Posts tagged as “Gixxer”

Dave eats a Ducati – 2006 Suzuki K5 GSX-R 1000R

Published March 12, 2023 by Norman

2006 Suzuki K5 GSXR-1000R

At first glance, the most intriguing aspect of this motorcycle looks like it would be the polished rims. The untrained eye may just keep on scrolling. The trained eye, however, knows that this is one of the most well-rounded superbikes of all time.

Engineering is all about compromises – how well do you want your machine to be at any one particular thing? The K5 is unique in this sense because it seems to have made the impression on it’s owners that there was very little compromise made when designing it! It did everything from commuting to touring to track days about as well as a super bike could do them. The inputs, ergonomics, motor, chassis, and aesthetics were all executed so well that there are still virtually no complaints about the K5 in any setting. No frills. Just excellence.

One of the key contributors to the success of the K5 is the motor. While the spec sheet didn’t break any records, the breadth of torque and power across the rev range made this a fun bike to ride everywhere. High-end hp is good for the track but the city roads and highways have a different set of demands that the well-rounded K5 motor was easily able to meet. This motor was so good that Suzuki saw it fit to be a starting point for their their modern heavyweight naked and sport tourer that are on showroom floors today. Some people were upset that Suzuki is still selling a 15 year old motor. I guess motors haven’t changed THAT much since then and those people are probably just salty they overpaid for the same thing elsewhere. Surprisingly, no one complains about the DRZ400 and DR650…

Another key contributor was the weight…or the lack thereof. The performance bike battle of the 90s and 00s can be defined in broad strokes by the pursuit of higher hp and lower weights. The K5 was the lightest liter bike Suzuki had ever released at 366 lbs dry. Every liter bike they released after was heavier.

From the seller:

“…6677 miles

Power commander

New tires this past September (maybe 200 miles on them)

New GPR stabilizer

New pazzo levers

New mirror block offs with integrated signals

HID bulbs

Plate mount

Full Yoshimura exhaust

Double bubble wind screen

Aftermarket main seat

Passenger seat and cowl cover

3rd owner. Adult owned since purchased. Meticulously maintained. Stored in climate controlled building during off-seasons. No dings, dents, or scratches. Never been dropped or wrecked.

Stock mirrors and levers included…”

So who is Dave and how did he manage to eat a Ducati? Mmm it’s a bit hard to describe… If Dave were a person he would be a 50 year old tech founder from Silicon Valley turned hippie. He may have been led astray from his glory days but he’s still highly dangerous due to his understanding of the fundamentals. I’m referring to a RevZilla piece where the hosts decided to pit a beat up K5 against a brand new Ducati V4 on a track to see how effective the modern stuff is. I won’t give away any more of the story but I highly recommend it if you haven’t already seen it.

The success of that video makes for a good closing argument as to why the the K5 is the pound for pound #1 in the liter bike game. Arguably more important are the stories and anecdotes you’ll hear at the race track or at the bar from those lucky enough get acquainted with the legendary K5.

Thanks for reading!

Norm

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Almost NOS – Low Mile 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750

Published August 21, 2022 by Donn

This classic Suzuki has an interesting story behind it, a replacement instrument cluster, and not exactly verifiable miles. Ordinarily it would be met with an eye-roll, but the surprisingly original finishes and equipment make this listing practically a scholarly reference.

1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 for sale on eBay

’86 was the first year for a stateside GSX-R750, and it’s such a landmark bike that revelations about the model are hard to come by. The small-pattern alloy chassis was lightweight and finned engine had an oil cooler almost as big as a water radiator. Wheelies and stoppies seemed to be the way to faster lap times, and the GSX-R750 was happy to help out. A big mac over 400 lbs. wet, its light weight surprised reviewers at the time.

