GSXR 1100 vs FZR 1000
Discussion
Fancy something a bit retro so been looking at 90s bikes. One that catches my eye is the GSXR 1100L which followed the slab sided models. I was 19 yo when these came out and too young to be able to afford one. Anyone know what they are like to own or should I be looking at a similar vintage FZR exup instead?
Which year? Not interested much in either of the later models, despite owning a 1991 RU but a slab side 1100 or 1989 EXUP does float my boat.
Either way, an 1100 has to be an oil cooled jobbie IMHO.
What to look out for ? On a 30+ year old ex sports bike, everything!
1100 motors are strong , FZRs not so much, they can burn oil and that EXUP valve can seize easily, corrosion can be everywhere on either but FZR calipers deteriorate quicker than most, Yamaha plastics of the era also become much more brittle in my opinion.
Lastly, the 1100 had the bad boy image of the two and despite being a worse handling bike, the image means 1100s are far more pricey to buy than an FZR of the same era.
Either is a great choice and a very cool bike IMHO.
Either way, an 1100 has to be an oil cooled jobbie IMHO.
What to look out for ? On a 30+ year old ex sports bike, everything!
1100 motors are strong , FZRs not so much, they can burn oil and that EXUP valve can seize easily, corrosion can be everywhere on either but FZR calipers deteriorate quicker than most, Yamaha plastics of the era also become much more brittle in my opinion.
Lastly, the 1100 had the bad boy image of the two and despite being a worse handling bike, the image means 1100s are far more pricey to buy than an FZR of the same era.
Either is a great choice and a very cool bike IMHO.
wormus said:
Thanks. I'm looking as the L model GSXR which is 1990 so twin, round headlights, single tail light and first year with USD forks. I've seen one in blue and white and it looks ace IMHO.
Know that model & colour scheme well, nice, enjoy the bike for what it is, relish that motors grunt and im sure you'll be a happy owner.There was a right mix of exup's and GSXR-1100s in our group in the late 80's early 90's.
I was firmly in the Yamaha camp but have to say the GSXR 1100's were a match for the exup's on the road. I've ridden loads of GSXR 1100's and thought they had the better motor, you sit up high on the suzuki and in on the Yamaha.
I think the Suzuki's have aged better looks wise and they sound like the devil with a sore throat with a Cobra or Vance &Hines pipe fitted.
The GSXR 1100K was the one considered the widow maker.
I was firmly in the Yamaha camp but have to say the GSXR 1100's were a match for the exup's on the road. I've ridden loads of GSXR 1100's and thought they had the better motor, you sit up high on the suzuki and in on the Yamaha.
I think the Suzuki's have aged better looks wise and they sound like the devil with a sore throat with a Cobra or Vance &Hines pipe fitted.
The GSXR 1100K was the one considered the widow maker.
Biker's Nemesis said:
There was a right mix of exup's and GSXR-1100s in our group in the late 80's early 90's.
I was firmly in the Yamaha camp but have to say the GSXR 1100's were a match for the exup's on the road. I've ridden loads of GSXR 1100's and thought they had the better motor, you sit up high on the suzuki and in on the Yamaha.
I think the Suzuki's have aged better looks wise and they sound like the devil with a sore throat with a Cobra or Vance &Hines pipe fitted.
The GSXR 1100K was the one considered the widow maker.
I always coveted the K in black/silver.I was firmly in the Yamaha camp but have to say the GSXR 1100's were a match for the exup's on the road. I've ridden loads of GSXR 1100's and thought they had the better motor, you sit up high on the suzuki and in on the Yamaha.
I think the Suzuki's have aged better looks wise and they sound like the devil with a sore throat with a Cobra or Vance &Hines pipe fitted.
The GSXR 1100K was the one considered the widow maker.
I had an Exup at the time and had a few rides on a mates 1100L and, all things considered, I think it was a slightly better bike than the RWU fork Exup.
When I eventually got a ride of the K I decided to keep the Exup - it handled stranger than an NS400 with bent forks!
I can't believe they're fetching £5000+ in good condition.
I can't believe what Toot and co managed to get out of them on the rare occasions I got within sight.
legzr1 said:
I always coveted the K in black/silver.
I had an Exup at the time and had a few rides on a mates 1100L and, all things considered, I think it was a slightly better bike than the RWU fork Exup.
When I eventually got a ride of the K I decided to keep the Exup - it handled stranger than an NS400 with bent forks!
I can't believe they're fetching £5000+ in good condition.
I can't believe what Toot and co managed to get out of them on the rare occasions I got within sight.
I saw a FZR- Genesis 1000 heading out of Bedlington yesterday, 2 of us on 125's and Paul on his RGV 250, quite funny seeing everyone swivel around to clock each other.I had an Exup at the time and had a few rides on a mates 1100L and, all things considered, I think it was a slightly better bike than the RWU fork Exup.
When I eventually got a ride of the K I decided to keep the Exup - it handled stranger than an NS400 with bent forks!
I can't believe they're fetching £5000+ in good condition.
I can't believe what Toot and co managed to get out of them on the rare occasions I got within sight.
I wouldn't like to own old1000/1100 stuff from back then now, they were dangerous enough when we were fit, young and had reflexes like cats.
I used to own a GSXR1100L and I'm probably one of the few people on earth who blew the engine, with broken main bearings.
That aside, i loved the way it looked in black and I had a full Akropovic system on mine so for a while it pulled like a Juggernaut.
It looked and felt like a big, tough bike.
However, It also felt very heavy and the reputation for the 'top-heavy' feel is very accurate. The bike is very tall and the frame going over the engine does make particularly slow handling, feel a bit like it wants to fall over so I was certainly quicker on loads of other bikes. I did love the thing though.
Can't really comment on the FZR but I do own a Thunderace now but it's too early to comment on that one. I think I'm stuck in the 90's. I've 3 bikes now, all from that era.
That aside, i loved the way it looked in black and I had a full Akropovic system on mine so for a while it pulled like a Juggernaut.
It looked and felt like a big, tough bike.
However, It also felt very heavy and the reputation for the 'top-heavy' feel is very accurate. The bike is very tall and the frame going over the engine does make particularly slow handling, feel a bit like it wants to fall over so I was certainly quicker on loads of other bikes. I did love the thing though.
Can't really comment on the FZR but I do own a Thunderace now but it's too early to comment on that one. I think I'm stuck in the 90's. I've 3 bikes now, all from that era.
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