My real opinion on how GSs look

[isaac]

I've owned two of the things, and I love the bikes, but seriously they're pretty ugly. I'll note that the comments in this thread largely pertain to L models.

What IS that thing? The guages are too high above the handlebars, the headlight is too high in general, it has a chrome grab handle/sissy bar/oddity on the back, some of them have these grotesquely anatomically correct scalloped butt cheek seats, and more, which I'll get to in a minute.

Some of them aren't ugly. Those bikes are called modified GSs. They're slightly tweaked in a lot of little areas.

80GS1000's bike is a nice example, though I've always had a thing against the wes cooley "fairing" up front, which is just this giant plastic lantern frame around the headlight.

Ditch the toolbag and so's Tracy Borchert's

What strikes me as bizarre about thegsresources (however much I love this place), is there are so many people obsessed with polishing and restoring these 25 year old time capsules from an era of hideous, wretched excess. Scroll through the "Appearance Mods" forum, and the vast majority of the threads you see will be about polishing chrome, getting rid of rust, how to bolt the cam end caps back on, or something as mundane as how to add saddle bags. It's a rare pleasure to find a thread that's actually about appearance mods.

Remember the bike Peter Fonda rode in Easy Rider? It was stretched out, lowered in the back, longer, rising toward the handlebars. It was a caricature of a motorcycle.

That inspired the rising to the right styling of the GS L models. The front wheel is too big. The rear is too small. It apes the classic chopper down to the joke pullback handlebars, minus any of the character or throbbing v-twin sex appeal. The fenders are chrome of all things, while the rest of the bike is painted. It's a design that shouts at you, only it's not one loud shout, it's a whole bunch of little ones from every ill-matched part all vying for attention of the eye.

As I'd hinted at, they didn't do all this to copy a Harley and try to steal the magic of a terrible motorcycle that had to be financially rescued by tariffs. They did this all wrapped around a japanese high revving four cylinder, making a confusing melange of ingredients all the more disturbing to the senses.

They're a GREAT platform for a chopper, bobber, streetfighter, cafe racer, etc, but stock, they just don't do it for me.

 

[Billyboy]

Geez... That's a shame.

(Goes back to surfing the forum.)

 

[wharrah]

Wow.... Someone woke up in a less than happy mood today, huh? :?

That's ok. You posted some nice pics. I LOVE Captain America, and Tracy's Orange Krate thingee too. But, strangely, the Henley fairing you wax about on the white and red does absolutely nothing for me... so I guess we're about even overall....

Ain't it cool that we can all be so different? \\/

 

[isaac]

Wow.... Someone woke up in a less than happy mood today, huh? :?

What kind of bizarre crazy logic makes you think I'd have to be ****ed off to suddenly rail against the design flaws of a 25 year old motorcycle? I've had sex twice and ridden my motorcycle four times today. Throw in the burrito I ate a couple hours ago and I'd say I've had a damn good day so far.

These are my opinions. I'm not saying they're fact. A lot of people seem to like them stock, for whatever reason.

 

[tconroy]

I dont see anything wrong with an "L" model, I guess cuase I own one.

 

[isaac]

I dont see anything wrong with an "L" model, I guess cause I own one.

I do, and it's not just because I own one.

Like I said, some people actually like these things. It'd be interesting to know why though. So far I'm getting a list of reactions ranging from:

"Man you must be ****ed off/crazy"

to

"I like GSs"

Lets see some reasons why you like them.

Just to preemptively dispense with a hypothetical: "I don't have to justify why I like my bike to you. You're just a crazy ass."

Just for the sake of debate, lets do it anyway.

 

[Rocketman]

One good thing about America, everyone's entitled to their opinion. Don't actually have to agree or not, but you're allowed to speak your mind, so long as its not a personal attack on anyone here. I happen to love my '82 GS850L. Think it looks great. Maybe one of the most uncomfortable bikes to ride, but looks great moving or sitting still, and its mine, all mine (and paid for!) Enjoy the rest of your day.


Nothing not to like here!!

 

[isaac]

I happen to love my '82 GS850L. Think it looks great. Maybe one of the most uncomfortable bikes to ride, but looks great moving or sitting still

That's pretty bizarre. When I first rode my stock 850GL (the first picture in this thread), I thought it was the cushiest, most comfortable riding bike I'd ever ridden. I couldn't help but smile from the sheer joy of riding it. I just didn't like the way it looked at all.

 

[Rocketman]

Bizarre or not, its pretty common knowledge that handlebar design destroys wrists, and seat design destroys butts and lower backs on long distance "L" rides. I think Suzuki perfected carpal tunnel syndrome long before the medical community actually had a word for it. Again, I truly love my bike (especially when its running), but its not the most comfortable ride ever made.

