Kawasaki KZ1000 Vs Suzuki GS1100 - Big Bore Vintage Shootout!

[@flexjay87]

That ornery laugh when riding the Kaw , was relatable, nostalgic fun :)

[@darrelldoolen1677]

HI Jon , I Love your video of these bikes ! i have a 1981 kawasaki CSR 1000. and as of right at this minute i am looking to buy a 1980 suzuki gs1100e. i just happened to go on utube and see which of these 2 bikes was faster, jjust for piece of mind.. so great video!!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks Darrell! I also have a review video of the GS1100E so be sure to check it out as well. Cheers!

[@mikesakoski9997]

I love your show period!!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thank you! Cheers

[@scottroebuck1309]

Great job. I have a 79 kz1000

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Nice, what model KZ1000? I'm working on a 1978 KZ1000 LTD project currently and have a 1979 Shaft in the garage as well. There are lots of KZ1000 videos on the channel if you haven't seen them already.

[@hallaiged]

Hi Jon, Happy New Year to you and your family. You have done a really fabulous job on these great bikes, they look so cool in that Sunshine.☀🙂 I've always been a Honda man, but yes I must agree that power plant and the shaft drive makes the Suzuki a formidable proposition. (I think the word you were looking for about the Kawa was 'frantic'?😉) Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and your passion for all bikes, All the very best from England, Steve

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Happy New Year Steve! It makes my day to know that the videos are watched and enjoyed. Thanks for the great comments. I've been working on several new videos this week - trying to get them done before the first snow of the year. Just woke up to 5 inches of snow this morning but finished videos on a Kawasaki Concours 1400, a new purchase 1980 Honda CB900C, and a 2017 Yamaha SCR950. Stay tuned!

[@nickblackburn1903]

I am looking at buying a GS1100GL but whats with the limited Speedo on yours? I live on the Isle of Man, UK and the speedo goes to 120 or so. Nice video thanks

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks Nick! The 85 mph speedo was government mandated for a few years in the early 1980's here in the US. Many of my vintage bikes have them! The reality is that the bikes of the time weren't real comfortable above that speed anyway. Not to say I don't bury the speedometer at least once every time I ride! 🙂

[@C_Dana]

Love the Joan Claybrook 85 MPH speedos! My 1982 GS-1100EZ has one too....at speeds past 85 MPH it just bounces back and forth against the needle stop. That lady wanted seatbelts for motorcycles!🙄😁

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Why is it so fun to watch the needle move quickly past those numbers? I hate those speedos but have to admit that I've never been tempted to top out a bike that had one.🤔

[@glhc28]

Do you have a part number for the bars? Have a Suzuki GS850G I want similar bars on. Thanks

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Emgo part # 23-12565

[@joeyh5767]

Does this kz1000 have the 102 hp J motor? If they were geared similarly which one do you think would pull harder?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It is based on the J motor but tuned differently and has about 10hp less than the J.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

Beautiful Bikes bot awesome bikes my uncle has the kz1000 i had a gs1100 currently have a cb900 ive grown up riding Older and newer sports bikes i prefer older sports bike's just as fun as a newer bike fast more forgiven than a newer sports bike awesome beginner bike i suggest newer riders to start out on 650's and 750's after you get more experience riding if you want to move to a newer sport bike then move to a newer bike there's a lot you can do to these old sports bike's to make them faster but they really don't need to be faster ive walked off on newer sports bikes with my 1000 and 1100 i haven't ran any with my CB yet but time will come

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! I have lots of videos on the CB900 and other vintage bikes as well. It's fun to surprise guys on newer bikes.

[@davidanderson4500]

hi jon another great vid. can you tell me when using either of these bikes with the delkevic fitted do the headers glow orange at tick over. when used at night time.? thanks

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks David and great question. I don't do much night riding - too many deer waiting to jump me! I don't think either would glow in normal riding. Maybe at the track when run really hard.

[@davidanderson4500]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 i meant when the engines warmed up at night just at tick over.. could you try it and let me know if you see the headers glow orange. thanks

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@davidanderson4500 I can check. It may be a little while - it is cold here and we're expecting snow tonight!

[@davidanderson4500]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 ok jon thats fine. anytime you want to. cheers

[@danielmiller7693]

Would you kindly share what bars you put on your KZ. Thank you!!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Sure thing Daniel - Emgo "Magna Wide" handlebars.

[@danielmiller7693]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 thank you!

[@phoenixarizona8441]

The Suzuki GS1100 sounds better both are awesome bikes my dream bikes without these bike's we wouldn't have a Kawasaki ninja 1000 or zx14 and Suzuki wouldn't have a gsxr1000 or a gsxr1300

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Agreed!

[@corbindanylycha5246]

See if you can find yourself an XS1100 👍

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

My dad had one back in the day. It was a little tired when he got it and liked to hop in and out of 2nd gear so it was best to go straight to 3rd. It was fast otherwise. I would love to ride a nice one back-to-back with the other big-bore machines!

[@corbindanylycha5246]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I have a GS1000G, GS850G and an XS1100. The Suzuki’s have a far superior transmission, are smooth but do buzz at high rpms. The XS11 has more power and almost no vibration from 3500 to 8000 rpm which lends itself to aggressive riding, great fun! 👍

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@corbindanylycha5246 Nice! How does the XS1100 handle in comparison? If you are local to the central PA area it would be fun to do a back-to-back comparison with my GS1100G.

[@corbindanylycha5246]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I’m all the way down under in Australia. The XS is very heavy to turn in to corners but holds a line very well and is very stable. The GS I find easier to turn in but can be a bit flexy and wobbly in hard cornering. Really enjoy your videos 👍

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@corbindanylycha5246 Wow, I don't think you could be less local. Great to know about the XS1100 and GS1000G - thanks for sharing. I look forward to trying another XS1100 in the future! Suzuki beefed up the motor, frame and forks from the GS1000G to the GS1100G. I owned a GS1000G years ago and remember it being a bit noodley like you described. The GS1100G becomes sensitive to steering input above 80 mph but is a revelation in the corners below that speed. Thanks for the positive feedback - I'm always glad to hear that people enjoy the videos!