Posts by tag: 1100

Suzuki July 15, 2016 posted by Donn

Big Boy Toy – 1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100

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

Suzuki April 29, 2016 posted by Tad Diemer

Serious Slabbie: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

A mix of big-bike power and light weight, Suzuki’s GSX-R set the tone for the modern superbike. At the time it was introduced, more and more bikes were being cooled by a strange new substance known as “water,” but the GSX-R remained uncluttered by hoses and unburdened by awkward heat-radiating devices: in an effort to slash unnecessary weight wherever possible, Suzuki kept the bike air/oil-cooled. When it debuted in 1986, one year after its littler brother, the 1052cc “1100” weighed a modest 434lbs and produced a stout 137hp. While obviously that’s a bit of a yawn for riders used to reading about 200bhp road missiles, those 137 ponies offer up midrange-rich pull that can still entertain, especially once you throw a set of curves at it…

Stopping wasn’t a problem: braking was handled by Suzuki’s “Deca-Piston” setup with a pair of four-piston calipers up front and a twin piston in the rear. And the bike’s suspension was certainly state-of-the-art, at least on paper, and featured Suzuki’s “Full-Floater” rear suspension that used a set of linkages both top and bottom for a much more progressive action than what you’d typically find on a stiffly-sprung sportbike. But while the bike was definitely more nimble than the big-bore superbikes it replaced, the 1100 was really much better in a straight line than in the corners.

These days, the big slab-sided Gixxer is probably less a canyon-carver and more a very fast nostalgia machine. Suzuki fiddled with the suspension from year-to-year but the GSX-R1100 was never really known for its handling, at least in the positive sense, and those 18” wheels just make things more of a challenge, since good rubber is hard to find in that size…

Today’s example is surprisingly clean, and those braided brake and clutch lines look new. GSX-Rs of all stripes sold well, so they certainly wouldn’t have been very rare at the time. But thirty years of use and abuse have seen most of these blown up, ridden into hedges, or left sadly to rot.

From the original eBay listing: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100G for Sale

The bike is 100% stock. It has new spark plugs, fresh Motul RBF600 brake fluid, fresh golden Spectro 10W40 oil. It has new brake pads and tires. It has a new drive chain and a new clutch, along with a new Shorai battery. It has fresh powder-coated calipers and Galfer stainless steel brake lines. It has a new stock air filter. It has a Suzuki brand new wiring harness. The front fork brace is a custom made piece made from 7075 aircraft aluminum, the fork seals are new and there is fresh fork oil.

The bike is all Suzuki parts with the exception of the ignition switch and the brake lines. The windscreen is also aftermarket. The stock exhaust is ceramic coated inside and out. It comes with a Suzuki-branded sportbike cover and, if the buyer wants, an extra complete stock motor and a set of virgin, untouched carburetors for an added fee.

Mileage isn’t all that low at 18,000 but, considering the obvious care that’s gone into the bike, shouldn’t be too much cause for concern. Examples like this are few and far between, and starting to attract serious attention from collectors, but it looks like the seller is aiming a bit too high, with no takers yet at a $7,750.00 starting bid. And there’s that sinister dark side not often mentioned when discussing the GSX-R: although its combination of accessible, reliable, affordable performance may have helped to usher in the modern sports motorcycle, the “Gixxer” may also have helped to spawn the very first primitive examples of the notorious Squidus Americanus that frustratingly clog both highway and YouTube…

-tad

Serious Slabbie: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

Suzuki February 19, 2016 posted by Tad Diemer

Featured Listing: 1990 Suzuki GSXR-1100 for Sale

Update 6.12.2016: SOLD!

Price is $7,500

Introduced in 1986, the GSX-R1100 followed the age-old tradition of stuffing a big motor into a small package. It was more complicated than that, of course, and the 1100 isn’t just a 750 with a bigger engine. But the idea is there, and it can easily be argued that the Gixxer 1100 was the start of the big-bore sportbike craze. Beloved of hooligans, it had a mystique that later, faster, nimbler bikes could never quite match.

