When does an 1100G feel little?

[Guest]

Not in a bad way but after exlusively riding my XVZ12 touring bike over 500 miles for the last month in the cold weather, I finally took my 1100G out for the 35 mile ride to work today. It felt like a "lightweight" moving it out of the garage and there is no front end compared to the Yammie. I whipped that baby around on the ride like it was a 550! Felt like I was back on my "sportscar", no frills, just a fast, nimble, willing workhorse.
The lower rpm power band(2-3k) is stronger than the 1200, reducing my downshifts in traffic. The feeling of the open air and different riding position was a nice change. The G is very comfortable but it's hard to beat the comfy seat of that Venture. Had to re-orient my braking methods as the Yammie's foot brake pedal controls both the rear and front left disc brakes while the front brake lever has less stopping with only the right front disc. Almost put myself over the bars on my first stop with the G this morning!!!
I used to have to constantly adjust my riding style between the E and the G, but the difference between the G and the XVZ takes a little more thinking. Here in lies a problem with owning multiple bikes and swapping from day to day....how your instincts work when you don't have time to think. Well at least it will help prevent Alzheimers

[mcloud]

Nice problem to have
How do you decide wich one to ride when you wake up in the morning?

[Grandpa]

For those who aren't familiar with the alphabet-soup designation, the XVZ 1200 Lurch mentions is better known as a Yamaha Venture, the 1980's king of the road. Here's is Lurch's "new" Venture, a 1984.



I'm glad I don't have my GS1100GK any more. I'm a one-bike guy (orders from the boss...), so I had to sell the GK in order to keep my Venture. Still, I'm happy to have become used to the Venture exclusively, and I plan on riding it for 7 to 10 more years.

Lurch's predicament is precisely what I wanted to avoid. On the other hand, that is a nice problem to have, indeed!

[seuadr]

wait, the venture has the rear and one front disc slaved to eachother? interesting..

[Grandpa]

wait, the venture has the rear and one front disc slaved to each other? interesting..

Yes, the rear and the left front are linked. I use them both, just like an unlinked system on GS bikes, 100% of the time. You don't have to break any habits. When you press on the rear brake pedal, you don't get much braking power. I consider using the front brake of the Venture a common necessity.

The Gold Wing of that era also had linked brakes, as did Moto Guzzi, starting with the 850 T-3 back in 1976.

[seuadr]

Yes, the rear and the left front are linked. I use them both, just like an unlinked system on GS bikes, 100% of the time. You don't have to break any habits. When you press on the rear brake pedal, you don't get much braking power. I consider using the front brake of the Venture a common necessity.

The Gold Wing of that era also had linked brakes, as did Moto Guzzi, starting with the 850 T-3 back in 1976.

ya, i'm in the camp that use both brakes 90% of the time, i tend to use just the rear for low speed control, though. curious how that would change. probably not alot, the venture is just a tad heavier

now i just gotta get married so i can buy the damn thing!

( can't spend any extra cash till we are sure all the wedding expenses are covered. it's wise, but not much fun )

[lurch12_2000]

... the venture is just a tad heavier

....probably about 300 lbs heavier than my G!!
Even though I still grab that front brake for reducing speed in a hurry, that single disc working on the "heavyweight" Venture is no match for the 2 discs on the "lightweight" G!

[Griffin]

The big GS shafties (850, 1000, and 1100) are fairly heavy bikes (580-610 lbs, depending upon which year and model you have), but their centers of gravity are low, giving the impression that they are lighter than they really are. Furthermore, the rake/trail/wheelbase setups on them were about ideal to make them relatively quick steering bikes for the day, yet still hold rock solid straight line stability at 80 mph + speeds.

My 1000G is probably the most well-rounded motorcycle I've ever owned. My 700ES steers much more quickly and handles much more lightly, but is "twitchy" at constant high speed droning down the interstate, and lacks the low and mid-range grunt of the 1000G. The 750E I recently sold was the same to a lesser extent, as were my '81 KZ750 and '79 KZ650.

[argonsagas]

I like that bike! Completely equipped, with all the comforts of home while on the road.

I was most impressed with the beautiful warm glow coming from the on-board fireplace.

Just one question: can you actually roast marshmallows in it?

[Buffalo Bill]

Not so fat.

The big GS shafties (850, 1000, and 1100) are fairly heavy bikes (580-610 lbs, depending upon which year and model you have),

Brett, I put my 1100G on the bath scale, (one tire at a time) and the total was only 552 lbs. The bike is stock, plus a windscreen and a compass.
Bill

[lurch12_2000]

I like that bike! Completely equipped, with all the comforts of home while on the road.

I was most impressed with the beautiful warm glow coming from the on-board fireplace.

Just one question: can you actually roast marshmallows in it?

Now, now....don't make fun of my new ride The best feature is the "autopilot" option, where I can take a nap while the bike navigates it's 35 mile commute to work for me.
Kidding aside, this bike has very good handling, plenty of smooth power, and the 50 mile ride with my wife yesterday was like a walk in the park with it's comfort and space!

[Grandpa]

Yeah, Ron -- don't make fun of Lurch's "new" barcalounger! Here's mine. (Taken on Superbowl Sunday by a damn Steeler fan -- I"m a Ravens fan! Oh, what Photoshop can do...) I have named my Venture "Moby Dick" after the Great White Whale.

Went on a 336-mile ride into the Shenandoah Valley yesterday, mostly on "invisible" roads. I second Lurch's admiration for the Venture as a well-mannered motorcycle, comfortable and fast enough.

[argonsagas]

They are indeed beautiful bikes.

Congratulations to both of you on an excellent choice.






And I still like that golden fireplace.

[argonsagas]

Brett, I put my 1100G on the bath scale, (one tire at a time) and the total was only 552 lbs. The bike is stock, plus a windscreen and a compass.
Bill

GS1100G basic specs

GS 1100 G 1982
Overall Length:
Overall Width:
Overall Height:
Seat Height: 800 mm (31.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 495 mm (58.9 in)
Weight: 247 kg (543 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 98 hp/ 8.700 rpm, 8,69 kg-m/ 6.500 rpm.




GK specs


1982—1984 Suzuki GS1100GK (USA)
Overall length:
2 490 mm (98.0 in)
Overall width:
930 mm (36.6 in)
Overall height:
1 545 mm (60.8 in)
Wheelbase:
1 495 mm (58.9 in)
Ground clearance:
145 mm ( 5.7 in)
Dry mass (weight):
290 kg (639 lbs)