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Re: Suzuki GS150R - 20k Km Update + Future with GS!
Hi fellow xbhpians and gspians
Just to continue with the story about the noisy bike from about 3 weeks ago, it was of course a sub-7000-Km Gixxer standing right behind me at the traffic light. My guess is, Gixxer does have certain engine issues probably caused by its strange tendency to drink oil. Of course, more careful owners should not have that problem. GS can keep a good level of oil, as you all know, for over 2,000 Kms. Perhaps someone could share their own experience at this point. Anyway, I saw a batch of Gixxers at the dealer yesterday (more on that below) and I did notice a lack of overall quality in the bike, compared to our good ol' GS. Don't get me wrong, I still believe Gixxer is a very good bike, and it is appealing to me even now. My GS was outside the window like a rebel facing a large pack of the popular, pretty girls in blue, (or black or red) and that got me thinking about how much they dislike our bike at Mexican dealers, as it basically did not sell here for over 2 years in a row (2014-2016)... and how LITTLE dealers know about how GS works and what is best for our bike… you don’t even want me to get started! When I told the guy at the desk about how Mexico does not have the right spark plug for GS, his face was like, we don't? I had to explain to him a projected or P type plug is what comes with GS as standard in India. Anyway, now almost every part of GS needs to be ordered. Gixxer is really big in this country now, but I do not think they are bringing the rear disc version in 2018.
This week saw further maintenance chores on the black beauty (now about 20,500 Km on the odo) involving the following:
* Front brake fluid bleeding, changed to DOT4. The change in feel was not dramatic, but 2-finger braking is now firm and I feel more confident about the front end of GS now. The whole set was given maintenance and that helped as well. Pads have about 50% of life left.
* Rear brake set maintained and evaluated (brake shoes being actually in better shape than expected!) 40-45% life left there. They should be good for another 6-8 months from now. I hope 10-12 months. Gixxer’s brake shoes are not a direct fit, at least not here (see pic). I learned from this forum some months ago that applying rear brake is not necessary in most cases, only to control the bike in traffic and hard braking, so I promise I will continue to use it less than front brake in regular situations!
* Front and rear wheel bearings were checked and greased and the rear wheel axle’s shape was ok, with only a bit of rust forming on it (see picture).
* New 10w40 Repsol sport gives GS a manly character (not as smooth as fully synth) with excellent performance nonetheless. This one is made in Spain and they use it for high performance motorcycles, BTW. 15% cheaper than Motul semi. The bike is rev-happy and the oil is still clear after 350 or so Kms. Only 1000 ml were necessary to reach about 30%-to-full level. I think that's good for FE. The idea is to change it every 3,000 Kms from now on.
* Silencer rubber washer mod was performed, which eliminated the irritating resonance around 3,500 rpms. Cheaper than a beer, and effective.
* Air filter is working like a charm, so no plans to buy a new filter now. I am planning to wash it again at around 23,000 Kms to ensure good performance and FE.
* Carb is working fine as well. So says the spark plug and the very little amount of water+dirt in the bowl. No jetting was performed this time (it was not necessary even after nearly 8,000 Kms). Apparently 87 gas, plus the octane-boosting additive, is a good combo for the little beast.
* CR9E-HIX spark plug will be my choice for the rest of this year, so no change to CR7-HIX. Mech says the thread reach is different and the results could be unpredictable with the 7.
* Steering set is in good shape according to the mechanic. I will have it more thoroughly checked around June or July. (Has anyone had any issues with the steering cone or so before 30,000 Kms?)
* No need to change any cables or levers or electricals, other than 2 turn signal bulbs. Before I reported on the battery dying at around 13,000 Kms. Everything else is fine.
* Front tyre may need to be replaced within 3,000 Km as it has been developing small cracks (you can see those from a 30-cm distance), so it might be a good idea to just use the chance and buy both tyres around the end of 2017 or earlier. I believe I am going for a 110-section, rubber rear tyre.
