Re: GS150R - Red GS Pre-Update!

Hello fellow GSpians!

The winter here in Valle de México has been particularly forgiving, allowing me to better enjoy city rides 3 to 5 times per week at different times of day. Cold mornings, though, make the use of choke almost mandatory to get good response from GS.

I meant to write a more complete update on GS, but I decided to wait a little and make a video instead. I will upload it very soon!

Here is a brief update on my red GS before the video:

* I got rid of the stock rear tyre, as I saw no point in keeping it until the rainy season, beginning in May. As planned, I installed a 3.5 R18 T/T Pirelli City Demon. The new wider, stickier tyre is working real well, just with the expected reduction in final speed of about 5-7 Km/Hr. I am able to extract 115 Km/Hr without really stressing the engine and that's fine with me. I have not noticed any reduction below 100, which is really good if you ask me.

As I mentioned before on one of my posts, the stickier tyre works as a decent substitute for ABS (at least for me). I have not locked the rear wheel not even once after the change. I just took it easy for the first 100 or so Kms right after the change, and things went on as a charm from there.

* I noticed that this GS is drinking a bit of oil compared to my previous GS. I have added around 300 ml after the first change--5 months ago. I am expecting to add a total 400 ml before the new (3,000-Km) oil change comes in March. Ride quality is very good otherwise.

* My first real use of the tachometer happened yesterday, when I revved up the bike as a test only, and I got a quick response from the engine above 8,500 rpms in power mode between 4th and 6th without any fuss. I was only able to use 6th for about 5 seconds before traffic interrupted the bliss, but GS was still going strong almost getting to 9k in a progressive way.

More details will be added later, including gasoline petcock, drive chain and brakes. Everything is in very good condition and working fine, with the exception of the front brake pads, which can get squeaky, even after being serviced twice. Mech says the only real solution is to change the set of pads.

The pictures below are from one of the edges of Mexico City, a beautiful area called Lomas Verdes. I just couldn't resist and decided to take a few pictures there.

Does anyone have any GS updates? Any major engine work? Has anyone changed to another bike?

Talk to you soon!

Gilbert

EDIT: Before I forget, I found an inspiring GS video the other day....

Re: GS150R

My GS is in storage for last 8 months. It was stored safely inside one of my rooms. Unfortunately the room was also used to stock rice and groceries which has attracted Rodents. Sad to see most of the wires chewed off. I have cleaned the mess, added few drops of Oil in the Combustion chamber, filed air in tires and the bike is back to storage.

I am very much afraid if the wiring harness will be available for the infamous GS when I Start using the bike (post 2020). I am planning to keep this bike till my clock stops.

Same is the case with Unicorn. But I can easily source the harness for Unicorn.

Regards,
Anand

Re: Suzuki GS150R

You need the manual to find the correct clearance, and a set of feeler gauges. You will probably find that the valves have "screw and locknut" adjusters. The manual will tell you what position to turn the engine to, but if not, you turn the engine until the rocker is at its highest position (i.e. so that the valve is not being pressed down). There will be a range of engine positions where this is true - you need as near the middle of the range as possible. Find the largest feeler gauge (or combination of them) which will fit between the screw and the top of the valve, and check whether that is ok against the clearance. The feeler gauge show slide through the gap with just a little friction. If the clearance is already ok according to the manual, that's not your problem.
If you need to adjust it, undo the locknut, adjust the screw to get the right clearance, then tighten the locknut while holding the screw in position. Re-check the clearance 9AppsVidMateVlc

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Got a chance to visit nearby Kotagiri two weeks back. A morning ride along with the wifey and back by evening. Beautiful place and well maintained roads. This being my first "trip" to a hill station with the GS.

I had only serviced the GS with a local mechanic, just the usuals, at 73000+ kms, the oil consumption is higher and some drop in the smoothness, mileage has dropped to below 50's. Occasionaly, there is this shortage of breath sound comming from the silencer, but what made me worry was when i was riding some not so steep uphill sections on the way to catherine falls near kotagiri. The GS almost stalled while climbing and i was on 2nd Gear. Maybe i was riding wrong, but does the fuel level play a part in this? i had only filled 5 litres on route when i hit reserve and travelled close to 80 kms when this happened. Doesnt give much confidence to ride it to Ooty.



My wife thought i was taking her pic!



I'm sure ive seen these color combinations on a motorcycle somewhere!

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Hello guys, Guys I got used GS150R (2014) after reading so much praise on the forum. Bike is in pretty good condition, used only 11k and having almost full service records. I want to know few things, please spare some time to answer if you guys are still using the bike.

All seems fine I just want to know about engine. Engine has no valve noise at idle but as soon as RPM crosses 4k it starts giving vibes and over 6k vibes are quite prominent while standing, though while riding it does not feel that much, after wearing helmet not so much noticeable. The chain set was also rusted, I cleaned it but it looks like it still need more oil or even replacement, few links are making some noise. Though I find it quite amazing how this bike rides at 80-90 or even at 100.

