1985 Suzuki GS

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The Suzuki GS1150ES was the ultimate development of the classic Japanese air-cooled four. They took the already powerful GS1100 motor and bored it , ported it, put bigger carbs (36 Miks) on it,replaced the points with electronic ignition, welded the crank, strengthened the clutch and made many other refinements. The engine that resulted was so powerful and so bullet-proof that many live on today in dragsters. Back in 1984 Cycle World clocked it at 10.9seconds@125mph in the quarter mile.The torque curve is so flat that once you are in high gear you rarely need to downshift. This bike is a torque monster! The handling is remarkably good- the 16 inch front wheel makes it more nimble than one would expect, and the brakes are excellent. I bought the bike in June of 2007 because I needed a “guest” bike, and just because I liked it. The previous owner had it configured as an “E” model- without the fairing. I have the cool 8-inch headlight and ears if the winner wants to make it naked again. He kept the bike in good condition, changing the oil often and he had just had a new Kevlar clutch installed. After I bought it I gave it a service that included adjusting the valves (so easy- it has screw-type adjusters!) I replaced the rubber cam cover gasket and the rubberseals for the bolts. They had hardened with age and were starting to leak. In the last few months I replaced afaulty regulator/rectifier and the battery. That is all that it has needed. It has been very reliable, always starting right up and running like a top. It has the new clutch and shifts well through all of the gears. I ride it regularly to keep it in shape. My brother and I recently toured the Blue Ridge Parkway on this bike and my Aprilia. It was a 500-mile ride and the old GS performed without a hiccup. The bike is in stock, original condition therefor it has the usual nicks and scratches that accrue with 23,000 miles of road use. The lower left fairing panel has a broken -off tang that left a hole visible in the picture. There is a small shallow dent in the right rear of the tank that I tried to picture.. Its needs are few: the rt side blinkers come on but don't blink and the rear tire will need replacing in a few hundred miles. I forgot to mention that the original exhaust system is in place and in good condition- they are getting hard to find as most were replaced by after-market 4-into-1s. Since the bike is now 25 years old it qualfies as “vintage” for my old-bike club and for the state of Tennessee (antique plate). I have used it for club rides and believe me, there is nothing as fast! The GS1150 is a good value because it is so useful and it will only go up in value as people realize its significance. I would keep it, but I need the space too much and my brother doesn't ride anymore.