Kicking around dealer facilities for 30-plus years, this GSX-R got only a few hints of rash which were easily corrected. As discussed in the eBay auction, major 2019 maintenance took care of the deferred items –

In April of 2019 the following servicing was done at the time of my purchasing:
I insisted he open it up to check the valvetrain tolerances, to help me verify the story. The valves were in proper adjustment. ( They were spot-on from the Factory )
The Carbs were Rebuilt.
The Brake Master and Clutch Master Cylinders were rebuilt and both systems serviced.
ALL Other Fluids were serviced.
Tires were replaced.
Chain serviced.
New Battery.
New Shifter and Brake Rubbers (dry cracking)
New kick panel Protector Sticker (dry cracking)
Suzuki OEM Tool Kit.

Maybe you had one in 1986, or passed on a nice used one in 1996 – even that is a generation in the rearview mirror. Surprising this auction wasn’t done a while back, and more than a little interesting that a few days have passed with no bids. It really is the bike that started the GSX-R dynasty, and is practically how it left the showroom. This one’s got its own tab for the duration.

-donn

5 Responses.

Featured Listing – 1992 Suzuki GSX-R1100

Published August 1, 2022 by Norman

Update 8.1.2022: This bike SOLD to an RSBFS reader in just 24 hours! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Featured Listing – 1992 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for $15,500 – RSBFS Exclusive

Some of the sharpest bikes that have sold on RSBFS come from Chris Perkins (gsxronly@aol.com). We’re glad when he reaches out since we don’t really have to do much. Immaculate photography and quality collector pieces always make for an easy sales pitch. However, we’re not the only benefactors. When Chris decides to sell, he’s really doing the rest of the world a favor by spreading some his survivors or restomods around for the community to enjoy. His most recent offering is what I like to refer to as an OEM+ 1992 Suzuki GSX-R1100 with 3,172 miles.

There is a strong argument to be made that the Suzukis and Hondas that rolled out of Japan in the 80s and 90s are the hottest collector motorcycles out there today. The combination of Jennifer Anniston-esque aging and now-wealthy prior owners is resulting in incredible values for a generation of bikes that were on death’s doorstep not too long ago. The feel that comes with a bike designed without heavy electronic influence is very hard to achieve today and therefore all the more valuable.

It all started with the GSX-R750. The 750 class of race bikes were very stout due to the sport bike development race that started in the 80s. Eventually, these bikes and their race technology ended up in the hands of enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies across the globe. While the 750 was popular amongst this group, the lust for power never really subsides. The desire for more power meant a need for more displacement. The role of the 1100 in Suzuki’s lineup was to provide time-warping speed with the sporty feel and technology that was present at the racetrack. The 1992 1100 added nearly 25 hp over its original model year and that was mainly due to a 10% bump in displacement and the addition of oil cooling. All that power could spin the GSX-R1100 up to nearly 170 mph. Nothing to scoff at for a bike that is 30 years old.

From the seller

-Up for offer is a Reconditioned, Slightly Modified 1992 SUZUKI GSX-R1100

-Purists need not apply

-Completely serviced and ready to ride, dry stored (no fuel)

-Perfect for shipping, display or fill it with fuel and ride it

-It takes quite a bit of time, capital and skill to resurrect these old bikes

-If you are thinking of restoring one of these, be prepared for lengthy delays in finding parts no longer produced, shipping delays (6 weeks w/ DHL crate from Japan) when you do find the parts, and the time to install all of them. As well as the expense of international shipping….

-CLEAN FLORIDA TITLE

-Mileage Exempt due to age of bike, arrived with 3172 miles on the clock

-Former Massachusetts bike stored for years

-All work not otherwise noted was performed by GSXRONLY in Clermont FL

-Bike is located in Clermont FL, shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser

-Assistance can be given with respect to coordinating with your shipper

-All receipts and work orders are available for review and copies can be included in sale

The entire build starts with the wheel bearings and continues from there:

-Stock GSX-R1100 (1127) engine

-New NGK plugs

-New Oil and OEM Suzuki filter

-Suzuki OEM Wheel Bearings

-1998 SUZUKI GSX-R1100 Front and Rear Straight Spoke Wheels Powder Coated by Metal Finish Clermont FL

