Would I love a GS1x00?

[apogeecustom]

Thanks to this forum, I turned my GS650GL around from a beater to a fantastic machine that has brought me endless hours of fun. It's my first bike. Over the past few months I've been riding it like crazy and I'm totally comfortable on it. I've already been close to catastrophe thanks to a car that didn't see me and turned across my lane while I was doing ~40mph bringing me to a controlled skidded stop. Didn't phase me. I love to ride, and I love my 650. I really love it. I could die on it and I'd die happy.

I checked out a 1976 Honda CB750F the other day that is in decent shape but will need some TLC, which I would no doubt enjoy bringing it back to life like I did with my GS, but I'm wondering if I should stay with the GS. The Honda seemed pretty tall to me. I was into the shape though and from what I've read, especially about the particular model, there is plenty of power there. On the other hand, I really like the looks of the bigger GS's with straight seats. As the title says, would I be as in love with the bigger GS's? I can't get enough of my 650 and I have the feeling that a big leap would do me better than a small step like to the 850. Any one been in this situation before that can offer some advice?

Many thanks.

 

[gs scott]

What to do

What to do

Back in the spring of 82, I jumped from a Honda 450 twin (that I really liked!) to a 82 GS1100E - never even thought of looking back Been riding GS'es ever since

 

[Guest]

The Honda CB 750/900/1100 Fs are beautifully styled bikes, and the lines are very similar to the GS1100E ('82/'83). Given a choice between the CB750 and an 1100E, it would be wise to get the Suzuki though, with it's superior performance, and the wealth of knowledge that is available here to deal with all known & unknown issues that may crop up. There are plenty of nice GS1100s appearing for sale lately, at very reasonable prices, so it shouldn't be too difficult to score one.

As for the power difference vs. the 650, that shouldn't be a problem, as long as you treat it with respect & are responsible with it....the bikes can be as docile as your 650, and are capable of putting around town happily at lower rpm too.....obviously, once the tach sweeps past 5000 rpm, it's no longer Mr. Nice Guy.

 

[posplayr]

the bikes can be as docile as your 650, and are capable of putting around town happily at lower rpm too.....obviously, once the tach sweeps past 5000 rpm, it's no longer Mr. Nice Guy.

Nicely put :lol:

 

[850 Combat]

The Honda comments here apply to the second generation 750 F, which was introduced in 1978. The 1976 is first generation is a tarted up 1960's version, and a pig, in my opinion. Your 650 is a generation newer, and probably performs better than a 1976 single cam Honda 750F.

In my opinion, a 1976 750F is not an upgrade, although I'm not a fan of L model GS's.

They are durable. maybe moreso than the better performing 16 valve twin cam version that replaced it based upon how few of the later ones I see on the road.

 

[apogeecustom]

Good info on the Honda, thanks. Looks can be deceiving!
I've found a 1980 GS1000 about 5 hours away from me that is a single owner with 25,000 miles. According to the owner, its in very good condition and he's asking $1650 for it. I've seen low res pics of it and hes sending me high res ones soon and I'll post them. It's not showroom condition but it's beautiful. How's that price seem? Worth a 10 hour round trip drive?

 

[850 Combat]

If it looks good and works good with few if any needs, its a good deal, IMO. An '80 is more than likely to be a G. You don't see many E's that new. I really like 1000G's. I have a 1000E as well, and it performs a bit better, but The G has a bigger tank, shaft, which I like, and an easier to access battery, all of which make it easy to live with.

 

[apogeecustom]

Yes, its a G. Here's the low res pic.

 

[Guest]

The question is , have you got any "love" left ?
Big girls take LOTS of love but give lots in return . They wiggle and buck when you ride 'em hard so look out for that .
Are you man enough ......................... ?

Do it old mate . Bigger IS better .

Cheers , Simon .

 

[850 Combat]

The fork might be sacked, and there may be something wierd about that headlight bucket, but I like those bikes.

Overall, it looks pretty clean. The seat cover looks stock. Thats a nice thing.
http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/1826679978.html

I just bought this one last week for his asking price. I have not seen it yet though. I'm selling it to my brother. He tried my 1000G and now loves his 850G just a little bit less.

http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/1826679978.html

 

[apogeecustom]

What do you think is weird about the headlight? After you mentioned it I thought it looked a little smaller than the one's I'm used to seeing, and it looks black too, but when I take a look at the GSR Gallery it seems to be consistent with the pics. That's a great looking bike you picked up!

 

[apogeecustom]

The question is , have you got any "love" left ?
Big girls take LOTS of love but give lots in return . They wiggle and buck when you ride 'em hard so look out for that .
Are you man enough ......................... ?

Do it old mate . Bigger IS better .

Cheers , Simon .

Well, my first thought is to go take a shower but I'll 'roll' with it. I'm gonna try out the big girl, if she's still available next weekend.

 

[850 Combat]

I think maybe I was seeing the silver part of the gage pod and thought it was defining the shape of the headlight bucket. I have seen them with some funky headlight shells from fairings. I thought it was like that.

What do you think is weird about the headlight? After you mentioned it I thought it looked a little smaller than the one's I'm used to seeing, and it looks black too, but when I take a look at the GSR Gallery it seems to be consistent with the pics. That's a great looking bike you picked up!

 

[apogeecustom]

OK, got some high-res pics from the owner.
Looks to me like its a Saddlemen seat. Everything else looks pretty good, however, it has an after market oil cooler on it. I'm going to ask if he'll send me some better pics of it where the hoses meet the block. Any concerns with this? I like the idea of having it. My 650 can get pretty warm in the right conditions but I don't know if these can be any trouble. Also, I noticed the speedo only goes to 80. Where is the tach riding at this speed in top gear? How much overhead do I have left past the usable gauge?

The pics:

And for the wifey

 

[apogeecustom]

Well after looking over previous oil cooler threads it seems like the installation matches the appropriate techniques. I'm hoping that since such a modification was made that the rest of the engine is very sound.

 

[Smokinapankake]

I see he has protected his frame tubes with heavy rubber hoses where the highway bars mount up. That speaks to me of someone who is detail oriented and took care of his stuff. Pics look good aside from the smudge on his camera lens:lol:

I'd say go for it. Around here that bike would bring 2k easy.

 

[TitanNeil]

Bike looks good, some minor details:
Crash bar has taken a few whacks - maybe ask about that. I would suspect that from the rash marks on the side of the bars and the sagging forks/repainted tank maybe it once had a big fairing on it that didn't survive a minor spill?

I could be wrong, but I love playing picture detective!

 

[apogeecustom]

Bike looks good, some minor details:
Crash bar has taken a few whacks - maybe ask about that. I would suspect that from the rash marks on the side of the bars and the sagging forks/repainted tank maybe it once had a big fairing on it that didn't survive a minor spill?

I could be wrong, but I love playing picture detective!

Good eye! Both sides have it. One's got a nice rusted scrape and the other is bent. I've asked for a VIN to do a title search. He says its registered in New York. Anyone have any suggestions on a good service for this?

 

[ddaniels]

My first bike was a 1980 GS550L. I went from that straight to a 1981 GS1000G. I haven't had a bike under 1000 cc's since and I doubt I ever will. Once you go big, it's hard to get small again.

 

[apogeecustom]

This might be sacrilege around here
but I'm looking into this as well. I love the look. I'd love to hear from an owner on handling, power, greatness factor

1982 KZ1100