Advice buying GSXR1000 please !

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a gsxr1000 and was looking at a 2002 model (with
around 10000 kms). It was basically in brand new condition. When the engine
was started there was a bit of a sound which I will try to describe : It was
a whirring or squeaking sort of sound (maybe sort of like something you
might hear if a water pump bearing or something was wearing out.).It didnt
sound terminal & wasn't a grinding sound as if something was about to fail
or anything. It varied with the idle speed of the engine so I guess it could
have been something in the valvetrain or else something that runs off the
engine such as the alternator or water pump etc. It seemed to come and go a
little bit though that was probably just as the idle hunted a bit while the
engine was cold. It quietened down as the motor warmed up and basically
blended with normal engine noise after a couple of minutes. Apart from this
the motor sounded healthy, no smoke or anything and didnt have any rattles
or hesitation when blipping the throttle or anything. The problem is I've no
experience with newer type bikes like this so I don't know if its a normal
sort of sound on a cold engine for this bike or something I should be
worried about. Any advice anyone can give me about this sound or anything
else to look for on these bikes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

 

Suzuki and Kawasaki sportsbike motors always sound like World War III.
If all the fluids are of the right levels and colours, engine temp's
normal and the bike goes like it should (ie. like all powers of piss),
it should be a safe buy.

The 1000 seems to be a tough motor. Very few stories of things going
wrong with them have come through.

 

Agreed; I have one of the same. Got it with about the same number of Kms on
the clock. Was a city bike ridden by a female CT riding mail deliverer. Bike
looked to be in great cond and when I first looked at it ( on Beach Rd. -
Black Rock) it was peakhour traffic time, so I wasn't too inclined to ride
it, plus her partner couldn't find the key anyway, so I abstained. First
ride was after I had parted with the cash. Headed up North Rd., and the
noises it was making really worried me. That was nothing to the worry that
the glowing F1 light gave me going along Springvale Rd in peak hour the next
morning. Thought that something was going to blowup before I got to Mick
Hones'.. but it didn't. (The flapper in the exhaust can cause problems).
Have since done 10k kms no worries now. Reckon that it would be a prick of a
bike to commute in the city on, but there are those who do on such. It is
amazing what just a slight movement of the throttle can cause.
Rockit

 

There's stacks of them out there.. why don't you buy one that doesn't
sound dodgy?

 

I hear what you're saying but it seems like just about every other one I've
seen has been dropped at some stage! I'm not having much luck finding a
perfect one for the budget I'm looking at unfortunately :-(

 

I hear what you're saying but it seems like just about every other one I've

I have to say, I'd rather buy a dropped bike than one whose engine makes
strange churning noises!

 

FWIW a mate of mine has a similarly aged GSXR1000. Since day one it's engine
has sounded like a Milo tin full of spanners being shaken by a monkey with
ADHD. It makes my ZX6R engine sound creamy smooth.

I think you'll be right. Might not hurt to go listen to another one or two
of them (find a bike shop with one for sale and get them to start it up)
tho. Just to be sure.

Aaron
ZX6R
Don't listen to me I can't even change a fucking indicator...

 

..au...

Agree with that also. Further to my earlier comment, and having done nothing
to it, I don't consider that my bike makes any inordinate noise now. It's
all relative.
Rockit

 

Hi Mick,

I owned a 2001 Gixxer 1000 for 4.5 years. I have just got rid of her
for a
2006 KTM Superduke.

The gixxer is an awesome bike. They are absolutely sick and have
unforgiving power. Here are a few things I found in the 4 years I owned
her--

The SET value cables wear out very quickly. I found they lasted a
year tops. I removed mine, and fitted a new pair only when I traded
it in. Without the SET value, the power curve is woeful. The front
wheel jumps up at 6 and then 10 G without notice. SET value also
makes all kinds of squeezing noises as it deflects when cold.

The electronic sensors are shit.. and Suzuki want big money for
them when they inevitably fail ($200 for a simple potentiometer).

If you are a little guy like me then forget the gixxer, unless you what
to throw money at the suspension system. On smooth roads, it wasn't
a big drama. Then I moved to Adelaide (which is why I brought a
KTM). I had to really fight to gixxer in corners. She was very unstable
when the back tyre lost traction-- it would just whip out no notice. I
have heard many stories of gixxer riders high siding when they
opened it up and lost the back. However, with suspension tuning,
this would probably fix the problem.

The clutch is a bit rattlely.. but that is normal. Infact, I think the
2002
model has a spring assembly to stop clutch shuddler. I also find the
gixxer clutch a bit too heavy for me. After a few hours riding, I get
muscle cramps and I would be phucked for a few days.

I hope my new superduke is as reliable as the gixxer. The gixxer
was my most reliable/bullet proof bike I have ever owned.
I contempted keeping it and converting it to an up-right naked.
...but then I thought phuck it and got the duke.

Hope that helps.