Hi - new to the forum and considering a GTR14 for a high mileage (24k a year) commute, Lancashire to Central London weekly. Problem is, my budget is 5-6k so I am looking at a fairly aged example (2008-9 I'd say) and I'd expect to put another 70k miles on it over the next three years.
So, the question is...are there forum members with experience of putting a lot of miles on older examples of this bike? As usual, I assume from research elsewhere (and experience riding other high mileage bikes) that the engine will run forever. It's the rest of the package that worries me...any experienced commuters out there who are still racking up the miles on early examples? What goes wrong? I'm assuming reg/rec and clocks will probably be a given at high mileage and out in all weathers, but anything else that has caught you unawares?
My alternative would be to run a newer chain driven bike (GSX1250F, CBF1000 or similar) with fewer expensive fandangoes to go wrong. Less comfy over the distance though...
Having bimbled around this site a bit it looks like front brakes and rear shocks/suspension are possible weak spots, but I'd warranty those for the first year anyway. On an older bike you maintain yourself (which is my position) the bigger issue is expensive and ubique OEM parts. Discs and pads, even shocks, not so much a problem unless they disintegrate like tissue paper...
Hi Paul, I've heard of owners in the UK, US, and various parts of Europe racking up 70000 plus miles. When front discs wear or start to warp some owners have used cheap Chinese discs with good results. The rear shock doesn't give many problems, but the adjuster seizes on occasion, which can easily be sorted with a bit of wd40. The batteries in the tyre pressure sensors will need to be replaced maybe every 3 to 4 years. Other than that, there aren't many other issues. Get an after market screen or laminar lip and you should be sorted. A great all round bike that should do you nicely.
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If you maintain it properly there should be no problems. Here's one that may be of interest to you.
http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=6580.0
Hello Paul, I have a 09, I do 65 miles a day commuting into London.
I maintain the bike myself. I use maxxis tyres which are usually £120 a pair. I get about 6k out of a rear and change the front at the same time.
At every tyre change I drop the oil and filter and dif oil.
I get about 15 to 20 k out of a set of brake pads.
I'm on my second set of Chinese front discs as I ride quite hard and they do warp £100 a pair on eBay.
The only big hit I have had is the valve shims at 60k.
The only things ever to let me down is a cam shaft sensor which was a £5 part and a fork seal. Apparently the chrome has worn down off the fork leg and caused a ridge so I expect it to go again.
I absolutely love the bike, after the winter salt I will probably replace it with a 2014 model. I bought it with 4k on the clock and it's now on 72k. My rear shock adjustment is seized but I never touch it so my fault really, should give it a turn every week.
Prior to the GTR I had a CBF 1000. Honda superb engine but European build quality, the fixings were crap.
My only hate on the GTR is the bloody mirrors are too low for filtering as they are the same height as car mirrors.
welcome to the forum Paul.
The GTR is an outstanding workhorse which if regularly maintained will take you around the globe :yes:
Looks like a GTR is going to be the right choice. I've a few months before I start the new job so I have the winter to find a good used example and get properly familiar with it. Looking forward to it.
Remember what shaggs147 said about the rear shock remote adjuster. Make sure it has full and easy travel on the adjuster, it could be a good bargaining point.
They can be revived with copious amounts of WD40 and time, but if you can get a price drop or replacement why bother.
I've had a few GTRs. max 62K on one from new and I'm currently doing 125 miles/day.
So:
* Shock adjuster seizes, but as long as it works when you buy it, squirt WD40 on it and tie-wrap a plastic bag around it to keep it clean.
* Had terrible corrosion on the bare alloy wheels - newer models are powder coated and last much longer.
* Paint on the exhaust flakes off. I just left it. Again, newer models are powder coated too (or coated with something other than matt paint)
* Had the rectifier fail on one.
* Seat key lock can seize and it corrodes quite badly.
* If you use engine braking then you can save on the discs. Just get used to dropping it a few gears if you need to brake. Using the brakes at high speed is a sure fire way to eat discs and pads. My first GTR ate discs every 8K until I stopped using the brakes :-D
* Suspension gets a bit soggy from 40K onwards but will be fine for motorway usage.
* Squirt a load of FS365 on it over winter and it will last longer but it will suffer from cosmetic corrosion.
* I used to commute on roads around the Cotswolds Waterparks (basically old quarries) and the grit would kill wheel bearings after 16K. On motorways I've not had this problem.
* Winter commuting is fine down to -10C as the weather protection is superb, especially on the hands. My old FJR would freeze my hands, even with aftermarket heated grips and £150 winter gloves.
* Get some waterproof boots. The GTR washes your feet in the rain!
Incidentally, the engine should be fine, but I heard from the dealer that after I sold my first one, with 62K on the clock, the engine lost compression on one cylinder. They couldn't (or wouldn't) fix it and was eventually sold for scrap!