1979 SUZUKI GS1000S
1979 SUZUKI GS1000S Atlas Editions Classic Motorcycle card
Suzuki’s traditional colors for its competition machines are blue and white, and this “S” version of the 1000 introduced in 1979 clearly revealed its intentions by using this livery.
Minor Modifications
The Japanese “big bangers” were beginning to be fitted with fairings, and the 1000S was among the first to be offered with a steering head fairing that, minimal though it was, at least offered a modicum of protection. Apart from this add-on and its color scheme, the only significant differences between the “S” and the standard 1000 were the rear tire – in this case 4.00×18 (the standard had a 17 inch cover) and 28mm carburetors instead of 26mm.
Complex Suspension
This gave the “S” extra grunt, making it a good bike for long journeys (even two-up), heavy to handle but without any major faults. However, like most big-displacement bikes of the time, its problem was high-speed road holding. Like most of its rivals, Suzuki tried to solve this by offering a compromise suspension with multiple adjustments. Maintaining the pressure settings of the pneumatically assisted front fork – 18 psi per fork leg – was a real pain without special gauges. Suzuki had been a late arrival on the four-stroke scene with the 750 GS of 1976, but its range expanded with the addition in 1977 of the GS1000, joined in 1978 by the “S” version, the marque’s first 1000cc sports bike that competed in endurance races. Nevertheless, it was only a run-out model. The new generation GSXllOO, with four valves per cylinder, arrived in late 1978.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 997cc (70×64.8mm) air-cooled transverse four-cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating: 90 hp @ 9000 rpm; torque 54 lb/ft @ 7500 rpm
Valves: twin chain-driven overhead-camshafts; 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel System: four 28mm carburetors
Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm with twin spring/dampers (rear)
Brakes: twin discs (front); disc (rear)
Wheels: 3.25×19 inch (front); 4.00×18 inch (rear)
Weight: 525 lb
Maximum Speed: 134 mph
Suzuki lost no time in establishing its position in the big league of large-capacity four-strokes with the 1977 GS1000 (inset) and the 1979 GS1000S.
Card number D2 86-08
