whats your favorite GS?

[Rob S.]

Only two running GS motorbikes in my life...an '82, and an '83....both 1100Es.....

The '82 did the 1/4 mile in 9.0X seconds, at 14X mph...

This is obviously a highly modified bike you're talking about. Stock numbers were 11.2 @123 mph.

The '81 was a hair quicker at 11.1 ET.

These are Cycle World's numbers.

 

[nuggetsdad]

One up for the original Kat.

 

[Rob S.]

Red 1983 GS1100E (D) - the one my '82 is painted to look like.

When it's doing over 60 mph you can hardly tell that the wheels aren't '83's.

...I love my "83" GS11ooE.

My favorite GSs would be the 83 1100e, preferably in red...

Only two running GS motorbikes in my life...an '82, and an '83....both 1100Es.....

The '82 did the 1/4 mile in 9.0X seconds, at 14X mph....

Baatfam, you neglected to specify '83 red. An innocent omission, I'm sure.

I will say that emotion plays into it for me as well. The bike that hooked me on streetriding was the 83 1100e I owned in the 90s. The Kawasaki LTD 550 that I started on is just a footnote.
I'm sure that my time with the 1100 plays into my opinion that the 82-3 1100e bikes are among Suzuki's best looking bikes.

You also failed to specify red, but as The Who said in "A Quick One While He's Away" in the 1960's, "You are forgiven..."

I've had my 750 since new, still kicking myself not getting the 1100 version.

Probably have trouble sleeping, see your doctor.

So it's decided, it's unanimous - 1983 GS1100E in red, or an '82 painted to look that way.

 

[zuluwiz]

Has to be the '81 GS1100E, in black. And of course, to be perfect, to be 27 again, which I was in'81. Yeah, give me another of whatever we're smoking.

 

[MR.G]

I'm bias, so I have to say the Canadian 1984 GS750SE and the mini version I made for my Grandson

 

[Burque73]

I'm bias, so I have to say the Canadian 1984 GS750SE and the mini version I made for my GrandsonView attachment 59751

Very nice!

 

[steve murdoch]

The mini Kat is very cool, MR.G.
Pop-up headlight? haha.

 

[MR.G]

The mini Kat is very cool, MR.G.
Pop-up headlight? haha.

Nope, no pop up on the mini version

 

[nuggetsdad]

Thats a good looking pop-up, definitely a fun bike.

 

[limeex2]

83 GS750ES. By my eyes, one of the nicest looking metric bikes ever. Nice curves like the GF. If I ever get off my dead arse, I plan on a resto mod version of this bike using a GS1100E and that paint scheme. Nicest one I ever rode? My 79 GS1000S. You could drive all day on it with ergo's (seat!!!) that put modern bikes to shame. liked it better than the 1980 version I owned for awhile.

 

[93Bandit]

The only GS I've ever ridden is my 850L. It has G handle bars so it's fairly comfortable. Unlike most here, I actually do like the L styling, although I really like the G model styling as well. However, I think the early 750's were great looking bikes and I look forward to riding mine when it's done, as well as my 850G.

 

[Guest]

1983 gs1100e

 

[bwringer]

I've owned my 1983 GS850G for 22 years, so, uh, I guess my answer is obvious.

However, I've had the chance to ride several well-sorted examples of other GS models (And lots that were, uh, un-sorted. Pre-sorted?), and I'm sticking with the 850.

There's really something I find a lot more entertaining about spinning the 850's engine over the gruntier 1000G or 1100G. That rush at 6,000 rpm to redline is a giggle I never get tired of.

I greatly enjoy my other bikes as well, and these days my V-Strom and KLR650 get the bulk of the miles. And shortly after riding Larry's new Triumph Tiger 800, I set up a savings account labeled "Triumph Fund". One day, hopefully sooner rather than later, I'll jump into the ABS era.

But I'll keep my 850 as long as I can swing a leg over it, and probably long after. It just works so damn well, everything works perfectly and yeah, I made it work perfectly. And I've always loved the way it looks.

Besides, with something around 145,000 miles, it's barely "worth" anything. So I'm not going to be tempted to sell it.


And yes, the GS shafties handle FAR better than they have any right to. The 1100E is a gawdawful long truck-pig by comparison.

Also, in case anyone was wondering, I've ridden several GL models and if they're wearing reasonable handlebars, the handling is identical. Maybe even a little better since you're sitting down in the bike a bit. The L handlebars were beyond gawdawful from the factory, but that's easily fixed, and the rest of the handling equation is identical.

 

[Rob S.]

There's really something I find a lot more entertaining about spinning the 850's engine over the gruntier 1000G or 1100G. That rush at 6,000 rpm to redline is a giggle I never get tired of.

And what does the 11E do from 6k to redline? Lug?

And was that pronounced "truck pig"? Them thars fightin' words!

 

[gustovh]

My favorite GS is the one that I am riding at the time.

V

 

[MR.G]

Thanks for all the positive comments guys. Appreciate it

 

[Guest]

Would have to be my 750. Not only am i the first and only owner, i was the one who uncrated it. Nobody else has touched it with a wrench...