My real opinion on how GSs look

[tconroy]

Hey, they were still learning to make cruisers back then, using what they had at hand. The Intruder 750 in '86 was their final breakthrough into a properly designed cruiser style motorcycle. I'd challenge you to find any decent looking inline four cruiser. The Yamaha 650 Maxim comes to mind, as well as the Maxim X, but it was more of a mini-musclebike than a hardcore cruiser. I also agree, the Madura plumbed the depths of cruiser styling, along with the Virago 920, and the first Vulcan 750. Still, I do agree that the L models are cosmetically challenged, the 16V 550L and the 650L being the homeliest.

650 homeliest???? BITE YOUR TONGUE!!!!

 

[ron bayless]

:-s Thanks guys I guess?

tRACY I SENT YOU A PM.iN CASE you dont get it,how do you ride without a windshield? I love the look without one,but the wind is very tiring,especially at freeway speeds.Ron B

 

[jimcor]

You guys are looking at the L thru the wrong end of the telescope. The L was never built as a 'cruiser', it was built as a factory chopper. The whole L or 'special' series of bikes from Harley to Triumph to the Japanese were all based on the custom bikes guys were building in the late 60s thru mid to late 70's. They featured extended forks, custom paint, high bars, pipes that saved lives, king and queen seats or at least custom upholstery and minimal what else. Back in the days guys were doing this, with varying degrees of success, to any bike with a motor (Shed a tear for the Indians that were chopped, or the Aerial Square 4 that was never quite finished in Hillsboro, OH). Some beautiful stockers became ratty, unstable, cobbled together, but still cool choppers. The extended forks were the deciding factor. The longer the better. Some guys raked the frames others didn't. The manufacturer's responded with toned down, but similar offerings. The L and others mimiced these custom bikes. The public loved them. They sold like hotcakes. Similar models still sell today.

 

[ron bayless]

You guys are looking at the L thru the wrong end of the telescope. The L was never built as a 'cruiser', it was built as a factory chopper. The whole L or 'special' series of bikes from Harley to Triumph to the Japanese were all based on the custom bikes guys were building in the late 60s thru mid to late 70's. They featured extended forks, custom paint, high bars, pipes that saved lives, king and queen seats or at least custom upholstery and minimal what else. Back in the days guys were doing this, with varying degrees of success, to any bike with a motor (Shed a tear for the Indians that were chopped, or the Aerial Square 4 that was never quite finished in Hillsboro, OH). Some beautiful stockers became ratty, unstable, cobbled together, but still cool choppers. The extended forks were the deciding factor. The longer the better. Some guys raked the frames others didn't. The manufacturer's responded with toned down, but similar offerings. The L and others mimiced these custom bikes. The public loved them. They sold like hotcakes. Similar models still sell today.

I agree with you 100 percent.My gs 1000 L is considered a model to avoid for some reason.It is mechanically identical to many of the other gs bikes.I got rid of the stupid handlebars,the step in the seat,now it looks just as good as any other gs in my opinion.

 

[ron bayless]

You just came off as a world class jackass. I especially like the use of the ellipsis for dramatic effect during your "..." half-assed, e-testically fueled tyrade about why my opinion, being different than yours, makes it both A: factually incorrect and B: worthy of your unsubstantiated derision.

You made several very strongly worded statements with zero detail or evidence, and presented them as fact.

This is "just my opinion"? I said that myself twice in this thread already.

I don't like how high the guages are. That makes me "ignorant of motorcycle aesthetics"? That's like calling me "ignorant of people aesthetics" just because I don't like the way a certain chick's nose looks.

After my initial post failed to bring about a decent debate, I left simple ****ing instructions, and then I repeated them. You need to read them again.

If you try what you did again, anybody who reads this might agree with your love of GSs, but they're gonna think you're some dumb kid who found a tall rock to stand on.

Isaac< i think what you are doing to your bike is great.And I think you need to shut up now.

 

[gsgeezer]

Painters just LOVE those little toolbags guys put on. As soon as the forks bottom out and it hits the fender, it is back to the shop!

 

[Zooks]

The L and others mimiced these custom bikes. The public loved them. They sold like hotcakes. Similar models still sell today.

You know the old saying Jim - "there's no accounting for taste"

 

[jtolbert]

I just purchased an '83 GS1100GL.

