GS1100 Dyno Results Analysis

[Bad Kaw]

Fun discussion to read, guys. Please keep posting away.

[Mysuzyq]

At this point, it's probably all been said, except perhaps to mention that several members here have posted the actual dyno results of their '82 & '83 1100E bikes, and all have fallen within a small 2 hp window (92 to 94 hp) at the wheel, IIRC. I don't think anyone has posted figures for the earlier '80 & '81 bikes, unfortunately.

[Bad Kaw]

What about 1150s?
Additionally, having worked in two different shops with dynos, do you account for dyno reading variances?...or are the readings close enough?

[Mysuzyq]

There is variation for sure....a point made earlier in the thread. From reading several tests/reviews of the time, it appears that most of the American bike magazines in the early eighties tested on the same machine though (the Kerker dyno in California) which helps narrow their findings, somewhat.

[Bad Kaw]

Hmmm; that's pretty interesting.
What about 1150 numbers? And what about with K&Ns, jet kit, and pipe? I ask b/c that's the set-up that I have. I should have dynoed it before I swapped to GSXR wheels and the 530 chain/sprockets so I could make an accurate comparison.

[Mysuzyq]

Hmmm; that's pretty interesting.
What about 1150 numbers? And what about with K&Ns, jet kit, and pipe? I ask b/c that's the set-up that I have. I should have dynoed it before I swapped to GSXR wheels and the 530 chain/sprockets so I could make an accurate comparison.

Sorry, not really familiar with the 1150. I recall hearing a few times, that they put out a little over 100 hp at the wheel, but I don't know if this is in fact hearsay, or heresy. If someone here has the Motorcycle Reports compilation of tests/reviews (from virtually every N. American magazine, back in the day) for the 1150, they might be able to share that info. It might even be worth springing for, depending on your level of interest.

[headsbikesmopars]

Don't know anything about the 1150 ?? Just THE best all around standard ever made. I have seen 119 at the rear wheel on a stocker that was rated at 124 at the output shaft. Under rated for sure..

[Mysuzyq]

I have seen 119 at the rear wheel on a stocker that was rated at 124 at the output shaft. Under rated for sure..

One of several logical conclusions, yes. No doubt they are much stronger performers, but I'm partial to the 1100 styling myself...to each his own, eh?

[headsbikesmopars]

One of several logical conclusions, yes. No doubt they are much stronger performers, but I'm partial to the 1100 styling myself...to each his own, eh?

I like them too that is why I have three GS1100's. 1980, 1981 and a nice 1983 ..glad you like them too...

[rapidray]

I did an 1166 83 1100 motor for a friend that made 139.8 at the rear wheel with .348 cams & 36 RSs. All used parts & a stock valve job. (He ran out of money for head work!) It has run 9.30 at 146 with a slick & wheelie bar. 10.25 to 1 compression street motor that I wouldn't HESITATE to ride across country with! Ray.

[davel]

Here are GS1150 dyno figures from a May 1985 issue of Cycle Mag

[davel]

And here they are again with the competition at the time. (image is a little smaller and harder to read - due to file size limit)

[Bad Kaw]

Very cool, and very interesting graphs...had to get the specs out to read 'em, but that's gettin' old for ya! Thanks for posting!

On a side-bar...man, I hate V-Maxs. I know they are from my 'era-of-preference', but something about those things just makes me wanna yack. I like FJs and KZs/GPzs, GSs, CBs, and even VFs (Fs and Rs only), but geeeez V-Maxs make me wanna puke! Could be that back-in-the-day I worked at the local Kaw/Yam shop to put myself through college and I got to ride a lot of V-Maxs (all bikes that got anything done to them got 'test' ridden and 'the kid' got-to/had-to do that ... me!); they always did very poorly at the local 1/8th mile drag-strip, and they sucked at the local Saturday-night street drags, too. I disliked their handling and (from our shop) their owners were real baboons ... but hey, I have a couple buddies today that have them, and they're good guys ... just can't bring myself to tell them how much I hate their bikes! *snicker, snicker*
... does that make me a bad person???

[Bad Kaw]

Which - by the way - here is another oddity for consumption. Back-in-the-day ('84 - '87) while working at that shop we got a run of bikes in from the factory (Yamaha) that dealers were allowed to purchase in 'bulk' groups (these bikes had been magazine test-bikes and stuff like that). Whatever, it was probably '85 I'm guessing, (maybe '86) and since these bikes were sold with warranty (MSOs had not been assigned, yet) as new left-overs 'the kid' got-to/had-to go test ride all of them (like a dozen bikes or so). In this fleet were a couple FZ750s, three FJ1100s, and two V-Maxs amongst the Venture Royals and Viragos and such. So, I called up my buddy who had a prestine '83 GS1100E with V&H meg-system, jet kit, and K&Ns. Here are the results (each of us went about 150lbs): although I whipped his butt everytime in a 'race' off the line it was b/c he couldn't ride; so we wanted to "know" and so we then intentionally came off the line together and then hammered the throttles. The GS cleanly and clearly pulled away from the V-Maxs (I "tested" [snicker-snicker] two of them); but the FJ was an absolute dead heat (only "tested" one ... didn't want fired) ... hmmmmm. These bikes were all stock "as delivered" from the factory. More reasons for me to hate the Max I guess, but the FJs were pretty nice ... and I couldn't get my hands on any of the FZs ... again, I liked my job.
Anyway, just thought-fodder.

[posplayr]

Which - by the way - here is another oddity for consumption. Back-in-the-day ('84 - '87) while working at that shop we got a run of bikes in from the factory (Yamaha) that dealers were allowed to purchase in 'bulk' groups (these bikes had been magazine test-bikes and stuff like that). Whatever, it was probably '85 I'm guessing, (maybe '86) and since these bikes were sold with warranty (MSOs had not been assigned, yet) as new left-overs 'the kid' got-to/had-to go test ride all of them (like a dozen bikes or so). In this fleet were a couple FZ750s, three FJ1100s, and two V-Maxs amongst the Venture Royals and Viragos and such. So, I called up my buddy who had a prestine '83 GS1100E with V&H meg-system, jet kit, and K&Ns. Here are the results (each of us went about 150lbs): although I whipped his butt everytime in a 'race' off the line it was b/c he couldn't ride; so we wanted to "know" and so we then intentionally came off the line together and then hammered the throttles. The GS cleanly and clearly pulled away from the V-Maxs (I "tested" [snicker-snicker] two of them); but the FJ was an absolute dead heat (only "tested" one ... didn't want fired) ... hmmmmm. These bikes were all stock "as delivered" from the factory. More reasons for me to hate the Max I guess, but the FJs were pretty nice ... and I couldn't get my hands on any of the FZs ... again, I liked my job.
Anyway, just thought-fodder.

That is real interesting because that Vmax is registering 119 hp v.s. the 101 for the GS1150 which is considerably faster than an a stock GS1100ED. Of course the ED was not stock (4:1, pods and jetted) but still
dont think the poded 4:1 ED is faster than a stock 1150.