My real opinion on how GSs look

[emjay]

Rants aside, I'd say the general population on this site is agreement with you Isaac- the "L" models are the least favorite of all. I think there have been polls that support that statement. Unfortunately it seems many here lost the message due to the tone of it.

I too own an "L'" - GS850GLZ and like it. Similar to what others have said, it's my baby and you just naturally grow to love what's yours.

I wanted a bigger motor (I previously owned a GS650GZ) so was looking for a 1000 or 850 G (I like shatfies, another "least favorite" here). The only thing I could find in my my price range close enough to be feasible was the GL I bought. It was fully dressed with Vetter fairing, lowers, and hard bags. I didn't like the looks of all that, particularly the low speed handling and not enough air flow on me to keep me cool in summer, so I pulled it all off. I replaced the "buckhorn" style bars with "G" bars and that's about it. Gotta keep my wrists healthy.

Basically, no matter what you do to an "L" for mods, it'll always be an "L" unless you replace the frame. It's style is mostly defined by the frame. It dictates the foot peg, tank, and seat positions. Thus it'll always be a cruiser in essence, which I define mostly by the foot peg and seat locations. All cruisers basically place our pelvis, legs, and feet in the same position.

As is true for everything stated here by everyone, the aforementioned is just opinion. It's just how I see it. And remember everyone, don't take anything personally.

[drhermanstein]

Obviously, Isaac has recently seen a mint condition GV1200 Madura and now knows the true meaning of motorcycle beauty! :-D

Once you've seen a Madura, you'll never go back to a homely GS.



Well, that could be the reason!

I used to own a GV1200 Madura. It looked very "eighties" and sucked on ergonomics. The compromise between apearance, style and function was frustrating. It had the ability to hit 100 mph at a stunning rate ( I regularly had sore forearms from a brisk ride) but riding position meant my helmet rode up annoyingly with wind coming up the chest. I loved the power and tried to find a way to get a better riding position. This is what I came up with:

[Desolation Angel]

I used to own a GV1200 Madura. It looked very "eighties" and sucked on ergonomics. The compromise between apearance, style and function was frustrating. It had the ability to hit 100 mph at a stunning rate ( I regularly had sore forearms from a brisk ride) but riding position meant my helmet rode up annoyingly with wind coming up the chest. I loved the power and tried to find a way to get a better riding position. This is what I came up with:

I like it! Looks kinda mean. And I guess it is with a water-cooled 1200cc V4, eh? :-D

[isaac]

Obviously, Isaac has recently seen a mint condition GV1200 Madura and now knows the true meaning of motorcycle beauty! :-D

Once you've seen a Madura, you'll never go back to a homely GS.



Well, that could be the reason!

Yeah, see?

Though I do like that blue one.

[isaac]

Unfortunately it seems many here lost the message due to the tone of it.

Thanks for noticing what a chosen few glossed over entirely.

I too own an "L'" - GS850GLZ and like it...

Basically, no matter what you do to an "L" for mods, it'll always be an "L" unless you replace the frame.

I like mine too, just in a different way than yours. I definitely am on your side of stripping off the vetter fairing, though probably for different reasons. I think it's way too high, visually unbalances the bike and makes it look "top heavy" and accentuates and frames the wire-thin fork up front.

[emjay]

I like mine too, just in a different way than yours. I definitely am on your side of stripping off the vetter fairing, though probably for different reasons. I think it's way too high, visually unbalances the bike and makes it look "top heavy" and accentuates and frames the wire-thin fork up front.

I agree with you there as well, just didn't mention it.

[tracy borchert]

Hey Tracy, the "Orange Krate thingee" phrase was indeed meant to be a compliment. Man, I'm having an off day today.

I LOVE YOUR BIKE... I just called it what I did in a tongue-in-cheek way... same as my other comments that weren't received correctly by Isaac.

