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SUZUKI GS 750














SUZUKI GS 750




SUZUKI GS 750  IN CLASSIC SUZUKI BLUE



Suzuki delayed for a long time before finally entering the market with a four- cylinder, four-stroke superbike in 1977, but the wait was worthwhile. The GS750 was a stunningly powerful and well-engineered bike that not only matched its rivals for speed and reliability, but surpassed them for handling. Coming from a company whose most notable previous model had been the GT750 two-stroke triple, the GS was a remarkable machine.

For all its merits the GS750 was far from the world's most imaginative motorcycle. In the finest tradition of Japanese motorcycle design it was closely based on the best existing machine of a few years earlier, in this case Kawasaki's Z900. The GS's dohc air-cooled engine shared the famously powerful and strong Kawasaki's 65mm piston diameter and even its valve sizes and timing, achieving its 748cc capacity with a shorter 56.4mm stroke. Peak output was 68bhp at 8500rpm, making the Suzuki the most powerful 750 on the market. 




In contrast to the large and rather gaudy GT750 two-stroke that it was built to replace, the GS was conservatively styled, and disguised its substantial 5051b (229kg) fueled-up weight well. There was a notable lack of fuss about the whole machine, which combined simple paintwork with black side panels, a slim front mudguard and a thick and effective dual-seat. The only remotely frivolous feature was a digital gear indicator in the instrument panel.





 SUZUKI GS 750
Superior chassis design


Chassis design was also conventional, based around a twin downtube frame that outclassed several apparently similar rivals due partly to its heavily braced steering head area and needle-roller swing arm bearings. Similarly, although the front forks and twin rear shocks were of typical design, they proved to be above average in use.

And the GS combined its 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels with a single disc brake at each end. The brakes combined to give reasonable stopping power and they were needed, too, because the GS750 was blindingly fast. 

At low revs it was docile in typical Japanese four fashion, pulling smoothly from as low as 2000rpm in the highest ratio of its smooth-shifting five-speed gearbox. Once the rev-counter needle reached 6000rpm, though, the Suzuki took off in fine style, storming smoothly towards the 9500rpm redline through the gears, as it headed for a top speed of over 120mph (193km/h).

Although the riding position was roomy and upright (especially on the American market model with its higher bars), the GS was fairly comfortable and easily powerful enough for sustained cruising at 80mph (129km/h) or more. And its handling was excellent, too, combining good stability with agility and steering precision that matched all of its mass- produced Japanese rivals, and surpassed quite a few by a distance.

SUZUKI GS 750  IN SUZUKI RED
Predictably the GS was a big success, instantly establishing Suzuki as a major superbike force. It also proved commendably reliable, so much so that when the model was revised in 1979, the only notable changes were new paint schemes, cast wheels and a second front brake disc. If the GS750 had been produced by any of the experienced superbike manufacturers it would have been a triumph. Coming as Suzuki's first ever big four- stroke, it was truly inspired.


 SUZUKI GS 750 prices 2014


MINT       $6,000  $8,000  £3,800  £5,850

GOOD              $5,000                £3,000
FAIR                 $2,750                £2,200
PROJECT         $1,000                £850

 

1 comment:

  1. As a 17-year-old lad, I hankered after only TWO materialistic things
    Firstly, A Fender Stratocaster
    Secondly, A Suzuki GS.750 - That REALLY was the Apple of my eye !
    I vowed one day I would get one...
    By the time I'd started riding motorcycles (legally), the Suzuki GS.750 had already gone out of production, but of course, even back then, nearly new examples were still available.
    Attending the (various) bike-shows in both London & Birmingham (England), I picked-up various catalogues & saw 'NEW' bikes on show.
    Then, one-night, whilst taking my G/f (& future-wife) home, we were both standing-around waiting at the bus-stop.
    A drop-dead-GORGEOUS Suzuki GS.1000-E rode-by, in Red/White/Black
    Like, "O.M.G" = LOOK AT THAT ('Lucky Bar-steward', or words to that effect)
    We went to the USAF Mildenhall Airshow that year & parked-up, I saw one in Black... (the 1978/1979 version of the GS.1000-E_)
    But it was "LOVE" for the GS.750 that had sparked my main-interest in motorcycles, initially, with it's understated GOOD-LOOKS & handsome demeanour.
    Now, here at the RAF-Mildenhall (American) Air-Base, was this jaw-droppingly handsome motorcycle, this Black/White/Black GS.1000-E
    I just HAD to have one, it was by far the best-looking bike I'd ever seen...& yes, I'd been bought-up on a never-ending diet of Norton Commando(es), Triumph Bonnevilles (T.140's), but I did NOT want some elderly 'oil-leaking' British bike (associated with 'old-crusties !)

    Time went by. Bought myself a GORGEOUS BEAUTIFUL Kawasaki Z.1000-J3
    But still the urge WAS there, for either a Suzuki GS.750 (which had started this all), or, a Suzuki GS.1000-E, the GS.750's bigger-brother.

    Finally, a workmate badgered me for knowledge - He was a 'new' rider who had passed his test & was looking for a 'Katana'
    His search took a few months (over the winter), but as they were (then) fairly 'new' & basically "all the rage", he simply couldn't quite afford one.
    Then one day, I bumped into him, with him clearly excited saying "***, ***, I've got some fantasic-news - I've bought myself an almost new bike" (Like, "Yeah, What IS IT ?")

    I went round to his house (flat), South of the River Thames to photograph it, one day, after work.
    By God it was just GORGEOUS !!!!!
    I just couldn't stop looking at it & drooling (& taking pix)
    The excitement & laughter was contageous, wtih him saying "Look at ya, you LOVE it even more then I do..."
    He bought out the ignition-key & said "Take it for a ride"
    I wuz like, "Nah, it might go wrong, I might smash-it, for as you know, the traffic round here (Central London), is just murder".
    But he absolutely insisted that I ride it, so I did.
    I fell in love with it, even before I started riding it (drooling)
    When I got back, I told him, truthfully...
    "Steve, if EVER you get to sell this thing, for whatever reason, then please mate, PLEASE, make sure YOU give ME first-refusal"

    Five-to-six months later, he was buying another flat, this time taking-out a mortgage (instead of rental), saying to me...
    "The bike has just GOT to go, like, I don't wanna sell it, BUT.."
    Asking the price, he said...
    "Give me what I paid for it... £1,200 quid"
    It was MINT, mint-immaculate & had just 6,000 miles on the clock.
    To look at it, it was basically a brand-new bike (6,000 miles being nothing on a 1,000cc machine).
    I agreed to buy it, without any hesitation.

    That was back in April 1988, when I was still in my twenties.
    I still have that exact self-same bike here with me, today & I will NEVER never part with it !!!!!

    https://flic.kr/p/27KhVKK - Click-link

    Here it is (photograph), of the exact bike itself, taken in April 1988 during that trip to South East London

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