Whats wrong with my bike ... if anything?

[jonkawasaki]

The final update .... and not what I was hoping for....


I sent the bike to the dealer I purchased from on Monday and returned today fully expecting to pick it up.  They replaced the reed valves and re-seated the exhaust headers with new gaskets and locking nuts.   No change to the noise.   With a heavy heart I decided to get a full refund - just 6 weeks after my initial purchase.   Reading around the internet there are a lot of 1400GTR's developing the noise between 10k-15k miles.  I must have been unlucky enough to develop the noise in my short ownership - trust me I was looking and listening for problems before I bought it!   So, the problem is still un-resolved and unknown, just like every other similar thread I have read so far.

I am not usually picky and can put up with most things....but considering the noise was NOT there when I bought it and has been progressively getting worse, and is pretty loud at times, I was in a situation where it was not wise to stick with the bike and just grin and bear it.  After all, I would never have been able to sell it with that noise in the future.  I nor anyone else knew what else the problem could have been .... there is one thing for sure there is a 'problem'.  I am no mechanic but I know bikes don't just start making noises like that virtually overnight without reason - something in that bike has come out of alignment, worn etc. And I know they DO NOT all do that - I have checked this, double checked, triple checked and quadruple checked with my own ears stood next to several current 1400GTR's on a variety of mileages.

The saddest fact is I know I will not find the same deal again and will therefore very unlikely to own another 1400GTR.

[Lonewolf]

Sorry to hear it hasn't worked out for you. At least you got your money back which after six weeks I'm surprised as normally if you were to reject goods I would suggest you would have to do so much sooner.


Regardless, you have got your money back, don't despair, if you genuinely want another GTR, there will be one out there with your name on it. 

[viper]

ive been an active member on several GTR forums for several years and Ive never heard of anyone having this problem , I does sound like a terminal problem with the engine which I thing is very very rare!

[Kwikasfuki]

Reminds me of this advert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF-KJ5-KNQk

[Delfox]

This seems exactly like the one i picked up on sat 2010 15000 miles,i can hear it with my helmet on.

[Charlie747]

Time to take it back to the dealer 

[Delfox]

I will phone them tomorrow to pick it up

[Charlie747]

I will phone them tomorrow to pick it up

Sounds like a plan 

[jonkawasaki]

Maybe its the same bike?!    Definately take it back to the dealer and don't let them lay on the crap like 'oh yeh they all do that, its totally normal'. My philosophy is if it didn't come out the factory like that then don't accept it now!

[Delfox]

Mines Blue

[Charlie747]

Mines Blue

Any news from the dealer yet ?

[Delfox]

Phoned them today, told to take it down so i need to get a trailer or van as i said i wont ride it until its sorted.

[jonkawasaki]

If it is noisey reed valves like mine was it should be perfectly safe to ride.

[Delfox]

Was yours noisy on start up then shut up after a second or two

[jonkawasaki]

Noisey from the second the engine starts. Reed valves will be noisey for as long as the engine is running and producing exhaust gases. No matter what load or rpm they could always be heard, even up to 20 feet or so away. But mine was particularly noisey at around 2.5 krpm, especially low speeds of ~30 mph.

Even cruising at motorway speeds with plenty of natural wind and engine noise I could hear the reed valves chattering away!

In the grand scheme of things its not a 'problem' as such. But it is highly annoying! In the end I felt I couldn't put up with the constant noise, and if I ever wanted to sell it in the future any potential buyers would run a mile! Hence why I forced it back on the dealer and insisted on a full refund.