Stability of this bike is commendable even with old and thin tires. Oil was leaking from the head so I got head gasket replaced and mechanic said valves are too not in good shape and later he said he has adjusted them and does not require replacement as of now. Now I just want to make the engine work as good as it can, I don't know if its as it supposed to be or something more can be done to make it even better. May be I am expecting too much from the bike or it still can get more smoother. One more thing is I have service it, replaced all the filters oil and air, spark plug and filled it with Shell advanced ultra 15w-50 considering the heat in NCR region now a days. Pickup seems fine after reading the feedback from the members, goes 96 in third gear and 106 in 4th max I took it to 116, I think it would do 120. I just want to check the engine thats why took it to that high RPM though its pretty clear its long stroke motor and does not like to be rash driven.
Let me know what do you think.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Hi, according to your appreciations, mileage, and likely conditions of this GS, you should be ok with this 2014 GS. Mind you, 11k is extremely low mileage for oil leaks and vibrations; the motorcycle should ride basically like new, only with improved power and smoothness. Your mechanic should be able to advise you in a more complete manner, as he can perform certain tests and maintenance on this particular GS in order to make you feel more comfortable with the purchase. The fact that you can rev it up to those rpms tells me the engine is healthy, but again, keep learning about the bike. This Suzuki is no race replica, but it is a great bike otherwise.

Cheers,
Gilbert

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Thanks for the input. I noticed that now engine oil is getting sprayed from this nozel, may I know what is this thing and what is its purpose? When I put my finger front of it I feel air coming out and I believe oil is also getting out of this place. I have it on CT100 and Inazuma as well both have nut on it but GS150 has different looking this thing, I don't know if its missing nut or some seal got away from inside. Please suggest.

Edit: Got it, its cam chain tensioner. Looks like it come with black rubber or plastic cap which went missing. I will get it replaced.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Hello again guys, got that cap installed and now no more oil leakage. Please help me with engine sound. May I know at what RPM you start to hear the valve noise? I feel like there is some problem with the valves, if you could help me with this I would get these replaced as well. Thanks.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Hi Silent,
Please make sure to:
* Use the right viscosity engine oil
* Hear your engine carefully at idle. There is some "natural" valve noise happening in GS when the engine is fully warmed

Also, notice that:
* Warmer weather will make this noise grow worse
* Tappet noise can happen after some more serious mileage, but in my experience, you can go over 20k Kms without calibration
* No valve replacement is necessary UNLESS there is engine damage. Have your motorcycle evaluated ASAP

The calibration procedure & evaluation should be performed by a qualified technician when your GS is COLD.

Please take care of the above points and let us know how things went!

Cheers,
Gilbert

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Guys from India my GS150R crossed 100k kms and is due for chain sprocket change, looking out for O ring chain from any other bike which is a match and direct fit for the Gs150R . If any one has explored in this domain please suggest appropriate chain. I would not mind if new chain is over gearing with loss of pickup as my mostly commute is in city and increased fuel mileage even with drop in pickup is a added benefit to me.

Re: Suzuki GS150R


I had read in some older forum about a jugaad done by a ASC mechanic by replacing sprocket chain set from gixxer 150, I dont know how it went, you may kindly ask ASC guys if its possible.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Mates! I am looking forward to buy an used 2010 GS150R blue in color with 20K on odo. I am little scepticle about parts avaibility and mechanics at ASC. May you please give any insight on mechanics and parts avaibility in case of any major or minor repair or overhaul to bring it to its original shape. Any suggestion or piece of advice will worth a lot at this moment. The seller is in a hurry, please let me know about any issue or delay in parts avaibility at ASCs.

Re: Suzuki GS150R


Thank you very much everybody. I have asked this question twice in the span of two years in this forum. Nobody replied. It itself says that the bike does not worth buying 2nd hand in 2019.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Enlightenment is sometimes, gradual. Definitely it's not worth to buy a 9-year old bike that was discontinued 3-4 years back; even if St. Peter threw it from the Pearly Gate.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

It is true that your inner-self travel alone. But it's always better to start with somebody, who knows the way to go.
Coming to my query- there is not any bike in the market currently better than GS150R, which fits in to my criteria. Unicorn is a 16 year old bike currently on sale comparable to GS but lacks the feel and the "6th" gear. Between, 9 years is not such a long time that a bike becomes irrelevant for owning one. There are few bikes much older than that in the market still relevant for there admirers. The only drawback with GS is that the company stopped its sale. On the other-hand the bike is still in production; for sale outside our shores. If the spares could have been available , nobody should have any problem owning one, in time. This forum is alive;itself a proof of worth of GS.