Posts by Category: Suzuki

Featured Listing June 26, 2019 posted by
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Featured Listing: Tastefully modified 2001 Suzuki TL-1000S

The Suzuki TL-1000S was a monster of a sport naked that came out a little bit before the thirst for such things got really desperate, and then promptly got swamped in the publicity surrounding the TL-1000R superbike, which was supposed to beat Ducati at its own game. 

Unfortunately for Suzuki, the TLR whiffed as a racebike, but its market share still eclipsed the TLS, and some handling bugaboos for both bikes eventually spelled the TL nameplate’s end. 

But for those who caught on, the 2001 Suzuki TL-1000S is still an amazingly competent canyon stalker, a sort of bug-eyed Japanese Tuono. With a sporty riding position, big brakes, USD front suspension and nigh-on 120 horsepower on tap, they’re fully equipped to scare you witless. 

And this one has been tweaked and tuned heavily but tastefully, making it pretty close to the ultimate street TL. The list of mods is long, and we’ll let the seller give you the full rundown, but here are the highlights: Ohlins suspension front and rear, Brembo monoblocs, gold Carrozzeria forged wheels and a Yoshimura exhaust. 

The Ohlins set up not only brings a big splash of bling, it also takes care of Suzuki’s weird rotary damper rear suspension set up, which some riders reported could overheat and become scary. 

From the seller: 

2001 Suzuki TL1000S with clear Colorado Title: ~9000 miles
– OEM tank & fairings with minor nicks & scratches for its age
– Ohlins shock
– Ohlins R&T Fork (with Lindeman Engineering tune)
– Ohlins steering damper
– ride height adjuster for rear
– Taller tinted windscreen (by Puig)
– Carozzerria forged alloy wheels (3.5″ front/6 inch rear)
– Braking wave front rotors/lightened rear rotor + stainless lines
– Brembo monoblock calipers in front (from GSXR 1000)
– Brembo 19mm front brake master cylinder
– Brembo race rear caliper + Ladybird armless mount
– Yoshimura full stainless exhaust system (professionally restored/polished from Europe)
– Corbin front saddle
– 3″ riser handlebars
– emissions equipment removed
– Lightweight Lithium battery with charging pigtail
– Smart TRE + Yosh box programmed ECU
– Samco radiator hoses
– Pro-Tek rearsets + Vanzuki alloy rear brake reservoir
– Titanium nuts & bolts (swingarm, rear axle, front/rear brake rotors…)

If that list doesn’t make you jump at the chance to get your hands on this beast, ice runs in your veins. The bike is located in Colorado and the seller is asking $6,000. Shipping arrangements and costs are on the buyer. You can contact the seller at pekingduc1@gmail.com. 

Featured Listing: Tastefully modified 2001 Suzuki TL-1000S
Suzuki June 23, 2019 posted by
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Blunt Force Trauma: 1990 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

For a flagship superbike, the Suzuki GSX-R1100 looked relatively primitive on paper: oil/air cooled engine, twin cradle frame, five-speed gearbox… But the sledgehammer personality of the early GSX-R1100 makes it more collectible today, next to comparatively polished in-era competition from Honda and Yamaha. It may not have been the most sophisticated bike, but it did the job, and the engine is famed for being durable and responsive to tuning, with a wealth of go-fast expertise out there for anyone looking to build a big, bruising retro sportbike. It’s a handsome beast as well, with old-school looks and more tasteful graphics than the later Gixxers, combined with more modern running gear like those 17″ wheels that allow for riders to fit modern, grippy rubber.

The air and oil-cooled inline four was always the star of the show. It has dual overhead cams and sixteen valves, but stuck with what is basically air cooling, which does seem like a strange choice. But in the wild days of the 1980s, motorcycle designers were experimenting with all sorts of technology to maximize power and minimize weight. Japanese sportbikes were suffering from no deficiency in the former department, but weight was still a bit of an issue. So in developing the various GSX-Rs, Suzuki took a page out of Colin Chapman’s book and decided that keeping things simple meant fewer parts to fail, less of them to weigh the bike down, and a whole type of fluid the bike wouldn’t need. Namely: coolant.

