My God, you made my day, I just bought my Suzuki just two months ago, I'm 36, and guys over 50 can't stop looking at it and praising it. I adore her. Great video man!
I had one when they were fairy new. I am nearly 60 now so I can quite imagine the over 50s looking at it and praising it. I loved mine probably had a top speed of 180 km an hour in 0- 100 km /hr in about 5 1/2 seconds, or thereabouts was fairly quick for its time. I seem to remember it being very smooth and good handling, needing fairy good Revs to go anywhere fast.!
@@malcolmwhite6588 That's right! The guy who sold it to me was surprised that someone under 40 bought it. 😄😄 If at 44 years old it runs smoothly and without vibrations, it must have been incredible to have one that just left the dealership, you are very lucky friend
Great reliable workhorse - I worked one for many years in the 80s as a despatch rider in London - Only problem l once had was with the reg/rec packing up - Simply swapped it out for CB250N unit and 'Robert's your Mother's Brother' 😎
the R&R are problematic for all GS bikes. I've done so many Stator and R7R's I lost count. I also always have at least one packed if I go for a long ride... Lesson learned!
@@Jedz123 Yep same story on the 82-GS550M Katana model l currently own - The bloke l bought it off sold it because it wasn't charging properly - After a quick squiz l sussed it was a stuffed stator - No big drama - l just bought a new stator off eBay and all good to go.
Excellent review. I've had mine since 2011. I basically treat it like a push-lawnmower. It sits outside year round under a water resistant cover. It don't complain one bit.
Did mega-miles on my Gs550en as a London despatch-rider back then. We had the double-discs up front as standard and one of the first things changed was stiffer suspension, which was way too soft when new. Nowadays, an engine rebuild can get expensive so with minor modifications and the proper exhaust the Suzuki Gsf600 Bandit engine can be made to fit in a decently equipped workshop. Love seeing this, brings back memories- thankyou for the good work 😉
I bought a new "still in the crate" 1978 GS550E. Loved that bike. Two of my brothers had 750's, but I still liked mine better. Life happened and I could not afford both it and a car... with wife and a kid, had to sell it in 1982. I wouldn't mind another, but maybe an L Model.
I'm very happy with my GS550L, which I bought a couple of years ago to use as a cheap winter runabout while they are salting the roads here in England, and my Triumph T140 stays in the garage. Mine is a UK model, which has twin discs on the front - I never could understand why they only put a single disc on US market versions. It's a very good everyday bike and, once I'd put right what previous owners had inflicted on it, it's been totally reliable.
My first motorcycle was a Suzuki GS750L and it had a single stopper... It was like a gesture at stopping. I converted the front end to an 1100L front end with twin discs and stainless lines, that made the bike safe(r). Enjoy your riding! It was -28F this morning so no winter riding for me.
I used to own a GS550E. It had chrome handlebars, a 4 into 2 exhaust, and was dark red. The only thing In really didn't like about it was the instruments. These bikes were made at a time when one piece instrument pods were common. I would have much preferred separate round speedometer and tach. nevertheless it was a very fun bike. Unlike later "sportbikes" it had well placed bars and pegs, and was reasonably comfortable.
Bought one after riding a mates new one in 1978...Amazing how the front wheel lifts under acceleration. Was like they had a little power band. The front was quite light though, so that was probably it..Great little runabout and work ride. I wouldn't have gone around Australia on it though, so traded up for a Z1000 instead. Great days...
I had a GS550 donkey’s years ago; fond memories, underrated bike. Also had the shaft drive Katana 650, which i actually preferred due to less maintenance as I’m a lazy sod. But….my 1976 Kwak’ Z650 bettered them both by some distance.
My 1977 gs 550 prefers 91 octane fuel. And I'm here to tell you brother, 87 -ethanol blend- my bike would be lucky to top out at 100 mph. I switched her over to 91 octane, NO ethanol blend, and she screams to 138 mph no problem.
Damn. Cool bike. Seems way faster than the old Honda CB500. Also, my '98 Katana 600 only get 40-45 mpg, so that thing's not bad for a 40 year old UJM. Cheers.
Suzuki used ball bearing cranks because that's how 2 stroke cranks are built. It's what they knew. The chassis is quite nice. It's a refinement of the Honda CB chassis and a good one. They're fun bikes for basic bike stuff.
It's not. The Kerker muffler was designed to fit a few different models it's securely bolted to where the stock mufflers are bolted. Still trying to find a stock exhaust which .. has been challenging. But good eye on that mount!
My God, you made my day, I just bought my Suzuki just two months ago, I'm 36, and guys over 50 can't stop looking at it and praising it. I adore her. Great video man!
I had one when they were fairy new. I am nearly 60 now so I can quite imagine the over 50s looking at it and praising it. I loved mine probably had a top speed of 180 km an hour in 0- 100 km /hr in about 5 1/2 seconds, or thereabouts was fairly quick for its time. I seem to remember it being very smooth and good handling, needing fairy good Revs to go anywhere fast.!
