Though the reasons for hiding away a top-of-the-line sportbike may be a head-scratcher, it’s a thrill to come upon the bike you lusted over back in the day – stock and barely used. This 1127cc K-variant has just 4,400 miles, stealth paint scheme, and spent all its nights in a Queens garage.
1989 Suzuki GXS-R1100 for sale on eBay
With a newly developed air-oil cooled engine shoehorned into the slightly modified frame from last year’s 750 model, the GSX-R1100 was poised to be the big Kahuna in 1989. The 138 hp package had a two-stage oil pump to ensure reliability, called the Suzuki Advanced Cooling System. The high-hipped aluminum frame was beefed up and had 43mm Kayaba cartridge forks in front, with Full Floater monoshock rear, both fully adjustable. Brakes were Suzuki’s own 310mm fronts with 4-piston calipers, and 240mm rear.
Appearing to be a one or maybe two-owner machine, this Gixxer has been preserved in its 1995 road condition. From the eBay auction:
Up for your consideration is a 1989 GSXR1100. I feel the condition of this bike is way above average for the year and miles (4400 miles). The originality speaks volumes as to who owned it and how it was treated. The bike was bought by me as a collector bike and never put on the street. It has been keep in my climate controlled garage for the past several years. Since most of these bikes have been crashed and repainted you would be hard pressed to fine another in the condition of mine . The only modification is the vance & hines exhaust which was installed at the dealer when new . This bike still wears its original michelin tires which i have included a picture of the date code. Please keep in mind that this is a 27 year old motorcycle that has been off the road since 1995 and will need normal maintenance if you have intentions of riding it. I won’t say anymore about that as I will let the pictures of the bike speak for themselves. If you have any questions or would like to make a reasonable offer please email me your # and the best time to call . All sales are final , no warranty and sold as is where is.
Though pre-season reviews were excellent, production GSX-R1100 K’s acquired a suspect reputation for handling, and with the bulletproof powerplant, many were lengthened into dragsters – street and strip. Luckily this one hasn’t been under the knife, and the suspension could be dialed in for the new owner. A carburetor rejuvenation is probably in the cards after all this time, and certainly new rubber. Though it would be great to see this monochrome endurance fairing steam past, this GSXR might have a future on display…
-donn
Without a doubt, hands-down, the worst handling sport bike I’ve ever ridden. Seems one end always wanted to go in a different direction than the other. As I recall, you simply could not touch the brakes at all after turn-in or it would try to stand bolt upright. Turns out super-long wheelbase with steep steering head angle & approaching-600lb. curb weight was not a recipe for handling success. Honda & Yamaha would later solve the liter-bike handling problem. Totally addictive power, though, & one of the best-looking Japanese bikes ever made, esp. in black & silver.
Beast! Love it. Reminds me of the good ‘ol days of the Suzuki cup racing.
GLWS, looks like a very clean GSXR 1100 classic.
Really nice, clean looking bike. I had a buddy with that bike who would terrorize the streets with that Vance and Hines super sport pipe.
I read a hilarious article years ago in one of the British bike mags covering the most beastly-handling sporting bikes ever and how to fix them. Triumph Speed Triple, Yamaha V-Max… And guess which other bike made the list, for exactly the reasons you mention? Strangely though, this is the GSX-R I’d actually want to own and ride. Carefully.
Why are you touching the brakes after turn in anyway? That’s a proverbial no no.
I bought one of these in that color in April 1989. I had no troubles and it worked pretty well for what it was. Anyone who rode back in the day knew the real scoop given a bike with a front tire that had air in it. If you expected an FZR400, you’d be disappoint for sure. Felt quite a git better than the ’91 IMO.
It’s factory dual exhaust was nearly 50lbs of dead weight, night and day difference when going to a light 4-1.
Uh… gravel, dogs, tighten the line, scrub off excessive speed, decreasing radius, oncoming traffic on wrong side of road, something partially blocking the lane, & a hundred other reasons. If you aren’t scraping footpegs, you likely still have front braking available to use as the situation requires. Odd comment.