* No rust has been developing anywhere on GS as the weather here is mostly dry and I use WD40 on the bike basically 2 or 3 times per month on different parts.
* Transmission set is doing well after 20,500 Kms. I believe this set can go on for at least another 4,000 Kms. But the chain changed shape a bit as expected during a 2+ year period according to the guy. It looks and sounds fine to me, though.
* Paint, finish and overall quality related details remain pretty good compared to newer motorcycles, Gixxer, the obvious reference, included. I hope I will be able to maintain my GS this way until I can make a purchase decision in favor of a 2015 Inazuma probably in 2018. As someone on this forum mentioned, GS parts tend to be harder to find, so one needs to be willing to order certain parts/consumables and wait patiently (1-2 weeks in Mexico for a simple amber bulb).
Finally, if keeping my GS150r for more than 2 years from now is an option or my choice, I will be more than glad to continue learning about this bike and enjoying its unique character. Some candy red bikes are available here under 10,000 Kms at a handsome price in case I cannot find the right Zuma. But even today I enjoy looking back at my black beauty and feeling proud I own this peculiar motorcycle. The latest photo next to a (WAY more expensive bike) such as that beemer, with no accessories on, speaks volumes of GS. I am most likely not going to buy another 150, unless I have no other choice.
Thank you guys for reading. Have a nice weekend y'all.
UPDATE, July 30: I have found a difference between mineral and semisynthetic oil; after 2,500 Kms, level is exactly the same with semi (Repsol 10w40 Sport) AND power is still great; I am thinking I could push the oil to about 3,000 Kms without any noticeable loss in performance. My CR9EHIX spark plug is running great as well. Also, I have washed my modified air filter a 3rd. time with great results. I just don't think I should buy a new one, as the mod took me about 3 hours. I thought I should mention tappet noise is kept at minimum levels with semisinthetic oil and valves seem to be in top shape, considering performance alone. Anyway, there is no plan to buy a new motorcycle for the rest of 2017 here. I am including this information in a new post at the end of the thread.
Hi fellow xbhpians and gspians
Just to continue with the story about the noisy bike from about 3 weeks ago, it was of course a sub-7000-Km Gixxer standing right behind me at the traffic light. My guess is, Gixxer does have certain engine issues probably caused by its strange tendency to drink oil. Of course, more careful owners should not have that problem. GS can keep a good level of oil, as you all know, for over 2,000 Kms. Perhaps someone could share their own experience at this point. Anyway, I saw a batch of Gixxers at the dealer yesterday (more on that below) and I did notice a lack of overall quality in the bike, compared to our good ol' GS. Don't get me wrong, I still believe Gixxer is a very good bike, and it is appealing to me even now. My GS was outside the window like a rebel facing a large pack of the popular, pretty girls in blue, (or black or red) and that got me thinking about how much they dislike our bike at Mexican dealers, as it basically did not sell here for over 2 years in a row (2014-2016)... and how LITTLE dealers know about how GS works and what is best for our bike… you don’t even want me to get started! When I told the guy at the desk about how Mexico does not have the right spark plug for GS, his face was like, we don't? I had to explain to him a projected or P type plug is what comes with GS as standard in India. Anyway, now almost every part of GS needs to be ordered. Gixxer is really big in this country now, but I do not think they are bringing the rear disc version in 2018.
This week saw further maintenance chores on the black beauty (now about 20,500 Km on the odo) involving the following:
* Front brake fluid bleeding, changed to DOT4. The change in feel was not dramatic, but 2-finger braking is now firm and I feel more confident about the front end of GS now. The whole set was given maintenance and that helped as well. Pads have about 50% of life left.
* Rear brake set maintained and evaluated (brake shoes being actually in better shape than expected!) 40-45% life left there. They should be good for another 6-8 months from now. I hope 10-12 months. Gixxer’s brake shoes are not a direct fit, at least not here (see pic). I learned from this forum some months ago that applying rear brake is not necessary in most cases, only to control the bike in traffic and hard braking, so I promise I will continue to use it less than front brake in regular situations!
