Suzuki GS1200SS

[geoffm]

In at COlemans today, and I see the GS1200SS (http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS1200SS.shtml, http://www1.suzuki.co.jp/motor/GS1200SS/, http://homepage1.nifty.com/hiroken7/) are $10k. Pretty cheap for a new motorcycle. Looks like the 1200 Bandit motor.
Anyone ridden one? What are they like?
All pretty academic since i have no money at present, but...
Geoff

[James Deuce]

I took one for a test ride and a mate of mine bought one. I think they are fantastic value. They're stable as, quick enough to be fun, and the suspension is sweet for a twin shocker. The big giant fairing (which some people here have expressed their distatse for) creates a very calm environment.

It is the Bandit motor, but it is "detuned" for 100bhp. Neptune do a nice line of aftermarket exhausts cans for them too.

[merv]

Lynda can you get that noisy husband of yours to get on here and post an owner's report?

Other than that my knowledge of the bike is quite limited - I know it has a low seat height and is detuned compared to the Bandit. Aren't they speed limited to 180km/hr so they need a snip of sorts (like a vasectomy to the wiring)?

[Hitcher]

I hope that these things ride well because (to misquote the Oracle of Maungaraki) they look like they got seriously mothered with the Ugly Stick, probably weilded by a Tourettes sufferer!

[Question: Can deaf people suffer from Tourettes syndrome??]

[James Deuce]

[Question: Can deaf people suffer from Tourettes syndrome??][/QUOTE]

Yes but if they were mute as well it would be a moot point.

TAAA DAAA 1000 - bring on da "X"

I pwn joos!!!!11111

[Hitcher]

Yes but if they were mute as well it would be a moot point.

TAAA DAAA 1000 - bring on da "X"

I pwn joos!!!!11111

James, congrats on your Big X!! Bloody top effort.

[FROSTY]

I always thought they were kinda nice--but what an ugly paint job.
I thought they would look nice if painted like a gsxr1100 slab sider
And i wonder where they loose the HP?

[Bandito]

In at COlemans today, and I see the GS1200SS (http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS1200SS.shtml, http://www1.suzuki.co.jp/motor/GS1200SS/, http://homepage1.nifty.com/hiroken7/) are $10k. Pretty cheap for a new motorcycle. Looks like the 1200 Bandit motor.
Anyone ridden one? What are they like?
All pretty academic since i have no money at present, but...
Geoff
Bandit motor 4 sure, good to ride totally bulletproof and the best buying of any large cpacity bike on the new zealand market surely

[Hitcher]

Bandit motor 4 sure, good to ride totally bulletproof and the best buying of any large cpacity bike on the new zealand market surely

If "best buying" means bucks per cc, then you're probably right...

But riding one with a paper bag over your head could be troubling...

[dangerous]

Aren't they speed limited to 180km/hr so they need a snip of sorts (like a vasectomy to the wiring)?

Thats correct but add a diode in the wiring and you are set to do over 200k however the speedo will still only read 180k.

As for riding on of these beasts..... bloody nice heaps of down low grunt and the sitting position is damn good too however after a while in the saddle and you want to change position, you will find that you cant, and you cant realy get of the seat for the same reason ie: you are jamed in there.
The picy's below are of the bike I spent a far bit of time on it was a mates and there are a few things you can do one being to cut a bit out of the rear seat which made the bike look better and gave more room for the rider.

You will see here that this bike has an after market can, single seat, tinted blade and a belly pan. As stock yep a bit ugley but now not to bad and for $10k bloody good value for ya money but do note the suspension is a bit basic.

[Badcat]

well - i bought one a month or so ago.
i was looking at twins (last two bikes were cagiva raptor and KTM supermoto). one test ride sold me, and i thought i hated fours.

the motor is the first thing that really shocked me.
it's VERY smooth - strong and torquey - VERY torquey...
i'm still running it in - but the power is very good.
the engine is detuned from the GSXR - but all the power difference is in the TOP END - and frankly - i hardly ever go there.
i've owned 2 GSXR1100s and i wasn't dissapointed.
the carbs are 32mm CV flatslides with a TPS compared with 34s on the GSXR - so the low end and mid range is wonderful - as i'm still running it in i only have a fleeting experience with the top end.

chassis is more agile than the size weight (210 kilos dry) suggest.
the fairing is big - and makes the bike feel bigger than it really is i think.
i like the bodgy all black paint and retro look - YMMV.
I'm 6'2 and 105 kilos - and the ergonomics are excellent.
you feel stretched across that big tank - and the clips ons are low-ish - but it's really comfortable, especially on the open road

the instruments are worth a mention - excellent LCD speedo - so easy to glance down and see quickly what speed you are doing.
there's a clock (never thought i'd like that as much as i do) and a HUGE tach.

