Suzuki GS1100L Ride and Review: Why Early Japanese Cruisers are Worth a Look
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2020
- Our 1982 Suzuki is one of many Japanese cruiser designs from the late '70s and early '80s that vintage motorcycle fans often overlook. But the old machine holds its own among today's bikes.
"Some people will assume you are cool and you will be under great pressure to prove them correct"
Good turn of phrase
And the pressure comes from you. What others think doesnt matter, you only think it does.
These bikes had roller bearing crankshafts, and the selector dogs on all Suzuki fours in those days were known for being very strong. That's why its so rare for them to need bottom end work, making them excellent project bikes.
In her day she was a very very fast bike, pull wheelies, long cruise, or double up that was a great Motorcycle!
Back in the early 90s I had a blue one! I’ve had a few bikes since including a Harley and a Vulcan 1500. That Suzuki was the BEST motorcycle I ever owned hands down! It was well balanced and easy to ride! I sure wish I still had it!
I’ve owned a 1984 V65 Sabre since 2004 these old bikes are awesome I will never get rid of it and yes it still hauls ass.
If I could have afforded this bike back in 82, I would be the happiest man on earth. I could not afford it and it wasn't sold in my country. I rode the 400L, and with my soft luggage carried between my back and the sissy backrest, I had travelled, for the first time, a thousand and a half miles very comfortably albeit without wind protection. Who needed a Goldwing? Thank you for this video, a reminder of halcyon days.
I know this is an older video, but I really enjoyed it. I really got into motorcycles in the early eighties and there were really some nice machines, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, I loved them all.
Great bike.... I loved to ride them years ago
Wow, I've never before been first to comment.
An interesting, informative and nicely produced video, made particularly enjoyable by the cool, confident and precisely delivered commentary. I thought that the fancy transitions were quite unnecessary, considering how engaging and watchable the actual content is.
Very well done, great production, articulate commentary with no wasted time. I just bought an 82 GS 1100E....
which is a different motorcycle, for a different segment...for a different type of people
Wow, $1200!!! I'm in the philadelphia area and have been looking for one of these old bikes. The ones I've seen advertised for up to a thousand are junk and would require a complete rebuild! Your bike is beautiful and brings back memories i had one in the early eighties , it rode great, smooth, fast and powerful and never have me any problems. Thanks for the memories. Great video.
Thanks so much for your kind words! I think I was especially lucky to find this Suzuki in such nice shape. Also, I don't think the owner was satisfied with it because he really wanted a Harley. Choosing the right bike is such a personal thing!
That's one big bike!
1970s and early 80s Jap fours were huge!
Also a super tuneable engine!!!
I loved my 82 gs 850 L i miss it so.
Really enjoyed the voice over on this, nice video man.
When I was around 20 years old, the Suzuki GS 1000 was a bad mama jamma. The bike you are featuring, looks like a pristine example.
I was very taken with the quality and content that Johnathon put forth. It actually legitimately transported me back to my time on these steeds and actually made me want to start looking into doing just that. Well done CJ/John! Delighted to find your channel...sub'd !
Beautiful, great sounding bike
I just sold my gs750L last fall. Same everything as your bike, even color. If it had been a eleven hundred I’d still own it. Ran great ! They are fun bikes and very dependable !
Good background info and great commentary 👍
And also, great presentation CJ, and thank you.
Excellent video. keep up the good work!
Utterly fabulous..
Just got mine today :) great video
What a fantastic, well-composed video. Just found your channel. Thank you for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed it! Working on more material, will post soon.
I have my eye on a 83’ GS1100, I’ll hopefully see it this Saturday!
Update: Bought it!
I've got an 82 gs850 gl I got for 600 few yrs now.got it running better than it was.enjoy the nostalgia of riding it.enjoyed your segment.
This bike was the best looking power cruiser of them all!
Just found your video, and afterwards took a look at your blog. How funny. I have a 1982 GS1100L aaanndd a 1972 CL350! I've had them for about ten years now, and up until last year, rode them both regularly. But they each came down with niggling electrical issues that have sidelined them. And since I have a 2008 Kawasaki Concourse, that I ride daily, I put them on the back burner. But today, I decided to start thinking about getting the Suzuki going again, and did a general search, and found you! How cool. Thanks for the videos!!
It's never too late to revive those old bikes! Of course it is also great to have a reliable modern machine like the Kawasaki so you can still ride while you work. Best wishes on getting them back on the road.
Just discovered your channel. I quite enjoyed your talks. Sadly, your videos are two or three years old. I hope you haven't quit the scene. 👍✌🤙
GS are great bikes, I’ve got a 1980 GS1000L myself. Looks like you’re a fellow Essex County rider 👍🏽.
I got a 1980 gs1100l shaft driven
Sell for $3000
Suzuki 1gs1
00l
Good review, I'm subscribed
Nice bike, I've just bought an '86 gs850g, absolutely love these bikes. 👍👍🤙
Great video!
