Classic Motorcycle Acceleration Challenge - Musclebike Sound!

In this fun acceleration comparison video, I'm looking at five classic 1980's muscle bikes. It's Kawasaki's 1985 Eliminator 900 vs Suzuki's 1982 GS1100G and 1983 GS1100E vs Yamaha's 1980 XS1100 and FJ1200. I'll be going through the gears and doing a timed 40-80 mph top-gear roll-on test on each bike. Which bike is the quickest? Let's find out together!

[@bigmanmoto9897]

Love all of these machines from my younger years. Especially those that still have their stock exhausts. Fabulous.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on, thanks!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I've always loved the sound and weight reduction of 4:1 exhausts.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@redtobertshateshandles Right on!

[@henryhawk978]

My brother by another mother! Right on Jon, and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks, Henry. You too!

[@V.U.1]

I bought a brand new ‘83 Suzuki GS1100E in bright red. It was the baddest thing on the road. So cool to see one in your video.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! I just got this one out of winter storage yesterday and went for a ride. It's still an amazing machine. Cheers!

[@bradelliot1027]

nice..i remember when i started riding i demoed a 79 suzuki 750E and was blown away by it's smooth and powerfull delivery and roll on speed...i still remember that ride to this day..not an 1100 but still an impresive bike...ended up tooling around town on a 84 nighthawk 700cc which i still have fond memories of...the only liter bike i owned was the original cbr hurricane 1000...i nicknamed it the hammer...power everywhere at the flick of a wrist..loving your vids...thanks

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on, Brad! Thanks for sharing the memories. Cheers!

[@need100k]

Way back in the early 80's I was on a road trip with a friend who had a Yamaha XS1100. What a beautiful bike! I was riding my 1981 Kawasaki 750e (4cyl). On the highway I hit the throttle hard, then he hit his and just easily pulled away from me. I don't think he bothered to downshift.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! When you ride the XS1100, the amount of available acceleration at highway speeds is astounding. Cheers!

[@felipedourado5721]

The laughter of pure joy on the finish of the Eliminator's test says it all. If one bike (no matter which one) is capable of instiling so much bliss in the spirit of its rider it's the right bike and definitely a keeper. At least for me, motorcycling is all about privately laughing inside the helmet as a child playing with his (or hers) most beloved toy and smiling of pure pleasure in between. Even looking at the bike must cause such good emotions. As you alwas say Jon, the important thing is to enjoy the ride. Best regards from Brazil. ✌

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks, Felipe! I agree that motorcycling should be a fun experience. For me, even when commuting to and from work, the ride was often a highlight of the day. Cheers from Pennsylvania!

[@propdoctor21564]

Another excellent video as always.. I am not surprised that the FJ1200 beat the others but what was surprising was the other four clocking almost the exact same times.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

That was surprising to me as well. It's also a testament to the Eliminator 900. With 900cc, a 6-speed transmission, and shaft-drive, it still keeps up with the quickest of the previous generation of 1100s (shaft or not). I enjoy seeing the results of these tests as well. Cheers!

[@greensocks4507]

Thanks for the post, I'm in New Zealand. Could never afford these bikes when they were released back in the day, though I've ridden a few of them. I'm 62 now and have a nice ZX14R in the shed. How times have changed. I'm a subscriber.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on, thanks! Cheers from Pennsylvania, USA!

[@michaelpullen6812]

Man…if my GS1100G sounded that good, I would probably still own it. Getting ready to order that Delkevic pipe for my XS11….another great video! Ride safe!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I'm sure the XS1100 will sound great with the Delkevic as well. Cheers!

[@V.U.1]

I bought a brand new 1983 GS1100e in bright red. I was 23. It was sweeet…

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on, that's awesome! I still enjoy riding mine. Cheers!

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

THat's aproper selection of bikes you have there, Jon. Nick

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks, Nick! The garage ebbs and flows as new (to me) bikes come in, and I sell some as well. Cheers!

[@aamirmalik9053]

Beautiful Motorcycles ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks, Amir!

[@29madmangaud29]

Loved it Jon.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on, thanks!

[@butchsanders6113]

Love the video ❤😂

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks, Butch!

[@shinethelight01]

I am a HUGE FJ1200 fan (I own one myself), but I must say that GS1100G you own is SWEET! The exhaust note is intoxicating.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I really enjoy riding the GS1100G as well. I have been very impressed by the quality and sound of the Delkevic exhaust on the GS1100G. Cheers!

[@toddnickell6507]

I had an 89 FJ1200. Greatest machine ever built.