Brakes are 6 pot tokikos on the front - and they are excellent.
people say they aren't so spectacular - but i guess they don't OWN one.

remember these bikes are actually 2001 bikes - they were cheap because they are old stock. i plan to change tyres (dunlop 207s) soon as i'm sure they are too old and won't be the best.

BUY ONE.

i'm told that you can retore the top end with a set of GSXR cams, a pipe and a GSXR CDI - i plan to do this in the medium term.

any questions - PM me

ken

[Bandito]

If "best buying" means bucks per cc, then you're probably right...

But riding one with a paper bag over your head could be troubling...
I personally prefer a :laugh: helmet!!!

[LB]

Hamish has one, he's got one of the three red and black ones that came into NZ. He really likes it. He keeps telling me I can ride it, but I'm a twin girl.

Badcat - you seem to have encapsulated how he feels about his, only far more eloquently!! Hamish is the same height as you but probably slightly heavier than you and he finds it very comfortable.

You can see the red/black version on the Neptune website www.neptunemufflers.co.nz - Hamish's is featured there as he got the revolting fat sticky-out can replaced with a Neptune.

[wari]

I like ugly ... :eyepoke:

and I woul d have one ...

[jrandom]

[Question: Can deaf people suffer from Tourettes syndrome??]

Deaf people? Well... not sure. But *Mute* Tourettes Syndrome has long been in the shadow of its more famous sister-disease, Tourettes Syndrome, and, although much rarer, is even more tragic in its consequences.

While a child suffering from Tourettes has difficulty in containing its anger and frustration, a child with Mute Tourettes suffers the opposite, and is unable to express their true feelings through speech.

There is, however, an answer. A great deal has been achieved by the Mute Tourettes Foundation using new art therapy techniques. However, their work can only continue with your help. Just $1 will keep a child supplied with crayons for a whole day. $5 will provide them with enough paper for a week.

The attached project shot shows some of the great work you can help with.

[MikeL]

LMAO

You are a clever, cynical bastard, jr...

:bleh:

[Hitcher]

The attached project shot shows some of the great work you can help with.

PMPROTFL!! Superb effort!

[Morepower]

Nice Bikes , and I like the look in black , If I had one I would finish the blackout job , sinister looking bikes .
Great brakes , stable handling good midrange but seriously lacking top end but as has been said some standard GSXR bits and you would be away laughing.
Great value in my opinion , I seriously looked at one but got a second hand TL instead :bleh:

[moko]

These bikes were due onto the Brit market a few years back but never materialised,maybe lack of dealer enthusiasm as it`s too much like the 1200 Bandit to be worthwhile surely.

[Suzi Q]

The photo's in Dangerous's message are of my husbands GS. I wanted to use the old can as a lamp but we didn't get round to it!!! I thought it was an ugly bike, it does look marginally better once the new can went on - Kerker, new screen, single seat, seat modification and the belly pan. Belly pan bought from magical racing - magicalracing.com.jp.
He sold the GS and now has a 2002 Busa black and blue - much nicer looking!!!

[flipper]

Yep, I bought one when first arrived here and 15,000k on I'm still happy. (And I don't commute on it)

Rear shocks struggle especially 2 up. I've put on XJR basic Ohins on rear and has been a pretty cheap fix..

A very cheap solid sports tourer, for real roads and real speeds.

And yes, that top fairing is ugly... and enough room & scaffolding in the cockpit to mount my rader detector, GPS, pda, fish finder etc etc.


http://www.flippersplace.com/tbr/flipper/roadb1.pic/suzgs1200trackdaymode2.jpg

http://www.flippersplace.com/tbr/flipper/roadb1.pic/lsr-gs1200ss_2002_sth1.jpg

[Wenier]

Hamish has one, he's got one of the three red and black ones that came into NZ. He really likes it. He keeps telling me I can ride it, but I'm a twin girl.