@@malcolmwhite6588 That's right! The guy who sold it to me was surprised that someone under 40 bought it. 😄😄
If at 44 years old it runs smoothly and without vibrations, it must have been incredible to have one that just left the dealership, you are very lucky friend
Lol i had one in 1987. Went all over the uk on it.🔥👍
Great reliable workhorse - I worked one for many years in the 80s as a despatch rider in London - Only problem l once had was with the reg/rec packing up - Simply swapped it out for CB250N unit and 'Robert's your Mother's Brother' 😎
the R&R are problematic for all GS bikes. I've done so many Stator and R7R's I lost count. I also always have at least one packed if I go for a long ride... Lesson learned!
@@Jedz123 Yep same story on the 82-GS550M Katana model l currently own - The bloke l bought it off sold it because it wasn't charging properly - After a quick squiz l sussed it was a stuffed stator - No big drama - l just bought a new stator off eBay and all good to go.
My dream bike...hopefully one day I can own it.
Man, what a nice review. Very.complete and organized.
Congrats👍
Excellent review. I've had mine since 2011. I basically treat it like a push-lawnmower.
It sits outside year round under a water resistant cover. It don't complain one bit.
Did mega-miles on my Gs550en as a London despatch-rider back then. We had the double-discs up front as standard and one of the first things changed was stiffer suspension, which was way too soft when new.
Nowadays, an engine rebuild can get expensive so with minor modifications and the proper exhaust the Suzuki Gsf600 Bandit engine can be made to fit in a decently equipped workshop.
Love seeing this, brings back memories- thankyou for the good work 😉
Nice review, about time someone sung the praises of this underated bike. Love mine.
I love my 77
I bought a new "still in the crate" 1978 GS550E. Loved that bike. Two of my brothers had 750's, but I still liked mine better.
Life happened and I could not afford both it and a car... with wife and a kid, had to sell it in 1982.
I wouldn't mind another, but maybe an L Model.
I'm very happy with my GS550L, which I bought a couple of years ago to use as a cheap winter runabout while they are salting the roads here in England, and my Triumph T140 stays in the garage. Mine is a UK model, which has twin discs on the front - I never could understand why they only put a single disc on US market versions. It's a very good everyday bike and, once I'd put right what previous owners had inflicted on it, it's been totally reliable.
My first motorcycle was a Suzuki GS750L and it had a single stopper... It was like a gesture at stopping. I converted the front end to an 1100L front end with twin discs and stainless lines, that made the bike safe(r). Enjoy your riding! It was -28F this morning so no winter riding for me.
I used to own a GS550E. It had chrome handlebars, a 4 into 2 exhaust, and was dark red. The only thing In really didn't like about it was the instruments. These bikes were made at a time when one piece instrument pods were common. I would have much preferred separate round speedometer and tach. nevertheless it was a very fun bike. Unlike later "sportbikes" it had well placed bars and pegs, and was reasonably comfortable.
Bought one after riding a mates new one in 1978...Amazing how the front wheel lifts under acceleration. Was like they had a little power band. The front was quite light though, so that was probably it..Great little runabout and work ride. I wouldn't have gone around Australia on it though, so traded up for a Z1000 instead. Great days...
Wow, my one never did even being savage with the clutch and twisting it to the stop in first gear
I had a GS550 donkey’s years ago; fond memories, underrated bike. Also had the shaft drive Katana 650, which i actually preferred due to less maintenance as I’m a lazy sod. But….my 1976 Kwak’ Z650 bettered them both by some distance.
It looks clean for its age! Very cool :)
These were good for 100k plus mileage if oil changes done regularly. 😊
Restored mine in 2020 . Love it 😊
Fantastic review. Thank youn
My 1977 gs 550 prefers 91 octane fuel. And I'm here to tell you brother, 87 -ethanol blend- my bike would be lucky to top out at 100 mph. I switched her over to 91 octane, NO ethanol blend, and she screams to 138 mph no problem.
I have 2 of them, 1980 GS550L and a 1985 GS550L and a 1978 GS1000E...
I loved mine back in the late eighties bullet proof Suzuki probably the best engines alongside Kawasaki
Hermosa Moto la Suzuki GS 550, acá en Uruguay 🇺🇾 se ven todavía.
Saludos!!
Great review
Damn. Cool bike. Seems way faster than the old Honda CB500. Also, my '98 Katana 600 only get 40-45 mpg, so that thing's not bad for a 40 year old UJM. Cheers.
Nice camera work buddy. Can you give lessons to Doug?
Hahaha
The mid sized bikes like 550 at that time were better overall than the cumbersome 1000s.
i purchased a 1978 gs550e last spring and love it. i do have a few mechanical questions, any chance i could send you an email for some advice?
Suzuki used ball bearing cranks because that's how 2 stroke cranks are built. It's what they knew. The chassis is quite nice. It's a refinement of the Honda CB chassis and a good one. They're fun bikes for basic bike stuff.
My first bike was a 79 GS550E
I think your exhaust is unbolted from the frame...
It's not. The Kerker muffler was designed to fit a few different models it's securely bolted to where the stock mufflers are bolted. Still trying to find a stock exhaust which .. has been challenging. But good eye on that mount!
Had one was 82
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lol