Suzuki GS550 1977—1978
Suzuki GS550E 1978—1981
Suzuki GS550L 1979—1986
Suzuki GS550M Katana 1981—1983
Suzuki GS550T 1981—1984

I have put some Suzuki GS 550 info on this page. This page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

1978 GS550



Suzuki model year code: B

The GS550 was launched in Japan in June 1977 as a new member of the four-stroek engined GS family. It had a single disc brake at the front wheel, a drum rear brake, wire wheels and a inline-four engine with two valves per cylinder.

1977 Suzuki GS 550 Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (31.7 in) Overall Height: 1 155 mm (45.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Dry Weight: 196 kg (431 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35,8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm. Single front disc. Click on the image for larger format.

Suzuki model year code: C

The second version of the GS550 for 1978 was available in two versions, with a single brake disc at the front, as in 1977, or with twin discs for better braking performance (compare the pictures below). The model was released in Japan in April 1978. In August 1978 the GS500E was launched, replacing the GS550. The model had light alloy wheels and a disc brake even at the rear. Apart from the wheels and the brakes, the models were quite similar.

1978 Suzuki GS 550 Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Dry Weight: 195 kg (429 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm. Single front disc. Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki GS 550 Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Dry Weight: 195 kg (429 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm. Single front disc. Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki GS 550 Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Dry Weight: 195 kg (429 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm. Twin front disc. Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki GS 550 E Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Dry Weight: 196 kg (431 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

Suzuki model year code: N

The second version of the GS550E was presented in Japan in October 1978. New graphics. A USA styled custom version called GS550L was released.

1979 Suzuki GS 550 E Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Dry Weight: 196 kg (431 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1979 Suzuki GS 550 L Overall Length: 2 140 mm (84.3 in) Overall Width: Overall Height: Wheelbase: 1 495 mm (58.9 in) Dry Weight: 205 kg (451 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1980 Suzuki year code: T

The third version of the GS550E was presented in Japan in December 1979. New graphics.

1980 Suzuki GS 550 E Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Dry Weight: 196 kg (431 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1980 Suzuki GS 550 L Overall Length: 2 140 mm (84.3 in) Overall Width: Overall Height: Wheelbase: 1 495 mm (58.9 in) Dry Weight: 205 kg (451 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1981 Suzuki year code: X

I know very little of this particular model. The picture was sent to me by Vince Plunkett. It shows that the bike had a single brake disc at the front. I don't know if the bike on the picture is in original shape and/or if it was the standard model, or an economy model made for some markets. If you have any additional GS550E info (facts, specs, pictures, brochures, ads etc), please send it to me! Here's more info.

1981 Suzuki GS 550 E Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 155 mm (45.5 in) Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 465 mm (57.7 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5,9 in) Dry Weight: 200 kg (440 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35.8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm. Single front disc. Click on the image for larger format.

Suzuki model year code: Z

The 1982 GS550L had metal front disc reservoir instead of white plastic on earlier model years.  The rear disc brake was changed to drum brake and , and the dual front discs were replaced with a single disc.  Pin striping on the tank and sidecovers was very unique to this year.  No longer a continuous loop.

1982 Suzuki GS 550 L Overall Length: 2 140 mm (84.3 in) Overall Width: Overall Height: Wheelbase: 1 495 mm (58.9 in) Dry Weight: 205 kg (451 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35,8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1982 Suzuki GS 550 M 1982 Overall Length: 2 150 mm (84.6 in) Body Width: 520 mm (20.5 in) Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Dry Weight: 225 kg (495 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 50 hp (37 kW) @ 9.400 rpm, 41 Nm (4,2 kg-m) @ 8.400 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1985 Suzuki year code: F

The last incarnation of the GS550L had a slim-line tear-drop fuel tank, and adjustable Full-Floater rear suspension, The 1985 GS550L came in Maroon and Black.

1985 Suzuki GS 550 L Overall Length: 2 085 mm (82.1 in) Overall Width: 825 mm (32.5 in) Overall Height: 1 115 (45.1 in) Seat Height: 745 mm (29.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 445 mm (56.9 in) Ground Clearance: 145 mm (5.7 in) Dry Weight: 186 kg (410 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 549 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 49 hp (35,8 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 42 Nm @ 7 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

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