GS1100E performance

[coachmorin]

Good gods. Honda Shadow 1100s make less torque than a GS1100, even if they make more way low. I thought you might be talking about a VTX or Warrior.

I will comeback with more updates when the synchro will be done to the carbs etc. I don't want to have this thread to be about if the GS pulls VS any bike. Was just looking for feedback to make sure I did everything right during the rebuild. Maybe everything is fine too. Best thing would be to have someone try my bike that knows how the GS is suppose to ride and pull. Otherwise, hard to tell. Anyway, I'll have the carbs set-up this week. Maybe the paperclip adjustement was not too good for me after the carb teardown and rebuild!

Thanks Guys!

here's the specs of the shadows I owned. ( I did owned also a VT750 1983)

Engine Type: 1099 cc, 4 Stroke - Liquid Cooled - V Twin
Engine Bore and Stroke: 87.5 mm x 91.4 mm
Valves 3 valves/cylinder
Claimed Horsepower: 78.4 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 73ft lbs @4,500rpm

 

[trippivot]

Yes I understood what you meant from the start , IF you engage the clutch too quickly you can kill the engine on a GS -

Unlike a Sportster/Big Twin that will grunt straight away from 900.RPM

Get the revvs between 2000 ~ 3000 and slip the clutch a little more than your Harley / or VTX or V star

I don't mean sss ss-slip the clutch ... the timing or engagement rate of the clutch lever at the friction point is different - to get a smooth start .

 

[Guest]

Did you retain the stock gearing (sorry, didn't read through your rebuild thread). Sounds like someone (possibly the previous owner, if the bike's new to you) may have gone with taller gearing, to drop cruising rpm on the highway. I too have done this, but not drastically, and the difference at take-off is negligible.

 

[posplayr]

I will comeback with more updates when the synchro will be done to the carbs etc. I don't want to have this thread to be about if the GS pulls VS any bike. Was just looking for feedback to make sure I did everything right during the rebuild. Maybe everything is fine too. Best thing would be to have someone try my bike that knows how the GS is suppose to ride and pull. Otherwise, hard to tell. Anyway, I'll have the carbs set-up this week. Maybe the paperclip adjustement was not too good for me after the carb teardown and rebuild!

Thanks Guys!

here's the specs of the shadows I owned. ( I did owned also a VT750 1983)

Engine Type: 1099 cc, 4 Stroke - Liquid Cooled - V Twin
Engine Bore and Stroke: 87.5 mm x 91.4 mm
Valves 3 valves/cylinder
Claimed Horsepower: 78.4 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 73ft lbs @4,500rpm

peak torque at 4500 is barely above idle on a GS. :-\\\

Opening the throttle wide at 3-4K RPM is almost lugging.

In the twisties, I like to stay at 5-7K RPM which is where it is very linear. I do have 4:2:1, so with 4:1 you need to go even a little higher (6-8 KRPM).

 

[GSX1000E]

Yup, the GS1100E's have pretty much a flat torque curve from 3,000-9,500 rpm...



They build very quickly from just off idle.

 

[coachmorin]

Yes I understood what you meant from the start , IF you engage the clutch too quickly you can kill the engine on a GS -

Unlike a Sportster/Big Twin that will grunt straight away from 900.RPM

Get the revvs between 2000 ~ 3000 and slip the clutch a little more than your Harley / or VTX or V star

I don't mean sss ss-slip the clutch ... the timing or engagement rate of the clutch lever at the friction point is different - to get a smooth start .

Trippivot,

You nailed exactly what I meant. thanks!

 

[coachmorin]

Yup, the GS1100E's have pretty much a flat torque curve from 3,000-9,500 rpm...



They build very quickly from just off idle.

This is really interesting. I thought the max HP ''claimed'' was 108 though?

 

[GS1150Pilot]

This is really interesting. I thought the max HP ''claimed'' was 108 though?

At the crank it was 108ish.

 

[Rob S.]

I let the clutch out in first on my '82 1100e nice and easy at about 2,000 or less rpm and then open her up. Pulls like a (very fast) truck.

Of course, I've never ridden a Harley, so maybe I'm unduly impressed with my GS's low-rpm torque.

I paid attention last ride, and the fact is that my clutch is completely released in first gear well below 2,000 rpm. It is literally impossible to lug my bike, at least in first gear. Probably goes for second as well. Your bike might need a tuneup.

