1980-1981 Suzuki GS1100E (GSX1100) Review - Riding the best early 1980s Superbike!
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- Опубліковано 24 лис 2023
- In this classic motorcycle review I'm riding the quickest, fastest production motorcycle of 1980 - Suzuki's mighty GS1100E (GSX1100 in Europe). The GS1100E was not only fast, it was comfortable, handled better than any other literbike of the time, and had fully adjustable suspension. We'll talk about specs, acceleration times, top speed, etc., and I'll be out on the road riding this beautiful, early 1980s Superbike!
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From the late 70’s to the mid 80’s I was the sales manager of a large Suzuki dealership. I bought several new bikes every year. I kept going back and forth between the 750 and the 1100. Every time I bought a 750, I missed the 1100’s incredible engine. Every time I bought an 1100, I missed the 750’s nimble handling. Today, I miss them both!
Right on!
In 1980, I bought a black 1981 Honda CB750F. My friend bought a black 1981 GS1100E. I always wanted a GS of my own. My friend stopped riding and let it sit in his dad's garage 33 years, and he finally sold it to me. I found a good mechanic, and after putting quite a bit of money into it, I finally got it back looking like new. I love riding that bike, and also my 2003 Honda Nighthawk 750. Thanks for a great video.
Awesome! It's so cool that you finally got a GS1100E and rescued it. I just got this one out from winter storage, and I'm loving it. Did you see the Nighthawk 750 review I did on this channel? Cheers
I purchased the gsx 750 new in 1981 when i was 18 it was identical to your 1100 but in the uk it had a larger fuel tank which was quite useful for when i went touring in France that summer, and I still miss that bike.
Very cool! I've thought about getting a European tank for this one for the extra range. Maybe someday. Cheers!
I had a 1980 GS750E . Same color as this 1100. I love the styling. Great bike. As reliable as they get.
Right on! It's hard to beat the old GS bikes! Cheers
105 hp had to have been insane in 1980. Subscribed.
It was. It still puts a big grin on my face today. The fact that the bike is so comfortable and easy to ride and handles the corners well keeps me coming back. Thanks for the subscription. Cheers!
They were torquey as. Right off idle basically. The CB1100F had a bit less low down grunt but was a really nice bike.
@@redtobertshateshandles Right on. Did you see my review of the CB1100F?
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 no. I'll check it out.
It was enough to beat the CBX, That's what I cared about most! lol
Thank you for the excellent review and the whole series you have done on this bike. Like I've said in previous videos of yours, I have that exact bike. I wanted one when they came out but couldn't swing it. Forty-two years later I have the one that got away. Back then I was riding a 1978 GS1000E, which was a phenomenal bike in and of itself, and I wish I still had it. Talk about kicking myself for selling it, but alas, I did. I agree, the headlight/instrument cluster is not what I would call esthetically pleasing, in fact, I've always thought it was butt ugly, and frankly, I still do. What I am in the process of doing with mine is converting over to the '78 headlight and instrument cluster. I always thought the silhouette fault indicator was kind of cheesy so I won't miss that one bit. The 85 mph speedometer is a joke and mine will have the appropriate 140 mph one that it should have had from the start. I have stock handlebars on mine which fit me well because I am not tall enough to sit comfortably with the shorter sport bars. I probably lean forward with the stock bars as much as you do with sport bars, and I agree it is a very comfortable riding position. The pegs are also in a very comfortable location, at least for me. I am also converting the turn signals to round ones. I found some high-quality reproductions that are identical to the 78's but the front ones are configured for a two-filament bulb to accommodate the running lights that the 78's didn't have, which is a nice upgrade only noticeable to the most discerning of eyes. Basically, I am creating what I consider to be the perfect GS for my taste. I'm not concerned about preserving it with the intention of ever selling it, so if I offend any purists, then so be it. It will have all stock GS parts, or reproduction GS parts, so it will still be 100% a Suzuki GS, just a hybrid of all the things I love about the GS series of bikes, which to me, has no rival. I do really like bikes produced by Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha from that era, but if I had to choose only one, it would be a GS, for all the reasons you mentioned in this video and more. Thank you again for your great videos and definitely, enjoy the ride.
