1985 Suzuki Madura GV1200GLF Start up and Walk Around

My Canadian Gray Suzuki Madura. It has the original Canadian inspection sticker on the frame. This bike is very rare, especially in this condition.

[@nicholasthomas4382]

I used to own one of those myself, I loved that bike. So comfortable and powerful. With that barn door-size windshield I would catch myself cruising at twice the speed I thought I was going.

[@ArkansasBadBoy]

I had a 1985 Suzuki Madura 700 and absolutely loved it :)

[@briankrasne3518]

One of the fastest muscle bikes back in the day

[@garystratton4125]

Just looking at it again. I see I commented 5 years ago when I was here before. I still have mine and it is ok but could use some new paint and a little maintenance. It is a New York State bike and only has 5 thousand miles... maybe 105 thousand?? Runs great though.. Hope you are still doing well and maybe you will get another one of these. I have several motorcycles and this Madura has got to be the most comfortable bike I ever rode. Suzuki puts a great seat on their bikes and the sitting position is perfect for me. I may be moving back to Michigan soon as I have been in Florida for 33 years now and getting older and most of my family here in FL. is gone now.

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Hi Gary! That’s awesome I wish I still had mine. I still look for them for sale but I’ve never found one close to this condition. Still wish I would have never sold her. Keep yours forever!!

[@normandcouture1411]

Nice bike and love the V4.

[@DanBlackRacing]

Sweet ride! I'm picking up a 1985 Madura today! I started writing three years ago on a 1981 Suzuki GS 850 and I fell in love with it. I saw to Maduras in my county for sale and I fell in love with the look! Going to be a long two months of impatient waiting to get on my baby and ride it!

[@DanBlackRacing]

Just got one on Tuesday. Cant wait to ride it!!!!

[@workingclassperson2124]

I love my 85 Madura 1200 Burgundy gutted pipes (how it was when I got it) but motor was fully rebuilt and had 600 on it when I got it. Call her Raunchy Suzy. I stopped riding due to my wife’s wishes. But I ride it twice a month on a private road I live next to to keep it fresh. Are they really that rare 3000 1200’s made only from 85-86?? I’ve owned it 5 years now stopped riding 2 years ago rode for 3 years straight with no car as back up. Only bike I wrecked I owned 14 in those 3 years was my 83 Venture but still have it lady turned left in front of me of course. Either way I love my Madura never letting it go and feel luck to own it.

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thank you Gary! I really miss it. It was my labor of love for several years. I wish I still had it.

[@Qusin111]

Very nice! I still have my 85 1200 ( red / maroon ) purchased it new in 85. been in the garage all it's life and still looks new! (almost) wish I could get a new seat for it :(

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Wow! An original owner. That’s awesome. I took this one to my local Suzuki dealer. They had a guy still working there that was a shop worker in 85. He said they had one 1200 and one 700 in 85 and those were the only two he has ever seen until mine rolled in.

[@workingclassperson2124]

I love my 85 Madura 1200 Burgundy gutted pipes (how it was when I got it) but motor was fully rebuilt and had 600 on it when I got it. Call her Raunchy Suzy. I stopped riding due to my wife’s wishes. But I ride it twice a month on a private road I live next to to keep it fresh. Are they really that rare 3000 1200’s made only from 85-86?? I’ve owned it 5 years now stopped riding 2 years ago rode for 3 years straight with no car as back up. Only bike I wrecked I owned 14 in those 3 years was my 83 Venture but still have it lady turned left in front of me of course. Either way I love my Madura never letting it go and feel luck to own it.

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thanks Dan Black! I really miss this bike, it was a blast to own for so many years. Good luck with yours, check out the Suzuki Madura forum online. There is tons of info you really need to know about them!

[@FritsKooijmans]

wow, looks very nice. i wish my Madura was in this shape. aldough he brings me with no trubbles every year where i want to go on my hollydays. This year going to Wales UK (from holland)

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thank you for the comment! You may see this bike in Europe soon, I just sold it to a gentleman in Norway. I'm sure gonna miss this bike.

