These and the 1150 are bomb proof

The good old fuel gauge ..... once you ride a bike equiped with the gauge , other bikes without a fuel gauge will constantly make you grumble and wary .

I ran a Suzuki franchise from 1978 to 1984...and had the fantastic opportunity to have at my disposal a number of "demo bikes" to use for my personal pleasure. I had 2-3 of these GS1100E & GS1100ES bikes that I rode...along with the '79 & '80 GS1000S (Wes Cooley Replica bikes)...the iconic '82 GS1000SZ/Katana...and others! Best job (fun factor) that I EVER HAD!!!

The never ending pursuit of the "best" bike is the exact thing that keeps a person from achieving it. Life is about the journey, not the destination.

Oh Jon, that looks so good of a ride!

Excellent review, Jon! I owned or rode all the big bikes from the Honda 750 through the 1000-1100 transverse fours. The state of technical advancement was rapid: last year’s hero was soon topped by another. The Suzuki GS 1000 was the best handling, but the 2 valve head limited breathing. Yamaha’s XS 1100 surprised everyone with the larger displacement, but not everyone liked how the shaft drive affected spirited riding. Honda’s CBX stunned in the looks department, but the big 1000 cc transverse 6 was top heavy and difficult to launch due to the lack of low end torque. Worse yet, a simple tip over would break that expensive and complex cylinder head. When the GS 1100 arrived in 1981 Suzuki produced the fastest and best handling superbike available from the Japanese manufacturers. I loved mine, and suitably tuned with a Kerker exhaust and proper jetting could break into the 10’s. This was Shelby Cobra performance territory. All for $3500.

Such great bikes back in the day. Never owned a Suzuki but that GS1100ES always called to me as one tough bike. Solid review, as always, John- thank you!

Great I learn something from each of your videos

This example is a well polished gem. Chief Windy Urtowsky would endorse for sure.

I’m a fan of these bikes and especially the 83 model after watching your review. If she were mine I’d send the suspension off to Daugherty Motorsports in Indiana. DMS is a one man expert operation. Jamie would re-spring and re-valve front and rear to match your weight and riding style, all for less cost than the price of mid-grade rear shocks alone. Sorry for the shameless plug but I’ve sent him suspensions for three bikes and I couldn’t be happier.

Rode a GS1100E about 5 y ago, but the roads I was on were no conducive to pulling her trigger.

Thank you,Jon. My first big bike. Brings back a lot of fond memories! Safe travels 🐾

I've owned an 83 1100e, 82 1100g, 81 850g, and an 82 650g, and currently looking for an 82 650g. I restore mostly old and newer generation Triumphs, single cam Honda 4's, and GS Suzuki's. Please let me know of any 650g's that are available. Your site is fantastic and its now at the top of my subscribed list! Keep up the reviews and tips on these classics.

I blocked off my anti dive brake system, changed pads and installed progressive fork springs to my weight, ran about 10psi in the forks, superbike bars, big bag, tank bag, some of that was just coming out, Bagman's and Dry rider rain suits. Cut the seat down an inch in front, more into the bike. Mine would pull 140 right at redline, did it everyday. Vibes though.

good intel Jon , thx for sharing

Definitely best bike ever built. Good at everything.

As Always,Terrific video Jon! I LOVE bikes with HUGE "Meat' in their midrange and as proven when you rode this,this has PLENTY OF IT for sure! Such a beautiful bike too! I'm a connoisseur all black engines combined with all black exhausts as well,and with it on THIS BIKE,it only ADDS to it's beauty! Thanks for making this one Jon! : >)