Hamish's is featured there as he got the revolting fat sticky-out can replaced with a Neptune.

is he the guy who took his one to the riverbank meets on the thursday nites.
If so i rode that one after he asked me to do a burnout on it (i said i couldnt, haha i couldnt get feet flat on the ground so no burnout he cant get feet flat either) i found it to be quite a nice bike, bloody quick and with that end can ooo. IT spat some real nice flames when backfiring from engine braking, and yea overall if you like cruisers i think highly of it for that.

it would probably do a wheelie if ya try hard enough.

[kerryg]

In at COlemans today, and I see the GS1200SS (http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS1200SS.shtml, http://www1.suzuki.co.jp/motor/GS1200SS/, http://homepage1.nifty.com/hiroken7/) are $10k. Pretty cheap for a new motorcycle. Looks like the 1200 Bandit motor.
Anyone ridden one? What are they like?
All pretty academic since i have no money at present, but...
Geoff

I bought one September 2002 (one of the first in the country) and paid $12k for it. Then a few months later the same bike was $11k with a Yoshimura system on it, and a few months later $10k (without Yoshimura). So I was very annoyed with the importers for devaluing my pride and joy for me....and they were already cheap at $12k really.
At $10k they are a blinding deal. I'm pretty sure you can still get the $11k with full Yoshimura system deal, which is great value and the factory muffler is real ugly and heavy and agricultural looking.
They're a Bandit motor with smaller carbs for more mid range (same as the GSX1200 if I'm not mistaken). The 180k restrictor is removed with a snip of a wire (Colemans charged me $20). I had 240k out of mine at a track day and it seemed good for more.
Guy I know put GSXR1100 cams, bigger carbs and a K&N and had something like 130RWHP out of his...these engines can stand a lot of development.
Personally don't mind the aesthetics but it's a subjective thing. I think they are MUCH nicer in the red/black or blue/white livery though if you can get one (not brought in by the importers so far as I know but some gray market imports probably available).
I would still have mine if I wasn't so pissed off about the way Suzuki devalued my bike...so in a fit of pique I sold it, resolving never to buy a new Suzuki again.
The way to go is probably to look for a low kms 2nd hand one (you'll pay $8k or so, probably still under warranty).

Set aside the aesthetics which are a matter of personal taste and these bikes are streets ahead of anything else in the market in terms of bang for buck....so that's my 2 cents....

[Paul in NZ]

We were pretty seriously temped by the ridiculous price tag but...

The arse end is very short and we could not see how we could be able to throw panniers or a luggage rack on it to make it a sports tourer...

I wonder if anyone solved this because we would still be keen.

Having said that. A Honda Transalp or a Funduro would do us fine for gentle 2 up pottering and we would be able to enjoy the back roads more...

Cheers

[LB]

Wenier: no, that wasn't Hamish - we've only been the riverbank carpark once, and that was in the car.

Paul in NZ: Hamish has just fitted a Ventura packrack to his bike - if you want to have look-see pm me your details and we'll sort out meeting up to show you.

As far as I understand, Cycle Torque in Taumarunui brought in one of the blue/white versions, which had Ohlins shocks and different spec engine. It was about $13,000 I think. Saw it in there ages ago when it caught our eye when going through Taumarunui - called in and talked with them about it. It looked cracker in the blue/white colour scheme.

Kerryg:
Yeah, it's tough on you guys who buy the first models when the distributors drop the price. I seem to recall that Honda did that many years ago with the CB900F, which really pissed people off (understandably)

[750Y]

i think they look very cool. used to see one on the southern m/way occasionally. i'd pull up next to it pointing & giving the thumbs up which usually got a smile & a wave.
$10k is cheap imho. the black looks better than the red/black they had in wmcc but not so exclusive of course.

[Paul in NZ]

Paul in NZ: Hamish has just fitted a Ventura packrack to his bike - if you want to have look-see pm me your details and we'll sort out meeting up to show you.

Thanks for that but any 'new' bike we buy would have to be able to handle 2 up touring and I don't think the SS could do that with just a packrack.

Thanks for the offer though...