To keep the bike operating within the appropriate temperature range, Suzuki employed a high-capacity oil pump, a dedicated oil circuit for the cylinder head, and oil jets for the bottom of the pistons. The system was dubbed “SACS” for Suzuki’s Advanced Cooling System, and it featured on the Gixxer lineup from the bike’s introduction until 1993. The GSX-R1100K introduced in 1989 bumped displacement to 1127cc from the original bike’s 1052cc and featured a set of 38mm Mikuni “Slingshot” semi-flat slide carburetors for a claimed 143hp and 75lb-ft of torque. Compared to today’s cutting edge superbikes, the GSX-R1100’s 462lb dry weight is still pretty portly and this version of the bike wasn’t especially successful in international racing, but the bike’s fat powerband meant the bike was a highway blaster par excellence and it was a popular choice for drag racing and all-around hooliganism here in the US.

From the original eBay listing: 1990 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

11,225 ORIGINAL miles, bike is in exceptional condition for a 29 year old machine. Untouched, original and exceptionally clean, but not perfect. Bike has been garaged since new. I had not started it or ridden it in about a year. I installed a new battery and drained the fuel bowls and it runs like new. Title is in my name and there are no back fees on registration.  Please feel free to ask me any questions.

Bidding on this clean, original example is up to $7,100.00 with several days left on the auction. This is one of my favorite sportbikes of the period, and this one looks like the perfect candidate for someone who wants a collector they can actually ride: condition appears to be good, but not perfect, and miles are low, but high enough to encourage the new owner add a few more. Suzuki sold lots of these when they were new, but very few remain in anything approaching collectible condition.

-tad

Blunt Force Trauma: 1990 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale
Suzuki June 10, 2019 posted by
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Featured Listing – 1989 GSX-R750 Slingshot

Update 7.23.2019: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Presented in their alternate red and white livery, this K-variant GSX-R750 is ready to do battle at the next street cred concours. It has a careful 12,000 miles which is low, but more of a survivor than babied collector. Suzuki designed it with a laser focus on light weight and usable power, which made the GSX-R750 instantly popular.

1989 Suzuki GSX-R750 Slingshot for sale on eBay

Suzuki went seriously oversquare in the comprehensive 1988 revision, the 73mm bore and 44.7mm stroke allowing 13,000 rpm and 112 hp. Still air/oil cooled though, which eliminated weight and complexity. 36mm Mikuni carbs featured the asymmetrical slide hence the “Slingshot” name, beside the way it took off from the starting line. The alloy frame was updated, but continued with its lightweight and braced theme, carrying the engine lower than before. Cartridge forks were still right side up, and the Full Floater swingarm controlled the rear. Brakes were a more modern size with 310mm front disks. Without a spec sheet or caliper you can see the wheels are wider and noise is contained by a 4-into-1 exhaust.

The owner Scott’s comments:

If you’ve always wanted a really nice Slingshot here’s your chance. Red with white just under 12,000 original miles. This is a true survivor which is mostly stock other than the airbox and Supertrapp silencer. New battery just serviced all new fluids and carburetor cleaning/rebuild, new rear brake line, petcock, and cush drive. Everything including dash lights are in perfect working order, its ready to go for the new owner. It comes with a hard to find unpainted rear seat cowl along with a back of the gas tank bra. It’s a lot of fun to ride for a thirty-year-old bike. Rides very close to a modern bike and makes great sounds. It’s never been down to the best of my knowledge.

Here’s the back story, I bought it with the thought of turning it into a vintage race bike. When my friends saw it, particularly one that’s a GSXR nut, they convinced me it was too nice the convert. They were not willing to buy it but would not let me race it! So I found a Slab-side that was a better candidate. As I’m more of a track guy my street riding in next to zero nowadays so this has been sitting in my climate-controlled Man Town.