There's nothing wrong with making a bike perfect for your taste. I'd love to see some pictures of your GS when it's finished. I rode a similarly modified GS1100E many years ago. I almost wrecked it because the seller had put Armorall on the tires! It was a beautiful red one. Cheers!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 l don't want to overwhelm you, but ho we could we get our photos to you?
I had the 1981 Blue. I think it had 1500 miles on it when I bought it in 1985. It was so powerful! Greatest bike I ever owned. Had it for about 5 years. Heard it later burned up in an auto shop fire in Two Rivers, WI sometime in the 1990's.
That's a shame! I put about 60 miles on this one earlier today - still a great bike! Cheers
You are steadily becoming my favourite motorcycle channel . Keep up the great work
Thank you! I'm putting the finishing touches on Saturday's video review. It's a fun one (at least I had fun filming it). Cheers!
In 1981 I bought a nearly new 1100e . It had a Kerker header and was rejetted for the header when I bought it. It did EVERYTHING well. Sadly I sold it a few years later but I just bought a low mile 82 1100e.
Right on! I bought my 1983 GS1100E first and picked this one up more recently. Each has its advantages. Cheers!
My first job during high school I would assemble these out for the crates from Japan. For a Suzuki and Honda dealer in California, miss those days. Loved the job.
That's awesome! Sounds like a great job. Cheers!
I assembled Hondas, Yamahas and Harleys in early 80s in OKC at Maxeys cycle....good times!!!
LOVED mine, it was red, rode from middle Georgia through the north GA. mountains many times & 2 trips up the Blue Ridge parkway & Skyline Drive, it was a EXCELLENT bike, NEVER had ANY issues out of it
Right on!
Quicker+faster than the mighty Z-1, handled good thru the canyons"felt light"
threaded nut valve adjusters
for valve adjustment ( way better than Z-1 shim-bucket
valve adjuster set up< what a hassle >
I had both [ Suzuki was superior to the Z-1 in my opinion, felt lighter, handled better { no 80- 90 death wobble like the Z-1 is known
"did have" to have! You either had to back off, or power thru it to above 95 mph to make the wobble go away!
I have a 1978 KZ1000 in the garage as well, and the Suzuki makes it feel slow and a bit crude in comparison. However, the GPZ1100 would be a fairer comparison and is much closer in performance to the GS1100E. Cheers!
The Z1 motor felt like lead. I worked in a Suzuki/Kawasaki shop.
The GPZ1100 was based on the Z1000J which Kawasaki redesigned from the ground up for minimal weight. Great bikes.
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538would be fun if you got a chance to test drive a gpz 1100 from 81 or 82. But finding one in good condition is almost impossible now. My brother had an 81 for almost 40 years
@@redtobertshateshandles Right on!
@gorangustavsson7716 I would love to try a 1981 GPZ. have a 1983 GPZ1100 now, but it's currently set up as a drag bike. I may convert it back to stock suspension in the future. Cheers!
When you ride GS 1100 E meaning to speed limit sign is DO NOT DRIVE SLOWER THAN POSTED 😊.
I have owned one in mid 1990 s.
Will regret forever selling it.
Nice video,thank you for your passion.
Regards Zoran
Right on, thanks, Zoran! It's hard to be good on a GS1100E 😉. Cheers!
Sunny in November.....meanwhile back in the Peak District in Derbyshire, England, we are riding round in scuba gear and worrying if we can get through the flooded roads after a shift at work....
.....not jealous at all!
