1400 Engine Problems and Opinions

[BobA]

As an MGX owner and tend to ride at higher rpm and speed, I'm starting to get a bit spooked by reading about big block failures. I'm curious about how many 1400s where manufactured/sold and how prevalent these catastrophic failures are.

Would now be a good time to move on?

Nothing out there that really appeals to me except a newer 2018 & up Gold Wing. Rode a friend's DCT model and it truly is an impressive machine. Honda has done a great job improving that bike. Very ride-able, fast as snot and stops/handles surprising well considering size and weight. I was shocked and impressed. Had never given them a thought before. And some might even think they are more attractive than an MGX??!! Lol  Without that top box of course. Makes it look like the back of an Accord!

[Zoom Zoom]

Well, so far, we have heard about two actual engine failures. If there were ONLY 100 1400s sold, that would be 2%. Obviously that percentage has to be much lower. I have nearly 30K on mine without any issues. There are some with big miles on them. (Yes, I realize there may be some unknown, but still.)

However, if you will worry about whenever you ride the bike, then perhaps you should consider something else. Not trying to be mean, just realistic.

John Henry

[LowRyter]

Well Bob, you got me to checking on GWs.   

A quick search shows that Honda has dropped the price on leftover '18 base models (no trunk) for $16k.

[BobA]

Thanks John Henry. I had no idea what the numbers were so maybe me fear is misplaced. I do ride mine pretty hard as the roads in rural No FL & So GA are straight without much enforcement. Well maintained but used, not abused.

And Low Rider, I would have never guessed what a blast it was to flog that GW around. Either in manual mode and full auto. Impressive machine and very rider friendly. Feels like a 500-600 lb machine. And Fast!!

[Bulldog9]

As an MGX owner and tend to ride at higher rpm and speed, I'm starting to get a bit spooked by reading about big block failures. I'm curious about how many 1400s where manufactured/sold and how prevalent these catastrophic failures are.

Would now be a good time to move on?

Nothing out there that really appeals to me except a newer 2018 & up Gold Wing. Rode a friend's DCT model and it truly is an impressive machine. Honda has done a great job improving that bike. Very ride-able, fast as snot and stops/handles surprising well considering size and weight. I was shocked and impressed. Had never given them a thought before. And some might even think they are more attractive than an MGX??!! Lol  Without that top box of course. Makes it look like the back of an Accord!

Im likely out of the big bike dept for the duration, but if I were to go back to a 900lb range big touring bike, it would be the Yamaha Venture Touring, or what Luap went with.
https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/transcontinental-touring/models/star-venture

I have say I wish the best to all MGX owners and 1400 in general, but glad I sold when I did, and that it is no longer in my garage. I'd not be able to enjoy it. Heck, I'm a little worried about the one I sold (though there is an interesting story there too). But it has a year of warranty left.....

[BobA]

When I financed mine thru a local credit union they offered a 5 year, unlimited mileage "bumper to bumper" warranty for $900. I took advantage of that so have some piece of mind. Just don't want my scoot down for a month or two with an implosion of whatever nature.

I enjoy my MGX very much but it does have it's ways, that we have talked about before. Am about ready to spring for about a $2,000 upgrade but am now wondering if that money could be better spent elsewhere?

[bikeridertim]

As an MGX owner and tend to ride at higher rpm and speed, I'm starting to get a bit spooked by reading about big block failures. I'm curious about how many 1400s where manufactured/sold and how prevalent these catastrophic failures are.

Would now be a good time to move on?

As the owner of one of these catastrophic failures bikes,  I truly believe that this was a fluke. I think you hear about these things now more so because of forums like this and the internet in general. Out of all the 1400's only 2 with something major is pretty good odds in my book.

Nothing out there that really appeals to me except a newer 2018 & up Gold Wing. Rode a friend's DCT model and it truly is an impressive machine. Honda has done a great job improving that bike. Very ride-able, fast as snot and stops/handles surprising well considering size and weight. I was shocked and impressed. Had never given them a thought before. And some might even think they are more attractive than an MGX??!! Lol  Without that top box of course. Makes it look like the back of an Accord!

[elvisboy77]

As an MGX owner and tend to ride at higher rpm and speed, I'm starting to get a bit spooked by reading about big block failures. I'm curious about how many 1400s where manufactured/sold and how prevalent these catastrophic failures are.

Would now be a good time to move on?

Nothing out there that really appeals to me except a newer 2018 & up Gold Wing. Rode a friend's DCT model and it truly is an impressive machine. Honda has done a great job improving that bike. Very ride-able, fast as snot and stops/handles surprising well considering size and weight. I was shocked and impressed. Had never given them a thought before. And some might even think they are more attractive than an MGX??!! Lol  Without that top box of course. Makes it look like the back of an Accord!

