GS engine size (450/550/750) and bike feel vs XJ6

[inkvizitorius]

Hello,
Newbie here. I am considering GS as my first motorcycle. I have owned a small 50cc scooter, and have ridden scooters and street bikes with bigger engines (350-600) a few times.
Currently I am training for a driver's permit on a Yamaha XJ6, which I find rather big and heavy- I would rather ride a small, nimble bike fast.

I have such options made between 1984-1987:
-1984 450L (a scrambler conversion),​
-1985 550L (classic cruiser with high and swept back handlebars, low seat and floating single shock suspension)​,
-1987 750L (more of a classic street with a comfortable seat).

Would any of the options (and possibly which) would feel more nimble (considering all would have a standard seat and classic riser handlebars) than the XJ6?
It might be that I am chasing a feeling that the XJ6 usually has.

 

[Nessism]

The XJ6 is a water cooled in-line 4 cylinder. There are no GS bikes that compare closely to that bike. Closest, which isn't even close, would be a GS650E (chain drive bike, not to be confused with GS650G, shaft drive).

I suggest you stick to modern bikes. Within Suzuki's family, maybe a Bandit 600? Something like that...

 

[salty_monk]

All those L models.... for me you couldn't pick a worse selection of the genre. All GS's are relatively heavy, A modern bike will be a lot more forgiving for a new rider.

In the scrambler bracket you could try a triumph 650 or a royal enfield if they are available to you.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

We don't know your Euro spending limit, but If I was looking in that range of bikes, it would be hard to look past the Triumph 400 singles, Either the Street or the Scrambler. Of course, if you want a 40 year old bike, go for it. We all did, at some point. But you've got to understand what comes with it. Namely, catching up on a lot of usually neglected maintenance and a lot of wrenching. And quite a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. With a more modern bike you would most likely get fuel injection and better brakes, maybe with ABS.

 

[inkvizitorius]

Thanks for the answers! I too wouldn't choose an L! It, however, it's pretty much the only GS available (besides a 1100cc G).

They go for ~1000 euros, except the 1100cc is 2000. There are a lot of bikes that are at least a decade newer for the same price, yet I have wanted to have a classic street bike since my teens and would like to score something similar. For a similar price there are a few options of a Brixton Cromwell 250cc, which supposedly has an old EFI Suzuki engine, but I am not sure whether it would be powerful enough.

A specific choice bound by a small budget. Sounds like an old GS is not the solution.

 

[salty_monk]

If you are willing to spend time & money learning how to make sure it's reliable & making the sensible mods then it would be fine. I suspect any 1000 Euro GS is going to need some work.

If you want something you can get on and just ride go newer.....

 

[rphillips]

Power and nimbleness comes with modern technology that is lacking on these old GS's, especially the "L" models. No doubt pretty technical for their days technology but like said usually the newer the tech. the better the nimbleness and power