Lovely bike there _ keep 'em coming
Thanks, Richard! I don't envy the English weather, though it would be fun to visit. Stay dry. Cheers!
ive go the same bike same color bought new for 3750.00 with crash bars.the speedometer only goes to 80 if anybody was wondering there was a fix to a 120 speedo in the back of the motorcycle magazines . i put the 81 black mirrors on mine.dont leave your choke on after warm up or youll blue your pipes as i see 1 and 4 of yours are..take it to red line fast thatll open your eyes wide!
Right on! This is a recent purchase for me, so the pipes were that way when I bought it. Running it with clogged idle jets will blue the pipes as well. It is an eye-opener when it hits the higher revs. Great bikes. Cheers!
I just bought one from a junkyard for 10 bucks a lot of stuff to repair but at least now I know I got to go find. Also, that’s my first motorcycle.
Good luck on your project, Matt!
A very cool bike 🏍 😎
A friend of mine bought one , he would ride 300 miles in just over 4 hours 😮😮😮
That's moving!
I and my best friend had the exact bike as in the video. Both black and 1981. When he was in the military in 1988 he overslept during the weekend at home. He rode 95 miles (150km) in 55 minutes. We both rode like maniacs back then. I never took it to the strip but he did. He did 1/4 mile in 10,74 stock except for a V&H 4-1. I found my bike 2 years ago and it was still as I sold it. Yellow and nothing else but 30000 miles extra. Never ridden since 2002. Now a total restoration is on the agenda 👍🏼😇😁
I was a Kawasaki Z1 nut until I rode my friend’s 1978 Suzuki GS750. The Suzuki handled much better, the frame did not flex or get upset in twisties, and the handlebars and mirrors did not vibrate. I suppose the GPz series cured all that but even today I love the old Suzukis and laugh at the price people pay for old Z1’s. I bought a new 1980 GS1100E in red. Ill never forget leaving Del Amo Suzuki on it, I was king of the world.
So cool 😎! I just got this GS1100E out from winter storage and went for a 20-mile ride last week - it's still an amazing experience to ride it. I love the looks of the Z1, but as you said, there's no comparison from a ride and handling standpoints. Cheers!
It's nice to see fellow Z1 appreciation. I have recently gotten my first GSX1100 engine, which is on a hardtail frame. Made into a bobber style bike. I am looking forward to a radical type ride.
Thanks for this great review of a true Superbike from the era when I was a newly-minted driver/rider with a job and was so enthused about all-things motorcycling. Being on a budget, I went with a brand new GPz550 in 1981 but dreamed of what life might be on for those who could afford the liter-bikes. These were amazing times in the motorcycling world and if only the EPA would have not crippled the carburation as they did we could have had even better bikes.
Right on! Thankfully, the EPA mandated lean jetting could be cured with a few jetting changes. This is still my favorite era of bikes to ride. Cheers!
Another great bike Jon. Thanks for the video.
Thanks. You're welcome!
This is exactly how I remember my 1100E. Was always very confident with it.
Right on, Christian! I'm enjoying this one. Cheers!
Another solid review- thank you, Jon! Bike sounds great, another wonderful trip to yesteryear.
You're welcome, Levi!
As always ... first rate Jon! Gret review!! As you said, the GSX engine was really a new complete new engine vs the old GS. Not only were the cylinder heads a new development, it was also when Suzuki switched from roller main bearings to plain bearings which made for a much smoother engine. It would be nice to see a coparo between your two GSX 1100!
Thank you! Just a quick correction here - the GS750 (and several other smaller GSs) changed to a plain bearing setup around this time. The 1100s and 1150s had roller main bearings until the GSX-R1100 motor came out. I'm working on the GS1100E vs GS1100E video currently. Cheers!
What I loved about mine was when it hit the sweet spot on the cams (about 5k IIRC) it would take your breath away! Mine had a cafe fairing with lowers. Very comfortable touring bike and it was an absolute rocket in the power band.
Right on! I love this one for the same reasons. Cheers!
