Suzuki GSX1100E model history
1980—1988

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GSX 1100 E (GS1100E/GS1150E in the US) model history on this page as I know it. 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.

1980 Suzuki year code: T

GSX1100E was introduced in August 1979 as a naked heavyweight muscle tourer with leading axle front forks and a new 16-valve engine. GSX1100ET had 19-inch front and 17- inch rear alloy wheels with twin front and single rear disc brakes. The fastest standard bike in the world at the time. As always, the model had a different name for the US market. Although the GSX model meant a 16-valve engine in the rest of the world, it was still called GS1100E in the Northern America.

GSX 1100 E 1980 Overall Length: 2 255 mm (88.8 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (30.0 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Wheelbase: Weight: 243 kg (535 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 100 hp (105 ps)/ 8.700 rpm, 8,7 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1981 Suzuki year code: X

GSX1100EX replaces the GSX1100ET in October 1980 with minor detail changes and Black finished engine. Four colors: red, blue, black, silver.

GSX 1100 E 1981 Overall Length: 2 255 mm (88.8 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (30.0 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Wheelbase: Weight: 243 kg (535 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 1 075 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 100 hp (105 ps)/ 8.700 rpm, 8,7 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1982 Suzuki year code: Z

Katana styled GSX1100EZ replaces the GSX1100EX in July 1982 with the anti-dive front forks. No longer the leading axle type, grabrail no longer fitted. Colors: silver.

GSX 1100 E 1982 Overall Length: 2 255 mm (88.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (30.3 in) Overall Height: 1 165 mm (45.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in) Dry Weight: 237 kg (521 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 111 hp/ 8,500 rpm, 9,8 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSX 1100 E 1982 Overall Length: 2 255 mm (88.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (30.3 in) Overall Height: 1 165 mm (45.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in) Dry Weight: 237 kg (521 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 111 hp/ 8,500 rpm, 9,8 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1983 Suzuki year code: D

The new Black finished air/oil-cooled engine was introduced in 1983. New wheels. New graphics. Here's some pictures of the US model, GS1100ED.

GSX 1100 E 1983 Overall Length: 2 255 mm (88.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (30.3 in) Overall Height: 1 165 mm (45.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in) Dry Weight: 237 kg (521 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 111 hp/ 8,500 rpm, 96 Nm (9,8 kg-m)/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1984 Suzuki year code: E

GSX1100ED model was discontinued in March 1984 and a new, revisited GSX1100EE (GS1150EE in the US) was introduced by the Suzuki. The cylinder volyme was increaced to 1135 cc and the engine deliver now 124 hp at 8,500 rpm. The model was now called GS1150E at the US market. New wheel dimensions: 16-inch (120 tyre) in front and 17-inch(140 tyre) rear wheel. By that time, GSX1100E with it's sister models (ES with bikini farining, EF with full fairing) were the fastest standard bikes to buy. Again.

GSX 1100 E 1984 Overall Length: 2 240 mm (88.2 in) Overall Width: 730 mm (28.7 in) Overall Height: Wheelbase: 1 550 mm (61.0 in) Dry Weight: 238 kg (524 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 1135 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 124 hp/ 8,500 rpm, 10,7 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1985 Suzuki year code: F

GSX1100EF was introduced in July 1985 with the same specifications as the sister models GSX1100ESF and GSX1100EFF but without the fairing.

GSX 1100 E 1985 Overall Length: 2 240 mm (88.2 in) Overall Width: 730 mm (28.7 in) Overall Height: Wheelbase: 1 550 mm (61.0 in) Dry Weight: 238 kg (524 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 1135 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 124 hp/ 8,500 rpm, 10,7 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. The picture's bike is the U.S. model GS1150E. Click for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GSX 1100 E 1985 Overall Length: 2 240 mm (88.2 in) Overall Width: 730 mm (28.7 in) Overall Height: Wheelbase: 1 550 mm (61.0 in) Dry Weight: 238 kg (524 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 1135 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 124 hp/ 8,500 rpm, 10,7 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. The picture's bike is the U.S. model GS1150E. Click for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1986 Suzuki year code: G

GSX1100EG replaces the GSX1100EF in March 1986, still unfaired. Colors: red/white. GSX1100E/GS1150E was discontinued in October 1988.

GSX 1100 E 1986 Overall Length: 2 240 mm (88.2 in) Overall Width: 730 mm (28.7 in) Overall Height: Wheelbase: 1 550 mm (61.0 in) Dry Weight: 238 kg (524 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 1135 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 124 hp/ 8,500 rpm, 10,7 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

Here's a scanned copy of the GSX1100E Owner's Manual in pdf format:
Download manual (4.10 Mb)


More: Suzuki GSX models

More: Photos of Ron King's 1980 GS1100E

More: GS1100E (the US model)

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Partspartners.com etc.

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