 

[ifly85]

I think it is this is interesting too. I love "L" models, but I don't love "E"s. What do I like about them? I love the shape of the fuel tank. I really like the air-cooled inline four, specifically the GS version versus others like the Honda CBs. I actually like them too, just not as much. I am talking about the looks here, not just performance.

I am a huge fan of shaft drives, although that is mostly for the ease of maintenance, but even the looks too.

I personally like the look of the headlights. Not so much the instruments.

They have the basic cruiser look that I love.

Having said all that though, there are a ton of ways to modify them that I like usually better than stock.

To each there own, just keep 'em runnin'

 

[wharrah]

What kind of bizarre crazy logic makes you think I'd have to be ****ed off to suddenly rail against the design flaws of a 25 year old motorcycle? I've had sex twice and ridden my motorcycle four times today. Throw in the burrito I ate a couple hours ago and I'd say I've had a damn good day so far.

These are my opinions. I'm not saying they're fact. A lot of people seem to like them stock, for whatever reason.

I forgot the * thingee on the end of my post... it was an expression. And, now that you mention it, I wish I had had sex twice AND ridden MY motorcycle four times today...)

Please don't blow a gasket Dude. You had some valid points regarding the term 'modifications'. Honestly, though, most of us are de-facto told that putting things back to original (at least mechanically regarding engine matters) is the correct thing to do. And, some of us actually like the way the originals looked... (although I think we ALL DESPISED the stupid pullback bars...)

But, now that I think about it some more, it begs the question: How is that you came to buy two of them if you didn't like the looks of em? And, do you have pics of your that are (I assume) highly modified much more to your liking to show us?

Educate us, oh wizard of metal and rubber. Show us our mis-steps...

(edit: I forgot to mention maybe the reason a lot of us don't highly modify our bikes are financial or logistical; it costs BUCKETS of money to buy/own/use metal fabrication gear, torches, welders, presses, etc... and other than stripping a bike (ala Capt. America's direct descendents) of brakes, fenders and horns/electrics, sometimes its out of most of our grasp...

But then, that doesn't change your initial thought offering...)

 

[Tarbash 27]

Dont forget, 25 years ago, the style was way different. These GS's were in style back then. Take a look at some cars from the same time period, theres some strange ones too. Now look at todays motorcycles, notice there different, styles change.

 

[isaac]

Dont forget, 25 years ago, the style was way different. These GS's were in style back then. Take a look at some cars from the same time period, theres some strange ones too. Now look at todays motorcycles, notice there different, styles change.

This is all very true. Thankfully (most) people decided to change their hair and clothes from back then.

 

[isaac]

Please don't blow a gasket Dude.

You missed the point of my words that you quoted.

How is that you came to buy two of them if you didn't like the looks of em?

They were extremely cheap and I like motorcycles.

And, do you have pics of your that are (I assume) highly modified much more to your liking to show us?

Educate us, oh wizard of metal and rubber. Show us our mis-steps...

I've posted pictures of my modified motorcycles on this board dozens of times. There's a thread less than five slots down from this one that shows in exhaustive detail everything that I've done to my GS850GL from start to finish. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=102574

(edit: I forgot to mention maybe the reason a lot of us don't highly modify our bikes are financial or logistical; it costs BUCKETS of money to buy/own/use metal fabrication gear, torches, welders, presses, etc... and other than stripping a bike (ala Capt. America's direct descendents) of brakes, fenders and horns/electrics, sometimes its out of most of our grasp...

But then, that doesn't change your initial thought offering...)

It'd behoove you to avoid changing the subject to suit your side of the "I don't like your opinion" argument you've started. This thread isn't about why people don't modify GSs. This is about why I don't like how they look stock.

You've mentioned your dislike for the pullback bars. Lets see some more opinions about the actual bike and less about me.

 

[80GS1000]

I'm with you on updating and modifying the looks and performance of these bikes obviously. And thanks for the compliment on my Photoshop mockup. I've got a ways to go to get the bike to actually look like that, but I'm working on it.

And I totally respect those who wish to keep their bikes stock - to each their own.

As a testament to the GS1000, I test rode A LOT of bikes before buying it. GSXRs, R1s, FZ1s, CBRs, you name it, newschool and oldschool. I love the power and speed of newer sportbikes, but the racer-boy clipon ergos are a chiropractor's dream and frankly they lack personality. Plus you gotta wind the engine up to get power out of them, and the watercooled engines sound like hairdryers. Not a fan. And they're wicked expensive - at least 5 grand for a newer, low mileage model.

First thing I noticed about riding the GS1000 was the torque - daaaaamn. This thing will nearly pull your arms off from 4000 RPM to redline. Very fun on the street and at highway speeds. Also love the oldschool looks - they don't make bikes that look like this anymore. The handling was surprisingly good for a larger, heavier, older bike, so that was a plus too. I added a set of new Pirelli Sport Demons which let me drag the pegs easily. I also liked the longer wheelbase on the GS compared to newer bikes as it tends to keep the front wheel on the ground more readily when accelerating hard. Not a wheelie merchant here - I want that power to the ground.