[@gntdriver2840]

Thats a really tidy bike for its age. Ive never seen a Madura before because it was not sold here in the UK Iam also intregued by the flat spokes,never seen those on a bike before

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

I had the GV1200GL brand new in 85 and loved it. The front brakes weren't beefy enough for stopping power and the flat spokes were impossible to keep from rusting. Nowadays, there's spray on liquid wax I wouldn't recommend wiping off as a protective agent. How I miss my Suzuki Madura 1200. Great motorcycle!!

[@garystratton4125]

I got one of these. Not quite as nice as this one though.. You got this bike looking beautiful man!

[@anonymouslegion4928]

Nice bike gotta love the v4s they are a pretty big movement as of late. I ride a magna and vmax stay safe out there...👍👌

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thanks Steve, you are correct. I really wish I would have never sold this beauty..I'll never see a another like it.

[@SirHork]

@@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors It was up for sale this summer. I was interested but it was a bit too pricey for me. He was asking 67 000 NOK (about 7140 USD) I believe he ended up getting 65 000 NOK for it. I got myself another one a couple month later with only 20 000 km on it. Love these bikes.

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

Loved the 4 into 4 exhaust pipes on my Madura 1200. Vrrooom! lol I added a full plexiglass tinted wind shield. My only complaint? Rusting spokes, peeled lacquer spots on casing and the front brakes weren't beefy enough.

[@GIGABACHI]

...that sound tho.👍👌💖😎

[@peter455sd]

Suzuki developed this wonderful engine and used in this bike and the 700 for 2 years then discontinued everything forever,i wonder why,this bike was better than Yamaha's 1200 and V65,what a waste !

[@breakfastbuddy5]

Harley davidson has something to learn here

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

breakfastbuddy5 I agree! But they are to busy blaming our president to realize it is a dieing brand. Only die hards, wannabees, and hipsters want them and those markets get smaller every year. Every Harley dealer in the Midwest has so many bikes laying around they don't need to order any for years without running out of stock.

[@stevepatrick2251]

@@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors I picked one of these up last month, one owner with 7,067 miles garage kept like new. Its going to cost some money to get running..carbs need cleaning, rear wheel cylinder is trying to lock up. Trump? Give me a break. He's the worst thing that ever happened to this country.."these illegal investigations are happening only because the Democrats have no LEGITIMATE path to victory in 2020". Be thinking about that as he sets up a scenario to try to remain in power when he's defeated in 2020 claiming election fraud. 2 million people surrounding the Capitol may make us both want to get on our Mudura's and drive to a safer county like Mexico.

[@rodneydaub3812]

I just traded for a GV 700. Needs brakes , a tire, but only has 6k miles on it. I'm still in disbelief I was able to find something as rare as this. I love older 70 and 80s Japanese bikes.

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Rodney Daub Awesome! Good luck with it. The 700’s are the most prolific but still way more rare than about any production bike of the day. Look up the Madura forum for tons of great info and things to look out for.

[@rodneydaub3812]

@@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors It almost left me walking. It died after about 15 miles, starved for gas. I got it home on choke. Doesn't do it now. When it's cold. Very weird I can tell the carbs have been off, so I just have to figure out what the heck.... I have to diagnose that first. I'll check out the forums . I need to figure out what would cause that. It's got the original tires!

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Rodney Daub Check that the fuel pump is running before taking the carbs out that’s a BIG job to do them right. You can get a universal fuel pump from Napa that works just fine if that’s the problem. If it is the carbs allow about 2 hours total to do them right the first time. After that it’s easier.

[@rodneydaub3812]

@@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors I didn't know it had a fuel pump, most are gravity feed. Oh jeez

[@geraldscott4302]

In had a U.S. version of this bike, bought brand new. I foolishly traded it for a 1998 Suzuki 1400 Intruder as soon as I paid it off. Intruders were everywhere. This was a one year only model. U.S. motorcycle magazines put it down big time, even calling it dorky, if I remember correctly. It was not a Harley copy like the Intruder.

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

The Intruder had the same type of engine as the Madura 1200. Very comfortable cruiser and lots of oomph!

[@poncoolride]

Wow that's a nice one!