-Rebuilt Front Forks to OEM Spec (bushings, seals and fluid) by Seminole Power Sports North Tavares FL USA

-Triple tree bearings serviced

-1998 GSX-R1100 Rear Swing arm

-NEW DUNLOP Q3 Tires Front and Rear

-NEW EBC Wave Rotors, Front and Rear

-6 PISTON TOKICO Calipers, Fully Rebuilt with OEM Suzuki Parts, Powder Coated by Metal Finish Clermont FL USA

-SPIEGLER Brake lines, Front and Rear spieglerusa.com/

-SPIEGLER Clutch Line

-Titanium Banjo Bolts And Double Banjo Bleeder from Addiction MotorSports UK

-Rebuilt Front and Rear Brake masters by Seminole Power Sports North Tavares FL USA

-Rebuilt Clutch Master

-EBC PADS

-RK 520 Gold Chain

-SUPERSPROX Chain Wheel set

-FOX TWIN CLICKER Rear Shock Fully Rebuilt By Blommel MotorSports Dade City FL USA

-YOSHIMURA Duplex Header

-YOSHIMURA Carbon Fiber Silencer

-OEM SUZUKI Bodywork

-OEM Solo Tail with Suzuki Decals

-OEM Sub Fender

-OEM Turn Signals

-OEM reflectors

-Clean Original Tank with no Rust

-New OEM Suzuki Fuel Petcock

-ZERO GRAVITY Windscreen

-LOCKHART PHILLPS Carbon Look F1 Mirrors

-Carbon Look Bar Ends

-Carbon Fiber Exhaust Hanger By Smith and Sons Motorcycle UK

-Lithium battery

-SUZUKI OEM Air Box

-1991 Suzuki GSX-R750 Intake Boots

-38 MM Mikuni CV Carburetors fully rebuilt by LANIER RACING Apopka, FL USA

-Front, Rear fairing stay and tail brackets powder coated by Metal Finish Clermont, FL USA

-K&N Filter

-“Mono Post” Passenger delete option

Although these bikes were incredibly popular during their reign, they did fall on hard times until their recent resurgence. Recently, sky high hp and electronic gizmos has had buyers flocking to modern bikes and left many of these now-classics out to fend for themselves. A quick search on eBay can tell you all you need to know about parts availability and that can be used as a proxy for how many of these are left out there. If you’re interested in these bikes, it’s wise to jump on examples such as today’s featured listing. The seller has serviced many of the wear items and also has the OEM bodywork and a full Yosh pipe, which are extremely valuable pieces of kit on a classic Suzuki. Everything done here is so perfectly tasteful that 99% of enthusiasts would likely guess that this is a fully stock bike. Any additions such as the 1998 GSX-R1100 race-inspired swingarm, Fox rear shock, and steering damper are all quality parts that have a legitimate impact on performance.

Ride it or don’t. Either way you can easily anchor a collection on this bike. Big power. Good looks. Low miles. Road or track capable. It hits on all the right notes. I’m probably preaching to the choir here as most RSBFS readers understand the value proposition of this GSX-R! Opportunities like this don’t come often nowadays so if this is a bike you fancy, reach out to the seller: gsxronly@aol.com

-Norm

Burple – BAT 1991 Suzuki GSXR-750

Published July 11, 2022 by Norman

1991 Suzuki GSXR 750 on Bring a Trailer

Most of the 90s Suzuki’s are synonymous with the iconic blue and white color schemes but up for auction on BaT today is an absolutely mint “Burple” GSXR-750.

Ever since Suzuki debuted the GSXR750 in 1985, improvements and changes were constantly coming to keep the bike competitive. While they weren’t always at the front of the pack in terms of weight or power, the 750 has clearly done enough in it’s time to draw eyes and slash bank values.

The 1991 model year stood out from prior GSXR-750s as it came with many aesthetic changes. The double headlights were covered for aero and the tail section and rear headlights were also reworked. The bike did gain a bit of weight over the prior model years and that trend continued with the addition of liquid cooling in later years.