I like to sell bikes with no stories hence the recent service. I would rate this an 8 out of 10. It’s not a museum piece but a really nice original survivor that you will be proud to ride and turns heads wherever you go. There are a few stress cracks in the bodywork which is normal. There’s also a crack in the top right side of the fairing right underneath the throttle.

I’m a fifty plus year old you guy that collects bikes so I am quite picky and tend to understate a bikes condition. It’s registered in New Hampshire which does not title anything over fifteen years old, but I do have the previous owner’s title. I do not need to sell this bike so please don’t waste either of our times. I have a more pictures and happy to answer any questions. Thanks for looking!

1989 was the second year of the 2.0 GSX-R750, and small changes were made, mostly to increase available lean angle ! Otherwise it was a fitting second generation of a middleweight bred for the track, and a great value for the ante. Rather than a sheltered collector, this unrestored survivor could be enjoyed inside and out.

-donn

Featured Listing – 1989 GSX-R750 Slingshot
Suzuki May 31, 2019 posted by
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Not Your Father’s – 1982 Suzuki GS1100E

A couple of years after Wes Cooley’s AMA Superbike Championships, Suzuki still had a potent weapon in their 1075cc straight four, and the twin downtube steel frame was a nice handler.  This Illinois survivor was lightly customized by a previous owner and looks like just the thing for cruise night.

1982 Suzuki GS100E for sale on eBay

Suzuki’s air and oil cooled engine was tuned for mid-range torque, and the GS1100E reports max torque of 68 ft.-lbs. at a reasonable 6,500 rpm, with 100 hp up at 8,700 rpm.  The four 34mm Mikuni carburetors make for great throttle response, though an active wrist will hasten your way through the 5.0 gallon tank.  Suspension is premium, with anti-dive and four settings for preload and rebound on the air-adjustable forks, and the shocks have five preload and four rebound selections.  Triple 275mm disks are more street-sized for the 535 lbs. dry weight.

Just over 15,000 miles divided by 37 years works out to a lot of time in the back of the garage, but just a couple of touch-ups stand between this GS and pretty nice paintwork.  An earlier rebuild prompted an extended swingarm and Vance & Hines 4-into-1 exhaust, giving a nice drag strip vibe along with the bikini fairing.  The owner offers a short walk-around – here – and has these comments in the eBay auction:

This is a incredibly nice 1982 Suzuki GS1100E with 15,000 original miles
Well maintained over the years by the previous owner this bike has had some tasteful mods over the years
Engine was re-ringed in 2004 at about 12K miles, documentation provided

Carbs are setup perfect with pods and a Vance & Hines 4 into 1 header
The rear swing arm is a chromed Vance & Hines 4″ stretch with a wider 150 rear tire
Bike has a few scratches and nicks here and there
Left side cover has 1 broken tab along with the right one but they stay in place
Aftermarket bullet fairing painted to match
Front tire is starting to show some age
Currently the headlight and tail light warning lights are on the dash even though the lamps are working fine, might have resolved before end of auction
Lots of receipts for thousands of dollars worth of work over the years and most of it was done 10+ years ago and then kept in great running order only putting on about 3K miles in the last 15 years
This bike is not for the meek, it rides very nice but goes wicked fast at the crack of the throttle
Comes with all the stock parts, exhaust, air filter housing and rear swing arm
Also has the owners manual

The GS1100E three-peated as Cycle World’s Superbike of the Year 1981-1983, and for the day was lighter and handled better than most.  The strip was a haven for the 1100, which routinely ran 11.5 second quarters.  The flow from tank to side cover to seat echoed the flagship Katana.  The sand metallic doesn’t shout for attention, but calmly states its presence – more forcefully once started, then undeniably as it accelerates away.

-donn

 

Not Your Father’s – 1982 Suzuki GS1100E
Suzuki May 22, 2019 posted by
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Featured Listing: 1992 Suzuki GSXR400 GK76

Gary in Utah has several bikes Featured on RSBFS right now. Check them out too:

Good luck to buyers and seller! -dc

Gary in Utah is at it again, trusting us this time with a lesser-known Japanese grey market 400, the 1992 Suzuki GSXR400. Among a raft of competition, the little Suzuki didn’t stand out, probably in part because it is the spitting image of the faster and better recognized GSXR750. But with 60 horsepower from  a 15,000-rpm four-banger and less than 400 pounds to push around, the GSXR400 isn’t to be trifled with.