* Front and rear wheel bearings were checked and greased and the rear wheel axle’s shape was ok, with only a bit of rust forming on it (see picture).
* New 10w40 Repsol sport gives GS a manly character (not as smooth as fully synth) with excellent performance nonetheless. This one is made in Spain and they use it for high performance motorcycles, BTW. 15% cheaper than Motul semi. The bike is rev-happy and the oil is still clear after 350 or so Kms. Only 1000 ml were necessary to reach about 30%-to-full level. I think that's good for FE. The idea is to change it every 3,000 Kms from now on.
* Silencer rubber washer mod was performed, which eliminated the irritating resonance around 3,500 rpms. Cheaper than a beer, and effective.
* Air filter is working like a charm, so no plans to buy a new filter now. I am planning to wash it again at around 23,000 Kms to ensure good performance and FE.
* Carb is working fine as well. So says the spark plug and the very little amount of water+dirt in the bowl. No jetting was performed this time (it was not necessary even after nearly 8,000 Kms). Apparently 87 gas, plus the octane-boosting additive, is a good combo for the little beast.
* CR9E-HIX spark plug will be my choice for the rest of this year, so no change to CR7-HIX. Mech says the thread reach is different and the results could be unpredictable with the 7.
* Steering set is in good shape according to the mechanic. I will have it more thoroughly checked around June or July. (Has anyone had any issues with the steering cone or so before 30,000 Kms?)
* No need to change any cables or levers or electricals, other than 2 turn signal bulbs. Before I reported on the battery dying at around 13,000 Kms. Everything else is fine.
* Front tyre may need to be replaced within 3,000 Km as it has been developing small cracks (you can see those from a 30-cm distance), so it might be a good idea to just use the chance and buy both tyres around the end of 2017 or earlier. I believe I am going for a 110-section, rubber rear tyre.
* No rust has been developing anywhere on GS as the weather here is mostly dry and I use WD40 on the bike basically 2 or 3 times per month on different parts.
* Transmission set is doing well after 20,500 Kms. I believe this set can go on for at least another 4,000 Kms. But the chain changed shape a bit as expected during a 2+ year period according to the guy. It looks and sounds fine to me, though.
* Paint, finish and overall quality related details remain pretty good compared to newer motorcycles, Gixxer, the obvious reference, included. I hope I will be able to maintain my GS this way until I can make a purchase decision in favor of a 2015 Inazuma probably in 2018. As someone on this forum mentioned, GS parts tend to be harder to find, so one needs to be willing to order certain parts/consumables and wait patiently (1-2 weeks in Mexico for a simple amber bulb).
Finally, if keeping my GS150r for more than 2 years from now is an option or my choice, I will be more than glad to continue learning about this bike and enjoying its unique character. Some candy red bikes are available here under 10,000 Kms at a handsome price in case I cannot find the right Zuma. But even today I enjoy looking back at my black beauty and feeling proud I own this peculiar motorcycle. The latest photo next to a (WAY more expensive bike) such as that beemer, with no accessories on, speaks volumes of GS. I am most likely not going to buy another 150, unless I have no other choice.
Thank you guys for reading. Have a nice weekend y'all.
UPDATE, July 30: I have found a difference between mineral and semisynthetic oil; after 2,500 Kms, level is exactly the same with semi (Repsol 10w40 Sport) AND power is still great; I am thinking I could push the oil to about 3,000 Kms without any noticeable loss in performance. My CR9EHIX spark plug is running great as well. Also, I have washed my modified air filter a 3rd. time with great results. I just don't think I should buy a new one, as the mod took me about 3 hours. I thought I should mention tappet noise is kept at minimum levels with semisinthetic oil and valves seem to be in top shape, considering performance alone. Anyway, there is no plan to buy a new motorcycle for the rest of 2017 here. I am including this information in a new post at the end of the thread.
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