1991 was a unique model year not only because it brought many aesthetic changes, but also because it was the last year of the air-oil cooled engine. If you look closely, you can see the oil-cooler in place of the radiator. Interesting story about GSXRs: a housemate of mine used to race a liquid cooled GSXR750 and the water pump went out during a 4 hour endurance race. The jugs were glowing orange by the time they noticed anything and when they took the motor apart they were surprised to see that everything still looked great! Apparently, the oil-cooling system, also known as Suzuki Advanced Cooling System, remained in bikes up until 2006.

A spare set of wheels have been fitted to this bike with new tires. The original tires mounted on the original rims are included with the sale! If you fancy some spares for peace of mind, you can check out this motor/frame on Ebay. Never hurts to refinish and store away to sell with the bike in the future!

From the seller:

“The bike was originally sold by Metropolitan Honda-Yamaha-Suzuki of South St. Paul, Minnesota, and it is said to have remained with its first owner until it was acquired by the seller in October 2021. Work performed in May 2022 reportedly included replacing the air filter, overhauling the four 38mm Mikuni carburetors, and installing a second set of wheels with replacement bearings and Bridgestone tires. This GSX-R750 is now offered at no reserve with manufacturer’s literature, two keys, a copy of the original sales invoice, a tool kit, a swingarm stand, the removed set of wheels and tires, copies of period magazines, removed service parts, and a clean Illinois title in the seller’s name.”

The 2,500 mile odometer, original papers, and original tires goes to show what the seller had in mind when he purchased this bike. Hopefully the future owners continue to preserve this example as it’s likely one of the cleaner 90s GSXRs out there.

Auction is no reserve and sitting at $5,000 with 3 bids. Still 3 days to go so it is fair to expect some action!

8 Responses.

Longy Stroke – 1990 Suzuki GSX-R750L

Published August 28, 2021 by Donn

Update 8.28.2021: Sold for $11,500 before we could publish. Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Before the days when tobacco logos came in bar code, Kevin Schwantz rode Lucky’s RG500 to a MotoGP championship and two runner-ups. Apparently a home-grown commemorative, today’s GSX-R has a bunch of nice mods to an excellent year.

1990 Suzuki GSX-R750 for sale on eBay

Looking for more torque, Suzuki returned to a longer stroke crank for 1990, and used a host of small changes to keep the new engines revving to 11,000 rpm – like lighter weight pistons and connecting rod bolts that were threaded right into the rods. The two-stage oil pump and a curved cooler kept the engine alive through 115 hp, some saying it was the best oil-cooled year. The chassis is perceptibly beefier and though most sources expect USD forks, they don’t appear on U.S. models until 1991.

Though it strays from the factory livery occasionally, this R750 certainly gets the point across. The compact turn signals are well done, the polished exhaust is a beauty, and wave rotors are a nod to the present day. The wrapped headers might be a squawk, but it should keep the fairings cooler. Comments from the eBay auction:

Total restoration, rock solid motor, straight frame, carbs rebuilt, new plugs, Air Tech enlarged air scoops, carb covers and race tail, Kevin Schwantz Lucky Strike custom race paint ($3500), powder coated wheels, new Michelin pilot tires, powder coated fairing and tail brackets, 3 new brake rotors, new pads, brake reservoirs front and rear, steel braided brake lines, new clutch and brake cables, Yoshi exhaust with custom fabricated mid pipe ($900), painted and wrapped header, Ohlins shock ($1,000), forks rebuilt, Fuel tank coated with POR15 protective coating, new hand controls and levers, new instrument lights and display, new turn signals front and rear, all new bearings and fasteners on wheels, rear shock and swing arm, custom fabricated exhaust bracket (eliminated rear foot pegs), custom fabricated seat lock mechanism (relocated under tail), new chain, front and rear sprockets, powder coated and anodized rear sets, new ignition, zero gravity windshield, new fuel cap and bracket, all new OEM fasteners, hoses and springs. $16,800 invested, 19,572 miles, bike runs like new, Carbs professionally tuned by expert who specializes in early GSX-Rs, I road the bike so some nicks on fairing behind front tire (can’t be prevented) and small imperfection on right side of tail, other than that the bike is beautiful.

