Madura vs. GS

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  • Rocketman
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    Madura vs. GS

    Just looking for general comments....... given a choice between a clean, used Madura 1200 or a similar sized and aged GS, which would you take? Overall peformance, comfort, looks, mechanical reliabilty, repairs, parts, etc.

    Rocketman
  • Guest

    #2
    You're asking a very partial group.

    Comment

    • Clone

      #3
      If it works and you like it, why do you need somebody else's opinion?
      Ride the Madura, and the GS(there are different configurations) and see which is more comfortable and enjoyable for you.

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      • Desolation Angel

        #4
        A nice condition Madura is rare. They're usually rusted up from the spokes on. Unique, too. And fast. Most folks here hate the way they look. I'd go Madura. Liquid cooled V-4 shaft drive! Rocks!

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        • KGB
          Forum Guru
          • Nov 2002
          • 7146
          • Wilmington ma

          #5
          Madura= Japanese for ugly.

          And a V-4 yea cool, but try to get service. Or to do it yourself carb set up...good luck!
          Parts? Can't say.........

          Yea it's a V-4 yea it has power, yea it's shaft, but it has to be one of the ugliest motorcycles ever produced.
          Keith
          -------------------------------------------
          1980 GS1000S, blue and white
          2015Triumph Trophy SE

          Ever notice you never see a motorcycle parked in front of a psychiatrist office?

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          • 8trackmind

            #6
            The taillight-grab-handle-backrest-combo unit is what turns me off to 'em. Very ugly...

            Comment

            • Joe Nardy
              Forum Guru
              GSResource Superstar
              Past Site Supporter
              • Jul 2003
              • 5849
              • East Tennessee

              #7
              I'd have to go with a GS because I would hate to puke every time I looked at my Madura.....8-[
              IBA# 24077
              '15 BMW R1200GS Adventure
              '07 Triumph Tiger 1050 ABS
              '08 Yamaha WR250R

              "Krusty's inner circle is a completely unorganized group of grumpy individuals uninterested in niceties like factual information. Our main purpose, in an unorganized fashion, is to do little more than engage in anecdotal stories and idle chit-chat while providing little or no actual useful information. And, of course, ride a lot and have tons of fun.....in a Krusty manner."

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              • Desolation Angel

                #8
                Originally posted by Joe Nardy
                I'd have to go with a GS because I would hate to puke every time I looked at my Madura.....8-[
                Now that's funny! :-D

                Comment

                • Desolation Angel

                  #9
                  Don't listen to them, Rocketman! Beauty IS Power!

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                  • 8trackmind

                    #10
                    Ahhhhhhhhh, stop it, DA! My eyes are burning! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

                    Comment

                    • Rocketman

                      #11
                      You guys are something else (in a good way!), and always keep me smiling. I already own an '82 GS850L, and always want to keep my options open. Saw these 2 Maduras on E-Bay. The black one looks great, but the red one has more displacement. Not that I'm buying anything new today, but just curious what you guys thought. Thanks again for the feedback.

                      1986 1200: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...07939712QQrdZ1

                      1985 700: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...08383856QQrdZ1

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                      • 8trackmind

                        #12
                        They really are the link between todays v-twin metric crusiers, and the converted inline 4 cruisers of the early 80's. I think the Yamaha V Max was the sole survivor of that era.

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                        • Desolation Angel

                          #13
                          Originally posted by 8trackmind
                          They really are the link between todays v-twin metric crusiers, and the converted inline 4 cruisers of the early 80's. I think the Yamaha V Max was the sole survivor of that era.
                          And that Kawasaki 750 metric cruiser...I forget what's it's called...looks like a Suzuki "L" model...

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                          • UncleMike

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Desolation Angel
                            And that Kawasaki 750 metric cruiser...I forget what's it's called...looks like a Suzuki "L" model...
                            Vulcan, right?

                            Comment

                            • 8trackmind

                              #15
                              Originally posted by UncleMike
                              Vulcan, right?
                              Yeah, they still make a 500 Vulcan. It looks pretty '80's.

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