My real opinion on how GSs look

[tracy borchert]

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?

Thanks Mike, I like my bike too, and the toolbag. Your bike is coming along quite well, can't wait to see some color on it. You have one in mind?:-D

 

[isaac]

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.

Since many of my ideas seem privy to mass misinterpretation and hyperbole: The one similar "I hate GSs" thread that you're referring to is probably this: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=86057 in which I delineated my original ideas for how I was going to mod my 850 because I didn't like how it looked stock. A lot of people went nuts in that thread and, much like this one, turned it into a "why I don't like Isaac's opinion" thread.

so why pick an L?

Because, unlike the dozens of other GS models available in the 1980s, they're a rarity in my area today. The one I bought was the only one available within a 250 mile radius that cost less than $500 and represented a reasonable investment on my part. I don't live up north where riding season is 8 months long or less. These things don't turn up in barns all the time in Florida. They're ridden to death then disappear.

As for asking why I picked a GS instead of anything else available: They all look the same to me anyway. The GS was the first bike in my price range that I could find. It turned out to be a pretty good bike until (after religious oil changes) the top end self destructed at 27,000 miles, so I bought another one when I found it a year later.

I'll find a bike in my area and in my price range about once every 3-4 months. It's a matter of fate whether the engine is seized or the rubber on the bike is worthless. If it's worth it, I'll buy it. I've yet to find a non-GS that fills the bill, be that KZ, Seca, CB, whatever. That says something about the longevity of these things.

 

[Commodus]

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 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.

....

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

Well, what you're listing are just your own opinions. And, the thing is, your opinions are hardly universal or even common. The GS1000S (fairing and all) and the Captain America bike are both commonly considered beautiful and desirable.

Also, your analysis of the style and that style's evolution is...lacking. It's not particularly insightful and it does not display an advanced understanding of motorcycle aesthetics. Witness your comments regarding the chromed fenders and gauge placement, for example. These statements do little but showcase your own ignorance regarding the evolution of motorcycle style.

Cap it all off with your comment stating that you can't really tell the difference between the various Japanese bikes of this era: "They all look the same to me anyway"....

In the quoted section above, you seem to be expressing your surprise at coming to a site dedicated to the Suzuki GS and then finding...shock upon horror...people LIKE the Suzuki GSs? Maybe even like their style as well?

It's really hard to take you seriously. In short...your posts make it seem like you don't know your a$$ from a hole in the ground, regarding motorbike aesthetics.

Given that the above is true, engaging you in conversation ON THAT SAME TOPIC seems like an exercise in frustration. I think that's why you aren't getting the answers you want.

Perhaps if you posed your questions with the humility that your knowledge (or lack thereof) of the topic would seem to demand, you'd get more of a dialogue going.

 

[wharrah]

it was meant to be a compliment...

it was meant to be a compliment...

:-s Thanks guys I guess?

Hey Tracy, the "Orange Krate thingee" phrase was indeed meant to be a compliment. Man, I'm having an off day today.

I LOVE YOUR BIKE... I just called it what I did in a tongue-in-cheek way... same as my other comments that weren't received correctly by Isaac.

When I was a kid, a Schwinn "Orange Krate" was THE BIKE IN THE WORLD TO KILL FOR. I love that orange paint. It ROCKS. And, I say you can leave the leather bag on, I think it looks fine.

No worries Mate.

 

[Guest]

How old are you, Isaac? That may be some of how you base your opinion. In 1980, I was 18. the hottest thing on two wheels was the GS1000S. Everybody wanted one... especially an 18 year old. It was beautiful for 1980.
But my dad didn't think it was beautiful. And I'm sure my grandpa thought it was ridiculous! Why? Probably because they were born when they were. These old GS's came about when I was at a very impressionable age. I guess those impressions are still with me. I was riding them when they were new. And now I'm fixing them up and riding them again. Maybe some of the beauty I see in them is the nostalgia.

Also bringing one back from certain death makes them beautiful, too. My Skunk was a mess when I bought it. Broke down, wrecked, oily and rusty.

Now it's clean, running perfect, and shiney... and all done by me. So to me it's not ugly..... quite the opposite.

I bought my 1150 brand new... again because it was the baddest thing out in '85, and I wanted it. Some say the 1150 is the ugliest GS ever made. But it's my baby, and no parent thinks their baby is ugly.

