Suzuki GV1200 Madura: history, specs, pictures

**Suzuki GV1200**
	Suzuki GV1200
Manufacturer	Suzuki
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:

GV1200GL
GV700GL

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

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]

1985 Suzuki GV1200GLF
1985 Suzuki Madura GV1200 in Red
1985 Suzuki Madura GV1200 in Red
1985 Suzuki Madura GV1200 in Red
1985 Suzuki Madura GV1200 in Red
1985 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLF) in Black
1985 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLF) in Black
1985 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLF) in Black
1985 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLF) in Black
1986 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLG) in Black
1986 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLG) in Black
1986 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLG) in Black
1985 Suzuki Madura 1200 (GV1200GLF) in Black

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

1986 GV1200GLG[edit | edit source]

1986 Suzuki GV1200GLG
1986 Suzuki GV1200 in Black
1986 Suzuki GV1200 in Black
1986 Suzuki GV1200 in Black
1986 Suzuki GV1200 in Black
1986 Suzuki GV1200 in Black
1986 Suzuki GV1200 in Black

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

Exernal Links[edit | edit source]

Suzuki Madura -- The Unofficial Website -- a truly impressive website. Everything you might want to know about the Madura. Really, everything.

References[edit | edit source]

Suzuki GV1200 Madura: history, specs, pictures

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