The first-generation “Slabby” models are clearly dated by their 18″ wheels and tiny brakes, while the later models are distinguished by their garishly jagged 90s paint schemes. But these middle child “Slingshot” K and L models from 89-90 have been largely forgotten. At the time, Suzuki couldn’t seem to sort out the handling and the bikes have a bit of a reputation that had owners fitting bits from the 750s in an effort to get the handling they expected.

Looking at them today, it’s easy to appreciate them for what they are: big, fast, and nearly unburstable. The oil and air-cooled, 16-valve inline fours displaced 1127cc in this iteration, with an honest 140hp in stock form and could be easily tuned for much more. Drag racers loved the engine and the engine can handle turbos and nitrous with relative ease.

Unfortunately, that means its getting harder and harder to find unthrashed examples like today’s featured listing, especially in this very subtle and classy black-on-grey scheme.

From the seller: 1990 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

Up for your consideration is a 1990 Suzuki GSXR1100. This bike has had a very easy life considering. I feel the condition of this bike is way above average for the year and miles (9,933 miles). The originality speaks volumes as to who owned it and how it was treated. I won’t say any more about that as I will let the pictures of the bike speak for themselves. The bike was bought by me as a collector bike and never put on the street.

It has been thoroughly cleaned twice while in my care. It is detailed and would be a great addition for any collector or anyone whom just wants to ride it. It is this bikes originality that makes it so special…

Problem areas:

The right rear tailpiece has a broken tab (the one that is the male piece into a rubber circle).

There are some very minor stone chips here and there. This is a used bike that has almost ten thousand miles so some wear is expected.

Steering damper; they typically last 5-7 years and fail so this is a common issue with a bike of this age

The rear shock needs to be rebuilt (rebound is like a pogo stick)

There are some small imperfections under the clear coat on the tank – see pictures for details as you will see they look like dots in certain areas

Does not come with a battery

Has an aftermarket windscreen

That is it. Other than those items the bike is all there. It does include a manual, key, and previous maintenance records that are handwritten on original dealer document pouch:

Original purchase date was 6/30/90 from Suzuki World, Inc in Warwick, RI

600 mile check-in at 628 miles on 9/6/90

Next service was 4,065 miles on 8/6/94

Also includes binder with all articles and such from over the years. You are buying this bike from a enthusiast collector so I think you will be happy. The bike has had an oil change and tank and cabs drained while in my care.

This bike is on the rise in value and will follow the slab sided bikes that have just been white hot. It is very easy to see the trends and while most average bikes will get average prices the really good ones always bring the really good money. I was told long ago by a well renowned collector always buy the best you can afford as the best condition always is the most sought after, and always originality trumps restored. They can be restored hundreds of times and original once. This bike is not an ordinary bike and is not for most as you will see with the pricing. This bike is for the buyer that wants low mile, original bike, in great condition and will pay a premium for it.

I have listed and sold lots of bikes over the years without a single complaint. All were pleasantly surprised and all expectations were met, most even became friends after the purchase.

I will be listing a few bikes so please take a look and see if any of them tempt you! It is time to thin the herd so to speak. Good luck!

Price is $7,500

It’s not absolutely perfect, as clearly indicated by the seller, but it’s about as close as you’ll likely find. The minor blemishes are to be expected, the mechanical issues simple to fix, and in the hands of a sympathetic enthusiast, this bike should provide many years of fast touring and back road blasting.

-tad

Featured Listing: 1990 Suzuki GSXR-1100 for Sale

Suzuki September 30, 2015 posted by Donn

Gorilla For Sale – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100

The big-bore sportbike can lead a hard life, racing from light to light, changing hands often – it’s rare to see one survive without some half thought-out mods and undamaged, but here is the exception. The GSX-R models were the right step for Suzuki after many years developing the GS and Katana, introducing the 750 and 1100 to the USA in 1986 and starting a dynasty. Lightweight for the time, with the beginnings of alloy frame construction and a now legendary powerplant, the GSX-R1100 is a once and future flagship.