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

I called to test ride a 700 and they intentionally had a 1200 ready. I told them I can't ride that big thing and they were like sure you can! My test ride lasted over a half hour when I called (they thought I crashed) and said I'll take it! lol

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

That’s awesome! You definitely made the right choice in getting the 1200. If you start to notice a low gurrrr sound immediately check the secondary drive bearing and replace it. It’s only a couple hour job and will save the drivetrain. Only other issue I ever had was the seal going bad in the old water pumps. You notice a leak at the front of the bike if the seal goes. Change out the coolant and make sure to put stop leak in it for lubrication. The Suzuki service manual actually calls for it to be in there.

[@workingclassperson2124]

I love my 85 Madura 1200 Burgundy gutted pipes (how it was when I got it) but motor was fully rebuilt and had 600 on it when I got it. Call her Raunchy Suzy. I stopped riding due to my wife’s wishes. But I ride it twice a month on a private road I live next to to keep it fresh. Are they really that rare 3000 1200’s made only from 85-86?? I’ve owned it 5 years now stopped riding 2 years ago rode for 3 years straight with no car as back up. Only bike I wrecked I owned 14 in those 3 years was my 83 Venture but still have it lady turned left in front of me of course. Either way I love my Madura never letting it go and feel luck to own it.

[@faxe16]

Nice bike ..

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jeffbanfieldsflwr3537]

WOW I'm shocked i don't own 100 80s motorcycles!

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

They are the best deals going man. So many have almost no miles on them it’s crazy

[@jeffbanfieldsflwr3537]

@@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors I want to find a fixer upper.

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

This bike was found on Facebook marketplace. There’s deals out there

[@easy_._rider]

Она прелестна!😍

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thank you! I miss it everyday

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Thank you! It is in Norway last I heard.

[@YearOfTiger7]

Where'd you get the windshield? Looks nice!

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Well I bought it about three years ago from www.motorcyclesuperstore.com. It is a Memphis Shades brand, I can't remember the model. I tried to find it, but I guess they discontinued it. Thanks for the interest!

[@44werewolfnomore]

Where did you get those pipes?

[@jollymolotov5364]

WAIT... What about adjustable needle?? Hmmm

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

The Canadian model came with adjustable jet needles.

[@CRM537]

same concept as the magna....

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

See comparison videos about the Magna vs Madura. The Madura leaves the Magna in the dust in most tests.

[@anonymousranger7378]

The sounds like to 1 cylinder

[@StanWilhite]

What's the hp on this bike? Thanks!

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Stan Wilhite it is around 120 if I remember correctly. A little less than the magna but you'd never know it. This was the best bike I ever owned. I wish I would have never sold it.

[@StanWilhite]

Thanks for your reply! I've owned a V65 and own a 2004 1400 Intruder now, but have never seen one of these bikes until now! Gotta get out more! :-)

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Stan Wilhite this was the first I had ever seen as well. To this day I've only seen one other on the road. When I had it in took it to all the local Suzuki dealers and only one had ever had a Madura. Twin City Honda/ Suzuki had a 1200 and a 700 in 1985 and that was the only two I found that a dealer confirmed they sold in the St. Louis area. They pop up on Craigslist every once in a while but are usually ragged out and the owner did a little research and thinks it's worth a million bucks.

[@StanWilhite]

Thx!

[@carterbanks3467]

I weigh right at 300 pounds so my weight would take its speed down alot compared to lighter riders supposedly. But it has so much power for a 1200 cruiser I scare myself sometimes getting on the throttle. A newbie could actually drive it if careful on the throttle, the weight and balance is getting used to. People see it and compare it to a harley sporster but it is definetly a bike in its own league. The old 80s V4s are definetly classics.

[@networkbits8958]

darn what a disappointment... I was interested in getting one but after hearing the lame exhaust note.....not a chance...oh..and..uh...your shifter is maladjusted.....

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

networkbits Well then troll on along. You obviously know nothing, that is evident by your ignorant comment. The video was recorded on an iphone 4 not a production mic. the sound is great in person. The shift lever is in perfect alignment, and right were I wanted it. If you don't like it piss off.

[@huckleberry8079]

OMG what an idiot. Move along moronic troll.

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

@@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors: Networkbits comment was lame. It's his comment that is maladjusted. lol