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Great value in my opinion , I seriously looked at one but got a second hand TL instead :bleh:
If you are who I think you are you would have been very disappointed with one. Remember I have seen you ride the TL and man that thing can fly. Not so the black bike. When I took one out for a test ride it was a nice ride but when I wanted to play and got to the 5k on the rev counter it went flat. Mind you I do ride a 97 Gixxer and it is just starting to take note then and jumps in to life at 7k. By the time I have woken the beast up you are gone. Stick to the TL mate you will kill anything else. :rockon:

[Morepower]

If you are who I think you are you would have been very disappointed with one. Remember I have seen you ride the TL and man that thing can fly.

I think I may be who you think I am :spudwave:

The TL's are easy to ride quickly but a handfull when you want to go realy fast , a proper rear shock makes a huge difference , I remember a GSXR750 climbing all over me through corners a while back :sweatdrop .

:beer:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I think I may be who you think I am :spudwave:

The TL's are easy to ride quickly but a handfull when you want to go realy fast , a proper rear shock makes a huge difference , I remember a GSXR750 climbing all over me through corners a while back :sweatdrop .

:beer:I find it is easy to follow at speed and hard to set the pace. :bye:
I will head to a track day this summer and see what the old girl can do. As you know the flat out straight line stuff is not my play ground. Give me the corners any day. And no I do not remember getting any where near you. :blink:
Have a nice wet day out today. Think I will put the new thermostat in the Gixxer today. Actual I will go to one of the other threads here and ask about the trip to Taupo and the lack of engine heat. Some one could have an answer. Till later :niceone:

[moko]

Regarding the looks,the Fazer used to get loads of sick on the net,got labelled "The Ugly Bike" but as one guy pointed out "When you`re riding it you dont have to look at it"

[wari]

Regarding the looks,the Fazer used to get loads of sick on the net,got labelled "The Ugly Bike" but as one guy pointed out "When you`re riding it you dont have to look at it"

Thats right ...

AS the olde saying goes ...

Ya dont looke at the MAntle Piece when you're stokin the fire ...

:spudwave:

[gav]

http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=98476&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz
http://www.tigimages.ninemsn.com.au/DisplayImage.aspx?ItemID=98476&PropImgID=2&ItemPropImgID=615090&size=ImageStandard

[moko]

God that`s ugly,make a great Streetfighter though,change the pipe,bin the fairing,set of flat bars and twin headlights and you`ve got yourself something that`ll make a V-Max look girly.

[White trash]

http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=98476&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz
http://www.tigimages.ninemsn.com.au/DisplayImage.aspx?ItemID=98476&PropImgID=2&ItemPropImgID=615090&size=ImageStandard

Oi! We've sold that!

Best I get onto Bikepoint for a bit of an update...... :rolleyes:

[LB]

Oi! We've sold that!


and not only did you sell it, but you sold it to my husband!! ;) (though it now looks better without that revolting fat muffler)

Edit: Hamish's one isn't for sale so I guess it's not the one in the above piccie, though it's identical apart from the muffler

[Grumpy]

Regarding the looks,the Fazer used to get loads of sick on the net,got labelled "The Ugly Bike" but as one guy pointed out "When you`re riding it you dont have to look at it"
I used to think they were a bit of an ugly thing.....until I rode one. No rocket ship but a really nice ride. Funny how most bikes can look a hell of a lot better if you enjoy the ride.

[Jantar]

Thanks for that but any 'new' bike we buy would have to be able to handle 2 up touring and I don't think the SS could do that with just a packrack.

Thanks for the offer though...
I recently bought one as I figured that it was just too much bike to NOT buy one at 10K. With what I saved on the the price, I added a set of GIVI hard luggage as I agree that a pack rack just doesn't carry enough for two-up touring.

[johno]

Just had a look in at this thread guys. All that discussion, but why not buy the real thing, the Bandit 1200s ?
It is better looking, it has better suspension, it has better perfomance and handling. It tours 2-up great with better luggage and pillion features. AND It aint much more $'s. It is far better value, and will hold it's price better.
You keep your ugly black poor-man's thing, I will keep my Bandit.

