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Madura GV1200 on the horizion

JTGS850GL

JTGS850GL

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
Looking at a Suzuki Madura GV1200 as a project bike. The guys asking $650 for the bike with all the parts needed to get it back on the road. Really just needs a carb rebuild and the front master cylinder replaced. He has the rebuild kits for the carbs and a complete front brake system that goes with it. He also has the rear seat and all new ignition components and many other parts that go with the bike. Very unusual bike to have. I doubt that I would ever see another one on the road.
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What do you guys think?
 
Least collectable and valuable of the 80's muscle bikes, the VMAX, V65's and Eliminators ALL have bigger followings, it basically finished "last" in the muscle bike wars. There's an inherent engine design flaw that caused an AWFUL vibration in the 3-4K RPM range, I test rode one once and I hated it, very buzzy and not very awe inspiring. The issue with the vibration was the fact that Honda already had the patent on the 90 degree V-4, so Suzuki they had to make theirs work at 86 degrees, which threw the engine out of balance, I believe they tried to make up for it with rubber motor mounts but it really didn't help that much. I hated the spoked wheels too, although there's a relatively easy GS wheel swap from I believe a GS1100L model??? Regardless, parts are impossible to find and they don't bring much, even in restored condition, 2-2500 TOPS! I've passed up projects in the 500 dollar range. If you just want something different, why not, but you won't ever make a profit on that one.
 
One of the prettiest and most powerful Suzukis ever made
A simply gorgeous bike for 650 you cannot go wrong.

I doubt any GS owner on here has driven a more torquey or more powerful engine.

Every once in a while you see em for sale on Quebec Kijiji but not often.
To me they are the epitome of Japanese 80s design. Simply lovely.
There is a Dutch forum for these. Assuming both sides of the exhaust are pristine then the bike has payed for itself as a parts bike should you pull the pin on it.
 
83GS1100E_Tornado said:
Least collectable and valuable of the 80's muscle bikes, the VMAX, V65's and Eliminators ALL have bigger followings, it basically finished "last" in the muscle bike wars. There's an inherent engine design flaw that caused an AWFUL vibration in the 3-4K RPM range, I test rode one once and I hated it, very buzzy and not very awe inspiring. The issue with the vibration was the fact that Honda already had the patent on the 90 degree V-4, so Suzuki they had to make theirs work at 86 degrees, which threw the engine out of balance, I believe they tried to make up for it with rubber motor mounts but it really didn't help that much. I hated the spoked wheels too, although there's a relatively easy GS wheel swap from I believe a GS1100L model??? Regardless, parts are impossible to find and they don't bring much, even in restored condition, 2-2500 TOPS! I've passed up projects in the 500 dollar range. If you just want something different, why not, but you won't ever make a profit on that one.
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Patent on a 90 degree V4 sources please.
 
BIGGEST MORPHODITE SUZUKI EVER BUILT!!!!

Suzuki dealerships couldn't give them away.

The designer of the GV700/1200 was forced to commit hari kari.

The only thing they are good for are boat anchors!!!
 
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Bollocks hater these bikes are gorgeous. They could not sell due to a downturn in the economy and the GD HD tarifs and for no other reasons.

Or do you not recall those days?
 
No offense but that thing is fugly. Ugh. I can think of a lot of nice, useful GS's one can pick up for even a paltry $650. I did a quick search on ebay for new carb boots and got exactly zero hits. Did find a single offering for a set of used ones FWIW...
 
I love how polarized this discussion has become. It's a love/hate affair isn't it? Kind of like a Suzuki GS "L" haters debate.

Personally I like a bike that no one else has. Sets you apart from the crowed. The only weak link I can find on that model is the foot pegs break and the master cylinder view port breaks. Can't say that for Honda and Yamaha's of the same era. Yamaha couldn't get 2nd gear to last and Honda couldn't keep the top end lubed. Kawasaki couldn't make a bike worth a dam, period.

I might just pick it up to spite that haters.
 
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I think they are fugly to but that's beside the point.I'd be concerned about getting parts.If the 83 750 Honda Interceptor is anything to go by getting the carbs off will be a PITA.If you want to be different fine,just think about the cost of that.
 
I have heard they were fast in a straight line, but man is that bike ugly. Far worse than a regular L model, which I can't stand. Did they ever put that engine in a standard UJM?
 
As far as I know, that's the only Suzuki that utilized that V4 motor. Unless they used it in a big touring bike, like the Calvacade? It was not a good seller, only made in 85/86 and they pulled it after they lost the muscle bike war.
 
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I read somehwere they sold less than 6000 units. Different is cool and I'm all for being different. But, you gotta be able to find parts or different just ends up being a dust pile.
 
Parts may be harder to find, but the only systemic issues with that model were the foot pegs and brake master view port breaking. The engine and trans were typical Suzuki. Bullet proof!

I'll wait on it and see if he'll drop it to under $500. At that price it might be worth just parting it. There may be a very small community of buyers just waiting for parts to become available. Personally I like the extreme cruiser look of the Madura:
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The statement "So ugly it's cute" comes to mind.:eek: And it is after all still a Suzuki.:D
 
For that little investment, I wonder what OTHER frame that it might be managed to fit into. :-k The dyno that was posted only shows the horsepower graph, I wonder what the torque curve looks like and tops out at?
 
What really killed the Madura was spelled I N T R U D E R.

Now that bike has stood the test of time.
 
My brother in law bought a new Madura 700. He loved it, and would like another. I thought that they were horrible, personally. The Chrysler TC by Maserati or Cadillac Alante of motorcycles. Every time I see one, I think "Wow! Somebody bought one!". It wasn't the economy that made those things take root in the showroom, I don't think. They had a big plastic cover between the steering head and the fuel tank. I always thought the gap thee was hideous. I don't like sit up and beg cruisers anyway. They have all the styling ques, but it looks like a committee did it. That is my opinion. To anybody who likes it, well more power to you. What's with all those spokes?
 
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Can't help but think the ridiculous styling had a bigger part in it than anything to do with the engine.
 
tkent02 said:
Can't help but think the ridiculous styling had a bigger part in it than anything to do with the engine.
Click to expand...

I figure the Madura must represent the epitome of an "L" haters worst nightmare.:-# Personally I don't understand the whole "Bobber" and "Rat Bike" thing. It just seems like they take a perfectly good bike and make it look like crap. Now you know why Baskin-Robbins made so many flavors.;)
 
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