Modern motorcycles are great, but there were many great and fun motorcycles in the past. I'd like to take a look back at some of the motorcycles that I wish were around today, based on my own experiences. I'd like to talk about the Suzuki GSF1200.
Oil-cooled engine derived from the fastest machine GSX-R1100
The 1990s was the era of big naked motorcycles. The replica boom of the 1980s had died down, and the ban on over 750cc motorcycles came into effect in 1990, revitalizing a motorcycle industry that had been on a downward spiral. Honda took the lead with its "Project BIG-1" CB1000SF debut in 1992, followed by Yamaha with its XJ1200 in 1994. As if anticipating this trend, Kawasaki had already achieved great success with the Zephyr series.
Suzuki was a little late to the big naked scene, but in 1995, the GSF1200 with an oil-cooled engine was introduced. The roots of this engine were the oil-cooled parallel four-cylinder engine that had been used in the first GSX-R1100, the world's fastest mega-sport motorcycle at the time, in 1986, and the displacement was increased to 1156cc.
Outperform rivals with bold ideas
Whereas its rivals all stuck to the traditional Japanese standard style with twin shocks, the GSF was characterized by its forward-leaning silhouette with a linkage mono-shock.
The GSX-R1100 is more compact than its rivals, with a short wheelbase of 1435mm and the lightest weight in its class at 231kg. The maximum output of 97ps is a significant detuning compared to the GSX-R1100's 143ps, but it's still the strongest in its class. It would be rude to say that the GSX-R1100's name has been discarded in favor of reality.
At a time when old-fashioned big naked motorcycles were at the height of their popularity, this was a bold and aggressive idea.
The first domestically produced original Street Fighter
Incidentally, when compared to the specifications of its rivals, the CB1000SF had a wheelbase of 1540mm, a weight of 260kg, and a maximum output of 93ps, the XJR1200 had a wheelbase of 1500mm, 255kg, and 97ps, and the Zephyr 1100 had a wheelbase of 1490mm, 271kg, and 91ps.
The GSF's power unit was derived from the GSX-R1100, which was designed to be the fastest motorcycle in the world, so its origins were different from other big naked motorcycles. In this sense, the GSF was Japan's first "streetfighter" (a generic term for naked motorcycles derived from European supersports).
Torque Monster
In fact, the performance of this motorcycle is unlike any other naked motorcycle on the market. The most notable feature of the engine is its low-speed torque, which is rare for a four-cylinder engine, producing maximum torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine's rumbling feel is unique to the oil-cooled engine, and as soon as you open the throttle, you can accelerate from any speed and any rpm.
I owned a GSF for a while myself, fascinated by its rampant performance. The GSF's sturdy engine made it ideal for commuting and touring, and I eventually got so into it that I entered it in Sunday races. Even though the motorcycle was almost stock with only a new muffler and rear suspension, it was able to compete with the super sports motorcycles of the day on some courses.
The GSF1200, with its supersport-like performance, was an attraction for me.
Benefits of oil cooling to be reviewed
Suzuki's eighteenth oil-cooling system was also used on the GSF, but it was originally installed for the first time in the world on the GSX-R750 in 1985, which used a direct oil injection cooling system in the cylinder head.
The engine does not require a radiator, water pump, or other auxiliary equipment like a water-cooled engine, and does not have a water jacket surrounding the cylinders, which has the advantage of making the engine itself lighter and more compact. The engine's high level of performance is proven by the fact that it won the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race in its debut year, as well as three consecutive victories in the All-Japan TT-F1 class.
The Gixxer 250/SF250, released as new models last year, attracted a lot of attention because it was the first Suzuki oil-cooled machine in a long time (a new system different from the GSF). It is still fresh in our memories that it showed the potential of the oil-cooled engine to the world once again, with its excellent technological evolution, such as its excellent environmental performance while delivering power.
I think the GSF1200 was not popular among everyone because of its unique character. The oil-cooled engine, which was highly praised as a great machine, was succeeded to the Inazuma 1200 and the Bandit 1200 later, but the exciting and aggressive riding feeling was fading away, which was a little sad. It may have been born too early. If so, I hope the modern GSF with the latest oil-cooled engine will come back again someday.
