1981 Suzuki reviews

This is my second old GS. I had a 1980 GS850 shaftie and drove the crap out of it. after several years of messing with ancient Triumphs and BSA's i was looking for a good reliable bike that wouldn't scare my wife. I went for a 1981 GS 1100. Asides for an occasional valve cover gasket leak its always gotten me home. I'm currently prepping the bike for a 1000 mile 24 hour ride across the southwest. Sound crazy? I don't think so, aside for electrical shortcomings these engines are bullet proof. 21years and 39K miles. aside for a GSX 1100G there's nothing that can fulfill her many duties as well. Even if i get another bike i'll keep her. Show less

I had two of them, sold them at 40,00 miles each. At 10,00 each one of them had a broken wavewasher in the clutch chamber, completely disengaging the engine from the trans. Fix: one thrust washer in lieu of wave washer; one clutch cover gasket; one oil change. Take the clutch apart, remove ALL the broken washer pieces, reassemble using the new Thrust washer under the old; add oil and go. You will probably have to replace the exhaust system around 30 or 40,000 miles. Use stock stuff or you will have to play with the carb. I put 10,000 miles a year just going to work. The frame is the same as one of their dirt bikes, the DR- SR whatever. Mine was so comfortable on a courier job of 300 mile days, that I would leave the Kawa 440 twin at home. 90 MPH was enough to handle anything in Atlanta in the way of traffic. Gas: 70 MPG, handling great, smooth over bad county roads. Vibes, a massage at 55, 70 the least pulsation. I had GS 450 bars and a cafe fairing. Actually they were reduced to $995 a saving of $900 dollars. Miss those old dumping of bikes on the market days. Oh, yes, the swing arm bushes needed replacement fairly often; plastic you know. A good all purpose bike. Ed Show less

Designed as an entry-level small displacement standard bike, the GN400X was a short-lived thumper in a world of big bore multi's. There always seems to be an "up and down" cycle regarding the desire for a single cylinder street cycle. One year they're hot and the next year they're not. It just happened that Suzuki introduced the GN at the wrong time. The engine isn't the strongest and it topped out at around 90 mph...But that is a good attribute for a beginner's bike. On the good side, the GN does have a stiff frame, sturdy suspension, and "dirt bike-like" lightweight...making it a very nimble bike. I'm taking mine and turning it into a cafe-style street racer...following the styling of Honda's GB500 with a solo seat, clubman bars, and a small fairing. Show less

I purchased this bike new 19 years ago. When it was new it was the quickest, fastest motorcycle you could buy. Now, a good 600 has more top speed. However this bike is still very enjoyable to ride. It is a comfortable, stable platform for touring. A very good commuter. Has great low-end and mid-range power for a 4 cyl. bike, and enough top-end to be entertaining. Though it won't run with the newer openclassers. It has been super reliable, with the exception of the reg/rectifer going bad at approx 10K mi. This is common problem with the older GS Suzukis. There were many times over the years that I wanted to get a newer sportbike. But as I get older, I'm glad I still have this GS1100ex. It is all the street bike I need. Although the new bikes excel at certain areas, I would have to purchase several of the newer bikes to cover all of the areas the GS is still quite good at. I would not hesitate to recomend any of the older GS series to a person looking for a good allround streetbike. There is a web-page, The GS Resources, that provided a good deal of useful information to those who have a liking for these fine old bikes. Show less