Suzuki GV1200 Madura: history, specs, pictures

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1985-Suzuki-GV1200-Red-3.jpg
Suzuki GV1200
Manufacturer
Also called Madura
Production 85-86
Engine
1250cc v4, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 78.0mm x 78.0mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Top Speed 120 mph
Spark Plug NGK DR8ES-L '85-86
Battery YUASA YB14L-B2 '85-86
Transmission Gear box: 6-speed
Final Drive shaft drive (cardan)
Brakes Front: dual disc
Rear: single disc
Front Tire 110/80-19 '85-86
Rear Tire 140/80-16 '85-86
Wheelbase 62.01 inches (1575 mm)
Length 87.6 inches (2225 mm)
Width 34.29 inches (871 mm)
Seat Height 30.31 inches (770 mm)
Weight 245.0 kg (wet)
Recommended Oil Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
Related Suzuki GV1400
Competition Honda VF1100C
Honda VF1100S
Yamaha VMX1200
Manuals Service Manual


The Suzuki GV1200 is a motorcycle produced by Suzuki from 1985 to 1986.

Suzuki sold the Madura motorcycles in 1985 and 1986.

Model designations:

Most of the information in this article came from Suzuki Madura -- The Unofficial Website maintained by Les Konley.

History[edit | edit source]

In response to the Honda Magna, Suzuki made the Madura model. Like the Magna, it was a V-four powered cruiser. Like the Magna, the Madura was offered with two different engine sizes. Both bikes' smaller engines displaced 700 cc, but while the big Magna displaced 1100 cc, the big Madura displaced 1200 cc.

Production of the Madura was halted after just two years. According to Peter Seifert of Vernon, B.C., Canada, 5099 Maduras were produced.

Features[edit | edit source]

The Madura had a V-four engine with hydraulic-lifters. The lifters reduced maintenance, and avoided the kind of cam-wear problems that plagued the Magna, but reduced the engine's horsepower. Despite displacing 100 cc more, the Madura makes almost 20% less peak horsepower.

In addition to the maintenance-free lifters, the Madura had a self-adjusting hydraulically actuated clutch, and a low-maintenance, shaft final drive.

Ergonomically, the Madura featured a low, scooped seat, swept-back handle-bars, and foot-controls that wouldn't be considered "forward" by later standards, but at the time were noted for being 14" ahead of the center of the seat.

Speed[edit | edit source]

According to Cycle magazine, the 1200 cc Madura completed the 1/4-mile in 11.753 seconds at 115 mph.

Cycle World magazine reported the 700 cc Madura doing the 1/4-mile in 12.89 seconds at 102.68 mph.

The Name[edit | edit source]

"Madura" is an island, a peoples and a language. It also means "mature" in Spanish. Why did Suzuki name a motorcycle "Madura"? Good question.

1985 GV1200GLF[edit | edit source]


  • V.I.N. #: JS1VV71L F2100001
  • ENGINE PREFIX: V705-
  • ENGINE TYPE: 1166cc Four-stroke V-4
  • MODEL CODE: 05A
  • COLOR: Black, Maroon
  • Spoke wheels
  • Shaft drive
  • Chrome front fender

1986 GV1200GLG[edit | edit source]


  • V.I.N. #: JS1VV71L G2100001
  • ENGINE PREFIX: V705-
  • ENGINE TYPE: 1165cc Four-stroke V-4
  • MODEL CODE: 05A
  • COLOR: Black, Maroon
  • Unchanged features, identify by V.I.N. number

See also[edit | edit source]


Exernal Links[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]