The going doesn’t really get good until 6,000 rpm or so, but at that point you still have half the tach to play with. At the time, road testers complained about high pegs that really only made sense on a racetrack, and a chassis that lagged behind the others in development. Unless you’re planning to go for a class lap record on this bike, or are crazy enough to commute on it, we doubt you’ll notice.

As with everything Gary brings to the table, this one is in very close to immaculate shape, with just a few blemishes to show for its 27 trips around the sun. It has been fully serviced and is titled and road legal in Utah.

From the seller:

1992 GSXR400. It’s a gorgeous rider with only 10,944 miles. It’s all stock except for the Yoshimura slip on. All fairings are 100% genuine Suzuki OEM. Bike is excellent condition and has a few light scratches on the lower cowling and a rub mark on the left side rear cowling. There are a few tiny garage marks on the lower right side cowling also. Even with the blemishes, the bike looks amazing and the flaws don’t even catch the eye. This GSXR400 is a very clean bike and dripping with curb appeal. Bike is in tip top
shape and runs as good as it looks. Bike will arrive with new fluids and carbs have been cleaned and tuned. Bike is Utah titled and is titled as a street bike for road use. Bike comes with a rear seat cowling that covers the passenger seat to give the bike a solo rider look. Asking $6,999 or best offer and  I’m open to offers on all my bikes I have listed.

Feel free to contact me at 801-358-6537 or by email: rmurangemasters@aol.com

The asking price is near what you’d expect to shell out to walk out of a dealership with an FZ07 on your trailer, but where is the fun in that? Call Gary and get a solid dose of GSXR glory.

Featured Listing: 1992 Suzuki GSXR400 GK76
Suzuki May 15, 2019 posted by
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Featured Listing: 1983 Suzuki RGB500 Gamma Racer

8.28.2019: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

In our efforts to bring you, the reader, the very best of the best, RSBFS humbly offers you an honest-to-god, fire-breathing privateer Suzuki RGB500 GP bike! This is no ordinary Gamma converted for track usage. This is a bespoke racer – originally offered by the factory to independent racers of means – now available to allow interested parties to play out their Randy Mamola fantasies. When new, prospective buyers needed to provide significant backing and a racer’s resume in order to qualify for the relatively few bikes on offer – making this a rare and unique prospect for collectors.

Featured Listing: 1983 Suzuki RGB500 Gamma Racer

The resemblance of the RGB to the street-going Gamma is strictly intentional; the road bike was based on the successful GP racer. The racer was based on the desire to win GP events and provided Suzuki with invaluable marketing clout and the kind of credentials that only competition can bring. Thus the RGB was designed with a now ubiquitous square four, 500cc two stroke power plant. Consisting of two parallel twins mated together, the twin-crank engine utilized disk induction (as opposed to reed valves) on each bank of cylinders. And while the earliest engines resembled a cube, the more evolved editions featured stepped cylinders, with the rear bank elevated over the forward block. This presents a visually unique mechanical view, while offering cooling, weight placement and packaging enhancements. Liquid cooling was standard to minimize tolerances and maximize horsepower. The steel chassis offered a trick anti-dive front fork, Full Floater single shock rear suspension and a (very) necessary steering damper.

From the seller:
1983-1984 RGB 500 GAMMA – Extremely Rare Collector Racing Bike
A quick note before presenting its history: this Suzuki RG 500 Gamma is a “competition client” racing bike. This means that every year the manufacturer (Suzuki) offered private race teams a simpler version of their factory world winning bike used in the 500cc World Championship by its factory team. This version did not have all of the latest evolutions that the factory team had, but it was close enough to be used by private teams in World, European and National championships.

