Oh it’s pretty shirty here too now.
Supposed to be like 11 degrees F on Thursday and then snow for the weekend 
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This picture of my 1982 GS1100E was taken in 2012 when I briefly
listed it for sale. It’s still sitting in the corner of my garage, unfortunately with the carbs plugged up again.
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The BMW is still going strong, after getting the fuel level sensor strip replaced again a couple days ago. This must be about the 6th one, but hopefully the last. It’s supposed to be an improved part. All the previous strips were replaced free of charge, but this one I had to pay for.
Adding the new tires put on last July, it’s been a spendy year.
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These newest GSX Suzuki’s had just landed as I recall and the cycle mag reviews were all raving over them.
Bought the 750 first but it had an issue with oil leaking on my right shoe from the crankshaft cover. Took it back to the shop several times but they could not stop it from leaking.
The Suzuki shop let me return it as a lemon and I moved up to the GSX 1100 instead of another 750. That was a big jump for me, nothing bigger than a 750 before that. It was powerful and took some getting use to. I got really upset when the new 1100 developed the same leak on the right side. New model engine issues.
The mechanics were finally able to get the leak sorted out with new parts sent from the factory.
I spent a lot of time in the shop while all this was going on and became friendly with the mechanics. They gave me advice on best mods to make, headers, jet sizes etc. I did the work myself in my garage. On the first spin with the headers and bigger jet sizes the bike would take off pretty good and then choke out under full throttle. Spoke with the mechanics and they asked if I had opened up the air-box to go with the bigger jets. DUH! you forgot to mention that part. That is when I cut several quarter sized holes in the air-box.
First ride after that scared me, rolling on full throttle would stand it up in any lower gear. It was a screamer.
I sold it after a year and decided it was in my best interest to get something more reasonable for everyday transportation. I didn’t modify any bikes after that.
Fond memories.
Edit: Digging through 11K photos in Adobe Lightroom I did find one of the Honda VTX1800 and the Goldwing. Nothing like the photos others are sharing but thought I would add them.
That is my wifes sons girlfriend on the back. This was her first ever ride on a motorcycle.
Goldwing had Cruise control and sound system with intercom in the helmets for old timer cruising.
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Your post got me going I’m afraid.
I was an avid magazine reader years ago when the bike mags seemed to feature more in depth articles. I kept a few issues featuring big Suzuki models. While I’m reminiscing, it’s a good opportunity to take some photos for the record.
Here from 1980
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The 1978 GS1000 was the one that got me headed toward Suzuki. I had recently bought the 1978 Honda 750F. That was a bike I wouldn’t have recomended to anyone. The engine was noisy. I saw all the valve tappets had broken faces when I pulled the heads. Honda tried to squeeze what it could out of the then dated 750-4 by making the cam profiles too aggressive.
It didn’t handle all that well either, with a rubber bushing swing arm mounting.
Reading all about the Suzuki GS1000 was killing me.
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OMG, I recognize every one of those, read cover to cover many times. And yes that is what did it for me. Had to have something referenced as the Best Superbike Money Can Buy. I’m a little confused by the model identifiers, GSX vs GS, 1100E, etc. it has been 45 years, but I remember the magazine covers and articles.
I think they may have actually disassembled the engines back then for reference in the articles, and made detailed references, over engineered/sized piston wrist pins etc.
I recall the Hondas also, I got the 900F as a replacement for the 1100 when I decided to get something more docile. It was too docile. Ended up trading the 900F for a 1978 Dotson 280Z that had been lowered and souped.
More memories and thanks for that.
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I recently fitted a Givi aftermarket screen which is much better although nothing like a proper touring bike.
My Spyder RTL had such good weather protection it was actually hard to get wet when it rained!