Madura vs. GS

[KGB]

Every time I see one I think of The Munsters TV show.

The seat look like it came off the Munster mobile.


If this was Suzuki's answer to the Honda 750 V-4 why didn't Suzuki
install a rear disc brake?




I get a chill up, not down, my spine when I see these bikes.
They're even uglier in real life......:shock: :???:

[Desolation Angel]

I got to see one once, a glossy black one, up on a pedestal at a dealer in, I guess, '85. I had been away from bikes for 3 or 4 years at that point and I thought it was the most beautiful thing since Racquel Welch discovered bikinis!



I still think it looks neat. Not beautiful anymore, but unique. I'm surprised that water-cooled V4s didn't become the primary engine out there.

[gs54]

I would trade my gs750L for one of them.

[Billyboy]

I friend of mine, sort of, just bought one. MINT! He asked me to check it out. I said if he likes it, buy it, don't haggle. It was in mint shape, dude wanted $3000 canadian. He bought it.

I don't think they look bad. I like my GS better, but riding's riding. I just hope he doesn't rack it up bein stupid.

[Deesel]

Get the GS and ride it.... Youll forget about the madura.

[beby99]

Having a rare bike is a double bladed sword....its cool to have a bike thats unique but then you need parts for it also.

[Pharkmeh]

for my money....

I think Id just customise a neat GS1000 cruiser style....


it would look better, ride harder and be way easier to maintain....

then I dont know much about Maduras at all ????

[waterman]

I owned a gv700 madura and bought a gs650g to replace it. Have since sold the Madura.
The madura is a rare beast but not that difficult to work on. It was fairly quick, and I loved the sound but the bike wasn't my style. The biggest weakness that they have is very limited range (small gas tank). One big plus was the motors utilize hydraulic valves (no adjustment needed) and are water cooled. The gv1200 can develop trouble with the secondary drive if the oil isn't changed.
Overall, the Madura are comfy, quick, and reliable but it really comes down to what you want. You could always resell and probably not lose much money (I actually made a little!). Google Madura, they have a very good web site and forum.

[Desolation Angel]

http://www.lk3000.com/madura/main.htm

[wolfie]

1986 1200: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...07939712QQrdZ1


This guy is smart! Don't show a pic of the whole bike in one pic. That much ugly at one time is likely to turn away the most enthusiastic buyer.

[wolfie]

I get a chill up, not down, my spine when I see these bikes.
They're even uglier in real life......:shock: :???:[/QUOTE]


Fortunately, I've never seen one in real life.

[wolfie]

[QUOTE=Desolation Angel]I got to see one once, a glossy black one, up on a pedestal at a dealer in, I guess, '85. I had been away from bikes for 3 or 4 years at that point and I thought it was the most beautiful thing since Racquel Welch discovered bikinis!


Boy, you might be legally retarded!

[Desolation Angel]

[quote=wolfie]

I got to see one once, a glossy black one, up on a pedestal at a dealer in, I guess, '85. I had been away from bikes for 3 or 4 years at that point and I thought it was the most beautiful thing since Racquel Welch discovered bikinis!


Boy, you might be legally retarded!

You don't like Racquel Welch in a bikini? :shock:

[themess]

http://www.lk3000.com/madura/photos4.cfm

Has a lot on info on Maduras.

A friend tried to sell me his 1200. My investigation told me that they were fine bikes for short trips and reasonably reliable. The extremely limited production means that obtaining parts is harder than it is for the larger displacement GSes.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I just came across an 85 700 Madura for cheap that I'm thinking about buying and flipping to make a few bucks. After seeing this thread, I'm afraid you guys will kick me off the site! As long as I keep my 1100E, I can stay, right? :-D