[@shinethelight01]

@@toddnickell6507 my FJ1200 is an '89 as well. Fabulous do it all bike.

[@mrweeby1961]

Nice, three of my favorite old bikes, Eliminator, GS1100E and FJ1200. I'll throw in 84 Honda 1000 Interceptor, KZ1300 and two that I have, Hondas 83 CB1100F Super Sport and 79 CBX.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! I've owned the KZ1300 and CB1100F previously, and I've done reviews on those bikes on this channel. I've yet to own a CBX, but maybe someday. If you're local to the central PA area, I would love to feature your CBX in a video. Cheers!

[@willbar1961]

I'm in LA, slightly too far lol.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@willbar1961 Too bad! Cheers

[@willbar1961]

@@aregeebee201 that's no real surprise. CBX was heavy, poor brakes and forks. It was all about the engine and looks.

[@paulscountry456]

My Superhawk is very fast 60 to 80, 60 to 80 is a good test for street bikes,Eliminator was 1:24 so cool even the 600 was neat and that one sounds great,all those bikes have more power than anyone needs on the street...

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! I recently tested a Superhawk and forgot to do the 40-80 roll-on test. It would be interesting to see how it would compare. Cheers!

[@journeyquest1]

I like the GSE and FJ.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

They're both nice-running, beautiful bikes. Cheers!

[@QuickShiftMoto1]

Excellent video! Was always hoping you would make a comparison some day. Thank you! In addition to the power advantage of the FJ1200 of around 25 to 30 hp and a torque advantage of around 15 ft. lbs. (factory numbers), it also has significantly less parasitic losses due the chain drive instead of a shaft drive. The FJ 1100 and Fj 1200 really were a complete new generation of bike. Even though the following are also different generation bikes, a comparison of the FJ 1200 to the ZXR 1200 R would be interesting because they advertise similar numbers (the FJ actually has 8 hp more). It all shows how much of a major powerhouse the FJ 1200 was in its day.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! I wish I still had my ZRX1200R in the garage 😕. I may pick up another if I find a nice one. I wish I had timed the ZRX1200R 40-80 mph while I had it. It's definitely a different ride than the FJ1200, which is much more relaxed feeling. Cheers!

[@QuickShiftMoto1]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 THanks Jon!! I am sorry to hear you do no longer have the ZXR 1200R ... a mint example just sold on BaT but it was out of my price range. Looking forward to your next videos 🤩

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@QuickShiftMoto1 Thanks!

[@shinethelight01]

I own both an FJ1200 & a ZRX1200. Believe it or not the ZRX bests the mighty FJ in top gear roll on.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@shinethelight01 Just curious: were you able to time the 40-80, or is that seat of the pants feel? How did you test them?

[@timkis64]

i bet that was fun, was that bridge at 5:39 rt 462 over the sesquehana? i thought i recognized it from childhood before the york lancaster bypass was built in the 70s.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

You are correct. It is the 462 bridge. And this was a fun video to make! Cheers

[@Jerryosu83]

You have some great roads over there Jon! Can I ask what's your preferred manufacturer from Japan? If you had to pick one? I'll admit I have bias towards Honda even though my suzuki vx800 is a great bike.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I really don't have a favorite manufacturer. But I do have favorite bikes from many different manufacturers. Cheers!

[@pachma405]

I was sure the XS would win that easily. I had an XS1100 and an FJ1100 and I thought the FJ was gutless in the mid range. I always had to down shift to get decent accelleration. I never rode an FJ1200. I guess Yamaha must have increased the torque quite significantly.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! The XS1100 is still shockingly quick. It came in 2nd, and it was the only 1970s design in the test. I've owned an FJ1100 and now the FJ1200. Somehow, the FJ1200 feels very relaxed (soft-accelerating) in this test. I was shocked that it was almost 2 seconds quicker than the other bikes. I guess you can't always trust the seat of the pants feel in a test like this 🤷. Cheers!

[@johncunningham4820]

There's another Bike in this category that sold quite well and was Known for being Torquey . K -series BMW . The Inline 4 Boomer .

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Yep. I've ridden the K1200 and K1300. Nice bikes.

[@wdhewson]

I'm sure that Eliminator is highly functional and reliable, but she ain't eye candy..........

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I think it's a love/hate thing with the Eliminator styling. It isn't pretty like a 1973 Z1, but it is aggressive looking. Cheers!

[@spaceflight1019]

It's all in the eye of the beholder. When you're on the wrong side of the broken yellow line and opposing traffic is closing fast you're not worried about what your bike looks like.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@spaceflight1019 Right on!

