Stripped down GS1100GK as a good over the road light tourer?

[GS1150Pilot]

Would a GK, given its beefy front suspension, make a good overall bike to do a cross country tour on? I'd remove the fairing and rear trunk and leave the side bags in place.

[tkent02]

I wouldn't call it light, but long distances are what the GK was designed for.

[Dogma]

That's pretty close to my rig, a 1000G with GK luggage. With tools in the left bag and weather gear in the right, I don't do long trips without the trunk. I could probably get the tools and gear crammed into one side to free up the other, but I see no need to eliminate the trunk. It's not really that heavy compared to the rest of the bike, so sportiness isn't significantly affected, and the extra storage is welcome. The only downside to the trunk is increased sensitivity to truck wakes and occasional slow wobbles at highway speeds, due to aerodynamics. If that starts up, just hang a knee and elbow out one side to upset the vortex shedding pattern.

If you like the seat well enough and the maintenance is caught up (especially the charging system (series regulator)), it should do fine. Beware the final drive spline in '82-'83, though. Without the fairing, you'll want much lower bars, of course, and you'll need to adjust the preload in the fork, maybe new springs. Maybe new seat foam. Tim Tom took an 850G cross-country and back, but I think he added a windshield. Shirazdrum took one from the Arctic Circle to Cape Horn. Definitely with a windshield added. Dantheman took a complete GK to the Arctic Circle and back. The limiting factor is going to be how long you can sit on it.

I wouldn't call it light, but long distances are what the GK was designed for.

Lighter than a GoldWing. Lighter than a Concourse 14, I think.

[GS1150Pilot]

Awesome info. I don't like the trunk, and so I'd ditch it and the fairing and add a small windshield like something from Memphis or some such company.

I think it would count as being on the lightweight side of the touring equation. Wet, the fully faired GK weighs 640 pounds. Stripped, I'd imagine it'd be more like 600.

[Dogma]

Granted, the trunk is not the best. I argue that it's better than nothing when you need it.

[GS1150Pilot]

I've got a waterproof Wolfman Expedition bag I'd probably strap onto the pillion saddle for the trip.

[tkent02]

Lighter than a GoldWing. Lighter than a Concourse 14, I think.

Your definition of light is different than mine.

[Dogma]

Probably so. My ZRX is probably the lightest thing I've ridden that doesn't have pedals. I would like to try a trail bike someday. They look like immense fun.

[GS1150Pilot]

I prefer big bore bikes for cross country trips. A 600 pound shaftie is reasonably light in comparison to full boat tourers without being frenetic on the interstate.

[Buffalo Bill]

My 1100G only weighs 570 including windshield and full tank.
The only difference between that and an unloaded GK is the 41mm forks, or 37mm G forks.

[GS1150Pilot]

Which is only about 35-40 pounds heavier than my 1150. Not much.