would prefer the bars to be on the side. Riders point of view- Cruise at 80, pull back the throttle and its like doing 0-60 all over again. I got a blue one and havent seen any others like it. I love it and everything about it :-D)

speaking as the one on the back, its like riding on a cushion. its high up enough, but i dont like the cissy bar behind, I almost came off twice so would prefer the bars to be on the side. Riders point of view- Cruise at 80, pull back the throttle and its like doing 0-60 all over again. I got a blue one and havent seen any others like it. I love it and everything about it :-D)

Owned all types of bikes over the years from diversions to busa's but the only one i have ever got attached to is my silver 2003 gsx 1400. Owned from new this machine has never let me down,Reliabilty is top notch, Easy to ride great engine never feels stressed and the best two up bike around.

Had the bike since July 2003 and cannot think of bike I would replace it with.If you are really aggresive with it and dont mind the back end sliding a bit does it ever handle. BlueFlame Exhaust and K&N transform the motor.

test now

blah blah boom

In the Suzuki blue/white livery and big beefy saddle the big lady shows both comfortable and beautiful lines. She realy enjoys posing round town, commuting and being at the front of the pack on the Sunday run up the coast. Any speed over 50 MPH requires a small screen to deflect wind blast over the lid. Strengths: Plenty of torque, Loads of comfort, Flickable on the twisties and no complaints from the back seat. Weaknesses: Standard without the screen (a must) Typical Suzuki build quality.

This is not a plastic fantastic, and it does not look like something that has dropped off the space shuttle. It looks like a motorcycle should look. Get one soon before they disappear at the end of the year. This machine is magical. Strengths: Torque, Looks, Grin Factor, in fact everything! Weaknesses: Nothing.

Had the bike since May complete with free Yoshi which makes a world of difference. Use it to commute, scratching on the weekends and touring two-up it just does it with no fuss although the greatest fun comes when you keep the revs up. Rode it to Assen this year in complete comfort, it didn't miss a beat and it just looks great. As for muscle bikes this is the only one to consider, its the better all round package, pity its being axed! Strengths: Torque, comfort, looks, easy too ride slow and fast.... Weaknesses: Needed the Yoshi...

What an awesome bike. Twist the throttle and you launch, rocket style, from almost any revs. Big but beautiful. Has an almost cult following by enthusiastic owners. Try www.gsx1400.org and find out. Strengths: Looks, Grunt, poise, a real mans bike. Excellent after sales service by Suzuki UK. Weaknesses: Some niggles on finish, however Suzuki always happy to put things right.

Absolutely awesome bike cant stop looking at it thanks goes to the missus for letting me buy it. Strengths:  Low down torque comfortable on long journey looks great feels great. Weaknesses: Finish you have got to keep on top of it at all times typical Suzuki.

I was a bit apprehensive going fom a sv650 to the 1400 however after 5 mins found the bike easy to ride the weight is not a problem (well apart from pushing it up the slope into garage) as it is carried nice and low. The wife loves going on the back and just as easy 2 up. Overtaking made easy. Strengths: Loads of low down torque Great view and comfortable You always want to look at it as you walk away.  Weaknesses: Only had it for 6 weeks so nothing as yet although I can already feel the neck muscles getting stronger needs small screen if your a wuss or want to go touring.

Having considered a number of possible new and used bikes from full on tourers to naked retros I opted for what I thought would be a compromise. Yes its a naked retro but there are so many bits to add to turn it into what you want that I quickly was able to decide on a bikini fairing and a rack and large box - detachable of course. Handling - on factory settings it was awful. Probably due to it being set up by a smaller framed possibly Japanese development rider. Having now hardened everything up somewhat and with factory tyre pressures it is neutral and as flickable as a bike of its weight can be. Brakes - fine solo but need a good squeeze when two up. My pillion rider reports no comfort problems from the massive seat and the bike still handles well. It's not perfect though - but what is? Strengths: Massive torque giving flexibility Stability at all speeds Availability of add-ons Looks like a real bike instead of a pretend race machine. Size - if you are a taller person. Weaknesses: Finish marred easily by corrosion. some electrics a bit too exposed to the elements. Underseat storage lets in water.

I've had the bike since April 2005, got it of ebay - 1 pevious owner - a Scottish traffic cop! Bike was immaculate with 3300 miles on it. Since then I've used it daily, took a trip around Europe (3000 miles in 2 weeks) and now commute 110 miles per day. So racking up the miles has been real easy. If you like the look of the 1400, just buy it...NOW. Strengths: Comfortable ride, great view of the road from the saddle, looks awesome. Weaknesses: Poor finish where boots rub against the frame and heel guards. Requires frequent cleaning in winter or oxidisation sets in quickly.

She is 150+ (indicated fast). 42 mpg. 190 miles to tankfull. Rear tyres last 3k only. Front tyres 4.5 k. Best run at 36 psi F and 42 psi R. Chain never needs adjusting(Bless the Scottoiler). Has oil and filter change every 1500 miles. Had the rear shocks changed under warranty, ditto a rear passenger foot peg and the rh polished engine casing (both for corrosion under the lacquer). The bike has not missed a beat in 6k miles. You have to clean and polish regularly to keep em pristine as Suzuki finish is not the best. This IS the best of the Naked crowd, forget the CB1300 I tested one and it just doesnt cut the mustard and I cannot understand the rave reviews it gets (are the journos biased). No GET A GSX 1400 AND IT WILL MAKE YOU A MAN MY SON!! Strengths: GRUNT, COMFORT, FUEL RANGE, IMAGE. Weaknesses: BUILD QUALITY, TYRE WEAR, FRONT END VAGUE AND NEEDS 120 BHP TO DO IT JUSTICE.

Had it from oct.2003, about 8500km now. Super torque, although now I'm wanting some more top end power sometimes. Big, heavy, but easy to ride. Have installed Akrapovic system. In the immediate future BMC filter and dyno tuning (no power commander yet though, later on with Yoshimura cams). Only "problem" is wierd handling. Might fix with different tires or yoke drop though. Hey, it's not a GSX-R though, right? It's the kind of bike you buy for a long, long time... Strengths: Tunability! It can only get better Torque Driveability. Weaknesses: Top-end power Wierd handling.

I was a little apprehensive taking on this bike after 14 year's absence from owning a bike, but only for the first half mile. After that I think there was an ear to ear grin on my face. It is the sort of bike we could only dream of back in the 60s and 70s It is a beautiful machine to look at and a real pleasure to ride. Strengths: Looks good, Bombproof engine gives loads of torque. You dont have to change down for a quick overtake, It is by far the most comfortable bike to ride ever, (no more sports bikes for me) handles well for a rather heavy lump, all that weight seem not to impede the acceleration. Weaknesses: I have fitted a Suzuki fly screen, this is essential if you want to be able to hang on over 80mph, (may be worth considering a larger screen as it still rattles the head a bit at speed) Engaging first gear is noisy though seems normal on all Suzukis, With regard to the quiet exhaust, (it may be my age) but I like quiet, just a buzz under me even at speed is good, I dont want to have too much noise all the time, (am I the only one? Maybe!)