Suzuki GS1200 SS

Make Model	Suzuki GS 1200SS
Year	2001-02
Engine	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	1157 cc / 70.6 cu in
Bore x Stroke	79 x 59 mm
Cooling System	Air/oil cooled
Compression Ratio	9.5 :1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Oil capacity	4.6 L / 1.2 US gal / 1.1 Impgal
Induction	CVR32
Ignition	Full transistor
Starting	Electric
Max Power	75 kW / 100 hp / 75 kW @ 8500 rp
Max Torque	95 Nm / 9.7 kg-m / 70.0 lb-ft @ 6.500 rpm
Clutch	Wet multi-plate, coil spring
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Primary Reduction Ratio	1.565
Secondary Reduction Ratio	3.000
Gear Ratio	1st 2.384 / 2nd 1.631 / 3rd 1.200 / 4th 1.956 / 5th 0.833
Front Suspension	43 mm Telescopic forks
Rear Suspension	Swing arm, dual shocks
Front Brakes	2 x 310 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 240 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/70-17
Rear Tyre	170/60-17
Rake	25°
Trail	99 mm / 3.9 in
Dimensions	Length 2115 mm / 83.3 in Width 765 mm / 30.1 in Height 1220 mm / 48.0 in
Wheelbase	1460 mm / 57.5 in
Seat Height	770 mm / 30.3 in
Ground Clearance	130 mm / 5.1 in
Dry Weight	210 kg / 462 lbs
Fuel Capacity	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal / 4.0 Imp gal

By the time when Suzuki for the first time presented its over 1000cc machines, back in the early eighties, the Japanese customers couldn't buy them. The regulations prohibited selling motorcycles with larger than 750cc engines on the domestic market in Japan. No wonder the 1100cc Katanas and other sports muscle bikes of the eighties were selling well over the decade after the model were discontinued in Europe and USA, when the regulations finally were dropped.

Nostalgic design sell quite well in Japan. The new GS1200SS was simply a modern version of the GSX-R1100 from the eighties. A sports-bike for those who dreamed about it when they couldn't get it. It was presented for the domestic market in 2001, available in black or red/black.

The GS12000SS is a full modern bike, although in some details the GS1200SS is still old-fashioned. For example, the speedo and the rev counter were wire-connected instead of electric, like in many other modern bikes. Still, the dry mass of the bike was only 210 kg (462 lbs), making the bike go really fast with its 100 hp engine.

Some minor modifications were made in March 2002 for the second model year. The fuel tank was redesigned and a new cap was mounted. The redisgn of the fuel tank made its capacity to decrease from 20 to 18 liter, and the dry weight decreased from 210 to 209 kg. The new available colors were blue/white and red/black. The price went up with 2,000 Yen.

Suzuki GS 1200SS