Even though the investment this owner made might never please the accountant, it certainly would make a splash at the next bike night. Riders who remember the 500cc two stroke GP’s might be in short supply, but the GSX-R750 is an evergreen model, and this tribute started from a great base. Combining all of these interests, this splashy GSX-R might get the make offer button working.

-donn

3 Responses.

Unlimited Edition – 1987 Suzuki GSX-R750

Published May 31, 2020 by Donn

Suzuki made a tsunami-sized splash with the 1986 GSX-R750, with 100 hp and a hair over 400 lbs. soaking wet. This Florida example looks preserved rather than having just survived, and has been made ready to ride or show by just the 2nd owner.

1987 Suzuki GSX-R750 for sale on eBay

Introduced just the year before, the 1986 model’s biggest change was a 1-inch extension of the swingarm to bring the handling more to the street. The air/oil-cooled 749cc’s pushed 10.6:1 compression and carried a performance car-like 6 quarts of oil but saved the weight of a water system. The small-tube alloy chassis also saved several pounds, and held the 41mm conventional forks and Full Floater monoshock. Wheels and brakes were closer to and endurance racer spec – matched 18-inch rims and 310mm dual front disks. The full fiberglass fairing carried dual headlights and a cushy dual seat.

The seller picked an extraordinary example of this iconic bike and polished it like a gem, beside going through most of the systems and making things better than new. Presents as very stock and the sprocket change is a great idea for a classic bike with a possibly vintage rider. Comments from the eBay auction:

I bought from the original owner, the guy that walked in the showroom in 1987 and drove her home. It needed carb cleaning, brake pads and calipers cleaned, new tires, new chain and installed 2 new sprockets (15T520P front and smaller rear to make the gears longer and it runs sooo much nicer with this ratio). The original solo seat cowl (which I have) has a crack on the side where it bolts to seat but I was able to find this blue replacement and simply bolted on the original pad however the sale comes with the original white cowl as well. I bought her along with the original exhaust, which is included in sale($$).

She was garaged kept in a cool environment and the paint is original and looks like the day it came off the showroom floor since I buffed and polished fairings. By the time I was done getting her tuned and dialed in and installing new chain and sprockets, new battery and fluids, and solid tune after carb removal and cleaning and rebuild, I honestly dropped about $1500 in parts and labor for the things I couldn’t do myself and it was well worth it the way she runs now. I even have the original bar ends in a box which I think would make her 100% stock. There are some minor imperfections I will be happy to share with you if you are interested, but most are not visible and normal for a 32 year old machine.

I have been riding her just about every other weekend for 20 or 30 miles and only run ethanol-free fuel and she continues to turn heads and put a smile on my face. It is one of the finest 100% vintage and authentic GSX-R750 I have ever seen – and is turn key, sitting in my garage, looking for a new home. I have an extra set of plugs as well, the Title is clean and in house, and it has never, repeat NEVER been dropped or scraped .

Suzuki did well with GSX-R on the World Endurance circuit and TT-F1 races, but with Yoshimura managing in 1989, won the Daytona and AMA Supersport titles with Jamie James aboard. It was just the first few chapters of a multi-volume history that is still being written, at least in North America – the model has been retired elsewhere. Arguably the first endurance racer set up for the road, the early GSX-R750’s focus on light weight and handling made it special even without the Limited Edition’s homologation parts. This looks like a well and carefully loved example.

-donn

7 Responses.

Old School: 1990 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for Sale

Published December 5, 2019 by Tad Diemer

If you wanted to hit the track or really tear up the canyons in the 80s and 90s, a 750cc machine was probably a much better choice for a rider than this Suzuki GSX-R1100. At the time, all of the Japanese manufacturers were caught up in a shooting war, homologating their 750cc machines for superbike racing, and that meant that those bikes balanced handling and power, versus outright brute force. Liter bikes of the period were more bruisingly-powerful GTs than out-and-out sportbikes and, although bikes like the Yamaha FZR1000 might have been just as fast and more refined, the allure of that extra 100cc gave the big Gixxer a swaggering air of danger.