I think you are worrying too much about it.  It seems like a very unlikely and unusual failure.  It also sounds like you want to buy a Honda, so if that is what you want then go for it! I am sure it is a great bike.  Not a Guzzi, though.

[pauldaytona]

all cali 1400 have same engine
so there are more than 100

[Zoom Zoom]

Precisely my point Paul.

zz

[Ncdan]

I’m not worried at all about the motor on my 2015 1400, now that it’s on it’s 3rd TPS SENSOR in 8K miles......now that’s a different song and dance🤞🤞🤞

[MotoG5]

I understand how you feel. I went through something like this with my new 2012 Stelvio NTX. Bought it new in 2012 only to find out about a year later that there was a serious issue with the flat tappets in the 8V engines. I wound up changing over to the factory "fix" and installed the upgraded rocker box assemblies with roller tappets. The factory paid for the parts but not the cost of installing. I did it myself as my dealer was 800 miles away. There was a debate as to just how much damage the failing flat tappets may have already caused as the DLC coating on mine and most others had been flaking off into the oil system prior to replacement. The factory only called for an oil and filter change after the up grade. Many others felt that a complete flush of the oil system and dropping the sump for a clean out was needed. Others said that one should also check the main bearings in addition. I wont tell you what I did but wanted to let you know just how much question one had to face after the upgrade that the bike would be reliable and not suffer catastrophic  bearing failure.
 As it turned out several years and many thousands of miles down the road only very few bikes that were "rollerized" had any issue and are still on the road, mine included. Just a note, Guzzi quietly switched over to the roller tappets in 2013 on all production 8V engines.

My Guzzi turned out to be a reliable machine that I enjoyed for many miles, problems aside. As time went by my apprehension over it's reliability faded. If I owned a 1400 big block in light of hearing of a couple of engine failures I don't think I would sell it just due to that. But its up to you to decide if you like the bike enough to go head and give it a chance.   

[bobbyfromnc]

I have a 2014 California Touring with 25K on the clock. ZERO problems. Best motorcycle I've ever owned hands down. IMHO the 1400 has a happy place no matter what speed you choose to legally ride... 3 to 4 thousand rpm is a happy place. I've let friends ride mine. I'll tell them get to third gear @ 3K rpm and peg the throttle and tell me what you think. They come back smiling from the experience. Sorry they're not your thing. As for me. I'm happy. Peace, BK

[BobA]

Actually I want to keep the Guzzi. Have Always been a European bike guy (20+ over the years, Guzzi, BMW, Laverda, Ducatis) with a few regressions to Harleys. Mostly to slow down which has never worked out well for the motors.
Never had any bike that didn't have it's quirks and/or failings. Nobody have ever built a perfect machine. Have ridden hundreds of thousands of miles and am no stranger to being on the side of the road either upright or horizontal.
My question and trepidation was the percentage of big block failures vs units built/sold. Not the integrity of the brand as a whole.
And yes, I was surprised by the GW but was it never on my radar. Nor another Harley, Indian or Venture. Not real "nitty-gritty" motorcycles in my opinion. Nothing wrong with them, just not for me.
So thanks for your help and opinions though I've not heard an approx number of big blocks sold vs engine failures. And yes I know that 2 failures vs 100 sold is 2%. Thanks for that tip.

[oldbike54]

 Someone on WG has a 1400 with 100K miles on the clock , or knows someone who does .

 Dusty

[drbone641]

I love the engine and the hit dog always barks.

[BobA]

I Agree. Running the MGX hard reminds me of a line from a Kevin Costner movie about golf. "Have to let the Big Dog Eat"

[et18]

The clock on my 1400 Touring will turn 20K sometime this week and so far I haven't had any problems that couldn't be fixed with $20 in 20 minutes.  It remains the most satisfying bike I have ever owned and probably ever ridden.  Some day I'll find a rear tire that lasts 10K and it will be perfect.

I rode a GW DCT last year at a bike show and couldn't wait to get off it, but that may have just been the test riding environment.  Honda knows how to do a great many things but how to properly conduct a group test ride is not one of them, I think the company lawyers are in charge of test route and speed design.

[bigbikerrick]

The clock on my 1400 Touring will turn 20K sometime this week and so far I haven't had any problems that couldn't be fixed with $20 in 20 minutes.  It remains the most satisfying bike I have ever owned and probably ever ridden.  Some day I'll find a rear tire that lasts 10K and it will be perfect.

I rode a GW DCT last year at a bike show and couldn't wait to get off it, but that may have just been the test riding environment.  Honda knows how to do a great many things but how to properly conduct a group test ride is not one of them, I think the company lawyers are in charge of test route and speed design.

