Just saw this and now I know.....
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What the "L" means
- Thread starter chuck hahn
- Start date
So the L does not stand for Ladies?
Apparently not.
I thought it was for the "Laverne" model! That "L" looks a lot like the "L" on her sweater from the Laverne & Shirley tv show!
My brother has a GS1100(L) and he's still my brother... We always joked about that... When I was 12yo, my older brothers friend had a 76 900 LTD. Yes, he was the coolest guy in the neighborhood... I had a wonderful childhood being submerged around all the 70's Japanese motorcycles. The 70's-80's are definitely the Golden Years of Japanese Motorcycles... 
The term Low Slingers is a new one for me too.
I remember reading a road test in one of the bike mags when the first L models came out. 1979? A couple of staffers dressed out in what they considered chopper wear and cruised the Sunset strip. Somebody there called them "Laverne". I've seen a few showroom condition L models for sale in my general area. They seem to outnumber the standard models about 10 to 1 around here.
G
Guest
Guest
Last bike I would never own? 
E
eight
Guest
Less cares given. Yea yea, they aren't as pretty but they rip just the same. Font does look like that Laverne L..
E
eight
Guest
West LA right now. Just picked up my first GS, its a Laverne. I thought I'd sign up and read up here. Have not ridden for a while, but I was pretty good on a ten speed so I should be fine.
Cool...yeah, you should be alright. My first bike was a Y2K gixxer 750 and I made it out alive! Lol
I departed LA in 1986 and ended up on the East Coast thanks to the US Air Force.
Sounds like you moved to Cali...
Ill take this discussion elsewhere...
I had an L seat on my T until I bought a second T. I still have an L headlight that needs to be swapped over...but it works as intended so no rush.
Ed
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There are very few L models left with the original handlebars. Everyone should ride one (a short distance) if you have the chance to understand just how wrong and hellish a handlebar can be. It's an experience.
Once the handlebar is sorted out ($20 or so and an hour of sorting out revised cable, wire, and hose routing), the L models handle pretty much exactly the same as the E or G standard-style models, and maybe even a little better since you're seated a little lower and so your CG is lower. The steering geometry with the leading axle fork ends up exactly the same since Suzuki juggled the steering stem dimensions.
If you have long legs, the seating position bends your knees a bit more. If you're vertically challenged, it works out much better. You are more locked into one position, but the seat is still very comfy; just not one of the very best ever like the G models.
Drivetrains are the same, although some models end up with slightly lower gearing and a little more scoot off the line thanks to the 16" wheel vs. the 17" on the E or G models.
The L exhausts are a little shorter and have a bit more growl, which many find pleasant.
The smaller tank on many L models is one unavoidable downside if you're the iron butt type.
Overall, there's absolutely no reason to hate on an L other than the original handlebar and maybe the smaller tank. Changing the handlebar is a fairly trivial task, so you can set that aside entirely. And if you're tall, you won't like the lower seating position, but there are also a lot of folks that prefer it. Many L models are a teensy bit quicker and most sound a little better.
And AFAIK, the L models outsold the "standard" models back in the disco era, so there seem to be more of them out there today.
Once the handlebar is sorted out ($20 or so and an hour of sorting out revised cable, wire, and hose routing), the L models handle pretty much exactly the same as the E or G standard-style models, and maybe even a little better since you're seated a little lower and so your CG is lower. The steering geometry with the leading axle fork ends up exactly the same since Suzuki juggled the steering stem dimensions.
If you have long legs, the seating position bends your knees a bit more. If you're vertically challenged, it works out much better. You are more locked into one position, but the seat is still very comfy; just not one of the very best ever like the G models.
Drivetrains are the same, although some models end up with slightly lower gearing and a little more scoot off the line thanks to the 16" wheel vs. the 17" on the E or G models.
The L exhausts are a little shorter and have a bit more growl, which many find pleasant.
The smaller tank on many L models is one unavoidable downside if you're the iron butt type.
Overall, there's absolutely no reason to hate on an L other than the original handlebar and maybe the smaller tank. Changing the handlebar is a fairly trivial task, so you can set that aside entirely. And if you're tall, you won't like the lower seating position, but there are also a lot of folks that prefer it. Many L models are a teensy bit quicker and most sound a little better.
And AFAIK, the L models outsold the "standard" models back in the disco era, so there seem to be more of them out there today.