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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: FJ1100mjk on November 10, 2011, 07:13:52 AM

Title: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: FJ1100mjk on November 10, 2011, 07:13:52 AM
Came across this via an ad in the local Craigslist.

If it didn't say Suzuki on it, and with a quick glance, you'd think it was an FJ!

According to the ad, it's a 1985 GS1100ES, and they want $2,100 OBO.

New tires, new Dyna 2000 programmable ignition system with Dyna coils, Supertrapp exhaust. 17,546 miles!

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/2/1388_10_11_11_7_07_25.jpeg)
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: ninjamuder on November 10, 2011, 07:33:48 AM
hey, i remember those.....still as ugly as my monster-in-law!! :bad:

all cosmetic issues aside, they went like hell, and were a great bike to build for the dragstrip!!
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: simi_ed on November 10, 2011, 12:41:14 PM
From my angle it looks like it says FPJ (F'in Piece of Junk).  Mine was a '83 1100E that the PO used to practice his PeeWee Gleason routine.  The twisted crank toasted the lower end.  :negative:

Other than that, the shitty brakes, Anti dive, narrow wheels, speed wobble and willingness to die off idle, it was an OK bike.
THAT'S why I own a FJ. :drinks:
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: fj11.5 on November 10, 2011, 02:44:13 PM
My first "Big bike"was an 80 model gsx, handled. And stopped like the one below would,  but they didn't have the ugly cyclops headlight,  that's a sad copy co Android fj though  :sarcastic:
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: Medi on November 11, 2011, 11:35:26 AM
Even the mirrors look the same shape..
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: moparman70 on November 11, 2011, 11:56:39 PM
back in the day my buddy had one -- my other friend had a Kawi 1000R - believe that was an 86.  The FJ smoked the Suzuki ( but he was a novice rider always pulling the clutch in) and neck in neck with the Kawi. 
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: FJ Flyer on November 12, 2011, 08:21:04 AM
My best friend's brother had the naked GS1100E.  Fastest production bike of its day.  It was impossible to keep up on my little 440LTD. 
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: glfredrick on February 07, 2012, 02:58:32 PM
I had one of the 550 GSE versions of that bike.  Way fast for its size.  It would set the front tire down (finally) at about 106 mph if I was getting into it.  Surprised a lot of big bike riders with that one.  It was not a great distance rider though.  An hour and you were looking for a new bolt-on butt!
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: carey on February 07, 2012, 08:14:55 PM
I think it's really a GS1150 and not an 1100. I owned one before I sold it to buy an FJ.
Title: Re: Suzuki's Answer to the FJ1100 ?
Post by: ddlewis on February 08, 2012, 01:47:05 PM
Quote from: carey on February 07, 2012, 08:14:55 PM
I think it's really a GS1150 and not an 1100. I owned one before I sold it to buy an FJ.

Yep my ex-brother in law had one just like that without the fairing - GS1150E.  think it was an 85.

http://www.ridermagazine.com/style/vintage/retrospective-suzuki-gs1150e-1985-1986.htm (http://www.ridermagazine.com/style/vintage/retrospective-suzuki-gs1150e-1985-1986.htm)

Quote from: RiderMagazineSuzuki was looking hard at the competition and when the designers saw Kawasaki's GPz1100, Honda's Euro-only CB1100R, and Yamaha's FJ1100, they felt that fairings on sport motor­cycles were the "in" thing, bringing the bike into the café-racer category. As a result, the factory deemed that a half-fairing would be a necessity on this street model. And the first 1150 to run down American roads in 1984 was the GS1150ES—with low handlebars which were not terribly well received.