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Suzuki GS1000G/GL
1980-1982
| I have tried to tell the history of the different Suzuki
GS 1100 G models on this page the best I know how.
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.
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1980 Suzuki year code: T
A shaft-driven heavy weight tourer, GS1000G, fitted with a 22
liter (5.8 US gal) fuel tank was introduced in May 1980 as a
1980 year's model (GS1000GT). Except for cosmetic differences
and the shaft drive, the GS1000G had a lot in common with the
rest of the GS1000 model family. Manufactured between 1980 and
1982.
By the time the 16-valve 1100cc engine was developed, replacing
the 8-valve 1000cc four, Suzuki was also building a sports tourer
with shaft drive, based on the GS750 engine. In Japan you could
choose between the GS750G or GS850G but the rest of the world
could buy the 850cc version, starting from 1979. It sold well
but many customers wished that Suzuki had used the more powerful
1000cc instead.
They didn't have to wait that long. The GS1000G came the following
year. Parts of the engine were similar to the GS1000E engine
and parts of it came from the GS850G. The cylinders, cylinder
head, pistons and carburetors came from the GS1000E, and so
did even the whole big end, apart from the primary transmission,
that was modified.
The gearbox comes from the GS850G, the only difference being
that couple of the sprockets are hardened to stand against the
higher torque. The GS1000G overall gearing ratios are higher
compared to the GS850G, depending on a different sprockets between
the gearbox and the shaft.
Suzuki put a lot of effort and in money in developing a shaft
drive that didn't have the negative effect the shafties always
had, lifting the rear end when accelerating, and managedquite
well. ”It is actually the first shaft driven motorcycle
we have ridden that feels like it was chain driven”, a
reporter from a Swedish bike magazine wrote back in the early
eighties.
As its chain driven sister, even the touring model had advanced
suspension of the big brother was more advanced, using 37mm
Kayaba air and oil dampened front fork and Kayaba rear shocks.
The model had 275mm (10.8 in) twin disc at the front and similar
single disc at the rear. The front brake was considered excellent
in 1980 but the rear brake was almost too efficient, making
it too easy to lock the rear wheel.
The claimed maximum power output is the same for the chain and
shaft drive machines but there is a difference between the models.
The GS1000G has different exhausts and the maximum torque is
gained at lower revs. That, and the air filter system from the
smaller GS850G results to slightly lower power output, compared
to the GS1000E.
Available in Blue, Black and Red.
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 1980 Suzuki GS
1000 G
Overall Length: 2 300 mm (90.6 in)
Overall Width: 905 mm (35.6 in)
Overall Height: 1 260 mm (49.6 in)
Seat Height: 800 mm (31.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 525 mm (60.0 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 250 kg (550 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 997 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 90 ps
(66 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 8.0 kg-m @ 7 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
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Suzuki introduced another shaftie in 1980 fitting a shaft drive
the GS1000L. GS1000GL used the same mechanics as the GS1000G
but borrowed the style of the GS1000L with smaller fuel tank,
high handlebars and stepped seat. Notice the different front fork.
GS1000GL was manufactured between 1980 and 1982.
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 1980 Suzuki GS1000GL
Overall Length: 2 275 mm (89.6 in)
Overall Width: 900 mm (35.4 in)
Overall Height: 1 230 mm (48.4 in)
Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in)
Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in)
Dry Weight: 250 kg (551 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 997 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 90 ps
(66 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 8.0 kg-m @ 7 500 rpm
The picture shows a Suzuki GS1000L.
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1981 Suzuki year code: X
The shaft-driven model now being the only one liter GS model with
an eight-valve engine, the '81 GS1000GX was presented in January
1981. Some minor modifications: new-designed seat, influenced
by the custom model (GS1000GL) and especielly the '77 pre-launch
GS1000 seat. Black rectangular indicator heads instead of
chromed ones.
As you can see in the pictures below, the American model (the
red one) had higher handlebars than the European version (black/blue).
Here's some
GS1000G magazine ads.
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 1981 Suzuki GS
1000 G
Overall Length:
Overall Width:
Overall Height:
Wheelbase: 1 525 mm (60.0 in)
Dry Weight: 247 kg (543 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 997 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 90 ps
(66 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 8.0 kg-m @ 7 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
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 1981 Suzuki GS 1000 G
1981
Overall Length:
Overall Width:
Overall Height:
Seat Height: 813 mm (32.0 in)
Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in)
Dry Weight: 247 kg (543 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 997 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 90 ps
(66 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 8.0 kg-m @ 7 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
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 1981 Suzuki GS 1000 GL
Overall Length: 2 275 mm (89.6 in)
Overall Width: 900 mm (35.4 in)
Overall Height: 1 230 mm (48.4 in)
Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in)
Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in)
Dry Weight: 250 kg (551 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 997 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 90 ps
(66 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 8.0 kg-m @ 7 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
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1981 GS1000G, picture sent by Michael, Michael's
GS Classic. Click to enlarge.
Suzuki
model year code: Z
The manufacturing of the 1981 year's GS1000GX was continued until
the model was replaced with the GS1100G in June 1982.
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