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Damn hard to find now.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sonzaisuru
  • Start date Start date
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Sonzaisuru

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In the late 1990's early 2000's I had three early 80's Suzuki bikes. A1980 gn400, a mid 80's gs850l, and my favourite a 1984 gs1100gl. The gn had a mass of electrical problems with the weird 6v system but was a great starter bike. I never would have sold the 1100 but had my back broken in a non motorcycle incident and couldn't give it the use it deserved. Now that I can ride again I was looking for another and can't find squat. Back then the local used shops had plenty, but now there is nothing. Worst of all is the guy in my building with a parking stall next to mine holding a mint looking gs750l that I have to walk past every day. Did everyone suddenly realize how great the bikes are or did they just fade away?
 
You do realize where you are asking that question? The responses are likely to be rather focused.
 
There are a couple for sale on CL Vancouver right now. We have a few Vancouver members who may know of some and a few island members as well. I know of someone with an 1150 that hasn't moved in a while but don't know whether it is for sale. Used Victoria is a good source and Murray at Modern might know someone and has a bulletin board with bikes for sale........
 
I thought the same thing, GS's were non existent in my area. After over a year of watching for them they do come and go on Craigslist, Ebay etc. It just fluctuates from time to time. Sometimes there will be a few GS450's or 550's at once or even 850 both G's and L's. I'd say 90 percent of for sale ads are for Harleys though. One I haven't seen is a GK.

There's a bunch on this side of the border. Is it difficult to transfer over? Seattle has a ton available the we don't usually see down here.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/sear...&nearbyArea=461&nearbyArea=177&nearbyArea=325
 
Go out get in your car and drive around for an hour and count how many pre-1990 cars are around...we'll wait. Okay, now you see my point. I would guess that of all motorcycles built before 1990 (much smaller number than cars) that 80% are long gone, scrapped or buried in a landfill or junkyard. About 17 % are hidden away rotting in sheds and garages where they await their fate (death wrenches for parts or the scrap metal yard) and the last 3% that actually are road worthy bikes yet.

I see old bikes on CL here all the time, they are not hard to find and GS'es are easily found too. Most are either dramatically overpriced or some nub head has chopped the back end off, removed the front fender and it's now a "custom" bike. Keep looking, they are out there. Seems like we have a LOT of Canadians on this site anymore...
 
Thanks for the responses. Guess I need to keep looking. Seen a couple smaller ones every now and again but the only larger ones I've seen were either being partsed out or in really tough shape, and I want at least an 850 or preferably a 1000 out 1100 to make carrying camping gear and my wife easier. I didn't think about looking down in Seattle, not sure what it's like to bring it North I'll have to check it out. I think I must have been in just the right place and time back then because the local used shop always had a selection of them in stock and two of my friends rode gs's as well. There was an 850l near here for sale but the thing was in showroom condition and the guy wanted enough for a brand new bike for it. Guess he sold it tough I haven't seen it in a while.
 
My find was a happy accident. I had typed in "Kawasaki KZ 1000" on eBay, and, while nothing came up for it, the listing for my bike came up on the "we also found" part towards the bottom. The rest is history.
 
I assume you mean the 1000G in your signature. That's awesome. Saw a GS1000G last time I was out in Alberta, but it was rotting where it stood. Seat was gone tank rusted through and everything else you would expect with it stood outside in the elements for god knows how long. Anyone have any experience with the bandits? How's the ride on those?
Vtwin vibration kills my back which is one of the reasons I'm looking for an older GS. Wish they still made in-line 4 cruisers.
 
Sonzaisuru said:
I assume you mean the 1000G in your signature. That's awesome. Saw a GS1000G last time I was out in Alberta, but it was rotting where it stood. Seat was gone tank rusted through and everything else you would expect with it stood outside in the elements for god knows how long. Anyone have any experience with the bandits? How's the ride on those?
Vtwin vibration kills my back which is one of the reasons I'm looking for an older GS. Wish they still made in-line 4 cruisers.
Click to expand...
They made 1100Gs from 80-83 (?), they are a torque monster. They modernized and revived it as the GSX1100G in 91, a very nice bike if you can find one.
 
I'll be selling a 1980 GS 1000G with full Samsonite luggage and a Shoei FM2 fairing for the summer and a full Vetter fairing with lowers for the winter soon if you're interested.
 
That sounds great when will you be looking to sell and how much? Is that year two or four valve design?
 
That bandit looks pretty nice from the pics. If I didn't have my gs1100 already I'd be calling on it.
 
Sonzaisuru said:
In the late 1990's early 2000's I had three early 80's Suzuki bikes. A1980 gn400, a mid 80's gs850l, and my favourite a 1984 gs1100gl. The gn had a mass of electrical problems with the weird 6v system but was a great starter bike. I never would have sold the 1100 but had my back broken in a non motorcycle incident and couldn't give it the use it deserved. Now that I can ride again I was looking for another and can't find squat. Back then the local used shops had plenty, but now there is nothing. Worst of all is the guy in my building with a parking stall next to mine holding a mint looking gs750l that I have to walk past every day. Did everyone suddenly realize how great the bikes are or did they just fade away?
Click to expand...

Make the trek out to Vintage in the Valley next weekend, there will be plenty of bikes for sale, but mostly to meet guys who are into these bikes.

http://www.vintagemotorcycleshows.com/

When I was first looking for a GS1000S I spent forever watching CL but nothing, finally found one in Quebec and bought it, paid way too much.

Once I joined this forum it was easy to find bikes and I have purchased in the US and brought them back here.

I will be at Vintage in the Valley next weekend with one of my GS1000S's at the BC Classic MC Club Area.

David.
 
Last edited:
Sonzaisuru said:
In the late 1990's early 2000's I had three early 80's Suzuki bikes. A1980 gn400, a mid 80's gs850l, and my favourite a 1984 gs1100gl. The gn had a mass of electrical problems with the weird 6v system but was a great starter bike. I never would have sold the 1100 but had my back broken in a non motorcycle incident and couldn't give it the use it deserved. Now that I can ride again I was looking for another and can't find squat. Back then the local used shops had plenty, but now there is nothing. Worst of all is the guy in my building with a parking stall next to mine holding a mint looking gs750l that I have to walk past every day. Did everyone suddenly realize how great the bikes are or did they just fade away?
Click to expand...

Are you looking for an 1100GL specifically, or anything GS? You just missed out on a skookum deal of an 1150es, and about a month ago I was perusing CL and there were easily a dozen GSes up for sale, including Bellingham and the Olympic Peninsula.
 
Really any of the 1100 or 1150's, even a 1000 of the price and condition are good. Prefer a l or gl for the stepped seat and raised bars but I can add that to a different model. I'm actually going to test ride a bandit 1250s this weekend with raised bars and lowered seat. We'll see how it feels.

I wanted to go out for the classic show but got trapped in work both days so won't have the time to drive out.
 
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