16 Valve vs. 8 Valve - Which have...

[GregM.]

Hi... I'm trying to get some GS info here. Which engine do you have, 8 valve, or 16 valve? Basically, I'm interested in two things: When did they change, and what are the differences?

Specifically -
First : I'm looking for info on which years, or engine sizes, or models within a certain engine size used the 16 Valve head design. E's, G's, L's etc?
BTW, I'm just curious about the more common, popular, everyday models -- not special, unique, or obscure design exercises.

Second: What are the pros and cons of this design change? Could you give me info on 8 valve vs. 16 valve regarding: performance, reliabilty, maintenance, fuel mileage... and any other specifics I might not have thought of ??

Thanks, I'm considering adding another GS to the garage... or not :-D

[Hap Call]

Hi... I'm trying to get some GS info here. Which engine do you have, 8 valve, or 16 valve? Basically, I'm interested in two things: When did they change, and what are the differences?

Specifically -
First : I'm looking for info on which years, or engine sizes, or models within a certain engine size used the 16 Valve head design. E's, G's, L's etc?
BTW, I'm just curious about the more common, popular, everyday models -- not special, unique, or obscure design exercises.

Second: What are the pros and cons of this design change? Could you give me info on 8 valve vs. 16 valve regarding: performance, reliabilty, maintenance, fuel mileage... and any other specifics I might not have thought of ??

Thanks, I'm considering adding another GS to the garage... or not :-D

1976 through 1979 - all 8 valve motors
1980-1982 GS750L 16 valve motors
1982-1983 GS750T 16 valve motor
1980 GS1000E - 8 valve
1979-1980 GS1000S - 8 Valve
1981-1982 GS1000S - 16 valve
1980-1983 GS1100E 16 valve
1982-1983 GS1100S 16 Valve
1984-1985 GS1150 16 Valve
1980 GS1100L 16 valve
1981-1983 GS1100L 8 valve
All "G" and "GL" models had 8 valves

Performance - 16 valve had edge over 8 valve motors especially in the 1000/1100 motors, not so much in the 750 motors.
Reliability - 8 valve motors probably the most reliable motorcycle motor ever built followed closely by the 16 valve motor.
Maintenance - 16 valve motor easier to adjust valves but has to be done more frequently - kind of a wash in my opinion.
Fuel mileage - about the same - depends more on the rider than anything else.

Hap

[dpep]

1976 through 1979 - all 8 valve motors
1980-1982 GS750L 16 valve motors
1982-1983 GS750T 16 valve motor
1980 GS1000E - 8 valve
1979-1980 GS1000S - 8 Valve
1981-1982 GS1000S - 16 valve
1980-1983 GS1100E 16 valve
1982-1983 GS1100S 16 Valve
1984-1985 GS1150 16 Valve
1980 GS1100L 16 valve
1981-1983 GS1100L 8 valve
All "G" and "GL" models had 8 valves

Performance - 16 valve had edge over 8 valve motors especially in the 1000/1100 motors, not so much in the 750 motors.
Reliability - 8 valve motors probably the most reliable motorcycle motor ever built followed closely by the 16 valve motor.
Maintenance - 16 valve motor easier to adjust valves but has to be done more frequently - kind of a wash in my opinion.
Fuel mileage - about the same - depends more on the rider than anything else.

Hap

Well done, Hap. Well done.

[Nerobro]

GS550's were 8 valve from 1977 untill 1982. In 1983 they went 16 valve. The GS700 is 16 valve as well.

The 16 valve bikes were GSX's to the rest of the world.

The 8 valve bikes have that brittish 4 cylinder growl. The 16 valve bikes have a hint of modern bike high rpm shriek.

[bwringer]

Personally, I think it's actually easier to adjust shim valves. After a while, you have a bit of a shim collection so you don't have to go buy a shim every time.

[GregM.]

Wow Hap !! Very Nice !!! Thanks for that great chart \\/
And dpep for confirmimg :-D ...that's all I need.
Nerobro, additional good info :-D
BWringer, always worthwhile tips :-D ...So, I've heard all these terms before, but haven't actually adj. valves yet. Can I assume that the 8-valve motors use shims for adjustments... and the 16-valves use another method?

[dpep]

Can I assume that the 8-valve motors use shims for adjustments... and the 16-valves use another method?

That's affirmative.

[Dink]

If you go to wwwsuzukicycles.org and the model shown has an added "X" i.e. instead of GS750 it says GSX750 it is 16 valve. For some reason the US did not follow the real world an add the X to designate the difference.

