Slingshot GSXR’s
Discussion
Me and my dad have been looking at bikes recently and he’s wanting an 80’s/90’s sportsbike. We’ve been looking at all sorts of bikes but one of the bikes he’s always wanted is a GSXR 750.
We’ve found a K model which I believe is 88/89 that’s looks in good condition and I’ll be looking at it tomorrow.
I wondered what you guys thought of them? I expect most of your knowledge will be from back in the day which would actually be helpful as we’re looking at other bikes like ZXR 750’s and FZR1000’s.
Obviously not expecting modern handling but are they alright? Is there something else from the time that is way better? Realistically it’s not going to do many miles, just something that’s nice to have really.
We’ve found a K model which I believe is 88/89 that’s looks in good condition and I’ll be looking at it tomorrow.
I wondered what you guys thought of them? I expect most of your knowledge will be from back in the day which would actually be helpful as we’re looking at other bikes like ZXR 750’s and FZR1000’s.
Obviously not expecting modern handling but are they alright? Is there something else from the time that is way better? Realistically it’s not going to do many miles, just something that’s nice to have really.
I had a GSXR1100K back in 2005.. It was almost original and I did to it what everyone else was doing.. removed the fairing, fit flat bars and a bigger rear end..
Bought for £400.. sold for £1500.. but the price of these are going high now..
I really enjoyed it, was a real laugh but I preferred my ZRX1100.
Bought for £400.. sold for £1500.. but the price of these are going high now..
I really enjoyed it, was a real laugh but I preferred my ZRX1100.
I think if you're looking at something 30 years old, you'd be best to keep make/model options open and just get the best one you find within a given distance and time constraint.
Nothing wrong with the Slingshots, being 88/89 they were at a time when 17" wheels were being fitted, I'd imagine a modern choice of tyres would help the handling.
I had a couple of FZR1000s from that era, a 87 Genesis - did mega miles on that over the time I had it, it was fast & reliable as a daily all round bike but looked at one recently & felt the ergonomics were all wrong plus it had that 18" rear wheel to limit tyre choices.
The next was a 91 RU EXUP, quite and advance over the Genesis, 17" wheels but I'd say the build quality wasn't as good as the older bike. A friend bought a YZF750 (another consideration) but again I noticed the build quality had stepped back again despite it being a great bike.
A 93 Fireblade was next and that took things to another level in performance, build quality & comfort.
Like I said above, 30 years old, whilst mechanically sound you could have all sorts of silly issues on any given bike - the Genesis had silly little things like the temperature gauge bouncing up & down plus front brake lever wearing loose & flashing the rear brake light - all fixable but either at the cost of time or money.
Nothing wrong with the Slingshots, being 88/89 they were at a time when 17" wheels were being fitted, I'd imagine a modern choice of tyres would help the handling.
I had a couple of FZR1000s from that era, a 87 Genesis - did mega miles on that over the time I had it, it was fast & reliable as a daily all round bike but looked at one recently & felt the ergonomics were all wrong plus it had that 18" rear wheel to limit tyre choices.
The next was a 91 RU EXUP, quite and advance over the Genesis, 17" wheels but I'd say the build quality wasn't as good as the older bike. A friend bought a YZF750 (another consideration) but again I noticed the build quality had stepped back again despite it being a great bike.
A 93 Fireblade was next and that took things to another level in performance, build quality & comfort.
Like I said above, 30 years old, whilst mechanically sound you could have all sorts of silly issues on any given bike - the Genesis had silly little things like the temperature gauge bouncing up & down plus front brake lever wearing loose & flashing the rear brake light - all fixable but either at the cost of time or money.
Edited by graham22 on Thursday 5th April 09:29
I really like the M model GSX-R's from the early 1990's, quite a few mates had them back then, the 1100's had some go about them.
The K model had something wrong with the handling if I remember correctly, we nicknamed them the "killer". There were a lot of stories in the popular press about them when they came out.
I've had all the FZR 1000 models, the exups were generally a better bike in all respects IMO.
The K model had something wrong with the handling if I remember correctly, we nicknamed them the "killer". There were a lot of stories in the popular press about them when they came out.
I've had all the FZR 1000 models, the exups were generally a better bike in all respects IMO.
Biker's Nemesis said:
The K model had something wrong with the handling if I remember correctly, we nicknamed them the "killer". There were a lot of stories in the popular press about them when they came out.
Someone had fitted a steering damper to my K before I bought it.. I never noticed any issues but then I did convert mine to flat bars.. I think the K designates a 1989 bike. Although the 1100 was the 'Killer K' the 750 was nice enough.
Riding one now I'd expect it to be a bit gutless by modern standards (obviously), lots of mechanical rustling from the motor and an odd jockey type riding position (scrunched up legs and long stretch over the tank). They handle in their own way and tend to drop into corners but you'll get used to it. Put modern tyres on it and it will ride nicely.
Be a lovely collectable thing to polish and use for fhe odd ride out if it's original. So many have been modified to death that it's rare to see a nice one with the fairing still on it. A mate's got an 1100M (or N) in his company boardroom with 16k miles on it alongside a 916 and his ex TT R71.