This is a NON STREET LEGAL bike. This “competition client” therefore DOES NOT HAVE A TITLE and NEVER DID. Of course a complete and detailed bill of sale / invoice will be provided to the buyer as proof of ownership.

More from the seller:
THE HISTORY
ONLY A FEW SOLD- TO PRIVATE TEAMS

In fact the chassis was not raced in 1983- Claude Fior who made (another) revolutionary bike/frame for the 1982-83 500cc European Championship – bought new this “competition client” racer only to use its 4 cylinder 500cc engine since he needed a motor. French Endurance World Champion racer Jean Laffond went onto winning the 500cc European Championship race at Le Castellet / Paul Ricard with this Fior/Suzuki this year.

At the end of the season they sold the bike (new chassis with the winning engine) to Franck Freon who had won several races in the 1983 French 500cc Promosport Championship and the Yamaha 350 RDLC Cup. Freon only raced a few times in 1984/85 with his RG 500 Gamma finishing 3rd at the Carole track in the 500cc French Open and 2nd at the same track in the 500cc French Championship sharing the podium with Christian Sarron and Thierry Espie.

Freon was on his way to move from 2 wheels to 4 wheels by wininning the Magny-Cours ELF Winfield Racing School at the end of 1985. He raced cars on 3 continents the next 18 years winning races in Formula Renault in France, Firestone Indy Lights Series in the US also winning the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, twice the GTS class at Petit Le Mans in Road Atlanta and competing 10 years in a row at the 24 Hours of Le Mans climbing 5 times on the podium among others.

More from the seller:
The bike is located in Paris, France at Franck Freon’s father’s motorcycle store where it has been displayed in the showroom since being retired in 1985. It was started regularly in the 90s’ and 2000’s but never rode or raced again. It’s complete, the engine is free and it was 100% running when it was used last. Of course it’s in need of a restoration since it’s now a 35 year old racing bike. We took many photos so you can see for yourself. Matching engine/chassis numbers. Simple history since brand new.

This is a collector racing bike – no real title exists. A certified invoice with the chassis number and engine number will be provided.

Asking price: $39,000

This is a very interesting offering with known provenance. Claude Fior is well known in chassis design circles and for the use of the Hossack-style front suspension (see pic below), and while this is not a Fior frame his connection with this bike is historically significant. And Franck Freon – while not necessarily a household name – is a successful racer both in the US as well as Europe. These facts make this a significant offering – not to mention that the bike is coming from The Man himself. There is provenance, and then there is proof. This offering seems to provide for both. In terms of rarity, “B” model Gammas certainly rank up there, with an estimated 25 or fewer units offered per type/year. Pricing is right in line of the few examples we have seen recently. Some recommissioning will be necessary for those intending to run the bike in anger, but a solid go-through should be considered mandatory for any track-bound weapon. Good Luck, and unleash your inner Mamola!

MI

Featured Listing: 1983 Suzuki RGB500 Gamma Racer
Suzuki May 14, 2019 posted by
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Featured Listing: 1989 Suzuki RGV250 SP

Here we go. RSBFS comfort food in its finest form and coming from one of our most trusted allies in Moto2 Imports. Like a big bowl of mom’s mac and cheese, there is little that can sate us like a pristine 1989 Suzuki RGV250SP. If you have followed us for any length of time, you know the numbers on these babies chapter and verse, but a good chorus is always worth repeating.

1989 Suzuki RGV250 SP Pepsi For Sale at Moto2 Imports

In ‘89, Suzuki’s two-stroke v-twin GP replica spat out the best part of 60 horsepower from a deliciously peaky powerplant that was endowed with years of GP paddock trickery. The paintwork aped Kevin Schwantz’s RG500 race livery, and outsized brakes and USD forks showed this thing intended no half-assery. It was also a damn sight cheaper than the legions of 1,000cc sportbikes prowling showrooms, and in the right hands could be made to keep up, at least when things got twisty.