1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for sale on eBay

Suzuki’s 1052cc mill is air and oil-cooled, with a newly designed two-stage oil pump providing high pressure to the bearings and lower pressure feed to cool the internals. The carburetted engine with double overhead cams generates 125 hp and 76 ft-lbs. torque. It’s laid in a cradle of aluminum extrusions welded to cast connectors and steering head, more heavily built than the 750 frame and quite rigid. Only five speeds are required with all that torque. 41mm front forks are fully adjustable, and Full Floater monoshock rear shock is adjustable for rebound. Twin 310mm disks are up front with 4-piston calipers, and a single 220mm disk follows.

This GSX-R has almost 12,000 miles but it doesn’t amount to even light wear over just about 30 years. Surprisingly stock for a liter bike of a certain age, most have been “improved” or all the alloys polished, re-painted or even re-bodied. Looks super in the pictures, just a couple of notes in the eBay auction:

Features:
Has original Air Box, Exhaust, all wire ties, all frame plugs, hardware, assembly check paint on bolt heads, original brush finish on frame. Runs as good as it looks. Bike is 99% original I’d say.

Whats NOT original:
Windshield
Battery (brand new sealed Yuasa brand)
Tires (brand new Bridgestone BT45s)

Bidding started almost as soon as it was posted, and there’s no telling what a time machine like this can bring. Tests from the day praised the big machine’s handling, torque and light weight, it’d be something to step back in time and smash an 11-second quarter-mile or straighten out Laguna Seca…

-donn

Gorilla For Sale – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100

Suzuki July 31, 2015 posted by Marty

Big Shot: 1991 GSX-1100R Slingshot, only 7750 miles

Good news everyone! Today we get to take a trip to the past, into a time before fuel injection, ABS and traction control, when two wheel slides out of the corners were still seen in top level racing (ala Gary McCoy). This was an era of serious performance that required a feather touch on the throttle and brakes instead of just point and squirt like they do nowadays.

Bonus points to those who read the paragraph above in the voice Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth 😉 – Marty

1991 Suzuki GSX-1100R on ebay

In all seriousness, the brute performance focus of the era showed in the bikes, and perhaps the one that did this the best was the Suzuki GSX-1100R. The big level performance focus of the big Suzuki is clearly seen in its design; not beautiful like a Ducati 916 or modern MV Agusta, the big GSX-1100R is a blunt instrument with aggressive angles and perhaps even a whiff of the quarter mile.

While the original 1989 GSX-1100R K model had a reputation for handling problems which was finally traced to incorrectly setup suspension units, by the time this 1991 2nd generation L/M model was produced the wheelbase had been lengthened and the front fairing was reworked to improve aerodynamics. Perhaps most famously the 2nd generation GSX-1100R came with Mikuni carbs that had vacuum operated slides. The slides cross section resembled the shape of a slingshot, hence the bikes nickname.

This particular 1991 looks to be in almost totally OEM condition, with the often replaced turn signals still intact and the original clear windscreen still in place. A Yoshimura exhaust canister appears to be the only non-stock item. Overall the bike looks amazingly clean – the only issue I am seeing in the pics is the rear brake caliper looks a little offcolor and the bolts look like they have some white residue.

Mileage is listed at a barely broken in 7550 miles but I would be willing to bet the majority of those came back in the early 1990’s so I would expect fluids might need to be replaced. The seller doesn’t provide much service history but they do indicate fresh rubber has been mounted and a fresh service of the carburetors have been done. The seller also lists some new parts are available but not installed, including a new rear rotor, grips and switchgear.

Now we come to the question of whether this big slingshot is worth the $5,500 USD asking price. The 1100 series doesn’t seem to be as high on most collectors wish lists as the 750cc series so its not surprising prices for the 1100 series still don’t seem to be as high as the 750cc model but as the supply of pristine slingshot edition Suzukis’ continues to dwindle, the price for the big 1100 does seem to be creeping up.