When I was a kid, a Schwinn "Orange Krate" was THE BIKE IN THE WORLD TO KILL FOR. I love that orange paint. It ROCKS. And, I say you can leave the leather bag on, I think it looks fine.

No worries Mate.

No biggy wharrah,Thanks for the compliments, I'm not bothered by anyone's opinions. Everyone has their own, and thats what we call freedom of speech.:-D

[emjay]

No biggy wharrah,Thanks for the compliments, I'm not bothered by anyone's opinions. Everyone has their own, and thats what we call freedom of speech.:-D

Exactly! And as I said earlier, we can't take others' comments personnally. Even if it's directed at us, it's usually a result of their own issues.

[drhermanstein]

I like it! Looks kinda mean. And I guess it is with a water-cooled 1200cc V4, eh? :-D

It had 78 lb ft of torque and 117 hp. It pulled hard from 4000 to 9000. It ate rear tires. I tried hard to get the fuel mileage figured out but only lasted a half tank before I started flogging it again. Twisting the throttle in fourth was a huge grin. Fourth pulled hard from 55mph to 110mph. I'd get 72-75miles per tank. The guys on the Madura forum have coined the phrase "It'll pass anything but a fuel station" Rear tires only lasted 2100 miles with no burnouts.
I only miss the power, it handled like a bus and brakes were no great shakes either.

[80sGSfan]

Why

Why I like the "L":
The "L" model happens to be the one that made me aware of this great site and all the folks on it. It also happens to be the bike that brought me back into riding after a long time away (I raced motocross when I was a teenager).

So here's why...The guys across the street from me had a bike sitting on the side of his house since I had moved in. I watched it sit for a couple years and it turns out that it had not moved from that spot since 1992 when it was parked there. I was friendly with the family living in that house and when they started to pack up and get ready to move I thought I should go & take a look at that bike. I went over and was not very impressed initially. It had a HUGE clamp on windshield that was cracked in a couple spots and a 80's sissy seat on the back that rivaled that of the easy rider bikes in height. I took note of the model (Suzuki GS850L) and went back to my house to consult Google. Wow, there seems to be a lot of results from my search...what is the "GS Resources"...there's actually a community of people that are devout followers of the GS? That's weird...let me go back & look at that thing again. Then I really started to look at it. Let me get down in front and check out the engine. Ok, I've got to have this thing. That inline 4 is SWEET! What an engine! What a profile! This thing could be nice! $120 to the neighbor and $800 to the local vintage Japanese bike salvage yard and she's on the road. The bike is a classic example of a 1980's muscle bike...I like it! I think it looks cool and performs pretty well for it's age. Self-canceling turn signals? Dual front disc brakes? That was all high tech and cutting edge back then.
I'm changing the handlebars to a set of Flanders GS E model replacements. The windshield & sissy bar are in the shed. I think she looks pretty mean! I'm at work right now & my internet is down at home due to ice & snow, but I'll post one of my favorite L model pictures on this thread. I have two other favorites...Rocketman has a sweet example of a show room condition L model and there was one on ebay last summer that only had a few hundred original models.

I was pretty surprised to see your surprise to Rocketman's comment about comfort...you actually think the L is comfortable to ride??? That's weird...handlebars & seat are pretty crappy as he said. I could ride my GK all day (as it was meant/designed to) and feel fine, but after a few hours on the L I get sore...

getting laid twice, enjoying a burrito and riding and you're still that "snippy"? Guess you're just kind of crabby in general then, huh? (I know, I know...I'm opening the door for an unpleasant comeback, I'm sure...)