[Badcat]

Just had a look in at this thread guys. All that discussion, but why not buy the real thing, the Bandit 1200s ?
It is better looking, it has better suspension, it has better perfomance and handling. It tours 2-up great with better luggage and pillion features. AND It aint much more $'s. It is far better value, and will hold it's price better.
You keep your ugly black poor-man's thing, I will keep my Bandit.

the real thing?
a bandit?
riiiiight.

perhaps aesthetics are a matter of opinion?
personally i find bandits remind me of sad british transpotters with bad custom airbrush art and crappy 916 tail conversions - but that's just me and i wouldn't share that with the group unless provoked.

enjoy the real authentic taste of motorcycling johno, and don't forget to dis your brothers along the way to make yourself feel a tad better.

i really like my gs1200, i had two gsxr1100s in my mispent youth - and i thought when yoshimura exhibited the original gs1200 concept at the tokyo motor show they were bang on. maybe suzuki thought so too as they went and built some.

i'm glad to disagree on this with you, as i don't aspire to bandit ownership at all.


Ken.

[Jantar]

Just had a look in at this thread guys. All that discussion, but why not buy the real thing, the Bandit 1200s ?
It is better looking, it has better suspension, it has better perfomance and handling. It tours 2-up great with better luggage and pillion features. AND It aint much more $'s. It is far better value, and will hold it's price better.
You keep your ugly black poor-man's thing, I will keep my Bandit.

Personally I don't find the GS at all ugly. Whats more I actually prefer a twin shock setup to monshock. As for "...it aint much more $'s...", the Bandit is 40% more $'s, but it certainly aint 40% more bike. Same engine, same front end etc....

:cool2:

[Lou Girardin]

Well damn, the claws are out now. What does SS stand for anyway? Slow as shite?

[Badcat]

Well damn, the claws are out now. What does SS stand for anyway? Slow as shite?

lou - i thought of you as i wrote the bit about bandits.
my point was that i wouldn't normally speak my mind re not being a big fan of the bandit - as i'm sure it would offend some members - and i have no need to offend bandit owners such as yourself.
please understand i wrote it only to illustrate to johno that it's pointless to bait other members, unless you simply want to piss people off.
i don't.

i'm happy with my bike and am sure you are with yours.
the point was that i don't feel the need to call your bike crappy to make myself feel better (even if i'm not a fan).
i don't like Harleys at all - but to post on this list that they were "a poor mans bike" or not "authentic" would be just fucked.

sorry if i offended you lou .

ken

[jrandom]

Weeeeeell, I have to say, I've never seen a half-faired Bindit that I liked the looks of. The Suzuki full fairing is a small improvement. And the nekkid ones have a certain chunky purtiness, but AFAIK Suzuki NZ aren't bringing those in new at the moment.

I think you either 'get' the look of the GS1200, or not. I get it.

[Paul in NZ]

I recently bought one as I figured that it was just too much bike to NOT buy one at 10K. With what I saved on the the price, I added a set of GIVI hard luggage as I agree that a pack rack just doesn't carry enough for two-up touring.

Dude... Does Givi do a hard luggage kit for one??

I'd love to see the pictures....

Paul N

[vifferman]

I used to think they were a bit of an ugly thing.....until I rode one. No rocket ship but a really nice ride. Funny how most bikes can look a hell of a lot better if you enjoy the ride.I had the opposite experience. I'd heard they were a really good bike, and thought they looked OK, and then I test rode one.:bye:

[Jantar]

Dude... Does Givi do a hard luggage kit for one??

I'd love to see the pictures....

Paul N

GIVI have a universal mounting kit which does fit. I find that the luggage as mounted with the universal kit tends to stick out a bit far. I'm working on an adapter which should reduce the overall width by around 10 cm. When finished I'm submitting a feedback to GIVI, and I'll copy it (with photos) to this group.

[Lou Girardin]

Nah, I'm not offended Ken. I was taking the piss as well. Check my thread when I bought the Bandit.
Besides, I've always like 'sleeper' vehicles, like the MX.
I don't know about the trainspotting thing, where do you find trains in Auck?

