gl vs g

[bgk]

The verbal quote I got last week (in a Massachusetts auto/boat upholstery shop) to reconfigure my seat was "about $125". That's for new foam and new vinyl cover, cut and shaped essentially any way I want (within reason, one-piece seat type, with or without a step-up for passenger portion of seat), with a test ride or two on "draft versions" of the naked foam to make sure the shape is exactly right to my liking before the vinyl cover is cut and sewn, all of which goes on my existing seat pan. Not a bad price, I think.

Trouble is, that is exactly what I just spent for a brand-new Travalcade/Saddlemen aftermarket replacement foam and cover seat kit that replicates the OEM Suzuki seat. If I had known that the damn OEM seat was so uncomfortable for me, I would have just gone to the local upholsterer in the first place. Now, I've blown my seat budget, and I'm stuck with a brand new seat that I don't like. In fairness, the seat is not all that bad, after all thousands of GS "L"models were sold with this seat type. It's just not ideal for my size body and riding preference, and together with the "L" model "buckhorn" handlebars, the whole seating/riding posture/handlebar grip package just doesn't work for me.

I think that I'll keep the Travelcade/Saddlemen seat and ride this season, and then maybe over next winter try and find another "L" model seat pan and then have the upholsterer do his thing. That way, if I ever sell the bike, I'll have the original-look "L" model seat and handlebars, plus a replacement seat and handlebars that exactly fit my preferences, that I'm currently planning.

Anyone have a spare decent-shape seat pan for a 1979 GS1000L that you wanna sell for short dough? On the other hand, if someone is interested in my new Travelcade/Saddlemen setup for maybe $75 to $100, I'd trade/sell the whole setup for your old seat pan or just sell the foam and cover, take a reasonable loss, and then go to the upholsterer. (This part of my post should probably go in the Parts for Sale or Parts Wanted forums.)

Either way, I'm finally riding this spring, and I'm not going to let a somewhat uncomfortable seat and handlebar combo interfere with my "born again biker" riding pleasure after about 20 years without a motorcycle. Even an old Suzuki GS with a couple of relatively minor discomfort quirks is infinitely better than no bike at all!

[ddkolb]

Not sure I can agree with all this disscussion about a L model being uncomfortable. I have owned both. Personally, I find the L model with the swept handle bars much easier to handle, particularly at low speeds. On the interstate, I feel in more control of the steering. As far as the seat goes,...well maybe its just my a_ _, but I can not see any discomfort in the formed bucket.
As one one fellow GSer, also from Dayton, says, "what difference does it matter as long as we all recognize that we share an interest in a truly remarkable machine, be it a G, an E, or an L." Lets keep the comaraderie and enjoy our rides at a fraction of the cost.

Denny
1980 GS1100L
1981 GS850G

[Jay B]

I took my bike to a boat shop. The guy there told me that with the mods I wanted to the seat that he could do it for about $125 with marine grade vinyl.

[Redman]

I too welcome Bowtie to the site and to Suzuki GSs.
My comments about G vs GL were intended to be good natured.
Sunday I rode to 'Blessing of the Bikes' here in Michigan, where the good weather brought out what seemed like at least 5 thousand bikes, I saw only a handfull of vintage bikes like GSs (you can guess what predominated).
So, welcome BowTie, keep some GSs on the road!

[Del]

But what about the question: can parts be swapped between them?

I have an '82 GS650G, but I'd like to have a larger GS, either 850 or 1100. If I find a GL, can I change the seat, handlebars, and forks to basically have a G? Are the seats the same pan?

Thanks,
Del

[bybowtie]

hey del I can hook you up with an 1100 gl if you like

[Anonymous]

I have an '82 GS650G, but I'd like to have a larger GS, either 850 or 1100. If I find a GL, can I change the seat, handlebars, and forks to basically have a G? Are the seats the same pan?

Having owned four 850's and now an 1100, I can tell you that, while the 850 is good, the 1100 is great! It's called being intoxicated with top-end power. Just my personal opinion. d

If you find a GL, you could change all that stuff altogether, since the G and GL frames and engines are identical. If you change the seat, you must also change the rear fender, tank, and goodness knows what else.

Nick

[Bert Patterson]

What they're all trying to tell you is, quite simply, that the "L" version is the best.

The best for what? Riding uncomfortably for a short distance, because of its puny fuel capacity, stepped seat, and pullback bars? I pity whoever may be a passenger on an L model.

It's the best if one values form over function.

Nick

I guess (maybe because I ride an E) I value the form of a standard G over the form of an L, so form over function, function over form, standard G wins both battles. Handles better, feels better, but looks better too.

[Bert Patterson]

My Yamarat is the cruiserish XS750 Special. I picked it up real cheap in '87 - other bikes have come and gone, but it refuses to die. It was fairly uncomfortable with stepped seat and pullbacks, but I changed them right away. I had the seat recovered for $40 - they added some padding and cut down some of the step. Then I put fairly flat bars on it. The pegs are still too far forward to be that comfortable, but it was an improvement over stock.

There's actually a picture of it on a Crud Run website - if somebody could tell me how to post a bitmap or jpeg, I could post it. It ain't a Suzuki, but it's an old rat with almost 90K and never opened - and rarely maintained.

[MichaelHoward]

I Agree JoJo!




But to each his own They are all GS'S!!

[Del]

I've been checking the "Road-ready bikes for sale", although I've got to finish putting money into an MR2 before I upgrade the bike.

bybowtie, I saw your post but I didn't see a price, and I am fearful of it not having a title. How much would you want if you took the trouble to get a clear title?

Del

[Anonymous]

Beautiful bikes both!

Nick

[Bert Patterson]

Beautiful bikes both!

Nick

Though the bottom one makes me drool, I've gotta agree, Nick.

[Anonymous]

I'll admit that I'm probably one of the mutants of the group, but the stepped "L" model seat giges me just enough comfort for the base of my spine. I do agree about the stock handle bars tho'. I have a set that was leftover from my dad's old GT750. They aren't strictly straight bars, but fairly "flat" across and are nowhere near as uncomfortable as those wrist mangling pullbacks. There are plenty of places to get 7/8" handle bars of varying variety, so even if you don't get stock "g" model bars, you can probably find something you will be happy with. The size of the tank has never been a problem either, but there is a fuel gauge and I know aproximately how many miles I can go before worrying about it. It's considerably bigger the tank on my XS650 was , and that din't have a gauge. The tailsection on the "G" model is much nicer looking than mine and has that bit of storage space that would be nice, but I was given this bike by my father, so it has a pretty tight hold on my heart no matter what it is/has/does. But aside from having to modify the bars, it is still the most comfortable bike I have ever owned.

[Anonymous]

Bert, the second one is, obviously, a 1982 GS1100G, a shaftie. It's actually the same platform as my GS1100GK. My GK is nothing but that same bike with fairing, bags, and trunk. Engine and frame are identical, as are brakes/front wheel, middle gear/rear end, instruments.

On the picture that bike looks sporty. Dress it out and it becomes a different animal. That's what's nice about these big GS shafties -- you can make them into anything you want.

And contrary to popular wisdom, it's fast -- certainly not as fast as the 1100E 16-valver chainy, but 1100 cc is 1100 cc, and believe me, this bike MOVES!

That's indeed a bike to drool over, Bert.

Nick