Riding one now I'd expect it to be a bit gutless by modern standards (obviously), lots of mechanical rustling from the motor and an odd jockey type riding position (scrunched up legs and long stretch over the tank). They handle in their own way and tend to drop into corners but you'll get used to it. Put modern tyres on it and it will ride nicely.
Be a lovely collectable thing to polish and use for fhe odd ride out if it's original. So many have been modified to death that it's rare to see a nice one with the fairing still on it. A mate's got an 1100M (or N) in his company boardroom with 16k miles on it alongside a 916 and his ex TT R71.
Hi
I had an 1100L that I used for playing silly B's on the drag race strips.
Build quality was decent enough. Power was OK (mine had an aftermarket 4->, slightly larger carbs and aftermarket ignition and made 135hp at the rear wheel). Fork chrome wore (I had them replated). Starter relay in a silly place under the battery tray.
Prices seem to be going up (my old 1100 is now up for sale at a LOT more than I sold it for 2 years ago).
Katy
I had an 1100L that I used for playing silly B's on the drag race strips.
Build quality was decent enough. Power was OK (mine had an aftermarket 4->, slightly larger carbs and aftermarket ignition and made 135hp at the rear wheel). Fork chrome wore (I had them replated). Starter relay in a silly place under the battery tray.
Prices seem to be going up (my old 1100 is now up for sale at a LOT more than I sold it for 2 years ago).
Katy
Well I went to look at it, it was a nice bike. 20,000 miles and all original so I bought it. Collecting on Saturday.
I’m not expecting it to handle like a modern bike but I’m sure I’ll be happy with it for the odd sunny ride here and there.
As the poster said above I was looking at various different bikes including FZR’s both 1000’s and 400’s. I wasn’t as keen on a 1000 though just because I’ve had a thunderace before. We’d also looked at some SRAD’s too so no particular target when looking.
I’m not expecting it to handle like a modern bike but I’m sure I’ll be happy with it for the odd sunny ride here and there.
As the poster said above I was looking at various different bikes including FZR’s both 1000’s and 400’s. I wasn’t as keen on a 1000 though just because I’ve had a thunderace before. We’d also looked at some SRAD’s too so no particular target when looking.
Sounds nice.
Like said above, the 1100K was the one with the reputation, 89 model only (I was at the TT that year, Mellor/Whitham big proddy accidents), they quickly changed with both the L (upside down forks) and M (like BN said) with enclosed headlight etc.
From memory, the J & K model 750s were pretty much the same, I think the J had 2 painted exhausts and the K 2 Stainless pipes.
Like said above, the 1100K was the one with the reputation, 89 model only (I was at the TT that year, Mellor/Whitham big proddy accidents), they quickly changed with both the L (upside down forks) and M (like BN said) with enclosed headlight etc.
From memory, the J & K model 750s were pretty much the same, I think the J had 2 painted exhausts and the K 2 Stainless pipes.
graham22 said:
A 93 Fireblade was next and that took things to another level in performance, build quality & comfort.
Yes, if you're in the market for an old sportsbike, an early 'blade will be closer to a modern sportsbike than it was to a bike from a year before the 'blade was launched (92 I think) .I had an 89 GSXR1100K followed by a 94 Fireblade. It was like leaving behind a cave and moving into the space station.
A mate had a new GSXR750L in 1990 that was lovely, he still has one in the garage now that runs and goes well. I did have a ZXR750h1 from 80 for a few years. I would probably still have it if not for too many ailments making sportsbikes uncomfortable.
As a bike to ride on a sunny day, they are still quick, 200 odd Kg with 100 odd bhp. The thing I used to notice most was the brakes not being up to modern standards of 1 or 2 finger use. I guess we have been spoilt in recent years
Buying one really depends on condition, if the bike has been restored and kept in use versus something that needs restoring. You could soon spend a couple grand sorting one out if paying a bike shop. If you buy one thats in regular use should then hopefully all the maintenance is up to date.
Parts are still plentiful for them on ebay and even new old stock, so no worries there.
If a GSXR750 is what he wants then Id go L model or later....
As a bike to ride on a sunny day, they are still quick, 200 odd Kg with 100 odd bhp. The thing I used to notice most was the brakes not being up to modern standards of 1 or 2 finger use. I guess we have been spoilt in recent years
Buying one really depends on condition, if the bike has been restored and kept in use versus something that needs restoring. You could soon spend a couple grand sorting one out if paying a bike shop. If you buy one thats in regular use should then hopefully all the maintenance is up to date.
Parts are still plentiful for them on ebay and even new old stock, so no worries there.
If a GSXR750 is what he wants then Id go L model or later....
SAS Tom said:
...... one of the bikes he’s always wanted is a GSXR 750.
Realistically it’s not going to do many miles, just something that’s nice to have really.
You hit the nail on the head with those 2 comments.Realistically it’s not going to do many miles, just something that’s nice to have really.