What some very nice bikes you have in your stable, Jon. Enjoyed the video and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!
Thanks, Henry. You too!
Thanks for posting very well done, I still have a 'rough' one with APE street/strip cams, pod filters, and Kerker 4>1.Its a blast to wheelie.
Right on! They're still a great ride. Cheers!
I was an 18 year old apprentice Suzuki mechanic when these came out and assembled, rode and serviced many of these GSX's, here in Australia.
Torquey beast. Great fun. Done 100mph on backstreets many times.
Right on. They get there quick! Cheers!
Lived in OZ then..Unreal you could get one of these for $AU3,200 on runout...That was a lot of bike for not a lot of money. They were everywhere...
@craigjeffrey3236 They're still a good value here. The prices haven't gone up like some other classic bikes yet. Cheers!
Awesome bike! I owned a couple of GSX1100s including a 1983 bike very similar to this beauty. It was one of the best bikes I ever owned, I just wish I had kept it!
Right on! Everyone I've talked to who owned one wishes they still had it. I really enjoy it. Cheers!
Jon it looks so good you've enticed me to fire up my ole' 81 XS1100, thank you
Right on!
There all Good 80s bikes Great videos 👍😊
Thanks, Eric!
Looks surprisingly like the previous video 😅
A few of the riding clips are shared between the two. Cheers!
Interesting that such low mileage bikes are still out there.
It's rare and I try to pick them up when I find them. Cheers!
another great review Jon .. i'm in ohio its the prefect riding time .. trees changing and such . 👍🏽👍🏽
Nice! The temp dropped here this week 🥶. Time for the snowmobile pants and heavy gloves. Cheers!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 yes sir you know it's coming lol
@@BiGDeE3 Unfortunately!
In regards to the 47 MPG, ironically in 1980 we really did not worry about gas mileage like we do today, cuz Gas was around $ .75 cents to $ 1 dollar. Even though we never stressed about motorcycle gas, my Cadillac was a different story ! Lol
I remember $1 gas in the late 1980's. Back then, a cycle ride was a cheap way to pass the time.
Jons Beautiful motor cycle❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks, Amir!
Very nice, original and looks great, not too funky at all compared to the follow-up futuristic 81 Katana 1100. Nearly bought one if it had been registered, got a very nice CB900F instead.
Nice! I have owned the Katana previously. It was a miserable bike to ride with harsh suspension and a very uncomfortable seating position. Cheers!
The Katana is one sweet bike. More of an open road bike. A bit cumbersome on very windy roads. I did 143 mph indicated on my big brothers.
Remember that you really sat in that bike, you were low and close to the tank, it felt very fast and the acceleration was kick in the pants.@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
I would love to find one
Right on!
The jetting on every carbureted bike I owned was calibrated for temperatures of at least 68F and don't perform as well at lower temperatures.
Two things happen:
The engine never really warms up to the design temperature. The oil temperature on my Sportster typically reaches 200 degrees with ambient temperatures above 70, but will not reach 150 if the ambient temperature is below 50.
Air becomes denser as it gets colder. This will cause the fuel/air ratio to become lean at lower temperatures. This manifests itself as lean stumbles, backfires, and sluggish throttle response.
If a bike doesn't run well at 50 degrees, I will go one size up on the pilot jets. Even the air-cooled, carburated bikes can be made to run well in cooler weather. I run 10w40 in the cooler weather, and you're correct about the operating temps not running in the same range on the cooler days. I ride the bikes much further before getting in the throttle on the cold days since warm-ups take longer. Cheers!
that's interesting, my 84 Nighthawk 650 always has head and cylinder temps of at least 250 degrees F after a ride in the 40's.
@@stevefletcher2334 You bring up a good point. My 1978 KZ650 didn't seem to be affected by the cold much, and the common denominator is the fact that the number of combustion events at a given RPM are higher with small displacement engines. Japanese fours over a liter typically spin around 4000 RPM at 60 mph. My 650 was around 5000. 1200 Sportster does 2800.