I like the L:-D

[Mike_H]

Thanks Mike, I like my bike too, and the toolbag. Your bike is coming along quite well, can't wait to see some color on it. You have one in mind?:-D

ya, Its going to be a color called Red Fire. Its the same as they use on Ford vehicles. Basically its a deep red metallic, with LOTS of very fine metal flakes in it, so it really sparkles in the sunlight (but not like a glitter helmet )

[boris]

well what a can of worms here lol
i think its mainly about what you like is what you like

i like non stock type bikes i think personalising your bike sets you out from the crowd , ive enjoyed looking at what other peeps have dont to their gs even if the overall look isnt my taste .
if we all had the same views about everything the world would be boring

i think a lot of it aswell is how and when you grew up
like here in england u dont see many harleys (atleast not where i am) cruiser type bikes /choppers ect
its more sports type bikes or sport/tourers ect
ive only ever seen saddle bags on a chopper
i used to go to oulton park regular as a kid with my dad late 70`s early 80`s.
hence i havent realy had much interest in cruiser/chopper type bikes

i like the lines on my gs450e (87)
although i feel it cries out for a full fairing lol

at the end of the day its just personal taste

[terbang]

I have my 1100EZ parked in a shed with 2 Hayabusas, a VTR 1000 and a 2006 1200 bandit and I still reckon its the nicest looking bike there.

[Dignan]

I had this long post written up but I sounded like some lovey-dovey drunk guy. "Why can't we just get along, duuuudes?, etc.."

I'll just say this:
There are people on both sides of the modification fence on this board. Either side will post douche-tinged responses. Don't take it personally.. Ignore it. Opinions are like a-holes.. everybody has one, and they all stink.

Also- re-read what you're posting before you make it public. If you sound like an ass either rephrase or don't post.
If you're posting with the sole intent of smacking a hornets' nest or sounding like an ass, go for it. There are plenty of like-minded people willing to argue with you here.

Well.. back to lurking for me.
ps- I love all your bikes. They showcase your enthusiasm, even the ugly ones.

[KGB]

I'm not a fan of the L models either.
The styling just doesn't attract me.
The L reminds me of the "L" Laverne had on her sweater

Some bikes are attractive, some are rugged looking, some are sexy.
Some of us like vanilla, some like chocolate, to each his own.
I like old cars, cars from the 50's-60's and 70's still had soul and style.
The soul, I've said it before and people just look at me, not sure they understand what I mean.
My GS to me, has soul. I own a GS1000S, the Wes Cooley model in blue and white. This bike spoke to me, and has daily for the last 20 years.
There's just something about it that I find attractive. When you're getting the motor wound up, starting from 400rpm on up, it just pulls.
As to the fairing, that's part of it's mystique or style.
It just wouldn't be the same without the fairing. The GS1100E I owned until last spring, great motor, the rest of the bike did nothing for me.

Ever drive a big block Chevy or big V-8, like a 440CI Mopar?
That has soul, and it just pulls.

My Triumph, great bike, just gas and go. It is a triple so it's a little different. Sure it has better suspension and handles much better, but does it have that 1% to grab me? Yea in it's own way.
Which do I prefer? The GS every time.

I'm not a fan of choppers, well riding them anyways.
The Intruder family, Madura more semi quasi choppers. I never found them comfortable. And they don't meet my riding style. Regardless of brand.

We each have our own opinions. I'm not looking for a fight or argument either. It was asked what attracts us or keeps us working on our GS'.
We all have many reasons. Bruce has restored a model that's one of my favorites. Maybe I'll buy the one here locally. Tracy created his own style
with a beautiful orange paint job. Tracy likes the leather bags, it stays.
We can alter and create a bike to fit our vision.

I've owned 7 or 8 different Suzuki's. I've owned the funky looking RE-5, I've owned a GT750 water buffalo/kettle. All new, yea I'm getting old.
I could have bought any brand or model I wanted, and I did a GS.

Some people buy them because they're cheap or reasonably priced.
Others want "legend" Others want cheap, reliable transportation.

So my point or opinion here is we buy them and work on them because we want to. It is a want. It's relaxing, it's therapy. It's something I enjoy.

Will I do it again? Probably.
Is it worth it? Yes.

I hope I've provided some insight as to why we're here and using my 5000/th post to do it.