85 gs550es 4cyl

[Anonymous]

i just bought a gs550e it looks very nice this must be a rare bike? i have never seen one before it looks like a rice rocket super clean and for sale..blue white and gold. anyone know the performance of these bikes

[Griffin]

This bike was made from 1983 to 1986. It was available as the E model with a quarter fairing (pretty common) and the ES model with a half fairing (pretty rare). I have an '85 ES, with the half fairing. I also have all kinds of magazine articles, sales brochures, and service manuals for this bike.

In 1983, Suzuki revamped it's GS550, giving it a four valve head, TSCC, double two barrel carbs instead of four singles, and monoshock rear suspension. It was a full out assault on the all-conquering Kawasaki GPZ550, which at the time was the only true 550 cc sportbike available. If you went to a 600cc production class race in the early eighties, up until 1983 all you saw on the track were GPZ550s. In 1983, that began to change.

Cycle World's September 1983 test of the bike was titled, "Wind it up, Watch it Go". It goes.

They got a 12.39 sec/105.75 mph quarter mile run out of it, with an observed top speed of 124 mph. By comparison, their GPZ 550 test at the time had a 12.70sec/102.40mph quarter with a top speed of 116 mph listed for that bike.

Of course, by today's 600cc sportbike performance standards, those numbers are pretty tame, but it's still a hell of a fun bike to ride. The only complaint I might have is it's a bit cold-blooded, needing the choke on for quite a while when the temp is below 50 dgrees F, but other than that, it's a great little bike. It's not my choice for long interstate touring (I have a bigger bike for that) but for around town it's great, and on tight curvy roads, it's fabulous.

[Anonymous]

550es

what do you think a nice one is worth with 12.000 miles

[Griffin]

If all the plastic is nice (it's almost impossible to find it now, especially the fairing) and it's very sound mechanically, I'd give $1500 or so.

I paid $500 for mine (which wasn't running when I bought it), but I've stuck about $600 more into it, and I'm still looking for some decent side panels.

[Anonymous]

500ES

I have my 2nd 550ES my first was a 83 GS550E, my latest 86 550ES is a mint all original bike with 6800 miles on it. They bike is great mid-sport bike and is great for easy sport riding and 200-300 miles day touring. Look for oil leaks at valve cover sometimes a picky starting system but as far as value I wouldnt take $300 for mine. A mint condition ES model is worth much more than $1500 IMHO. BTW I race 00 GSXR 750 superbike, 02 R6 and like my 550 as much as the others!@

[KennyJ]

I've had my 85 550 EF (know as the E) since...85. It is a great bike, plenty of zip, good handling, better brakes than a lot of bikes from it's era.

I have put over 400 miles in a day on it, but I wouldn't suggest it myself. It revs a little high at highway speeds and you start getting a little "white hand" about mid ride. It is pretty roomy for a 600 cc machine, as both me and my wife put those miles on it.

I agree that it is very cold blooded, and mine had a history of eating batteries (overcharge). I went to an Electrix Rectifier, and it only lasted 14 months (2 past the warranty...grrrrr!). The rocker/valve cover is a pain to seal, I have went through 1 starter (but I think mine is limited experience), valves have not needed adjusting in over 12000 miles (though I check them), and at 23,000 miles, I am just putting on my first chain.

The engine itself is rock solid, as is the chassis and body. I really can't complain on the few things I have needed to replace, for it is nearing 20 years old. Mine it the red/white version, which I think is the most rare of the colors, for all the ES's in 85 were blue/white as were most of the EF's. 86's were Red/Black, and the 84 & 83's were all blue/white.

The ES fairing is still available from a company called Airtech (around $200). The clearcoat flakes on them after a bunch of years, and the carbs are a pain to get to and remove.

Value...I was going to ask $1200 for mine, looking at getting $1000, but my wife wants to keep it for herself. I upgraded to an 85 FJ1100 (I seem to be stuck in the 80's). Mine is still a very attractive machine and gets compliments from those who are from the era.

If you would want to see a picture, drop me a line or PM and I will shoot you one for price comparison.

Kenny

[KennyJ]

Here is a sweet one on e-bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2459865403&category=6027

I still think it looks better in Red/White

Kenny