BTW for a 6'3" person I find my 1150 very comfortable, and you could try a Katana ( a REAL one 82-85 air cooled) with a set of XN85 handlebars, to raise the bars a bit, as I notice your 850 is very upright in riding position, as both bike have a forward leaning position, which I prefer over upright.

Dink

[Nerobro]

I'm thinking about this.. and the only "obscure" and "token" GS models were the GS450A and the GSX400. :-) Though I actually think I've seen both of those bikes around at some point or another.

I didn't read your first post very well. And I'll clarify.

GS550E, L, T from 1977 to 1982 have 8 valve motors.

GS550E, and L from 1983 to 1986 have 16 valve motors. They are also known as GSX550's.

GS650E, G, GL, have 8 valve motors.

I wish I knew why Suzuki saw fit not to call the 16 valve bikes GSX's here. The rest of the world saw them as GSX's. Then again we didn't get the dual front brake GS550's either.

[dpep]

What Dink said about getting some lower bars. I am close to 6'5" and I have been riding 850Gs for 25 years and somewhere around 200,000 miles. Having the bars lower and more forward allows you to straighten out your arms. The footpegs are a little too forward on the bike for sure, but that is also helped by having lower bars. You will sit further forward on the seat putting the pegs more rearward relative to where your butt is resting. Consider superbike or european model bars. They seem to be the most popular here on the forum.

Another advantage of sitting and leaning more forward is shifting the weight balance to the front which will improve the handling.

[rphillips]

Everybody has different opinions, & mine is usually way out in left field. I'm 6'1" & of the bikes I've owned over the years, the 1150 is the most uncomfortable. I think because the seat is too close to the footpegs. I feel my knees are almost in my face. I haven't measured the differences, but on my GS 1100, my CB 1100 F, & my KZ 1300, I feel like I'm up on the bike, riding it. On my 1150's I feel like I'm scrunched down in it. Maybe down in it is the way it should be, look how many people ride crotch rockets, but maybe that's why I don't have a crotch rocket. Not to say the 1150 is like a crotch rocket, but it's moving towards a crotch rocket & away from the older more conventional bikes, like your 850 & my GS 1100.

[Dink]

Rphillips I can assure you the seat to peg distance is shorter on a Katana than an 1150.

Dink

[terbang]

1976 through 1979 - all 8 valve motors
1980-1982 GS750L 16 valve motors
1982-1983 GS750T 16 valve motor
1980 GS1000E - 8 valve
1979-1980 GS1000S - 8 Valve
1981-1982 GS1000S - 16 valve
1980-1983 GS1100E 16 valve
1982-1983 GS1100S 16 Valve
1984-1985 GS1150 16 Valve
1980 GS1100L 16 valve
1981-1983 GS1100L 8 valve
All "G" and "GL" models had 8 valves

Pretty close though there was a GSX 1100LT (GS 1100L) sold down under in 82 that had a 16 valve engine. Quite a rare beast..

[Dave8338]

What Dink said about getting some lower bars. I am close to 6'5" and I have been riding 850Gs for 25 years and somewhere around 200,000 miles. Having the bars lower and more forward allows you to straighten out your arms. The footpegs are a little too forward on the bike for sure, but that is also helped by having lower bars. You will sit further forward on the seat putting the pegs more rearward relative to where your butt is resting. Consider superbike or european model bars. They seem to be the most popular here on the forum.

Another advantage of sitting and leaning more forward is shifting the weight balance to the front which will improve the handling.

I wondered if I was the only 6'5" gent riding the GS (mine is a 650L) and was also wondering about the bars. I love the way the bike looks in its' stock form, but on trips longer than an hour, I get tired of the elbows jabbing me in the ribs. Do you know off hand, which bars would give the same general appearance (don't want the cafe look) and give me a little more room in the saddle?

[bwringer]

I wondered if I was the only 6'5" gent riding the GS (mine is a 650L) and was also wondering about the bars. I love the way the bike looks in its' stock form, but on trips longer than an hour, I get tired of the elbows jabbing me in the ribs. Do you know off hand, which bars would give the same general appearance (don't want the cafe look) and give me a little more room in the saddle?

Stock GS bars are evil torture devices. The most popular replacement seems to be a bend called the "Daytona". These bring you a bit forward in to the correct slight forward lean and the ends aren't angled back in that wrist-killing way.

They're easy to find at your local bike shoppe or favorite online outlet.