1986 Suzuki GSXR750 info needed..

[kneescraper]

Hey all,

I've done a search through Google.com and looked around the net etc, found good information but thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.

I've found a real good condition GSXR750...done 42,000kms or there-abouts...nice paint. New REGO and WOF...looks to be sweet. However being the age it is I'm wondering...should I stay clear of the bike?

I like the brutal look of the buldgeing fairings and the 80 superbike rear end...has more character than some (don't hate me) newer sports bikes.

Any info or web links that could help me would be great....I'm looking to pay just over $2700 for it. I've also looked around Trademe.co.nz and it seems to be an ok price to pay....

Thanks in advance!

[nudemetalz]

Have you looked at http://www.suzukicycles.org ?

Great site with lots of info.

[kneescraper]

Thats a good site, even though the server has crashed. However I'm looking for more hands on info from NZ riders...like the ones that have had problems or the ones that have owned them for years and done the work on them, them selves.

Cheers nudemetalz

[nudemetalz]

This one here is looks good.

However, it's actually the first model, the distingushing feature being that the bottom of the fairing goes straight down, not bulges to a point towards the front wheel.
Also, these had a shorter swing-arm I think and were a little unstable at speed or over bumps.

Also, I would think soft compound 18” front tyres would be fairly limited nowadays.

However, from all of the people I know that have had them over the years, and I’ve ridden them to they’re great bikes, quite solid motors, being air/oil cooled.

NDMz

[avgas]

If you like the look - what about a second hand gs1200? they go for quite cheap now - and have the advantage of being 12 years newer

[kneescraper]

Yeah I remember being a pit crew member for a TQ midget speedway car. It had a GSXR750 in it. Buildproof engine really....considering the TQ would run the whole dirt track in 2nd gear as they are not to change gears. It was fast and didnt use any oil or never missed a beat which seems to be the way with Suzukis...how ever its the rest I'm thinking about also...as I would be keeping the bike for some 5+ odd years parts would be important and normal everyday running as it would be my transport (wife uses new car). Are they comfy for long rides (I will have to do a few 6 hour trips every year up north) and easy to ride around town.

Cheers guys and gals!

[kneescraper]

If you like the look - what about a second hand gs1200? they go for quite cheap now - and have the advantage of being 12 years newer

How cheap? $2700 cheap or $5000 cheap?...they also do look very retro..how ever the CC is quite large for a bike to use for every day transportation.

[nudemetalz]

Sorry, Kneescraper I meant to put a link in my previous talking ..
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-86206367.htm

I remember the 750's being not that comfortable around town, but probably no worse than any modern clip-on'd sports bike nowadays.

[kneescraper]

Can't be any worse than a RGV250 that I rode everyday....that one looks....ok. After looking more into the older Gixxers I quite like the 1988 model alittle more. HAHAH but the 1986 model would be good because of its price!

[Drunken Monkey]

... Are they comfy for long rides (I will have to do a few 6 hour trips every year up north) and easy to ride around town.

The seating position is quite upright compared the later models, but the legs gets cramped as the distance between the seat and the pegs I think is actually smaller. The upright position helps take the load off your wrists.

The person who had my '86 before me basically only commuted between Meadowbank and town. I tended to ride it around 16 or Miranda-Kaiaua. It was sold on behalf by the bike shop to a courier, I think it had done over 50,000 when I moved it on, and it did another 30,000+ as a courier bike.

It was getting a bit tired before I sold it, I think the carbs needed rebuilding as well. Everyone seems to have problems with coils on them. Replacing the stock ones with dynacoils would usually resolve this.

The next gen (J-L) were definately better handling and power.

Depending on what you're used to riding, it should be fine.

[kneescraper]

Yeah Im also looking at the next gen (1988 on) as they seem to be better bikes according to the write ups on the net!

This one is ok...bit rough and a bit over priced me thinks... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-85371938.htm

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I owned one of these. Wish I didn't sell it. It had 13 plus owners and was crashed many times. It was a reck when I got it, see pic, and I spent $3K on bits to get it back on the road. It was a magic bike. As above the engines are bullet proof. They do have a short swing arm but they handle great. I put a 86 swing arm on it in the end cos the 85 was damaged. I often ran mine out to 200kph plus and it was fine. It ran at 180 kmh like a dream. You could do massive wheel stands on them cos of the short swing arm.

Problems. None that come to mind. I had problems getting bits for it. But it was a reck. It would be a great bike to own. They are raw with the power delivery and can have a bit of vibration. I think I went from a 140 to a 130 on the back tyre. It helped the handling.

$2700 is all it is worth. I would value it at $2200 but it is a classic and a bike worth having.

[onearmedbandit]

J and K model had more 'over-square' bore/stroke dimensions which were changed back to the F-H model style with the L onwards model. I have heard reports of the J and K models eating sparkplugs, some put it down to the vibrations caused by the stroke design. PM orangeback, he knows a bit about these models and just bought one recently as well.

[edit] I owned an F model years ago, blueprinted and balanced motor with oversized carbs on it. Fucking brilliant bike, used to blow my friends '86 model into the weeds. Shorter wheelbase was noticeable from his, yes the wheelstands were great. It did try to throw me over the bars at an indicated 250km/h once, luckily I managed to get back (and I mean luck, I was just a passenger during that experience!) on the seat before it tankslapped me into the next life. Apparently they are very tyre fussy, and that was the cause of the tank slapper. Changed the hoops and never had a problem again, and I used to flog the fuck out of it. Never missed a beat and used no oil. Like all other ex-owners of these bikes I wish I never sold it. Being in a drugged up state in hospital after losing the use of your arm can make you do stupid things. ie, agreeing to sell your bike.

[kneescraper]

Wow that bike in the pic is rough as guts...got any pics of what it looked like after you spent the doe on it. Yeah they are awesome looking and sounding bikes..problem is Ive never meet any one that has owned one. But by the sounds of things they are a good bike to own.

How much would one want to pay for the following bike http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-86206367.htm

[onearmedbandit]

Link not working.