The original GSX-R1100 is very much straddles the vintage and modern eras, with a full fairing and dual headlamps that aped endurance racers of the period and manages too look fairly modern, in spite of being matched to a set of 18″ wheels that would be out of fashion by the time the second-generation rolled around in 1989. The engine of the “L model” seen here still used Suzuki’s “oil-boiler” sixteen-valve inline four, but displacement increased from 1052cc to 1127cc. Weight was up to nearly 470lbs dry, but naturally so was power and the bike could almost touch 170mph.

I really like the style of the second-generation GSX-R1100, bridging the gap between classic and more modern superbikes. It’s big, heavy, fast, and handsome. Personally, I’m not so enamored of them that I’d hesitate to restomod or otherwise “improve” one, but that’s just me. Originality counts for collectors, and this one looks very clean and unmolested, even down to the stock exhausts.

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

Excellent condition hard to find classic bike! 22k miles with clean title in hand. Please message me with any questions you may have. Unmolested motor with all factory parts including carbs and exhaust. Starts right up, runs great and excellent condition! No reserve!

The $6,500 starting bid just shows how much these have appreciated in recent years. Miles aren’t museum-piece low, but the bike appears to be in very clean condition and these engines are pretty durable. Certainly, parts to do a complete rebuild should be available, and decades of tuners have been able to squeeze plenty of power out of the oil-cooled lump, if the 140hp and 86lb-ft of torque of the factory bike don’t excite…

-tad

8 Responses.

Real / Rough – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750R Limited Edition

Published November 22, 2019 by Donn

Not often seen but always appreciated, the GSX-R homologation special for 1986 had a single seat, alloy fuel tank, and dry clutch. This SoCal example might have some questions better left unasked, but has great potential as a riding or racing restoration.

1986 Suzuki GSX-R750R Limited Edition for sale on eBay

Suzuki had only just introduced the GSX-R750 in 1985 when its light weight and rugged reliability made it a natural for the race course. To homologate for Superbike racing, the -R was built, not changing the alloy chassis or oil-cooled engine, but adding a few special parts. To help cope with a 106 hp race machine, brakes and anti-dive were borrowed from the 1100cc model, along with 18-inch wheels front and rear. The oil-cooled four was coated in a dark gray, and the steering damper is needed more on a 1985 short swingarm model.

The first owner must’ve been hard on a bike, since this auction pictures a past salvage title and damage to lowers on both sides. It’s a study in contrasts, with the good-looking frame and swingarm but a massive gash in the tank. Luckily the VIN can be researched and the dry clutch is undeniable. Many comments in the eBay auction, here are just a few:

When I bought it the fairing was scraped up. the lowers were missing as well as the turn signals along with a few other small bits.

Fluids have been regularly checked and replaced

The carbs have been removed and cleaned

Brake fluid change

Clean fuel added

New battery

Tires have plenty of tread and no cracking

Electrical works as it should

The exhaust is a first gen Yoshimura from R &D America, USA.

It’s loud even with fresh packing

The drive-chain is near new but marks show in the middle of the adjustment of the swing-arm

The scratches on the gas tank and wind screen are compliments of the original owner. I was having the upper fairing repainted by guy that didn’t know what the heck he was doing, the color was wrong and the paint was super thin so I stopped and just left it as you see it.

I have an extra set of the NLA OEM stickers for the gas tank and for the upper fairing.

The lowers and middle side covers are livable.

The ask seems out of line for such a project until you look at some recent listings, these very rare -R’s arrived in just the hundreds, and are likely down to only dozens. This R750R might return to trackday duty while the restoration is planned, perhaps never to begin.

-donn

7 Responses.