I just purchased an '83 GS1100GL.

This is an interesting thread to read, particularly as a new owner of the most "un-loved" option arrangement: an L with shaft drive.

I bought the bike primarily cause of the bulletproof drivetrain, reliability overall and the general "good feeling" I got from the bike. I bought it cause it fit me well size-wise, it performs well and it isn't a cramped sportbike.

I absolutely hate the buck-horn bars and they'll be going away in the not-too-distant future. I'm certainly open to suggestions for replacement bars.

The seat? I'm not sure about it yet. Is it really that bad? Considering I'm working on getting the bike to make trips around the block, I haven't had much "seat time."

I like the overall styling of the bike. The paint scheme makes it work together. I didn't like the colors at first (sort of a dark root-beer brown with lighter, reddish-brown insets) but they're really growing on me now. I like the huge tank capacity.

Chrome fenders? Sometimes they look good to me, sometimes they don't. Ron Bayless: what fenders did you use to replace your chrome ones? I'd like to see some pics of an L with different fenders.

I never really stopped to consider the gauge or headlight placement, mostly cause they don't look out-of-place to me.

Overall I'm happy with the looks of the bike. It definitely stands out in a world full of sportbikes, Harleys and heavyweight cruisers.

 

[ron bayless]

Chrome fenders? Sometimes they look good to me, sometimes they don't. Ron Bayless: what fenders did you use to replace your chrome ones? I'd like to see some pics of an L with different fenders.

I never really stopped to consider the gauge or headlight placement, mostly cause they don't look out-of-place to me.

Overall I'm happy with the looks of the bike. It definitely stands out in a world full of sportbikes, Harleys and heavyweight cruisers.
Last edited by jtolbert : Today at 12:20 PM.
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What i did was scuff the chrome real well on my bike and painted them both.I like the fenders line and tire hugging ability of the fron fender.Many of the gs 1000's came with fenders just like it but painted instead of chrome.The rear fender has way too much air between the fender and the tire.I posted a web site that might interest you...http://www.steelthundercc.com/fenders

Also google fiberglass motorcycle fenders and lok at the oldies.They are cheap and the 7 inch rear fender they have and the 4.75 inch front fender they have would probably work on our bikes with little adaption.I am keeping my stock front fender.many of the bike of the month bikes have the same fender as our chrome ones but factory painted.JC whitney also has a fender for only aboyt 33 dollars if yoy want the sportbike look.Ron B

 

[Guest]

Weird. I've been on quite a few enthusiast forums over the last few years (even started a few myself), and it's the first time that I've encountered a thread like this by which people seem to make excuses for ownership....

"Yeah, I think it's ugly, but I ride one simply because (it's cheap/it's reliable/somebody gave it to me)."

After only a couple days and a couple posts here on GSresource, I hope this thread isn't representative of the membership at large.

I could walk into any dealership and pick a bike off the showroom floor, but I like my L because it's classically styled......it's safe, powerful, and predictable......and for cruising along the lakeshore on a warm day, it's a great ride. It's a motorcycle in the motorcycle tradition, meaning that it has chrome and a distinctive lack of tupperware. It makes no excuses for what it is. It's not meant for blazing along at 100 mph in stock form, it's not meant for being loud and garish either. There's still some of us left who don't want either.

My .02

Yes - Restored or custom the GS and the era they represent is becoming more rare and should be enjoyed from that perspective (for me right down to the chrome fenders).

 

[jimcor]

You know the old saying Jim - "there's no accounting for taste"

8 valve 550Ls are beautiful machines.

Gonna find me a 550M Kat to add to the remuda one of these days, too. That's a rare one here.

 

[Surly]

Nothing special

Nothing special

I would go so far as to say an L model is ugly, but there is just nothing special about them. I have a friend at work trying to get me to buy a 79 750L from him with under 2000 original miles and I can't make myself interested enough in an L to even look at it.

My 78 1000E isn't anything special to look at either from the perspective of others. Just an old motorcycle is all most people see.

I see a big f'n motor and a pretty decent package surrounding it. But then, I'm a fan of the classics. I'll take a pre-80 bike anyday over most anything made until about 2000. That 20 years got pretty hideous.

Plus I got to say, the price was right. F.R.E.E.

