Difference in GS model?

Goat · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:30 pm Post subject: Difference in GS model?

I'm trying to find the value of a used 1981 GS650G and all the NADA site has is a GS650GX. Can someone tell me the difference? I haven't been able to find any GX's.

KirkN · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure the GX IS the G.

But, IMHO, you take the NADA value with a pretty big grain of salt. Local markets, local economy, and specific bike condition will be much more accurate than NADA. Kind of a 'what the market will bear' deal.

Great bikes, tho. I've always been a fan of the early in-line four Suzuki's. Owned three of 'em over the years.

Good luck with it.

Kirk

dorT500 · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

Have you seen this?..... Value difference? .....might come down to your salesmanship Wink

http://www.qsl.net/vk3jeg/GS650GX.html

dorT500 · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject:

There must be some misprints in that article.... I think you are right Kirk So which is the first Katana?

Russell · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject:

If the bike is what you want and is better than anything else you've looked at what does it matter if you pay more than Nada listed value? If its going to be a keeper you want the best bike possible to start with.I'd rather spend 'over the odds' and get a good one than beat the book price and be disappointed a bit down the track. Here in NZ the 650 Katana's seem to have aged better than the bigger siblings.I wonder why?Perhaps they weren't looked on as a racer in the same way the bigger ones were and so didn't get ridden so hard through the course of their lives?

Goat · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:35 pm Post subject:

Okay, I think the difference is that the "X" is the "code" for the katana. The kantana is the "sporty" model, right?...Which would make it longer, shorter, skinnier, and heavier according to the specs.

The asking price for the one I'm looking at is 1000.00 or best offer. The bike is in good condition according to the seller and the pictures. I will look at it Sunday, and offer 700.00 if it is as good as it sounds, then work from there. I would probably give full price if that's what it took. I'm pretty stoked about it. It fits perfect for my summer tour plans Cool

Thanks for the infoi!

redstedman · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:06 am Post subject:

Look for the 850 G. It is a solid piece too

KirkN · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:28 am Post subject:

Hmmm..... here in the US, I thought the 550 was the Katana.

The 'real' Katana was the 1000 version, followed in a few years by an upgraded 1100 version. There WAS a smaller Katana, and it was styled along the same lines as the 1000, but not quite as radical, and it didn't get anywhere near the ink or publicity of the 1000.

As mentioned, condition of your particular model will be the driver, as well as other LOCAL bikes for sale.

Good luck, and post some pictures if you get it. Or, even if you don't. Very Happy

Kirk

Russell · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject:

To my knowledge the 850 was about the only one of the Suzuki 4's of the time that didn't get a Katana version.I have seen 1100,1000,750,650,550,400 and even in relatively recent times a 250 version. The 750 and some of the 1000 and 1100 versions were the models that saw some racing use down under. From memory one of the bigger versions had a special batch brewed for racing with different wheels(spoked) and exhausts.May have been some other differences too. Those race versions have become very sought after down here.
It was very much was a marketing exercise with most of the models.I owned a GSX400F Katana that was identical in every respect to the GSX400F except for paint and transfers(decals).

Goat · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

This is the bike. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/1047032346.html
It's definitely not a katana.

Russell · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

No it definitely isn't a Katana.It will be a more comfortable tourer than the Katana version and in performance will surprise anyone who is familiar with 750's of that era.

650BILL · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

Your decision, GOAT, summer tour plans are what it's all about!! GOOD LUCK...650bill

macattak · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject:

You're looking at the basic shafty model. I had an '82 650GL for several years. Nice bikes. Make sure you check out the electrics. The stators and regulator/rectifiers are the wink link in the GS line.

Here's the breakdown on models from the GS Resources web site:

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_modelchart.htm

JAYD042754 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: GS650

I HAVE A 1982 GS 750EZ, I WAS TOLD THAT THE GSX DESIGNATION WAS USED ONLY IN EUROPE TILL THE MID 1980S, ALTHOUGH THE EARLIER KATANAS WERE GSX. ON MY SERIAL # ENGINE BLOCK ITS STAMPED " GS 750X" , SO THE " X " DESIGNATION CAN PROBABLY BE FOUND ON THE ENGINE. GS, GSX , GX IT ALL DOESN"T MATTER, THEY ARE STILL BULLETPROOF AND FAST AND PROVIDE MANY YEARS OF RIDING ENJOYMENT, BE SAFE...JAY D.

Russell · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

When the X came after the GS as in say GSX550 the difference seemed to be that the GS models had 2 valve heads while the GSX models had 4 valve cylinder heads. Where the X is added on the end of the number it does seem to indicate a Katana version,which as in the 650 is the earlier 2 valve motor,but in most Katana models the base was a 4 valve donk.I think.