My real opinion on how GSs look

[johnnay]

Oooooh, Drama...!!!

Anyone professing expertise in a subjective subject, or ridiculing someone for a lack thereof, is an idiot. You can study "aesthetics" all you want, and you still won't be an expert in what I, or anyone else, likes so put a sock in it.

Instead, tell us what YOU like about the GS-L. That's what is up for debate here.

For me, the L is fugly stock - however, it can look very cool with some simple changes, like lower bars, colour-matched fenders etc. - Tracy's bike is a wicked fine example (although I'm not keen on the tool bag either). On the other hand, the E's have it all IMHO ...

Also, I tend to agree that Isaac's bike isn't so much a streetfighter, but not for the reasons previously expressed - I believe a streetfighter doesn't necessarily involve extensive fabrication, nor is it all about performance mods - many streetfighters are simply sport bikes minus the plastics. Part of it is the look, though, and the "bobber" look just isn't streetfightery.

Flame on, people.. this entertains me.\\/

 

[SabreJim]

Love for the "L"'s

Love for the "L"'s

I learned to ride on this 78 yamaha xs400E. Then I found and fixed a xs400sj but I got the ...need more power bug and found my true love.... THE AWSOME GS1000L
Sad to hear so many think they are ugly, for me they have a destinguished look thats easily identified.

 

[rthor]

I would say that motorcycle aesthetics is purely subjective and that any debate on the subject will not change or affect anyone's opinion/feelings. I have opinions on different design features of every type of motorcycle. But what do my opinions matter to someone who has a completely different idea of form and function? If a person bought a certain type of bike there must be some apreciation for the design... comfy seat, a relaxed riding position, low center of gravity, who knows? And who has the final word on what is cool/fashionable/stylish/etc? Who cares?
BTW, didn't Prince ride an "L" model in "Purple Rain" (or was it a Honda something)?

 

[crag antler]

BTW, didn't Prince ride an "L" model in "Purple Rain" (or was it a Honda something)?

Looks like a Honda with a Windjammer.
Going by the front wheel:-s

Got this from another site

Prince rode a CB250 Honda for the cover od Purple Raun

:-s

 

[Trackster]

I want a part of this.

I want a part of this.

I rarely post on the forum because usually I don't feel the need, but today for some reason I do. I see relevance in most of the posts in this discussion so far. Everyone has their opinion and that is what is great about this forum, we can all share our opinions with one another and usually we can take something valuable from one another.

The Internet is a wonderful tool, it has opened doors that simply were not here 15 yrs ago. I mean think about it, it's 10X easier to find those parts you need for your GS because of this Forum and because of the people associated with it. However, it is very often abused. Its easy to sit at your computer and spill out onto a forum your diarrhea of a thought.

I myself am new to the GS bike. Thats right, my 82 GS750 T is new to me. I will agree with you Isaac, it's kinda ugly. But you know what is so nice about the GS? You can make it into anything you want. Right now for instance I am building mine into a Caf? Racer and I can't wait to show you guys pics of it when its complete. But I also know why these guys want to keep their's original and stock. I think it brings back a memory of the first time they rode their GS 25 years ago. The same reason a guy will buy an old muscle car restored to stock for $50,000, it brings back wonderful memories.

The problem with your post Isaac, is that you have come to a place where people love their GS and the way it looks and you are saying it's ugly and foolish to keep it that way (stock). I think you are just looking for a little Internet fight. It would be like flying in a plane and telling the people on board they are all stupid for flying. I understand you not only own one but two GS motorcycles and you hate the way they look.

Sad Story

 

[Jethro]

I think you are just looking for a little Internet fight.
Sad Story

Won't be the first time.

 

[chazz]

i still think the gs lump is one of the nicest to use in a chop if the frame has decent lines,abit like this one

oh thats mine:-D

 

[lecroy]

My first in-line four was a 550L. Previously I had been riding my Kawasaki 500cc tripple 2 stroke. Before that, my old Triumph 650 twin. Talk about an upgrade in comfort, stability and reliability.

I dare day the little 550 was more comfortable and stable than anything I now own.

 

[Tarbash 27]

i still think the gs lump is one of the nicest to use in a chop if the frame has decent lines,abit like this one

oh thats mine:-D

Does a passenger like that seat?

 

[MissFabulous]

Does a passenger like that seat?

If it weren't for that big sissy bar, I would have said the b!tch fell off!

 

[justin caise]

Great! Now I have a burrito craving.

Blah blah blah.
Oh... and blah.

 

[Guest]

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.

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.
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,

If it works, it's beautiful. If is doesn't work, it's ugly. Gauges must be well above the bars to be seen. Headlights must be high so they can be angled down enough to not reflect too much back into the rider's eyes when the air is foggy. Hand grabs and sissy bars keep passengers from falling off. Front wheels are bigger than rear wheels for technical reasons. Steel fenders were chromed to reduce rusting.

 

[Hector Penalosa]

Purists perhaps ?

Purists perhaps ?

Different strokes ( 2 or 4 ? ) for different folks, I guess.
I personally like to tinker and mess w/ my junk.
Like Ed "Big Daddy" Roth aka the Rat Fink said:
"You gotta have a groovy machine,the guys at Detroit just don't get it."
Enough said.

 

[mixongw]

I like my '83 1100GL cause it'll outrun any other bike that cost $740.00.

 

[isaac]

I like my '83 1100GL cause it'll outrun any other bike that cost $740.00.

That's my kinda reasoning. I love cheap speed, and my idea of cheap is extremely.

 

[Eli69]

sometimes during the winter i like to go out to the shed and just look at my '78 gs1000e. i think it's beautiful. i like the way the stripe from the gas tank follows along under the seat and to the tailpiece. (see "the skunk" a few pages previous). and i guarantee it's the fastest $150 bike around. the real beauty of any bike is twisting the throttle.

 

[Commodus]

i still think the gs lump is one of the nicest to use in a chop if the frame has decent lines,abit like this one

oh thats mine:-D

OK I'm quoting this post just cuz this bikes kicks arse and I wannt post this pic again :-D

And you're right, that motor does look great in this kind of application. Come to think of it, it looks good in any application...that two-valve GS motor is just downright pretty.

 

[isaac]

And you're right, that motor does look great in this kind of application. Come to think of it, it looks good in any application...that two-valve GS motor is just downright pretty.

That's because it looks so serious. They don't turn em into drag motors for no reason.

 

[BentRod]

My 2 cents

I happen to own an 81 gsx400L, and I have my likes and dislikes. the tank on it is rather narrow and square in profile, and sits rather high on bike. The bump in my seat, with the take, and ape hangers (about 10 inch) make the bike look very tall.

But that is really all i have to complain about. The bike is very functional and well built. I'll leave flashy designs and flowing lines for hand bags and eye glasses.

I believe you have to look at these bike with a grain of salt for what they are and where they came from. It's made in Japan where the ideas about styling are very different from ours. They are trying to immitate or integrate some of the retro north american and european styling, but like everything else foreign that is inturpreted by the Japanese, interesting things can result.

 

[Commodus]

That's because it looks so serious. They don't turn em into drag motors for no reason.

Yeah! Nicely put, that definitely sums it up.

I wanna make a replica of a 60s inline four GP (CR) bike using that motor, with four open megaphones. My neighbours will love it! :-D