[johno]

Methinks you do protest too much. I never set out to feel better, dis or tad or bait (amongst the things that have been aimed at my comments). I just gave my opinion. I accept yours, thanks. It is difficult to imagine though how you can "hate " the Bandit yet love your gs1200 which shares so many features. The expression being "a poor mans Bandit" is not aimed at anyone being poor. It is a description, an analogy. Such reaction! I must have touches a sore point somewhere to be accused of such dastardly insults.
:blink:

[Badcat]

Methinks you do protest too much. I never set out to feel better, dis or tad or bait (amongst the things that have been aimed at my comments). I just gave my opinion. I accept yours, thanks. It is difficult to imagine though how you can "hate " the Bandit yet love your gs1200 which shares so many features. The expression being "a poor mans Bandit" is not aimed at anyone being poor. It is a description, an analogy. Such reaction! I must have touches a sore point somewhere to be accused of such dastardly insults.
:blink:

bollocks.

re-read your post, shakespeare.

you simply posted that your bike was more authentic, was better value, and that mine was inferior. was that for my benefit?

the moral high ground isn't yours here to take, lofty.

ken

[johno]

Well, there was an element of wind-up in it, meant to be harmless banter, and it was a bit pompous, but hell you didn't need to take it so to heart. The Bandit is not exactly an expensive Italian job or anything. It must be one of the cheapest on the market in true Suzuki fashion of giving bang-for-bucks. I meant what I said about it being better value, which is my opinion. You are now just continuing to chuck insults my way. I will quietly go away, and you can take a parting shot if you like.

[Badcat]

Well, there was an element of wind-up in it, meant to be harmless banter, and it was a bit pompous, but hell you didn't need to take it so to heart. The Bandit is not exactly an expensive Italian job or anything. It must be one of the cheapest on the market in true Suzuki fashion of giving bang-for-bucks. I meant what I said about it being better value, which is my opinion. You are now just continuing to chuck insults my way. I will quietly go away, and you can take a parting shot if you like.

johno - i don't take it to heart - you should see me when i do.

i look at it this way.
compare the gs1200 conversation we were having with a group of guys in a pub or cafe. the guys are discussing the gs1200 - and someone turns up and says:
the bandit is better as it is "the real thing"
Bandit is better looking,
Bandit has better suspension,
Bandit has better performance and handling.
Bandit tours 2-up great with better luggage and pillion features.
Bandit aint much more $'s.
Bandit is far better value,
Bandit will hold it's price better.
and then calls the gs1200 an "ugly black poor-man's thing"

while you have the right to your opinion and to express it (that's what these forums are for) do you expect me not to challenge your comments?

that's the only problem with text - you can't tell the tone of the writer - can you?

i'm sorry if i offended you - that wasn't my intention, i just get riled when poeople lurk - say a bunch of Inflammatory things and get bent out of shape when someone takes them to task.

ken

[Holy Roller]

I happened to stop in at the bike shop in Whakatane (Underwood & Wilkens) They had both bikes side by side both at $8500 from my not so good memory. The ss sure looked the meaner bike, being a bit taller would have suited me better. But hey :whocares: I'm a cruzer rider, Tony Rees has a nice XVS1100 but at twice the price I'll continue to dream.

[gav]

Its a bit of laugh isn't it? "Bandit" the real thing.... The "Bandit" was introduced as a parts bin special, poor mans tool etc, and the first ones were brilliant, the later ones with the fairing added look a bit tacky. I'd rather have a GSX1400 rather than a Bandit, the SS is a bit special but has been hit as a cheapy solely on the price, not sure where Suzuki NZ dragged them up from but have been on the Japanese home market for at least 5 years before surfacing here. Good on them for selling them so cheap :niceone: clearly its brilliant value for money, cant see how it can be anything else?

[Hitcher]

I never set out to feel better, dis or tad or bait
Be warned that you are amongst some master baiters here...

[jrandom]

Be warned that you are amongst some master baiters here...

Avast ye there, Cap'n Pugwash, or I'll have with me pegleg at your poopdeck, arrrrr!

[Badcat]

Be warned that you are amongst some master baiters here...
hey.
i resemble that remark.
ken

[gav]

'course a 5 year old CBR600 would smoke both of them :shake:

[Badcat]

'course a 5 year old CBR600 would smoke both of them :shake:

define "smoke".
in some circles, it's a euphamism for oral sex.
if that's the case, sorry - i can do better.

ken

[Hitcher]

define "smoke".
in some circles, it's a euphamism for oral sex.
Geez! Don't burn your lips on the exhaust pipe!

