2008 Suzuki Gsx1300r problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Electrical System (2) · Tires (1)
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System 2016-01-19 · campaign 16V018000 · 68,344 vehicles
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 AN400, AN400A, DL1000, GSX1300R, 2008-2009 GSF1250S and GSF1250SA, 2008 GSX1300BK and GSX1300BKA, 2008-2010 GSX650F, GSX-R600, GSX-R750, VLR1800, VLR1800T, and 2009-2010 SFV650 and VZ1500 motorcycles. Due to a problem with the circuit board for the regulator/rectifier power module, the motorcycle may not sufficiently charge the battery and the motorcycle may stall.
Risk: If the engine stalls while riding, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the regulator/rectifier, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-444-5077. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A56 to 2A64.
Equipment 2014-04-01 · campaign 14E012000 · 2,827 vehicles
Defect: Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 998 motorcycles. Also included are universal steering damper kits with part numbers SD 000 through SD 005. The affected brackets may crack.
Risk: If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2011-02-23 · campaign 11V108000 · 73,426 vehicles
Defect: SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2007 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2009, EQUIPPED WITH REGULATOR/RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES, SUZUKI PART NUMBERS 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, OR 32800-06G01. SOME REGULATOR/RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES WERE PRODUCED WITH INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE POWER MODULE (CIRCUIT BOARD) AND THE RECTIFIER CASE THAT CONTAINS A HEAT SINK TO DISSIPATE
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAUSES EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND UNCONTROLLED ELECTRIC CURRENT OUTPUT, WHICH CAN RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT CHARGING CURRENT BEING PROVIDED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BATTERY. THIS CAN CAUSE DISCHARGE OF THE BATTERY AND CAN LEAD TO ENGINE STALLING AND/OR A NO-START CONDITION. ENGINE STALLING WHILE RIDING CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND SUZUKI DISTRIBUTORS WILL REPLACE THE REGULATOR/RECTIFIER WITH AN IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-714-572-1490.
Service bulletins (2)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System:wiring 2008-11-20 · TSB-191 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki motorcycle: service manual correction of ignition switch lead wire routing. *pe
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2008-04-29 · 182 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual correction - front fork installation. *pe
What owners report
2016-07-02 · Electrical System · 48,000 mi“took my motorcycle in during the initial in 2008. inspection, nothing done.june 22,2016 made a right turn to get on expressway, the engine died.towed the bike home, test battery all ok. wiggled the wire coming from the ignition and the bike started.suzuki and the dealer refuse to fix the recalled defective part. there apperasto be a short in the w…”
2014-08-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 1,000 mi“ i received a safety recall letter from suzuki,and their distributor suzuki del caribe,inc. around feb/2010, the safety recall id #79259 , during the same month and year 02/2010, i take my motorcycle to the suzuki premises in pr and they replaced the rectifier, then after a year i take the motorcycle back with the same problem,they replaced,then a…”
2008-10-21 · Tires · 2,188 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2008 suzuki gsx 650fs (na). while driving less than 50 mph and attempting to switch from fifth to sixth gear, the vehicle did not engage. the contact heard a loud clunking sound. the rear tire locked and ejected the occupant from the vehicle. the contact sustained injuries to his elbow, which required stitches, in addition…”
2008-10-20 · Electrical System · 230 mi“when riding at a stable speed, motorcycle will lose power and speed with no change in throttle position. this occurs in 3rd through 6th gear, 6500-7500 rpms, in speeds ranging from 30-75 mph. this problem results in a decrease in speed from 3-6 mph before bike recovers. upon recovery, bike will jerk forward, causing a very unsafe increase in speed.…”
2008-10-05 · Vehicle Speed Control · 600 mi“when riding at a stable speed, motorcycle will lose power and speed with no change in throttle position. this occurs in 3rd through 6th gear, 6500-7500 rpms, in speeds ranging from 30-75 mph. this problem results in a decrease in speed from 3-6 mph before bike recovers. upon recovery, bike will jerk forward, causing a very unsafe increase in spe…”
2008-09-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 1,070 mi“my motorcycle started making loud engine noises at around 900 miles. i took it to the dealer where i purchased it to have it looked at. the mechanic heard the noise and thought it may be the cam chain. they replaced the 2nd and 3rd gear bearings, put the bike back together and it was still making the loud engine noise that i took it in for. the dea…”
2008-06-30 · Vehicle Speed Control · 4,000 mi“ the problem has been labeled the herky jerkies. while riding at any rpm when the rear wheel speed matches engine speed the throttle shuts off abruptly with no warning, throwing you forward overloading the front wheel. when the wheel slows enough that the ecu calls for fuel it delivers a large amount of fuel and the bike jerks forward unloading the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.