The GS1000 is a brilliant bike Tug, I've had several, and I won't sell the one I've got now, it's just too much fun. Mine's an "E" (chain drive) but the shafties (G, GK etc) are great bikes, and are just as quick (130+ MPH) as the E's. They handle very well (better than any other big Jap bike of the 1970's) and have good brakes.
The 1980 and later models had the "Big port" head and 34mm CV carbs, and were good for a genuine 90 BHP. Much lighter than a Goldwing (about the same as a late model CB750) and much less complicated, and of course, those big DOHC engines are unburstable, my first GS1000 had been "worked" and was producing 147 BHP at the rear wheel on stock crank and rods, although the crank had been welded.
Fuel economy is excellent with the CV carbs, and the throttle is really light (only one cable) which is great on a long trip. Yep, the electrics can be problematic, but usually it's just a case of replacing the OEM regulator/rectifier with an aftermarket item (well under 100 bucks) and nothing else really goes wrong with them. Cheers, Terry.
