What are the most beautiful GS models? Aesthetic questions

[GS1150Pilot]

I think my tastes in GS models is a bit off center.

I find the 83 GS750e to be very attractive.

I think the '81 GS1100e to be a very pretty bike.

I never thought the skunks were very appealing, and even though I owned a GS1150ES, I didn't think it was beautiful.

I'm not after appreciation for a singularly restored version of one model, but rather, what folks think are the absolute prettiest models and years in GS history and why.

The only Japanese standard I have these days is the '82 CB900f, which I think is extremely pretty, though I don't love the instrument cluster or the wheels.

 

[Burque73]

The '82 and later 850G, 1100G and GK are most appealing to me. Why, I can't really say. Nostalgia maybe since right out of high school in 1991 I had an 850G. Even then I enjoyed looking at it almost as much as riding it.

'82 GS1100E in red is pretty sweet too.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I agree, the 1982 850G is a very good looking bike.

 

[Rob S.]

'83 11E red. Same year 750 is awful pretty. Sorry Burque, but in my garage...

"We don't take kindly to shafts around here!"

"Aw, Skeeter, he ain't hurtin' nobody." :worked_till_5am:

 

[GS1150Pilot]

For some reason, the front wheel on that body style always looked slightly too large to me, aesthetically, Rob.

 

[Baatfam]

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Definitely pretty, but something makes me think it would look just that little bit better with an 18" front wheel.

 

[unfocused]

My opinion: If you don't look at it as you're walking away, you bought the wrong one !!!

 

[Rob S.]

For some reason, the front wheel on that body style always looked slightly too large to me, aesthetically, Rob.

19" front, 17" rear. Always looked 'neutral' to me. What I can't stand are some of the extreme diameters and widths on Harleys that are all form and no function. Typically they're oversized diameters and undersized widths up front, visa versa in back, but some are overly wide in front. And some of that goofiness has infected my beloved Sportster line. Most of the Sportster line, it seems. The only Harley line I don't completely detest.

I can't think of many bikes that look as good stock as a 1972 Sporty. First year of 1000cc, still right side shift.

 

[rphillips]

If you don't think the 1985 Suzuki GS1150E in pearl cool white and candy alpine blue is the prettiest GS ever, you must have never seen one.!!! That's my opinion and ought to be yours

 

[Rob S.]

If you don't think the 1985 Suzuki GS1150E in pearl cool white and candy alpine blue is the prettiest GS ever, you must have never seen one.!!! That's my opinion and ought to be yours

Opinions are like armpits. Everybody's got one, and it usually stinks! :nightmare:

 

[dorkburger]

The 82-3 1100e bikes are beautiful. Simplistic in a good way and that big engine and headlight gives it presence. Third gen 700 / 750 bikes have grown on me quite a bit.
1150 e... awesome
​I still love my 1150es but don't necessarily consider it beautiful. Kind of clunky and awkward depending on what angle its viewed from.... but it's totally cool.

 

[oldGSfan]

OK like an oil thread everybody is wrong, but everybody is right. My take:

I never could get into any the early 80s - square-ish tank/headlight bikes, they just looked chunky, ungainly. The 82/83 1100E is good and I love it, but it is derivative of the Katana, that design language really took over ad nauseum. The 1100E did it best, some of the others that used that style just wrong to me. So there is a bit of a downer by association. Suzuki GS style got hideous in the mid-80s but they were so badass I forgive them. To me the Cooley is fine except I don't like white as the predominant color, it looks like an ice cream van. So for the big 4's I'd say the 78/79 1000E is close, but that seat is too huge and it's a bit plain on the color scheme. I think the touring G's were handsome, if stodgy, but that suited their role, like a strong plow horse. Having had an '82 GS1000SZ Katana, I'd rate it pretty high for impact, but not everyone's cuppa tea. I can't stand any L models and think only Kawasaki ever made a decent looking 'cruiser' in the KZ900 LTD times.

So my winner is the 450S, prefer in black. Only seat/tail section Suzuki ever got right IMO.

 

[oldGSfan]

Definitely pretty, but something makes me think it would look just that little bit better with an 18" front wheel.

My '82 had the EPMs in 18x 3.5 rear and 18x2.5 front. I think it worked well visually but the front fenter's curvature wasn't as good as it could be if designed for it.

 

[Rob S.]

My '82 had the EPMs in 18x 3.5 rear and 18x2.5 front. I think it worked well visually but the front fenter's curvature wasn't as good as it could be if designed for it.

How could anyone notice anything except that turbocharged beast of an engine?

 

[Rob S.]

Set up with the 4-into-1 and pods, that's the best looking GS of any size, year or color. You just need to remove whatever is sitting on top of the tank!

Do I see an itsy-bitsy fairing up front? Or is it a teensy-weensy one? Is it removable? :welcoming:

 

[KiwiAlfa156]

Opinions are like armpits. Everybody's got one, and it usually stinks! :nightmare:

Most folk have two armpits.... but only one ahole...

 

[GS1150Pilot]

My '82 had the EPMs in 18x 3.5 rear and 18x2.5 front. I think it worked well visually but the front fenter's curvature wasn't as good as it could be if designed for it.

Ah, now THAT makes the bike look balanced!

 

[Rob S.]

The original 903 Z1s ('73-'75) are better looking than anything Suzuki ever made. Suzuki decided to equal or beat Kaw's performance on the cheap. One color on the '82-'83 GS11E bodywork, and decals instead of badges on the tank and side covers.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I'm not sure I can agree there, Rob. The wire wheels make the Z1 look a little like a ballerina, and chrome front fenders have always looked gaudy to me. Decent looking bikes, but not as pretty as the GS1100E. Sure, the paint was nice, but that was a period thing, and Honda had some nice paint jobs, too.