[FROSTY]

Ive just had a chance to have a bloody good look at the GS1200ss
From my point of view it is one fuck off sexy bike.
Sure I would throw away the muffler and fit a muffler like off the gsxr1100 slabsider.I'd also see if the tailight off a slabsider could be coaxed into the tail end-only because the factory tailight is so small.
Shit the bloody thing has it all . Fuck off big brakes,a 1200cc detuned motor so itll last forever,comfortable seat and a ball sck protecter. A decent sized fairing. The back shocks are basicly remote resevoir monoshocks -one on each side.
The frame is steel--as in if it bends it can be straightened.
The rear seat ergonomics look reasonable. the seat is well padded and it isnt a huuge reach to the bars.
To me it looks like what the bandit should be .
I'd haveto ride one in anger but I'd bet unless you were in a racetrack situation the power is heaps for the real world.
OHH yea baby

[Badcat]

Ive just had a chance to have a bloody good look at the GS1200ss
From my point of view it is one fuck off sexy bike.
Sure I would throw away the muffler and fit a muffler like ofr the gsxr1100 slabsider.
Shit the bloody thing has it all . Fuck off big brakes,a1200cc detuned motor so itll last forever,comfortable seat, A decent sized fairing.
OHH yea baby

it was great to meet you in person, tony.
Glad you like the old girl.
i'll bring the mighty VanVan next time - then you'll truly wig out.

ken

[FROSTY]

Good to meet you too dude.
I gotta say my zxr doesn't give me the same woody that 1200 does.
I think the real apeal to me is that it is a grouse bike as it is but it screams "customise me" -Make me yours and yours alone.
I haven't had a bike that did that for many years.
HMMM--now ya wanna new car -and wifey has ...... Hmmm trade in
me with gs1200 ... I'm sure I could convince ya wifey ....... :bleh:

[petermonkeyguru]

Good feed back - I'm just thinking about buying one, they seem to be very good value for money and not too hard to handle

[craigs288]

I was in two minds before I bought mine, partly because of the looks, but any ugly factor I thought it had has slowly faded. Like someone else said, when you're riding it you can't see it. Just the clocks, the road in front and the howling noise from underneath.
I bought my 2004 GS in March 2006 from Rangiora, for $7500. The previous owner was the first and put 1100kms on it over summer '04 and '05. The Christchurch bike shop he got it from removed the speed limiter although the clock only ever reads to 180.
It has always been a sweet running bike. It always looked like an engine and fairings hanging off a butt-ugly big megaphone pipe. I put a friends ZX10R spare muffler on and it completely changed the sound and performance.(and looks)
I'm not convinced it is significantly gruntier but it goes much the same up to 4k then picks up to 5k and f*%ks off down the road. I used to hold it wide open in 3rd regularly with no real excitement but now I have to concentrate on the twitchy front end. I try to keep under 5k because once it gets there the sound makes me want to hold it wide open to 9k and row through the gears.
I get 20km per litre most of the time and the worst ever was 15km per litre over a 5 hour ride round the Coro loop. The back end tends to wallow a bit under load at speed but its fairly predictable and you can just keep the gas wide open and ride it out, mostly.
The seat can get a little uncomfortable after a cpl of hours of trying to behave, but as long as you can get off the side a little and move around it doesn't get too bad. I'm only 5'8" and 72kg so I'm a bit like a flea on it's back and tend to countersteer it everywhere, although it does respond pretty well to just shifting weight around on the pegs. It's a good size for me to have a comfortable lie down on the tank as well.

[Lil_Byte]

I had one and loved it. It looked a damn site uglier after skating down the road on one side at 100kph.

But I would not have parted with it but the insurance company wrote it off.

It had tones of low down grunt and smooth acceleration. I could get to ride as fast as I liked once the 180kph limit was off it.

It was a hell of a lot more comfortable than my GSXR1100 but not near as quick - but that was too quick for an old guy like me anyway. It would have been nice to be able to stretch out a bit more but the seating stops that

The rear suspension suited me and it handled as well as I needed. It was a great touring bike and has a bullet proof engine

So I guess it is horeses for courses. :scooter:

[ynot slow]

i had a sit on one when i bought my bike,guy was selling gsx as he gad just bought gs1200ss,felt slightly uncomfortable to me but if it was mine i'd be happy,he said the gsx was better comfy wise on trips but then the style of ss meant differing ride position,his wife hated the pillion though.for a cheap bike with more than enough power for most it's ok.