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gl vs g

  • Thread starter Thread starter bybowtie
  • Start date Start date
I have an '82 GS650G, but I'd like to have a larger GS, either 850 or 1100. If I find a GL, can I change the seat, handlebars, and forks to basically have a G? Are the seats the same pan?

Having owned four 850's and now an 1100, I can tell you that, while the 850 is good, the 1100 is great! It's called being intoxicated with top-end power. Just my personal opinion. d

If you find a GL, you could change all that stuff altogether, since the G and GL frames and engines are identical. If you change the seat, you must also change the rear fender, tank, and goodness knows what else.

Nick
 
Nick Diaz said:
What they're all trying to tell you is, quite simply, that the "L" version is the best.

The best for what? Riding uncomfortably for a short distance, because of its puny fuel capacity, stepped seat, and pullback bars? I pity whoever may be a passenger on an L model.

It's the best if one values form over function.

Nick
Click to expand...

I guess (maybe because I ride an E) I value the form of a standard G over the form of an L, so form over function, function over form, standard G wins both battles. Handles better, feels better, but looks better too.
 
My Yamarat is the cruiserish XS750 Special. I picked it up real cheap in '87 - other bikes have come and gone, but it refuses to die. It was fairly uncomfortable with stepped seat and pullbacks, but I changed them right away. I had the seat recovered for $40 - they added some padding and cut down some of the step. Then I put fairly flat bars on it. The pegs are still too far forward to be that comfortable, but it was an improvement over stock.

There's actually a picture of it on a Crud Run website - if somebody could tell me how to post a bitmap or jpeg, I could post it. It ain't a Suzuki, but it's an old rat with almost 90K and never opened - and rarely maintained.
 
I Agree JoJo! :lol:
Suzinow1.jpg


left-side.JPG


But to each his own :D They are all GS'S!! :wink:
 
I've been checking the "Road-ready bikes for sale", although I've got to finish putting money into an MR2 before I upgrade the bike.

bybowtie, I saw your post but I didn't see a price, and I am fearful of it not having a title. How much would you want if you took the trouble to get a clear title?

Del
 
I'll admit that I'm probably one of the mutants of the group, but the stepped "L" model seat giges me just enough comfort for the base of my spine. I do agree about the stock handle bars tho'. I have a set that was leftover from my dad's old GT750. They aren't strictly straight bars, but fairly "flat" across and are nowhere near as uncomfortable as those wrist mangling pullbacks. There are plenty of places to get 7/8" handle bars of varying variety, so even if you don't get stock "g" model bars, you can probably find something you will be happy with. The size of the tank has never been a problem either, but there is a fuel gauge and I know aproximately how many miles I can go before worrying about it. It's considerably bigger the tank on my XS650 was , and that din't have a gauge. The tailsection on the "G" model is much nicer looking than mine and has that bit of storage space that would be nice, but I was given this bike by my father, so it has a pretty tight hold on my heart no matter what it is/has/does. But aside from having to modify the bars, it is still the most comfortable bike I have ever owned.
 
Bert, the second one is, obviously, a 1982 GS1100G, a shaftie. It's actually the same platform as my GS1100GK. My GK is nothing but that same bike with fairing, bags, and trunk. Engine and frame are identical, as are brakes/front wheel, middle gear/rear end, instruments.

On the picture that bike looks sporty. Dress it out and it becomes a different animal. That's what's nice about these big GS shafties -- you can make them into anything you want.

And contrary to popular wisdom, it's fast -- certainly not as fast as the 1100E 16-valver chainy, but 1100 cc is 1100 cc, and believe me, this bike MOVES!

That's indeed a bike to drool over, Bert. :)

Nick
 
Nick Wrote:
That's indeed a bike to drool over, Bert
Click to expand...

Thank You kind Sir!!


And contrary to popular wisdom, it's fast -- certainly not as fast as the 1100E 16-valver chainy, but 1100 cc is 1100 cc, and believe me, this bike MOVES!
Click to expand...

Yes it will move along nicely!! I would like a 1100E to go with it as a pair someday :D
 
In partial defense of the "L" model

In partial defense of the "L" model

I'm an "L" model owner who has been bemoaning the discomfort of the "L" seat and handlebars. However, my only experience with the two-tiered, stepped "L" model seat is with an aftermarket "replica" seat manufactured by Travelcade/Saddlemen (called an "LTD" seat). I disliked it within minutes of mounting it and riding it for the first time. Subsequent rides haven't improved my initial negative impression.

Recently, I cut about 4-inches off the ends of my "L" model "wheelbarrow" handlebars, and around about the same time mounted a plastic windshield. Together, these two changes provided a significant improvement in my seating postion and overall comfort. Shortly, thereafter, I stopped into a nearby motorcycle fix-it and used parts shop that seems to concentrate on older Japanese motorcycles, particularly the KZ series Kawasakis (the shop owner used to race these). Lots of old parts for sale ranging from fair to excellent condition. I found a seat and pan labelled GS750L (year unknown). It does not share the same seat pan size/design of my 1979 GS1000L. The 750 seat it is similar in appearance, but slightly narrower than the 1000. But for grins and giggles, I gave the guy a deposit, yanked my aftermarket seat off my bike, tossed the 750 seat on (just laid it atop the frame, because none of the mounts lined up) and went for a ride. I was surprised to find that this particular seat fit me perfectly! All together, the shorter bars, the windshield, and the 750L seat made for a combo that suited me just fine. I cruised for about an hour to make sure.

When I got back to the shop I noticed that the OEM Suzuki seat had about 2 more inches front to back for the drivers butt, than the Travelcade/Saddlemen seat. Also, the OEM Suzuki seat seemed flatter and didn't "push" me towards the gas tank, like the Travalcade/Saddlemen seat does. I've arranged with the shop to "borrow" the 750 seat with a cash deposit, so that I can take both seats to an upholsterer and have a new foam and cover made for my GS1000 seat pan.

So this is a caveat for those considering the Travelcade/Saddlemen "LTD" seat kits. They are NOT direct replicas of the OEM Suzuki seat. For me (and my butt) the OEM seat design is much better.
 
JoJo, Michael, I gotta say, both bikes are beautiful. Look fresh off the showroom floor. Just looking at them gets my throttle hand twitching.
 
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