Suzuki GS 125 S, any info?

[nitrosurf]

Hello all,

Lurked around here for a while, and as is usually the way with these things my first post is a question (or two)...

Just bought my other half a gS125 S, on a C registration ('85?); I can't find any information on the bike other than a badly translated German site which suggests it may be an earlier 14HP model, as opposed to the 11HP model that is usual on the UK market. It has a front disc brake, electric start (but no kick as back-up) and a 10k redline, going off to 12K (but it seems happy to bend past that too...). Anyone know anything about these bikes, specifically this model? I don't expect it to be a rarity or collectable or anything, I'm just in nerd mode...
Also, I want to do some touching up to the paint work. It's a really lovely metallic blue but I can't find a suitable chart to compare it to to try and by the right code paint; any ideas?

Cheers!

[nitrosurf]

Hmm, no takers?

I don't suppose Teflon Mike has 2p to chip in? I can see the Honda lightweight of a similar era is his forte, I wonder if the knowledge spreads to competitor's machines? I found an old hardback book dedicated to Suzuki in my collection the other day with a picture of the GS125 S on the cover; the cover note said something like "the machine depicted on the front cover is the GS 125 S; a mini-superbike". The thing is when it comes to describing the GS 125 model in the book itself it quotes the 125 E model, saying it was a "fine handling machine".

I know this sort of thing probably bores the pants off most people, but hopefully there's a like-minded geek in amongst you that can impart some info?

Cheers!

[Shaft]

Found a video on Youtube of a Czech bike (so probably the same spec as the rest of Europe) which gives it 8.7 kW and that converts to 11.6 BHP, consistant with UK specs.

Seems odd that they might introduce a bike for Europe, then restrict it by 2 BHP for the UK, much more likely that it would produce substantially more in unrestricted form.

If it is a non UK bike, it will tell you at the bottom of the front page of your V5, should say either 'declared new at first registration' or 'previously used/registered abroad'.

Another clue could be the speedo, which would have it's lead markings in KPH, assuming it's never been changed.

As for the colour, RS Paints think it's called Light Blue Pearl and will sell you some paint.
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20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[nitrosurf]

Thanks for the insight, and that lead on the paint is really appreciated; nice one!

Interestingly (or not depending on your point of view!) this popped up on google;

https://www.bikedata.net/suzuki/suzuki-gs-125-esz-1982

Whether an ESZ is the same as an S or indeed an ES, ESD or other such permutation is known only to some long lost marketing man from Suzuki, who probably subsequently got a job with Harley Davidson to think up their newest model lines (such as the FXDLUXTRVHQTTOUVBNERRA softail evo big wheel wide glide fridge magnet...).

[piazza]

I had a couple of these. Disc brakes, gear indicator, alloy wheels and electric start were some of the 'extras' on the better ones, also a wee fairing.

Never had any trouble with any of mine, in fact so little I learned virtually nothing about bikes while I owned the earlier one - 1985

I think the heads were a weak point if thrashed though.

[The Artist]

Awesome little 4t 125's. I had a couple. Super reliable so long as you keep them oiled.

[Snod Blatter]

The only version of the GS125 that I have heard was more powerful than 12BHP (and this might be a lie as I can't find any concrete info!) was the GS125R, which has quite a lot of fairing on it and a totally different frame with a rear monoshock:

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Suzuki%20GS%20125%20R%201991.jpg

What you have described sounds like a normal GS125 ES(M/R/X/?), possibly with earlier kickstart/drum brake/spoked wheels era ('82-'83?) tank and panels as I seem to recall only those early ones were the delicious blue. The early ones did go better by virtue of a proper slide carb and more suitable jetting, my very late one was jetted amazingly lean and was always a little sick. I don't think they were ever more than 12BHP though, more like the later ones were even less powerful than that - mine would struggle to put 55MPH on the clock.
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1994 CB250, 1984 CBX250RS-E, 1989 K100RS, 1995 TRX850, 2016 Z250SL

[nitrosurf]

Well, in fairness to the old girl it was showing 70+ on the speedo on the way home from the MOT (which it sailed through despite having been off the road for 17 years...); whether or not the speedo is accurate is another thing of course...My CB125T (engine) clone Jinlun goes well for what it is (I passed a CBR125R on full chat), but this 'un 'feels' faster (all relative I suppose!).

That 125R looks nice, frame looks like a mini-GPZ600R affair!