After a few months of riding it around, I noticed the things I didn't like. Like the fact that this is basically an old race/sportbike in cruiser trim. And the brakes frankly are frightening, the forks are way too skinny and flexible to handle high speed peg dragging without causing wobble, the bias ply tires are much too narrow for sport riding and they don't make radials for the stock rim sizes, and the bike stops pulling over 100-110 MPH. I kept dragging the sides of my feet from lack of rearsets.

So I decided I wanted to keep the oldschool GS racebike look but upgrade and change pretty much all the performance bits - engine, suspension, brakes, tires/rims etc.

When it's all done, I'll have a comfortable, rather unique, good looking, well handling, and FAAAAST bike that can easily be taken to the track or go for a 300 mile sport touring ride. The best of all worlds, I hope - great oldschool GS looks, 145 HP GSXR 1100 oilcooled reliable motor that sounds great AND has lots of usable torque and a big top speed with performance pipes available, and up-to-the-minute GSXR 1000 suspension, brakes and tires. And honor the GS racebike tradition at the same time - the Yoshi GS1000 was the fastest bike around in its day. That's the dream, now it just needs to get built.

So was:

Will be (roughly):

which honors this:

My $0.02.

 

[tconroy]

I love mine because I paid 400 bucks cash and 400 bucks of money I made from recycling cans,800 all to togheter.Got about 400 more into it and and it turns heads everywhere I go.It even came with a complete vetter package.It was the first bike I looked at though.i would much rather have an E or something,but its mine and paid for and runs like a bat out of hell!

 

[tkent02]

Old Suzukis always had funky styling....

Old Suzukis always had funky styling....

the rotary bikes, water buffaloes, dirt bikes, all were kind of strange looking until the GSes came along. As soon as they got it right once they went and designed the "L" bikes to keep their strange image up. Although in fairness to Suzuki all the Jap bike brands were into "L" style bikes for the American market for a few years, I guess they watched Easy Rider too many times over there.
But really anything 30 years old looks dated now.

 

[first timer]

L's aren't my cup of tea, it stirs up feelings of polyester shirts, but you gotta give the Japanese credit to be able to take a standard bike design and turn it into 3 different types of bikes. The L model was an attempt to get in the cruiser market (well japan’s version of it), the G to get into the touring market, and the E to get into the sport market, all 3 types very different but all very same. A brilliant idea to keep cost down but maximize market. And as you can see these tastes still exist.

Isaac, you 850 is for the most part still an L, it just has drag/super bike bars, and a different head light. You have just taken the cruiser to another evolution in the ever growing segmented market, the power cruiser look. I liked your bike better when it had the fender on it, it gave it a little more of a finished look. Now without the rear fender, it just highlights a less then desirable looking seat, it kinda looks a little shabby to me. Plus the tire is just hanging out in the back kinda funny looking, and it will toss dirt all over you. There needs to be more refinement in the back section and a separation of the lights from it, (just my taste but motorcycle design has always kept seat and light separate) maybe look a little more into how the V max handles it's rear section. With the back end missing it interrupts the lines of the bike and everything comes to a screeching halt just past the seat.

I would argue with you, on calling your 850 a street fighter (I would say more of a power cruiser), as I understand street fighter, it is more about function over form, lots of retro fitting modern components on a older bike to get maximum performance out of it. Lots of heavy technical fabrication, the stuff that comes with understanding the physics of motorcycling like frame bracing, locations of rear brakes to provide a desired suspension geometry when entering a turn, shock lengths for performance not appearance and so on.... and in the end the look of the bike stems from what you built it to do. Your bike is more form over function; you are putting a lot of effort into how it looks and letting function follow how ever it evolves.

your 850 is a real good start on figuring out how you want it to look but I think you still have a little way to go, and i think you know this too, one thing I noticed is you have very few pics of the bike from the side, you have lots from the front and back and those give the bike a real good image, you just need to carry that image you are conveying from the front and back of the bike to the side now.

-ryan

 

[tracy borchert]

thanks????

thanks????

Ditch the toolbag and so's Tracy Borchert's

Tracy's Orange Krate thingee too

:-s Thanks guys I guess?

 

[Mike_H]

I still like your bike, tracy

To isaac, its cool that you have your opinion. In fact, I tend to agree with you, which is why my bike is stripped down right now...

However, I think this is the third post topic where you've explained, extensively, on how ugly the GS bikes are, how you can't understand why anyone would want to restore them to original. You seem to enjoy being flamed for your opinions, maybe because you use it as an excuse to flame others. But I digress,

Here is a challenge for you. You've said you've owed 2 GS's cuz they're cheap. So are Kawi's, Honda's, etc. Also, you can find GSxxxE or GSxxxT for cheap too, so why pick an L?