 

[Guest]

So to follow up, I say to each their own opinion. But you say the GS's are ugly...... compared to what? What is beautiful in YOUR eyes?

 

[denydog]

I don't like the looks of the L model Suzuki's

I don't like the looks of the 84 1150E's

I don't like the looks of any Harley Davidson's

I don't like the looks of overly plump women

(Is this supposed to be fun, or even remotely interesting?) :?

 

[cberkeley]

Ahhhh! ....a thing of beauty IMO!

 

[isaac]

Also, your analysis of the style and that style's evolution is...lacking. It's not particularly insightful and it does not display an advanced understanding of motorcycle aesthetics. Witness your comments regarding the chromed fenders and gauge placement, for example. These statements do little but showcase your own ignorance regarding the evolution of motorcycle style.

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.

 

[Desolation Angel]

Obviously, Isaac has recently seen a mint condition GV1200 Madura and now knows the true meaning of motorcycle beauty! :-D

Once you've seen a Madura, you'll never go back to a homely GS.

Well, that could be the reason! :|

 

[emjay]

Rants aside, I'd say the general population on this site is agreement with you Isaac- the "L" models are the least favorite of all. I think there have been polls that support that statement. Unfortunately it seems many here lost the message due to the tone of it.

I too own an "L'" - GS850GLZ and like it. Similar to what others have said, it's my baby and you just naturally grow to love what's yours.

I wanted a bigger motor (I previously owned a GS650GZ) so was looking for a 1000 or 850 G (I like shatfies, another "least favorite" here). The only thing I could find in my my price range close enough to be feasible was the GL I bought. It was fully dressed with Vetter fairing, lowers, and hard bags. I didn't like the looks of all that, particularly the low speed handling and not enough air flow on me to keep me cool in summer, so I pulled it all off. I replaced the "buckhorn" style bars with "G" bars and that's about it. Gotta keep my wrists healthy.

Basically, no matter what you do to an "L" for mods, it'll always be an "L" unless you replace the frame. It's style is mostly defined by the frame. It dictates the foot peg, tank, and seat positions. Thus it'll always be a cruiser in essence, which I define mostly by the foot peg and seat locations. All cruisers basically place our pelvis, legs, and feet in the same position.

As is true for everything stated here by everyone, the aforementioned is just opinion. It's just how I see it. And remember everyone, don't take anything personally.

 

[drhermanstein]

Obviously, Isaac has recently seen a mint condition GV1200 Madura and now knows the true meaning of motorcycle beauty! :-D

Once you've seen a Madura, you'll never go back to a homely GS.

Well, that could be the reason! :|

I used to own a GV1200 Madura. It looked very "eighties" and sucked on ergonomics. The compromise between apearance, style and function was frustrating. It had the ability to hit 100 mph at a stunning rate ( I regularly had sore forearms from a brisk ride) but riding position meant my helmet rode up annoyingly with wind coming up the chest. I loved the power and tried to find a way to get a better riding position. This is what I came up with:

 

[Desolation Angel]

I used to own a GV1200 Madura. It looked very "eighties" and sucked on ergonomics. The compromise between apearance, style and function was frustrating. It had the ability to hit 100 mph at a stunning rate ( I regularly had sore forearms from a brisk ride) but riding position meant my helmet rode up annoyingly with wind coming up the chest. I loved the power and tried to find a way to get a better riding position. This is what I came up with:

I like it! Looks kinda mean. And I guess it is with a water-cooled 1200cc V4, eh? :-D

 

[isaac]

Obviously, Isaac has recently seen a mint condition GV1200 Madura and now knows the true meaning of motorcycle beauty! :-D

Once you've seen a Madura, you'll never go back to a homely GS.

Well, that could be the reason! :|

Yeah, see?

Though I do like that blue one.

 

[isaac]

Unfortunately it seems many here lost the message due to the tone of it.

Thanks for noticing what a chosen few glossed over entirely.

I too own an "L'" - GS850GLZ and like it...

Basically, no matter what you do to an "L" for mods, it'll always be an "L" unless you replace the frame.

I like mine too, just in a different way than yours. I definitely am on your side of stripping off the vetter fairing, though probably for different reasons. I think it's way too high, visually unbalances the bike and makes it look "top heavy" and accentuates and frames the wire-thin fork up front.