Previous versions of the big GSX-R posted on RSBFS have shown prices varying from a low of $2800 USD for clean examples of the next/3rd gen/”tiger stripes” model up to a high of $6500 USD for similar 2nd generation slingshots.

The $5500 USD asking price for this one actually seems a bit cheap to me and it will probably move pretty quickly. If this one is on your list, you will probably want to move quickly (no pun intended).

-Marty/Dallaslavowner

Big Shot: 1991 GSX-1100R Slingshot, only 7750 miles

Suzuki May 1, 2015 posted by Tad Diemer

Edgy Styling: 1982 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana for Sale

Introduced in 1981, the GSX1100S “Katana” was styled by Hans Muth, formerly of BMW and appeared to have been sculpted by someone wielding its namesake. So much for “conservative German design”!

The new bike was powered by Suzuki’s 1074cc, air/oil-cooled four-cylinder hung in a relatively conventional twin-shock frame. While the technology under the skin was far from cutting-edge [pun!], the look certainly was, with a slippery design shaped by wind tunnel testing, a relative rarity for motorcycles at the time. And in spite of it’s almost shockingly edgy style, it did sell well, and helped set the stage for every modern sport bike that followed.

That fairing was designed for piercing the air, instead of protecting the rider, allowing for higher speeds. Even the gauges are compact, with dials that virtually overlap to save space in the dash that needed to tuck in behind the small screen.

From the original eBay listing: 1982 Suzuki Katana for Sale

I purchased this Katana in 2008 in a very sorry state. The bike had sat outside for a long time, but it was mostly complete and only had 4535 miles. The bike received a full frame up restoration starting in 2009. The bike was disassembled completely, the frame was powder coated silver and the bike was reassembled – the fairing frame, side stand, fuse holder and other black parts were powder coated black. The reassembly included numerous new OEM fasteners, and many new OEM parts including pegs, mirrors, grips, cables etc. The engine was in excellent condition which was to be expected given the low miles – it received a valve adjustment, new external gaskets and carb insulators. Oil and filter have been changed every season while I have owned the bike. A ‘Big Crank’ AGM battery in the stock size was fitted. The ignition and charging system is stock. The bike always starts easily and runs very well. No nasty noises, smoke or leaks – it pulls strongly from low revs and is smooth at all speeds. I would not hesitate to ride it any distance. The bike has never failed to start for me or ever left me stranded in the 7 years I have owned it.

Take a look at that original eBay listing: the seller describes the bike in plenty of detail, and includes a video of the bike running. I happen to really like the wire wheels on this bike, and the seller is correct that there is a historical precedent: the factory GSX1100SXZ race bikes and road machines sent to New Zealand and Australia featured wire, instead of cast wheels.

Early Katanas are still available for very reasonable prices, but I can’t imagine that this will continue for much longer. While overshadowed by the later GSX-R, the Katana was a serious high-performance machine with a truly distinctive style that has stood the test of time. Even better than a time-capsule, all-original example, this ground-up restoration was built to be ridden, but still manages to stay true to the spirit of the bike.

-tad

Edgy Styling: 1982 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana for Sale

Suzuki March 5, 2015 posted by Tad Diemer

Mile-Eater: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

In 1986, one year after it was introduced, the GSX-R750 got a delinquent bigger brother, a misfit bike with race track looks that wasn’t eligible for any race track longer than a quarter mile or one with corners… As in the original Gixxer, the 137hp, 1074cc inline four-cylinder that powered the GSX-R1100 eschewed liquid-cooling to save weight, and Suzuki used a specially-designed oil pump with two chambers that could provide both cooling and lubrication. Of course “Suzuki Advanced Cooling System” sounds much more exciting and “SACS” looks much cooler featured prominently on the side panels.

The frame ran over the engine so the bike carried much of its nearly 500 pound weight up far too high for agility, and the 1100 isn’t really keen on changing line once heeled over in a turn. The later ’89-’90 bikes were worse, and Suzuki tinkered with the frame and suspension throughout its life, although they never got these to handle like their smaller siblings.