 

[ron bayless]

I would go so far as to say an L model is ugly, but there is just nothing special about them. I have a friend at work trying to get me to buy a 79 750L from him with under 2000 original miles and I can't make myself interested enough in an L to even look at it.

My 78 1000E isn't anything special to look at either from the perspective of others. Just an old motorcycle is all most people see.

I see a big f'n motor and a pretty decent package surrounding it. But then, I'm a fan of the classics. I'll take a pre-80 bike anyday over most anything made until about 2000. That 20 years got pretty hideous.

Plus I got to say, the price was right. F.R.E.E.

I have hard some peole here try to explain why the japanese made the l bikes.I own one,loved the rear fender intead of the plastic box like the e and g models have.The handlebars are ridiculous and so is the stepped seat, so i got rid of them.I bet l models are cheaper thanany other GS just for 2 cosmetic reasons.I found it easy to make them look good.If my 1000L bites the dust i will not hesitate to buy another L model,but I would want the 1100 this time.Even tracy Borchert's bike isnt completely stock but it is beautiful.The one young man's silver bike posted here is beautiful.I just love the GS bikes,l,e,or whatever.I hate having my bike torn apart,but now that i have,I must say it is almost satisfying to have it all over the garage and Know i can put it back together and have a bike that will blow the doors off any modern cruiser excpet the v max,v rod,valkyrie,m 109,warrior, and that's about it.For 700 bucks!!!

 

[mixongw]

I would go so far as to say an L model is ugly, but there is just nothing special about them. I have a friend at work trying to get me to buy a 79 750L from him with under 2000 original miles and I can't make myself interested enough in an L to even look at it.

My 78 1000E isn't anything special to look at either from the perspective of others. Just an old motorcycle is all most people see.

I see a big f'n motor and a pretty decent package surrounding it. But then, I'm a fan of the classics. I'll take a pre-80 bike anyday over most anything made until about 2000. That 20 years got pretty hideous.

Yeah! and your mom dresses you funny! I love my 1100L!

 

[Zooks]

Gonna find me a 550M Kat to add to the remuda one of these days, too. That's a rare one here.

Here too. I've had a hell of a time trying to find parts for it. They were much more common in Europe from what I can gather. I've seen quite a few in Holland, Sweden, Germany and the UK. I've even considered sending away to Europe for parts a few times. Haven't needed to yet (thankfully), the freight on heavy items would be a killer.

 

[Surly]

Typo!!!

Typo!!!

Yeah! and your mom dresses you funny! I love my 1100L!

I should know better...and read before I send.

What I meant to say was that I wouldn't go as far as calling the L models ugly. Wouldn't.

Though NOT ugly. The cruiser look just doesn't do it for me. In addition to dressing funny, I am also ugly. Blame Mom for that also.

 

[ron bayless]

I should know better...and read before I send.

What I meant to say was that I wouldn't go as far as calling the L models ugly. Wouldn't.

Though NOT ugly. The cruiser look just doesn't do it for me. In addition to dressing funny, I am also ugly. Blame Mom for that also.

yes,I have spoken to your mother about that.

 

[Road_Clam]

This whole thread makes me laugh. Another forum publicity stunt that we all fell for.

Just for the record I think that totally restored 1982 GS1100E's are the ugliest bikes out there also....

 

[Red Rocket GS1100]

Want to know from Ugly?

Want to know from Ugly?

Whats ugly is walking when you could be riding. Now that is ugly. My 82 1100EZ is a thrill to ride and is as reliable as they come. Went on a cruise with two Harley riders and had to keep stopping on the side of the road for one of them or the other to tighten something or find out why its acting like this or that.
When I first saw the bike I own now it wasn't instant love. That happened when I got on her. I couldn't believe how well it handled. The handlebars are not meant for human wrists and will tire out your hands on long runs. The seat I would swap for a gunfighter and the hunking front fender...well Plastic? Why plastic? Painted steel would suit me better and a little less bulky.
Outside of that I love this ride and would be hard pressed to trade it for anything. I have a couple of bikes and none that I have ridden lately match the feel I get from my GS.
That and I really dig the red. For me the balance of the handling and the fact that there aren't any others driving past me on a warm day makes me feel like I have something special.
Ugly is having a big heavy machine that leaves you stranded. That my fellow GS'ers is UGLY.

 

[Guest]

Handlebars and seats are easily changed to something more to your liking.