 

[emjay]

I like mine too, just in a different way than yours. I definitely am on your side of stripping off the vetter fairing, though probably for different reasons. I think it's way too high, visually unbalances the bike and makes it look "top heavy" and accentuates and frames the wire-thin fork up front.

I agree with you there as well, just didn't mention it.

 

[tracy borchert]

Hey Tracy, the "Orange Krate thingee" phrase was indeed meant to be a compliment. Man, I'm having an off day today.

I LOVE YOUR BIKE... I just called it what I did in a tongue-in-cheek way... same as my other comments that weren't received correctly by Isaac.

When I was a kid, a Schwinn "Orange Krate" was THE BIKE IN THE WORLD TO KILL FOR. I love that orange paint. It ROCKS. And, I say you can leave the leather bag on, I think it looks fine.

No worries Mate.

No biggy wharrah,Thanks for the compliments, I'm not bothered by anyone's opinions. Everyone has their own, and thats what we call freedom of speech.:-D

 

[emjay]

No biggy wharrah,Thanks for the compliments, I'm not bothered by anyone's opinions. Everyone has their own, and thats what we call freedom of speech.:-D

Exactly! And as I said earlier, we can't take others' comments personnally. Even if it's directed at us, it's usually a result of their own issues.

 

[drhermanstein]

I like it! Looks kinda mean. And I guess it is with a water-cooled 1200cc V4, eh? :-D

It had 78 lb ft of torque and 117 hp. It pulled hard from 4000 to 9000. It ate rear tires. I tried hard to get the fuel mileage figured out but only lasted a half tank before I started flogging it again. Twisting the throttle in fourth was a huge grin. Fourth pulled hard from 55mph to 110mph. I'd get 72-75miles per tank. The guys on the Madura forum have coined the phrase "It'll pass anything but a fuel station" Rear tires only lasted 2100 miles with no burnouts.
I only miss the power, it handled like a bus and brakes were no great shakes either.

 

[80sGSfan]

Why

Why

Why I like the "L":
The "L" model happens to be the one that made me aware of this great site and all the folks on it. It also happens to be the bike that brought me back into riding after a long time away (I raced motocross when I was a teenager).

So here's why...The guys across the street from me had a bike sitting on the side of his house since I had moved in. I watched it sit for a couple years and it turns out that it had not moved from that spot since 1992 when it was parked there. I was friendly with the family living in that house and when they started to pack up and get ready to move I thought I should go & take a look at that bike. I went over and was not very impressed initially. It had a HUGE clamp on windshield that was cracked in a couple spots and a 80's sissy seat on the back that rivaled that of the easy rider bikes in height. I took note of the model (Suzuki GS850L) and went back to my house to consult Google. Wow, there seems to be a lot of results from my search...what is the "GS Resources"...there's actually a community of people that are devout followers of the GS? That's weird...let me go back & look at that thing again. Then I really started to look at it. Let me get down in front and check out the engine. Ok, I've got to have this thing. That inline 4 is SWEET! What an engine! What a profile! This thing could be nice! $120 to the neighbor and $800 to the local vintage Japanese bike salvage yard and she's on the road. The bike is a classic example of a 1980's muscle bike...I like it! I think it looks cool and performs pretty well for it's age. Self-canceling turn signals? Dual front disc brakes? That was all high tech and cutting edge back then.
I'm changing the handlebars to a set of Flanders GS E model replacements. The windshield & sissy bar are in the shed. I think she looks pretty mean! I'm at work right now & my internet is down at home due to ice & snow, but I'll post one of my favorite L model pictures on this thread. I have two other favorites...Rocketman has a sweet example of a show room condition L model and there was one on ebay last summer that only had a few hundred original models.

I was pretty surprised to see your surprise to Rocketman's comment about comfort...you actually think the L is comfortable to ride??? That's weird...handlebars & seat are pretty crappy as he said. I could ride my GK all day (as it was meant/designed to) and feel fine, but after a few hours on the L I get sore...

getting laid twice, enjoying a burrito and riding and you're still that "snippy"? Guess you're just kind of crabby in general then, huh? (I know, I know...I'm opening the door for an unpleasant comeback, I'm sure...)

I like the L:-D