@spaceflight1019 That's true. However, I have had many 4-cylinder bikes that didn't like cooler weather in stock form. 1 up on the pilots usually did the trick. Cheers!
@stevefletcher2334 Right on! The oil temperature guage on my GS1100E reads about 220 in warmer weather but struggles to hit 160 in cooler weather. I think that reflects the air-cooled nature of the engine. I guess it makes sense that the head temps would remain more constant since that's where the exhaust gasses exit. Cheers!
Hola jon. Acabo de ver tu vídeo. Estoy emocionado de ver esa motocicleta .todo lo que dices de ella es verdad. En mi trabajo que tuve(agencia de motocicletas) el dueño de la misma siempre queria un Susuki 1100. Decia que era la mejor. Ahora se porqué!!!
Cuando dices barras mas bajas(traduccion al español) te refieres al manubrio?(sería handli en inglés) .La GSX me acuerdo que tenia el manubrio mas bajo. Otra cosa que queria comentar el tablero de instrumentos era lo mas avansado de la epoca. El faro (optica) era la moda del momento (rectangular) y el trasero generaba opiniones distintas..
REALMENTE ME ENCANTO LA MOTOCICLETA!!!creo como te comenté en otros videos Suzuki en los años 80/81 estaba un escalon mas arriba de las otras marcas japonesas. Saludos JHON👍
Still got mine .going to go club plates .
Right on!
Right on!
what a sweet area to ride but too much bike to enjoy the ride
Whatever do you mean, James? In all seriousness, the GS1100E is a super friendly bike that has nice performance when you want it. It isn't the type of bike to dominate the rider like an R1 would. Additionally, size-wise it feels more like a 750.
I agree. Great all around bike. Always wanted one after i rode my friends. I ended up with an 85 GS1150ES that i still have along with a 90 GSXR750 and 81 KZ1000 LTD. Anyone know how to lower the rear of a GS1150 with "Full Floater"?
Great question. I didn't mess with mine so I'm not too sure how that linkage works.
I agree on the funky looking headlight. Do you think it would be difficult to change it out for a round light and gauges from another GS Suzuki?
You certainly could if you wanted to. Cheers!
I could see you wanted to get into it, but I thought up there , already the black ice.
Right on! Thankfully, it's not that cold yet. However, damp spots, horse poop (from Amish buggies), dirt brought onto the road by tractors, animals, and fallen leaves all mean that I have to ride at a more cautious pace. The quiet exhaust hides the sense of speed in the videos as well. Cheers!
Great video, please keep them coming. Very professional.
Thanks, Michael!
Hola Jhon. Se me ocurrió si puedes hacer un comparativo entre la GS 1100E(80/81) con la modelo 83( la roja que creo también tienes). Saludos Ricardo
Hola Ricardo! Ya estoy trabajando en ese vídeo comparativo. 1981 GS1100E frente a 1983 GS1100E. ¡Salud!
Gracias Jhon. Esperaré nomas..
Can you get me one john you don't know bad I want one
If I decide to sell this one, I'll post a video on this channel. I missed a red one in my youth, and this is the only other one I've seen for sale locally. Cheers!
Nice review. I belive it was the first to breake the 100hp/liter barrier for road bikes. In Denmark it was a 100hp engine. I had a gs550 at the time as my first bike, tried this 750 and gave it all. Woow.. the 750 was nimble and a smooth evolving power band. The 79hp was enough to empress me. My gs had 50:)
So cool! I have owned the GS750 and GS550 previously as well - both great bikes. I believe the 1980-1981 GS1100E shared the frame with the 750. It is quite nimble as well, and I love the smooth rush of power on corner exits. Cheers!
Fun to ride but I prefer the GS850G for touring, ideally an early production model with the kick start. That said, I'd be happy with a BSA Sports Star SS90. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_B40
Right on!