Because these things were never sold in the U.S., thanks mostly to the EPA, but in part because we don’t have Europe’s tiered licensing laws, young riders on these shores were left with a bunch of uninspiring sub-500cc machines, or a suite of not beginner-friendly 600s. Wannabe racers in this country never learned the true joy of a featherweight, unforgiving two-stroke ripper.

This 1989 Suzuki RGV250 SP is as nice as they come, and wears nicer suspension front and rear and a close-ratio gearbox to separate itself from the non-SP machines. Everything on the bike is original with the exception of a set of stainless steel front brake lines, and it will be supplied fully serviced. It has a clean US title, so registering it should not pose a problem.

From the seller:

1989 Suzuki RGV250 VJ21 SP in factory Pepsi color scheme. The bike has 5,755 miles (9,265km) and has been prepped by our partner Speedwerks. The fairings and tank are all OEM and in very good (~9/10) condition. Chassis is similarly nice. The SP model features close-ratio gearbox and upgraded front/rear suspension, however contrary to popular opinion, the VJ21 SP did not come with a dry-clutch. Bike is all original, minus braided front brake lines. Tank interior is clean. The bike has been serviced and is in excellent running condition. Bike will come with a US title. Price is $9,999 or best offer and buyers can contact us at info@moto2imports.com or (844) 44-MOTO2

Even today, there isn’t much that weighs as little as this bike and packs a similar wallop, especially if you want blinkers and a license plate. If you really want to separate yourself from the ranks of FZ07s and Gixxers at your local cruise, look no further.

Featured Listing: 1989 Suzuki RGV250 SP
Suzuki April 28, 2019 posted by
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Featured Listing: 1997 Suzuki GSXR1100

Update 5.14.2019: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

I have always had a soft spot for Suzuki GSXR1100s for a couple reasons. First, when they bowed in the mid-1980s, they were absolutely one of the baddest machines you could buy, two wheels or four. They weighed nothing and had an absolutely insane engine. Over their run, they evolved into the thinking man’s sport tourer. They didn’t handle like their smaller badge mates, but they sure as hell went fast. And, compared to a lot of liter-plus mile-eaters, they went around turns with a fair amount of poise and grace. But by the mid-90s, they were an also-ran in the arms race, so they didn’t fly out of dealers the way CBR900RRs did.

1997 Suzuki GSXR1100 for sale on eBay

Which brings us to this 1997 Suzuki GSXR1100. It’s a bone stock, close to perfect example from the second to last year of the model. When the seller says it has zero flaws, he ain’t kidding. It’s exceedingly low mileage, to boot. That means it’s a modern sport tourer with classic pedigree, fabulous, blocky mid-90s Gixxer styling, and the running gear to take you from coast to coast in comfort and beyond 100 mph.

From the seller:

If you’ve always wanted a mint 1997 GSXR here’s your chance. This is a true time capsule that’s
in museum collecting condition. It’s totally bone stock including air box, cans and manufacturer
idiot stickers. It has 4300 original miles on it and looks like the day in left the dealership. No
chips, dings, anything. It seems like the previous owner detailed it after every ride. I was not
looking to buy this but when I saw the condition it was in; I could not help myself. It’s a disease.
As I am more of a track guy I do very little street riding anymore, no this has not been tracked.
As such it’s been sitting in my climate-controlled garage so time for a new home. I’m a picky 50
plus year old that collects bikes. Hence, I am very particular and tend to understate condition. I
can honestly rate this a 10 out of 10 as it has zero faults. The pictures speak for themselves. As I
like selling things with no stories the bike has just had all fluids changed, a new battery
installed, and the carburetors cleaned. It’s ready to be collected or ridden, your choice. You will
not be disappointed; I have many more pictures and happy to answer any questions. It’s
registered in New Hampshire which does not title anything over fifteen years old, but I do have
the previous owner’s title. I do not need to sell this bike so please don’t waste either of our
times. Thanks for looking.

As a now-classic example of one of motorcycling’s most famous marques, this thing has very few flies on it. It might not have been the fastest or nimblest in its day, but there’s no denying its pedigree, quality and power.

Featured Listing: 1997 Suzuki GSXR1100