Call me crazy but I'm actually considering this bike.

[Guest]

Ah, so I remembered correctly. Wasn't sure if it was this model who had that problem. I think this is the reason why merely ~5k were produced

Yea, they had several inherent problems, including so much torque that the spokes could be broken loose from the hub at WOT. Not the best bike to do burnouts on! LOL! Although there was a mag wheel conversion from an early 80's GS Model that didn't seem to be too difficult. These bikes just didn't sell, the V65 Magnas and VMAX's are just better overall bikes, in every conceivable way, so Suzuki gave up and only produced them in 85 and 86. Like I said, I wouldn't own one unless it was bone stock, low miles, and for sale CHEAP, like less that 500 dollars cheap. There really is no money to be made flipping them either, the market is incredibly small, even the one that started this thread for 1400 is no deal IMHO. I've seen decent examples for less than a grand.

 

[1948man]

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?webtag=TAZZZ2U&nav=start&prettyurl=/TAZZZ2U&gid=2144059921

 

[Ecklund]

Eh, what's the real likelihood of actually 'blowing it up'?

I rode the Magna equivalent and it was just about the least comfortable thing possible. But this appears to have less severe riding position.

Hey, if it fits you and you don't mind scaring the neighborhood kids, a 1200cc bike certainly has some fun possibilities.

If you have the dough not much downside. Running the spokes a couple times a month might be with the effort as with any large cc heavy bike with spokes.

It does have a certain... I can't say attraction, how about interesting appeal.

 

[Guest]

I borrowed a canadian import madura once - a strange thing indeed

Favorite bike of this genre was Honda's late 90's VMax competitor , and having owned both ........ I hate to say this , But, the Honda's a better package

Only country outside of Japan that you could officially buy them was Germany where they have a cult following - mine was (of course) somewhat personalized with Sato exhaust and different shocks

 

[JTGS850GL]

I spoke with the current owner and the bike does run well. Had the carbs rebuilt last year. He's willing to talk about price but not till I come see it and give it a test ride. Would be interesting to have a bike that only around 5000 were ever made world wide. Definitely a conversation piece.

 

[Guest]

I spoke with the current owner and the bike does run well. Had the carbs rebuilt last year. He's willing to talk about price but not till I come see it and give it a test ride. Would be interesting to have a bike that only around 5000 were ever made world wide. Definitely a conversation piece.

Make sure and ride it for a spell and see if the vibrations in the bar as as bad as the one that I rode. My hands were numb in about 15 minutes. I guess you could try different grips, bars, vibranators, what have you, but it's a huge issue for me. Just wasn't comfortable. If you can get past that, and the price is cheap enough, I say have at it. You'll probably never come across another one out riding it, good conversation starter anyways!!!!

 

[Cipher]

well bikes been dropped
I think it brake lever is tweaked.
THe frambe bits in the rear are painted and bits look like they are missing.

 

[JTGS850GL]

Not sure the levers being bent were from a drop. Looks like both sides are bent the same way but it's hard to tell from the pics. The missing reflectors were supposedly removed for saddle bags but who knows. He does still have them.

 

[wymple]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I liked them. There is one in my area and he won't ever get rid of it.

 

[RacingJake]

Other than the fact they are ugly as sin, not a bad bike, but not one I would never add to my muscle bike collection. A couple big negatives, the first being parts availability. Because there were so few made, parts are impossible to find! Secondly, because Honda had the patent on the 90 degree V4 engine, Suzuki had to put theirs at 86 degrees, which really threw off the internal engine balance horribly! They tried to mask it with rubber motor mounts, but I have ridden a few over the years, and there was a TERRIBLE handlebar buzz right around 3500 RPM! That would drive me nuts! I have seen these relatively cheap over the years, actually had several chances to get them for less than 500 bucks and passed on them. Just not one of the original 80's muscle bikes that does anything for me. Now, that being said, if I find a LOW mileage example for next to nothing, I might get one, just to say I have the entire 80's lineup of muscle bikes, but I wouldn't ride it much!!!!

That sounds like my Sportster ! It's like I'm back in the 70's riding a 2 stroke again.

My son had the Honda and pulling the carbs was a PITA and the fuel pump would stop working sometimes but other than that it ran good.

 

[JTGS850GL]

The nice part of these bikes is the not needing valve adjustments. Hydraulic lifters do the job quite nicely. Bike's still available. Might let him stew on it for a few days before I ask for less. If it sells it before then, then so be it.

 

[JTGS850GL]

Still working with the owner. Going to see the bike on Wed. Might be able to pick it up for $1200 if it's in the condition stated. Currently a daily rider with everything working.

 

[JTGS850GL]

Going to look at it tomorrow. If all checks out, I may have entered the crazy world of rare Japanese bikes.

Anyone looking for some cool spoked wheels? Changing them out for some GS1100GL wheels will probably be first on the mod list. Not sure what to do with the handlebars.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Rare and bizarre!

 

[JTGS850GL]

Rare and bizarre!

Agreed. Looking for a daily rider to replace the GS850GL I'm using now. I still have the 1000G (1100G engine transplant) so I'm not going to be GS less. Just wanting something unique with a little more power. @ $1200 it's not a bad deal for a strong reliable ride. I love the, no maintenance, hydraulic lifters and the 6 speed trany. At 117HP it's not a wimp either.

 

[Guest]

Going to look at it tomorrow. If all checks out, I may have entered the crazy world of rare Japanese bikes.

Anyone looking for some cool spoked wheels? Changing them out for some GS1100GL wheels will probably be first on the mod list. Not sure what to do with the handlebars.

I was awhile back for my 1000G bagger project. I just sold my H-D bags and my be going a different route with it if I keep it. If they are cheap enough I'd still be interested. What are the sizes? You don't see many for sale down here, but when they do show up, they are too expensive. I love my GV1400 Cavalcade, but they changed the engine up some. The firing order was changed if I remember right, that may have been do to the vibration a few have mentioned. Then again it's a completely different beast.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

If I'm not wrong, the '82 1100G did a quicker quarter mile than the Madura ...?

 

[JTGS850GL]

The Madura did the 1/4 mile in the low 11's. Don't think the 1100G could touch it. The 1100E was quicker at 10.69.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I've seen 1/4 miles for the 1100G listed in the 11's at over 116.

 

[bobgroger]

I've seen 1/4 miles for the 1100G listed in the 11's at over 116.

The quarter mile times in the day were with the obligatory 115 pound rider. Add a second for the typical 220 pound rider 60 year old GSR member today. I have to make a perfect run on my stock 1100e to break in to the 11s at 230 suited up. Power to weight and all....