[@need100k]

You were testing a 900cc bike against 1100's and a 1200. I wonder how the ZL1000 would do in that speed range.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It may do better. It makes you wonder what a ZL1100 would have done if Kawasaki chose to go that route. That the Eliminator 900 can keep up with the quickest of the previous generation of 1100s in a roll-on contest is amazing. It will run with the FJ1200 in the 1/4 mile as well. Cheers!

[@need100k]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 - I own a ZL1000 by the way, though I need to rebuild the carbs. I've never been able to ride it yet. Soon I hope.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@need100k Very cool! I've only ridden one of those (and the carbs needed cleaned). So, it didn't run like it should have. I'm looking forward to riding a nice-running example at some point. Best of luck with yours. Cheers!

[@will7its]

Bad Ass......

[@Mannix2023]

The eliminator have the zg1000 engine?? The concours 1000.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

The Concours and Eliminator have a version of the 900 Ninja motor. Cheers!

[@Swokpmund]

No Honda?Jon.. the CB 900 custom ?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Well, I recently sold the CB900C, and I didn't get to test it at the new venue. I will test another Honda when it comes into the shop. Cheers!

[@Chittybang1821]

I'm looking at two possible bikes to pull out of hibernation eliminator 900 needs a clutch but runs in the carbs were just cleaned and supposedly has a new battery.... And then I also have an option of a mint EN 450 that needs the drive belt. Drive years too. I would assume.... Both $750 asking price both under the LTD only has 2000 miles... I'm starting my My collection leak I didn't get into road bikes until now I'm 30. I rode their bikes. Four wheelers my whole life but I got bitten by the road bike bug and now I'm in love

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

If you're getting a classic bike, do yourself a favor and buy a road-ready bike for your first experience. Getting them sorted out and safe to ride can be frustrating and expensive (regardless of purchase price). Good luck in your quest!

[@kylemilligan752]

Though i understand you are riding other folks bikes, if they volunteer healthy bikes for acceleration testing, they should be shifted where they make power, not 3000rpm under

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

While it might make for good TV, running classic bikes at their absolute maximum (drag racing them or pushing them fully to their limit) doesn't make sense in the risk/reward equation. New bikes have rev-limiters and more accurate tachs, etc. A missed shift at max throttle and max rpm on a classic can be catastrophic. These bikes have survived this long and I want them to outlive me. The 1/4 mile test times for these bikes when new are still available. Cheers!

[@Chittybang1821]

Well 40 to 80. Isn't too bad but 0 to 60 the VS 800. Pretty quick dude. They put that motor in it in a naked bike. It's called a VX800 but they are good beginner bikes. You know? Yes, the thing about Japanese spikes is the ohc You could drive them slow and not rev it out or you could rub the piss out of it and rip the hell out of it. You know what I mean

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! Cheers

[@motard58mgc]

Hola : sempre m'han agradat las clasicas i ara tinc la oportunitat de fer-me amb una Yamaha XJ 750 Seca. Quina opinió és mereix , ja que veig que vosaltres enteneu en aquesta matèria. Salutacions des de Barcelona (Spein)

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Hola, he visitado Barcelona, ​​¡qué ciudad más bonita! La Yamaha XJ 750 Seca era una bonita motocicleta. Al comprar un clásico, el estado, el kilometraje y el precio son factores a la hora de tomar la decisión. Asegúrese de saber lo que necesita para ponerlo en condiciones operativas seguras antes de comprarlo. Sugiero llevar a alguien con conocimientos. ¡Buena suerte!

[@motard58mgc]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538Muy agradecido lor tus consejos, la moto en si està inmenorable 52 mil kms ni una rozadura de pintura impecable... como nueva . Saludos ✌️

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@motard58mgc Parece un buen hallazgo. ¡Salud!

[@scottwheaton9689]