That's a great looking bike. I have this bike's little brother, a 1985 GSX400E. Of course, nowhere near as powerfull as the 1100, but a nice bike for zipping around town. And very reliable, as most Suzukis of that era are. I have a 1985 Honda VF1000F for the long hauls. (One of the best bikes of that era ihmo.) When I bought the Honda around 15 years ago, I intended to sell the Suzuki, but ended up keeping it. I'm glad I did, since I've now owned it for 32 years, and it kinda belongs i my garage now. :) It's interesting how Suzuki decided to designate these bikes just GS in Nort America, and GSX pretty much everywhere else. Here in Europe GS meant a 2 valve head and GSX ment a 4 vale head. That was pretty consistent. At least that's how it was back in the day, I'm not sure how it is today. I understand the GSX designation came to North America when the GSX-R750 was introduced in 1985. I completely agree with you on the anti-dive thing. My 400 has the same weird contraption, although just on one side, since it's single disk. If I put the front wheel up against a wall or something, so that I can compress or pump the front fork up and down, both while holding the brake and releasing the brake, I can feel no difference. No difference whatsoever.

Best transmission going still yet. Just touch it and it's shifted. Cosworth style 4 valve heads worked too. easy to maintain, tappets adjustable, an hour at most.

beautiful bike my era of motorcycling,i think 1983-84 was the best period for motorcycles.great review thanks

I always liked this Suzuki. It was a do everything street bike. Tough as hell and reliable too. Looked really clean too. I loved the style. Fun video.

Enjoyed the video, Jon. I've always heard that the GS1100E was reliable as a rock. RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

Another great video. Good work, and thank you.

Well done and I never knew they had a oil pressure guage stock, never seen that and nice country too.

Hans Muth design. I had the 82. The 83 was the bike to have. Welded crank, new clutch, bigger wheels and tires the ES had the sport fairing. Also an brake actuated anti dive system was installed on the front fork. I putt 33 carbs on mine Kerker or Vance and Hines 4/1 S&W shocks Rusted steering bearing and swingarm bearings. 3500 miles. I traded it for a new 83 R100RS BMW much better machine for what I needed.

Always liked the Katana, especially the 1100 version.

Had that exact bike ! Another bike I should have kept. Believe it or not, I rode it from Virginia Beach to Massachusetts in about 8 hours to attend a party I did not want to miss. Could never get away with that these days. Still don't know how I didn't get a ticket. Sometimes its better to be lucky.

I think that is the best 1100 classic superbike out there. But then again I have one. The same as yours. Totally stock except for the handlebars. How do you record your voice on the bike while riding without wind noise? You sound perfect.

I'm happy with my 81 GS1100E.

Dang Jon. Kinda bummed. I honestly just sold my 1985 ES about an hour ago. Guy drove a long way to get it and it was the same year he graduated he used to have one over 20 yrs ago. I needed the space but after opening it wide open one last time down my straight away I was second guessing... Ohhh well it's what we do. Still got my old G. For some odd reason I just have a attachment to it. Kinda like a not so pretty girlfriend who puts up with your crap and you love. Old faithful. 😇

I had an 83 GS 11 that I bought you in 84 what's the best bike I ever had wish I still had it regrets selling it every time I see it on a video like yours I bought the bike new it was a great deal in 1984 leftover model always wanted that bike could not pass up on that deal like I said wish I still had it

Nice bike!

Nice video @jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I fortunate to have both the 83 GS1100E & 83 GS750E. Do you a video like this on the 83 GS750E?

Once past 60 mph, my '83 was a paint-shaker!

Lifetime rider

I rode that bike , same year suprised the dealer just let me ride it from my Honda hawk 400. That bike you need to bend way down or you fly of the back . LOL first bike the G s make your eye sore as it push your eye ball in your head. Not kidding and the road turn into ver narrow just in first gear didn’t look at the speed but that enough that over my skills

Hola Jhon. Me encanta esta nueva prueba con la 1100 83. Te pregunto? Si tendrias que elegir entre la Gs 1100 80/81 o esta la 83 .con cual te quedarias ? Y porque? Tanto en transito urbano o como para viajar en ruta. Gracias y saludos Ricardo

Any idea what a GS1100e in this shape or similar goes for nowadays? They’ve peaked my interest over the past 3 months or so but i cant really seem to find any for sale that aren’t in need of a complete tear down restoration.

I

Compared to my kz 1000 ,this was a piece of junk !