Suzuki GS 1000

Back in 1977, the manufacturers competed against each other by making larger and more powerful motorcycle engines (sound familiar?) and 1000 was a very respectable number on the side panel. Kawasaki had already released its KZ1000 and Yamaha the powerful XS11. Honda had its GL1000 Gold Wing. Suzuki was the last one of the Japanese ”big four” to join the exclusive ”1000 cc club” with the GS1000.

The GS1000 was based around the successful GS750, which was the lightest of the 750's available at the time. What Suzuki wanted was a simple design, that benefited from solid engineering and light weight. And they succeeded. The GS1000 was only slightly heavier than its smaller brother, which was quite an achievement. By lengthening the stroke of the (relatively short stroke) GS750 engine from 56,4 to 70 mm the cylinder displacement was enlarged from 748 to 997 cc. The lower end of the GS750 was strong enough to cope with the 1 1 liter cylinder displacement but the list of modifications was longer than just adding 14,6 mm to the stroke. The redesigned 750 engine put into the 1000 was actually lighter than the 750 engine! The power output in 1978 was given to 83—90 hp depending of the export country (differences in environment and noise regulations).

Even in other aspects, the GS1000 was in many details based on the GS750, introduced a year earlier. The GS1000 had five speeds, chain drive and tubular steel cradle frame like the GS750, but there's many differences between the models, not just cosmetic (the fuel tank and the design of the rear end of the bike being the most obvious differences). The suspension of the big brother was more advanced, using air and oil dampened front fork.

The GS1000 was arguably the best one-liter four-cylinder of its time.

None of the GS1000 models were sold in its home country, Japan, where selling motorcycles with larger than 750 cc engines was not allowed until 1990, the VX800 roadster being the first model sold in Japan with a piston displacement larger than 750 cc.

Suzuki 1978More Suzuki models from 1978 1978 Suzuki year code: C

The first GS1000s arrived to shops in February 1978. At first the model was called GS1000 (without the E). The first models had conventional rear shocks but in May 1978 they were replaced with gas/air suspension, covered with chromed steel tube.

Source suzukicycles.org