Thats interesting what you say about honda  group test rides, and lawyers controlling the agenda. ...On the complete opposite, my wife and I took a couple of Boss Hoss V 8 bikes on a group test ride, a few years ago,at Arizona bike week my wife took a trike, I took a 2 wheeler, with a chevy small block. I jokingly asked the leader guy, if I could do a big smoky burnout, and he told me "For sure", but to do it as we get onto the main drag, where the crowd of spectators were located! Needless to say, my wife gave me "the look", and i behaved well.   
Rick

[rfguy]

2014 California 1400 Custom here with 18k on the clock. All I've had to do is tires and oil changes. Now, the cruise control is a bit erratic, but that's been my only issue...

Jim

[LowRyter]

I know where there is one that is seized up that had lots of discussion here.

[Texas Turnip]

Someone on WG has a 1400 with 100K miles on the clock , or knows someone who does .

 Dusty

Yes, Paul V turned 100K on his. He is a hard rider as I remember when he lived in Texas and we had a contest to see who would be the first to get 100K on the Cal11.

Like many extremely high mileage riders, he does not belong to the KERA.(ZoomZoom is an exception!)

Tex

[Scott of the Sahara]

What does Ride it Pretty Hard mean? What RPM's are you riding it? Are you bringing it to Redline at every shift?
When I am riding my 2v Norge "hard" I am shifting at about 6000 RPM. I only do that when I am getting on an onramp up to 60 or 70MPH. 10 Years of ownership and no real problems.

[guzzimatic]

I met Paul V in ‘95, first ride was over 200 miles,after 1pm when we met.I had never seen him before but we hit it off immediately! He was riding a Cal 2 and chasing 200,000 miles which he wanted to turn over at the Illinois rally! Paul had straight through fishtails and that was one cackling goose! I was on my ‘74 Norton and soon realized Paul had one speed,80 mph everywhere but in town... Over may thousands of miles the one constant is watching Paul disappear into the distance,no matter how hard I ride,he is one of those aliens they talk about in Moto GP!!!

[rrojaswahl]

Now almost 88K on my California. I think the heart of the engine (the mechanics, the motor itself) is really weel built - never had an issue. But yes, I only occasionally rev it higher than 4000 rpm, mostly for overtaking or emergency acceleration I go the peak horsepower area of 5000-7000 rpm. And that power boost is really rewarding! Also I don't rev it too low (< 2500 rpm) - not healthy either, for ANY big displacement engine. Mostly staying in the sweet spot (~3000-4000 rpm) has served me well over time, I believe.

[Moparnut72]

The real sweet spot on mine was right around 3,800 rpm. I loved mine just got too heavy for me.
kk

[steveford]

I have a little over 80000 miles on my 2014 1400 Touring. It's seen a fair amount of miles pulling a Bunkhouse camp trailer. The bike has been flawless. I'm now splitting time with a 2022 V85TT Guardia D Onore #587. Love this bike also. It's the best handling Guzzi I've ever owned, and drags me along just fine.

[regriemer]

I have a little over 80000 miles on my 2014 1400 Touring. It's seen a fair amount of miles pulling a Bunkhouse camp trailer. The bike has been flawless. I'm now splitting time with a 2022 V85TT Guardia D Onore #587. Love this bike also. It's the best handling Guzzi I've ever owned, and drags me along just fine.

Me too, only thing too bad about my 1400 Cali Custom is I did not do the Beetlemaps tune years ago! Just did 300 miles after my Beetlemaps tune, all I can say is wow!!!! HOLLY MOLLY! Amazing.

R

[Joliet Jim]

Yes, Paul V turned 100K on his. He is a hard rider as I remember when he lived in Texas and we had a contest to see who would be the first to get 100K on the Cal11.

Like many extremely high mileage riders, he does not belong to the KERA.(ZoomZoom is an exception!)

Tex

Heck Paul likes them so much I think he now has 3 of them.

[ff73148]

As an MGX owner and tend to ride at higher rpm and speed, I'm starting to get a bit spooked by reading about big block failures. I'm curious about how many 1400s where manufactured/sold and how prevalent these catastrophic failures are.

Would now be a good time to move on?

Nothing out there that really appeals to me except a newer 2018 & up Gold Wing. Rode a friend's DCT model and it truly is an impressive machine. Honda has done a great job improving that bike. Very ride-able, fast as snot and stops/handles surprising well considering size and weight. I was shocked and impressed. Had never given them a thought before. And some might even think they are more attractive than an MGX??!! Lol  Without that top box of course. Makes it look like the back of an Accord!

Bob,
I've owned two Goldwings, a 2013 F6B and a 2018 Non Touring Goldwing. They are great bikes but they a too vanilla. That is why I own a 2016 Eldorado. The 1400's have the same technology as the Goldwings minus Apple CarPlay. But with better braking. You can't compare the stye of a Moto Guzzi to a Honda Goldwing.