20000 mile – 1 year + 1 month review for 2008 GSX650F May 2009
For complete review up to this point, See my 8000 mile review thread.
Brakes have about 40%f life left in them – rotors look fine. Will change to Galfer lines and new brake fluid soon. Fluid still looks fine in clutch and brake resevoir.
I am on my 4th set of tires – had a set of Dunlop Sportmax that lasted all of about 4000 miles (down to the cord on the rear) – they stick like glue but wear out too fast. Switched to Bridgestone BT016’s front and rear at 13,000 miles – WOW !!! what a difference !!! These tires handle like a dream and stand up to the abuse. I rode the BT016's 7000 miles and they are down to the steel belt - front tire had some more life in it. Loved the tires but the way I ride I need more mileage. I put a set of Pirelli Strada's on this week - took them for a spin today to scrub them in and so far they handle well...tomorrow will be the true test - full leathers and knee dragging corners will tell me if these are the tires for me.
Sargant seat – highly recommended. Still looks good after a year and has broken in to fit my keester perfect. Without this seat I would have never been able to ride this bike 20k in one year!!
Clutch / Transmission: I switched to full synthetic Motul 300v 15W50 and my shifting problems went away entirely.
Other: Changed rear sprocket to 45 tooth and upgraded to 530 chain. The sprocket lowered my rpm’s at highway speeds dramatically. Now my speedometer is pretty close to accurate. Top speed is now a real 135 mph at 10,000 rpm - bike does not have enough power to pull the bike past that with this gearing (might have been the road I was on (slight uphill grade)...I will keep trying – I was hoping she would pull 155
. I plan on a switch to 17 tooth front sprocket soon to lower my highway RPM's even more. Gas mileage was down in the 35 mpg range but went up to about 42 mpg with the new gearing at a steady 80 mph. Added 12v powerpoint for radar detector. Bought a set of Fieldsheer luggage for the overnight trips.
Maintenance: Just did a major service on the bike: Valve inspection (all in spec), spark plugs (Iridium tipped NGK’s), coolant change, throttle body sync (no adjustment required), switched to Motul 300V Full synthetic 15W50 – shifts like a dream now. K&N air filter, replaced blown fork seal, converted to 530 chain and 45 tooth rear sprocket.
Problems:
At about 13,000 miles, the muffler pipe that comes out of the catalytic converter broke off due to a defective weld. Rather than get pissed off with the dealer stealer, I had a friend of mine weld it back on – good as new. It was pretty fun riding around with no muffler – sounded like a Mini Moto GP bike!!! buwahaaaaaaaaaa
The paint on leading edge and underside of the lower fairing has not stood up well to road debris and is pretty much gone.
Plans for the next year:
Smoked windscreen
Pazzo levers
Galfer brake lines front and rear - dot 5 fluid - EBC HH pads
17 tooth front sproket
RIDE ANOTHER 20,000 MILES !!!!