Hi Jonathan. Very informative video, great narration. I recently got a 1988 Suzuki GSX 1100 Katana (it might be an GSXF). Not as old as yours, but the in the 80's. i just completed a motorcycle course, and am planning to ride my first ride today! Weather is nice still, i hope i am as cool as you! :)
I love your channel and I love watching your videos as well I like your perspective and personality. I think your cool personally. That Suzuki 1100L was One of my favorite motorcycles. What's not to like about it and those Suzuki Ls luxury. Comfort performance reliability. Civility. Smoothness. Nice blend of technology without being overly complicated. I prefer the drive shaft versions the gs gls
Loved my 1100L's power. Still have her just need to add fuel.
Beautiful Machine!
I love mine still, too
I own an 82 GS1100 GK. Not quite a cruiser, its like a superbike disguised as a bagger. Will probably cafe it once i solve a couple gas-leak issues. Anyways, good to see a review on the old Suzuki GS1100!
Got me a GS 850 (1988) The Suzukes of the 80's are some bikes!
Hey man, I really enjoyed yer vid. I own that exact bike and its lil brother the 850L. My second bike was a wrecked 1977 GS750 that I had put together after high school in 1981! I rode that bike to school(Florida A&M)from Detroit(home) several times without any issues(accept from my parents).I rode that bike until I got smashed on it by a drunk in 1991. I still enjoy riding my GS1100L and 850L models!! Scott in Detroit
My first street bike was a '78 GS1000. Good power and handled nice. Wide comfy seat. I ride a B-King 1340 now. Not sure what jetting you have in that, but the bike would run better with the baffle put back into the header. Enjoy!
Thanks Jon, I have a G a GK and an L. Three for under four.
My first bike was an 82 850L after 6 weeks I new I should have bought the 1100
That one is in really nice condition i have the Blue version of it. Rides very nicely.
What's cool about the L models is that they used the same engine as the E models. No detuned crap. You can have a cruiser with big bore high comp pistons and lumpy cams, whatever you want to pay for. Also, that is a very beautiful specimen you have there
Not so , the E-model GS1100 used a 4 valve per cylinder engine whereas the L-model used a 2 valve per cylinder engine . The L-model used the basic engine design of the predecessor of the GS1100E , the GS1000E , which was an 8 valve engine, not a 16 valve .
@@willyf6172 1980 is when the GS1100E and L models hit the showroom floor and I was there. I didn't like the looks of the E, so I bought the L. Nubbins is right. They had the same engine.
Fabulous bike...
I like the Suzuki FUEL GAUGES!!!
Thanks my brother
Great bikes!
I ride a 1980 Suzuki GS 850L. FUN. Bought it for $699.
Hey. I got my 79 gs1000 the same way. neva rode before the day i bought it.
Gday from New Zealand, one question, can rhe brakes lock up on these old bikes? I find them fascinating but worry about the brakes.great video cheers
Ha! I just bought a miniature version, an ‘82 Honda CM200T, complete with the original and somewhat ridiculous ape hangars. The engine sounds a lot like your CL350.
I had gs550 from 78, the engines are bulletproof on all the GS bikes, but boy do they rust.
I had one. It's got a lot more grunt & go than it let's on.
I had an '80 GS750L. Nice bike that I wish I had never sold. What are the odds I can track it down? 🤔 Is that the same area Barry's Cycle Salvage was in back in the 80's? 😉
😍
can you say the model of handle bars you fitted on it?
hi! can you tell me the RPM at 100kph or 62mph... thanks! my 750 L is at about 5000
Hey there. Nice write up!
I have a 79 L that I got back to life after it was sitting for too long. Really enjoy MINUS the handlebars.
The needed width seems to be really uncommon and I was looking for a set of bars just like you have but could not find them. Those are for sure not stock. Did you change them? If so, do you care to share the model/part number?
Thanks!
Try these handlebars... Emgo "Magna Wide" handlebar
@@cjc_0167 Thanks man!
I’d really like to reach out to you I have an 83 gs that ran but has some issues and u may be able to point me in the right direction like the vid
So what did they “get wrong” with the engine? Lots of power, smoothness, longevity? Briggs & Stratton sound, vibration and oil leaks of a V-twin?
I'm gonna grab a 82 gs 1100 500 bucks first bike great shape ......electrical issue ran then no power to coils.... noob I'm lost😳
Crusers in the 70ties was granpa bike or girly
Wear any Levi’s jeans?????
wrong handle bars
Y’a y’a we know all that stuff dude, let’s hear the bike or umm the bike.
Yeah, they imitated Harley? Only they left out the shitty handling and crappy quality😅 oh yeah, and the outdated V-twin design… Of course that came back with later Japanese cruisers like the Vulcan… But even those out handle an outperform a Harley any day of the week