Suzuki was late to the game when it came to 1000cc Japanese superbikes. In the late 1970s, that domain was dominated by Kawasaki with its KZ1000 - opens in new window or tab. and Honda’s formidable six-cylinder CBX1000 - opens in new window or tab.. However, the situation shifted when Suzuki introduced its GS1000S in 1979.
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The GS1000S was created for the European market. However, after American Suzuki dealers saw the bike, they convinced the Japanese manufacturer to bring it to the US. The 1980 Suzuki GS1000S recently offered for sale on eBay is an extraordinary example.
A Chassis Built for Cornering
The Suzuki GS1000 features a bullet-proof 997cc inline-four engine, dual disc front brakes, and an air-assisted fork. Its high-performing rear suspension is adjustable for damping and spring preload. And a racy fork-mounted fairing and a slick blue-and-white paint job add to its appeal.
While its power didn’t run away with the competition, the GS1000S’s chassis set it apart. Designed by Suzuki engineer Hisashi Morikawa—who also built the company’s RE-5 rotary and GS750 - opens in new window or tab. frames—the chassis used thin-walled mild steel. It had a heavily gusseted steering head and the sturdiest swingarm of the 1000cc lot. This made riding effortless, leaving competitors in the dust for cornering and handling.
In 1979, Cycle Guide reported:
The GS1000S demands recognition as the finest all-around ride motorcycling has to offer.
Cool Like Cooley
The GS1000S received a big boost thanks to Wes Cooley - opens in new window or tab., the enigmatic American road racer. Cooley competed for the famed Yoshimura race team - opens in new window or tab.. At first, he rode a Kawasaki KZ1000, but he wasn’t winning races.
This changed in 1979 when Yoshimura switched to the Suzuki GS1000. Cooley won the 1979 AMA Superbike championship aboard the Suzuki and backed it up the following year with another title. Cooley is known for smoking tires and popping wheelies. His riding style was spectacular, endearing him to race fans. In addition, the likable Cooley happily made himself accessible to fans after races, which helped sell motorcycles.
Signature Style
When Suzuki launched the GS1000S in 1979, designers gave it a Yoshimura/Cooley-style blue and white paint scheme. As a result, the motorcycle became known as the Wes Cooley Replica, even though Suzuki never branded it that way. Only about 500 models made it to the US in 1979, while about 700 of them—one for each Suzuki outlet in America—were shipped in 1980.
The striking survivor for sale on eBay is one of those 700.
The 1980 Suzuki GS1000S was already a legit runner in stock form. But a slew of performance upgrades takes this one to the next level.
- The modded version has ported heads and high-performance cams.
- 33mm round slide carbs - opens in new window or tab. replaced the stock 28mm Mikuni VM - opens in new window or tab. 28 SS carburetors.
- A stainless steel 4-into-1 Yoshimura - opens in new window or tab. system was swapped for the factory exhaust.
Meanwhile, its bikini fairing, tank, and bodywork were already in great shape—and the paint pops.
The Suzuki GS1000 for sale on eBay is a number series correct motorcycle, which adds to its collectability. In stock form, the GS1000s had a top speed of over 135 mph and could cover the quarter-mile in less than 12 seconds. Thanks to the upgrades, this one is faster.
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