There's always something "better" but the fact is nostalgia plays more of a part in the decision making on these old(er) bikes, many of the suggestions above are "better" but if your Dad never had any interest or desire to own them but did a GSXR, then that's whats right for him.
I know a FZR1000 and early Blade are considerably better in every measurably way but like your Dad, I would have still gone for the GSXR...
I'd personally focus on the L or earlier.
The L was my favourite - had the looks etc but was about as refined as they got before they added weight with the M and then went water cooled with the WN.
The earlier ones pre-88/89 were the slabsiders and I think are much more of an investment as they look so different from modern bikes. The 88/89 bikes were pretty well sorted and there should be a few around. The 1100k was the one with the handling issues. The 750k was fine.
I think that your challenge will be finding one that hasn't been played with. Purple probolt's all over the place and short and very loud Yoshi's were the order of the day back then.
The L was my favourite - had the looks etc but was about as refined as they got before they added weight with the M and then went water cooled with the WN.
The earlier ones pre-88/89 were the slabsiders and I think are much more of an investment as they look so different from modern bikes. The 88/89 bikes were pretty well sorted and there should be a few around. The 1100k was the one with the handling issues. The 750k was fine.
I think that your challenge will be finding one that hasn't been played with. Purple probolt's all over the place and short and very loud Yoshi's were the order of the day back then.
podman said:
You hit the nail on the head with those 2 comments.
There's always something "better" but the fact is nostalgia plays more of a part in the decision making on these old(er) bikes, many of the suggestions above are "better" but if your Dad never had any interest or desire to own them but did a GSXR, then that's whats right for him.
Well put Bryan, the above is it in a nutshell.There's always something "better" but the fact is nostalgia plays more of a part in the decision making on these old(er) bikes, many of the suggestions above are "better" but if your Dad never had any interest or desire to own them but did a GSXR, then that's whats right for him.
Tom, get some pictures up.
Podman you've said that very well. I know the Fireblade moved things on at the time but i've ridden an early blade and just wasn't interested in it despite it doing everything i wanted. We did look at an FZR1000 EXUP RU too and it was a nice bike just not in the condition we hoped for. Realistically none of these bikes are terrible, of course they're old but that's the point. My main reason for asking was in case of anything specific to look for.
I only have advert pictures at the moment but going to collect it Saturday. Unfortunately (for him!) my dad has nowhere to put it so it's living with me! It has been bought as a bit of an investment but it will still get ridden, it's only done 124 miles (20k overall) in the last 12 years but looks to have been recommissioned with some consumables being replaced recently. The tyres may need replacing but i'll ride it and make a decision on those.
What was surprising was how hard it is to find an original undamaged bike from this era. It has become noticeably harder and prices for pretty much everything have jumped up because of it. Getting something decent under £1500 was easy just a few years ago, now it seems to be the starting point for most bikes.
I only have advert pictures at the moment but going to collect it Saturday. Unfortunately (for him!) my dad has nowhere to put it so it's living with me! It has been bought as a bit of an investment but it will still get ridden, it's only done 124 miles (20k overall) in the last 12 years but looks to have been recommissioned with some consumables being replaced recently. The tyres may need replacing but i'll ride it and make a decision on those.
What was surprising was how hard it is to find an original undamaged bike from this era. It has become noticeably harder and prices for pretty much everything have jumped up because of it. Getting something decent under £1500 was easy just a few years ago, now it seems to be the starting point for most bikes.
Looks a nice bike that.
SAS Tom said:
What was surprising was how hard it is to find an original undamaged bike from this era. It has become noticeably harder and prices for pretty much everything have jumped up because of it. Getting something decent under £1500 was easy just a few years ago, now it seems to be the starting point for most bikes.
Agreed on the price inflation at the more affordable end of the market. Anything under £2.5 or 3k has gone up massively in the last few years so much so that we (as a country) are now increasingly importing old bikes from Europe (and beyond) reversing the flow of a few years back.Went and got it today;
I love it! It’s heavy, slow and slow to turn in but great fun. As you can see it’s in good nick so doesn’t need a right lot. First on the list was the rubber grommets where the indicators go into the fairing. They were perished and split so a quick look on the Fowler’s website found the genuine part amazingly in stock! I was surprised that they’d keep something like that for an 80’s bike in stock so Suzuki’s classic parts programme is clearly working.
Other plans are a new set of tyres as the current ones aren’t even from this decade and a new rear shock. The original doesn’t have much damping after 27 years. Otherwise it’s great and I love riding it.
I love it! It’s heavy, slow and slow to turn in but great fun. As you can see it’s in good nick so doesn’t need a right lot. First on the list was the rubber grommets where the indicators go into the fairing. They were perished and split so a quick look on the Fowler’s website found the genuine part amazingly in stock! I was surprised that they’d keep something like that for an 80’s bike in stock so Suzuki’s classic parts programme is clearly working.
Other plans are a new set of tyres as the current ones aren’t even from this decade and a new rear shock. The original doesn’t have much damping after 27 years. Otherwise it’s great and I love riding it.
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