Disillusion with Suzuki uk

[sloop]

I recently brought a brand new GS500E. I rode it carefully as it was being run in obviously. Within 250 miles and less than 2 weeks old the head gasket was leaking so badly oil was everywhere on the bike including the back wheel! I took it back to the dealer and was advised that there was not a replacement head gasket available in the Uk! Suzuki Uk also made an half hearted attempt to locate one in Europe and failed!
The bike is now laid up in bits waiting for parts to come from Japan - Can you believe it!

The GS500 may be an ultra reliable bike but if something goes wrong just make sure you are not in Europe when it happens!!!

[ohgood]

I recently brought a brand new GS500E. I rode it carefully as it was being run in obviously. Within 250 miles and less than 2 weeks old the head gasket was leaking so badly oil was everywhere on the bike including the back wheel! I took it back to the dealer and was advised that there was not a replacement head gasket available in the Uk! Suzuki Uk also made an half hearted attempt to locate one in Europe and failed!
The bike is now laid up in bits waiting for parts to come from Japan - Can you believe it!

The GS500 may be an ultra reliable bike but if something goes wrong just make sure you are not in Europe when it happens!!!

Hmm, they're only been making the gs for what- 18 years ? And your dealer can't find a gasket kit ? Sounds like they have another bike to sell you

[desilva]

Head gasket or cam cover gasket? Is your dealer looking for the right part? But then neither of those should cause them a problem. Care to name and shame the dealer?

Fowlers in Bristol are pretty good - their parts warehouse is huge! I went in there for replacement bars expecting to have to order them. Nope, four in stock and did I want black or chrome? Maybe use the Suzuki GB web site to locate your next-nearest dealers and ring them, then either take the bike there or get them to ship the gasket set.

There's a non-Suzuki set on eBay here.

[sledge]

No surprize to hear its not on stock.........Hardly anyone ever uses OEM head gaskets so there is no demand for them. In a lot of cases you can buy a full pattern gasket-set for the cost of just the OEM head-gasket. As in your case the only people likely to use OEM head gaskets as opposed to the far cheaper and more freely available pattern parts are dealers carrying out warranty repairs who must use OEM parts.

[sloop]

Thanks for the info.

In fairness the dealer is doing all they can, can't fault them yet - Streetbike of Halesowen, Suzuki's No:1 dealer apparently! - even borrowed me a 600cc Fazer   Please don't laugh at me!!

I tried Fowlers at Bristol. But it appears the new GS500's have a different head gasket - part No:111410D11, the part Fowlers have is No:111410D10 - I know it will probably fit but good old Suzki Uk won't let my dealer fit one otherwise it will invalidate my warranty!!!

So there you go - picked the bike up on the 3rd, done 250 miles on it, returned it on the 13th and may sometime in the future get it back???  Lets hope the parts delivery from Japan is quicker than the Customer Services Department at Suzuki in resolving issues!  

[sledge]

I would tell them to forget all about the gasket............ and just keep the Fazer!

[GeeP]

Suzuki seems to be having a lot of trouble with head gaskets on the 06 plus GS500.  No wonder there isn't a single gasket in Europe.

[scottpA_GS]

I would tell them to forget all about the gasket............ and just keep the Fazer!

+1  That things much cooler than the GS