 

[tkent02]

I will comeback with more updates when the synchro will be done to the carbs etc. I don't want to have this thread to be about if the GS pulls VS any bike. Was just looking for feedback to make sure I did everything right during the rebuild. Maybe everything is fine too. Best thing would be to have someone try my bike that knows how the GS is suppose to ride and pull. Otherwise, hard to tell. Anyway, I'll have the carbs set-up this week. Maybe the paperclip adjustement was not too good for me after the carb teardown and rebuild!

Thanks Guys!

here's the specs of the shadows I owned. ( I did owned also a VT750 1983)

Engine Type: 1099 cc, 4 Stroke - Liquid Cooled - V Twin
Engine Bore and Stroke: 87.5 mm x 91.4 mm
Valves 3 valves/cylinder
Claimed Horsepower: 78.4 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 73ft lbs @4,500rpm

78 horsepower?

A stock 850 makes that much.

 

[coachmorin]

78 horsepower?

A stock 850 makes that much.

So true! I went riding again yesterday and I'm starting to get the feel of the bike. Trick is to keep it over 4000rpm!

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Just keep it in the right gear and you're golden.

 

[tkent02]

So true! I went riding again yesterday and I'm starting to get the feel of the bike. Trick is to keep it over 4000rpm!

These guys are right, although it's a blast to ride that way, you really shouldn't have to on an 1100E. Something isn't quite right there.

 

[posplayr]

These guys are right, although it's a blast to ride that way, you really shouldn't have to on an 1100E. Something isn't quite right there.

Spirited riding ?

 

[tkent02]

Sure, but if an 1100E doesn't pull hard enough from an idle to be fairly interesting there's something wrong with it.

 

[posplayr]

Sure, but if an 1100E doesn't pull hard enough from an idle to be fairly interesting there's something wrong with it.

I don't know if this really the case, as I have not ridden too many V twins but I remember a Ducati that just seemed to be too much down low.

At the higher RPM you get a nice linear characteristics where you go from acceleration to deceleration by controlling throttle.

At lower RPM using torque the motor probably doesn't have as much frictional load and so the deceleration of letting off the throttle is not as pronounced.

Just a theory, I know after getting back off that Duc rde, I was stunned at how smooth my GS750EX was in comparison.

My knees also don't bend well and I find it uncomfortable to use the rear brake, so the GS engine higher RPM braking the rear tire is nice taking a load off the front wheel.

 

[coachmorin]

Guys...

After re-reading all the posts, coming back from work tonight, I decided to go back to the basic...again just to make sure.:-\\\

1. Checked all the carbs bowls. Found float stuck on carb # 4. No gas at all. Barely touched it and came the gas.

2. Checked spark...Found 2 sparkplugs still looked brand new(cyl 2 and cyl 4). Not so good. and the 2 others(1 and 3), coffee colored. Good spark on all 4.

3. Then I went on checking the firing order....oh la la...For an unknown reason I had mixed cyl 2 and cyl 4 wires. Put the wires on the right cylinders and fired the beast. OH LALA. Hello smoke! Hello super nice racing sound, Hello super stable idle at 1000rpm...

4. Went to take a ride tonight to confirm my findings...OH GOD.

-Does it pull: Hell YA
-Does it has low rpm torque: Hell YA
The power is AMAZING, crazy. If I open full throttle on first gear, I can't touch the clutch to shift, needs to grab the handle so hard to stay on the beast.

At the final, it was my mistake. I guess I was too eager to go on the road and try the bike. When I first tried the GS, I thought to myself there was no way that bike can make 0-60 in 3.6 sec like in the magazines. Now, I truly believe it can. I'm shocked on how much power there is. This has nothing to do with the twins I owned or the thumper. Zero, nada.

I want to thank you all for your comments that sent me on the road to re-check the basics.:clapI'm really embarassed of my mistake here...)

This is not only a good bike, but truly a SUPER bike and yes, a beast!

 

[posplayr]

two cylinders down and the frictional/compression load from the same and you dont know? It must be a hell of a beast. Don't worry you will get used to it and want more.

 

[coachmorin]

Posplayr

It did not run good on idle, always had to play with the idle screw. Honestly, it was not going that bad on 2 cylinders surprisingly.

Lesson learned. Don't try to go too fast and ignore simple problem like bad idling.:-\\\

 

[tkent02]

Now go wind it out.