But this original bad-boy became the darling of hooligans and drag racers. In spite of numbers that look unimpressive now, these offered absolutely brutal performance at the time. The 1100 also has a reputation for unburstability and can handle far more power: many hop-up and tuning parts exist for racers and guys who just want to lay a really fat rolling burnout…

So while these aren’t nimble canyon-carvers, that big fairing and juicy midrange punch makes the Gixxer 1100 an excellent, mile-destroying grand touring machine, much like its more modern descendent, the Hayabusa.

From the original eBay listing: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

This is my 1986 GSX-R that is being offered at a very low reserve for what it is. These old school GSX-R’s are getting very rare to come by and are doing nothing but going up in value. I bought a few years ago to restore to brand new condition. I just don’t have the time to restore it now. Recently pulled it out of the garage after not touching it for about a year and a half. I put in a new battery, gas and oil and she started right up. She runs rough, I’m pretty sure carbs just need cleaning. The clutch is real soft, I think it needs to be bled. The clear coat on the gas tank and some fairing pieces are peeling. Some of the fairing pieces have cracks from being dropped. Bottom left fairing was repaired but wasn’t a great job. Probably needs to be redone (see pic) I might be being picky about the bad things but I have 100% positive feedback and I don’t want anyone mislead. The bike is still really nice for its age and I only bought it a couple years ago because it ran great and needed some cosmetic stuff. Also, the bike has newer tires, just bought a used OEM windshield, a rear seat cowl, and matching pad.

Bidding is at $2,950 with very little time left on the auction. It’s hard to tell from the photos, since the sun washes out some detail, this looks to be in very decent original shape. Considering the age, it looks to be very complete, although there are some paint flaws and scratches. While high miles may detract from the value for collectors, folks who want to ride their bikes know that miles aren’t nearly as important as maintenance: as mentioned above, these motors are very rugged and can handle much more horsepower.

It might make an excellent restoration candidate if you’re obsessed with perfection, or just a really cool bike to ride as-is. Or use it to lurk at local bike nights so you can leave in a cloud of tire smoke…

-tad

Mile-Eater: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

Bimota February 25, 2015 posted by Tad Diemer

Hand-Built Italian Style: 1983 Bimota SB4 for Sale

In an era of mass-produced sportbikes, it’s easy to miss the details that made bikes like the Bimota SB4 so special. Virtually every modern manufacturer makes concessions to mass-production, and machines that, at first glance, look gorgeous can get a bit ugly in the details. MV Agusta’s F3 675 is a beautiful sleek, wasp of a motorcycle, but the stock clip-ons are obviously a cost-saving measure… But these early Bimotas, although far from perfect in terms of performance as-delivered, feature an attention to detail that is virtually extinct.

Powered by the durable and tunable 1075 air-cooled Suzuki GSX four-cylinder and five-speed transmission, the SB4 continued Bimota’s tradition of fitting reliable Japanese engines into state-of-the-art frames. That frame was made from chrome-moly tubing with machined aluminum side-plates and helped the bike achieve a svelte dry weight of about 405 lbs. The SB4 rolled on 16″ modular wheels fitted with radial tires, another pair of exotic features on a bike from an era of bias-ply tires.

From the original eBay listing: 1983 Bimota SB4 for Sale

Bimota SB4 1100cc

model year 1983

VIN 00229

Built alongside the HB2 was the SB4 using Suzuki’s 1100cc Katana power plant, this is the rarer fully faired model painted up is the one off stunning Bimota race colours and is in amazing excellent condition throughout

Ride and collect! Bulletproof investment.

Bike is currently located in Stowmarket, England but i can get them delivered all around the World at cost, no problem.

We can supply US contact as reference.

Bidding is active and currently sits at $7,600 with the reserve not yet met. With just 272 built, the SB4 is exceptionally rare and offers a great value with top-shelf construction and a distinguished pedigree. If you’re looking for a bike that has real potential to appreciate, these early Bimotas are pretty hard to beat.

-tad