Your comparing 1100 & 1200cc online 4’s against a 100 to 200cc smaller Kawi 900 eliminator in line 4 in for example top gear roll on acceleration tests from 40-80mph where engine size has a lrg factor in the outcome so how’s that fair to the 100-200cc smaller Kawi!/😜 You could have used your 78 kz1000 Ltd with the non original carbs that for the most part was running decent (saw & heard it on your prior videos) esp running decent at wot according to you in prior posts & only wanted to go back to oem carbs for better drive ability & tuning in low to mid range throttle position where smaller oem 26mm oem carbs perform better. Good place to start for base setup with 26mm oem carbs on the kz1000 with pipe is go from stock 15 to 17 (or is it 17.5?) pilot jets,needle clips in the 2nd from top of needle clip slot position,go from stock 107.5 main jets to 112(or is it 112.5) mains,idle mixture screws 1.5-2 turns out from being lightly seated & stock float lvl setting too. Btw,I found over many yrs adj float lvl’s per oem spec meas off float bowl gasket surface per Srv’c manual often results in too high of a fuel lvl in the float bowl making that cyl run over rich reducing mpg & making stock heat range plug look pitch black or very dark brown to almost blk color when a very light to med tan is a good place to be. To correct that I simply use the float lvl tool/gauge that screws into the float bowl drain screw threads to more precisely:accurately measure the fuel lvl in the float bowls. The float lvl gauge is simply a sml brass fitting with hole in it that screws into float bowl drain threads that has a clear plastic hose hooked to it so you can see actual float lvl in the carb. Good luck! Scott in Ny state just over the boarder from you in Pa.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I'm glad you brought up the 900cc vs 1100-1200cc engine size. Even at 900cc, the Eliminator runs roughly equal 1/4 mile times (high 10 seconds - low 11 seconds) to the GS1100E and FJ1200. It also ran the exact same 40-80mph top-gear roll-on time as the GS1100E. So, the Eliminator is no slouch. And what was the Eliminators direct competition? The 1200 V-Max, 1100 V-65 Magna, and 1200 Madura. Kawasaki chose to go with a smaller displacement bike as they had with the Ninja 900 & Ninja 1000 vs. the FJ1100/FJ1200, GS1150ES, etc. I'm left wondering what a 1200 Eliminator could have done... Cheers!

[@Chittybang1821]

You know what's a secret sleeper intruder 800 and I'm not talking about Volusia or any of the other ones. The original one the VS700 VS 750 VS800 cuz there's so much lighter. They didn't make them huge yet. They're only like 420 lb and it has like 60 horsepower to the crank. I believe that's not bad. The thing does pretty quick 0 to 60. I mean I can smoke road kings they don't pass me till like 80

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very true in the V-twin cruiser class. The VS700-VS800 was quicker than all of the big-bore V-twin cruisers except the VS1400 in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, the V-twin cruisers weren't in the same class acceleration-wise as the 4-cylinder muscle cruisers of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Cheers!

[@Chittybang1821]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 yeah I would like to keep my vs800 and I want to get a four cylinder next or thumper Enduro The V2 can be for the town... 4. Cylinder for the highway and thumper for the woods

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@Chittybang1821 That sounds like a plan! Cheers

[@markr.1984]

A lot has to do with the gear ratios and final drive ratios too. Also the tire diameter. Look at the much smaller tire diameter of the Yamaha, which is also as important as gear and final drive ratios in the equation. Put the same diameter wheels and tires on the Suzuki GS100E, compare it to the FJ1200 again and then get back with me!! The Suzuki would win I bet. And to do a real engine power and torque comparison, the only way to do it fairly would put all of the different engines on the same bike and then do a comparison. Of course that would not be very possible because all the engines mount differently and vary in size a bit. Would be cool if you could though!

[@RobsRidesPA]

You're missing the point. Putting smaller wheel on the Suzuki, changing gearing etc, has nothing to do with this test. This was a test of the bikes as they came from the factories (more or less). Also, engine power and torque is the same no matter which frame it is mounted in. Changing what bike the engine is mounted in doesn't change how much power and torque an engine makes, so I am not sure what you mean by that statement.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Respectfully, in stock form, the FJ1200 engine makes significantly more hp and torque (at the wheel and at the crank) than any of the other bikes in the test. Cheers!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@RobsRidesPA Well said, Rob. Cheers!

[@countryjoe3551]

There's no shame in admitting that the FJ1200 is the rocket ship in this group. It was a real game changer in the open class street bike world for a few years.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@countryjoe3551 Right on!

[@stevebrzosko9793]

The 40 to 80 mph "roll on" test is pointless, and meaningless, and stupid. If an experienced rider is doing 40 mph, he will not be in top gear in the first place, and his bike will accelerate much faster as a result. If you're on the interstate, you won't be going 40 mph either. Must have been a 4 wheeler who invented that idiotic measure.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Respectfully, think of the 40-80 mph test as a low to mid-range dyno run. It is representative of the rpm range that most street riding (not racing) is done. It is the most consistent test I can do without a dyno. 1/4 mile tests are too inconsistent (even with the same rider, there are too many variables). The roll-on test covers the 60-80 mph range as well, and you're likely to be in top gear in that speed range. The test must have some validity since the most powerful bike in the test won handily. If you look at the dyno charts of the other bikes, you'll see the similarities in the speed/rpm range covered. Cheers!

[@countryjoe3551]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