Info on older oil cooled GSXR's (85-92) please

[smackdoogle]

So, recently I purchased a 85 VF1000R.  Great condition, some "modern" modifications and while she is heavy it's a very fun bike, lots of character and stunning looks (in my opinion) and pretty easy to ride a couple hundred miles in a day.  I'm thinking the "older sport bikes" are my thing.  I love the history of them and the looks.  They can be found at decent prices and putting some time and effort (aka money) into them really is rewarding when you have a finished product you can either ride (quickly) or sit and look at.  Plus, in most cases bikes from the 80's are holding value pretty well.

I'm not trying to justify my addiction or anything, just stating my opinions.  Anyway, so I'm looking at the older GSXR's with the dual round headlights and the slab sided body work.  I've never rode one but I'm thinking with some suspension mods, modern size rubber on both ends they would be a blast to run on a twisty road and very easy on the eyes.

anyone know of a good resource for information (message board/forum).  I've looked on the standard GSXR forums but most are crowded with the "modern" bikes.  

Anyway,  I am currently home on vacation from my deployment to the middle east and will be leaving May 17th to finish off the next 6 months so I have a lot of time to figure out how I'm going to throw some money around.  Do I want some old bikes to ride around or a mixture of newish (95 +)and old (92-)?  Maybe a 07 RWB VFR next to the VF1000R is what I need.  Who knows.

[RRdvark]

I hate to send anybody there, but gixxer.com has some good information if you can get through the jack-assery posted by 95% of the members.

I picked up a '92 GSXR600 last year and went there looking for information.  I finally got it, but it was a painful process.

My 2 cents: buy an '88 or newer since they have the 17" wheels already (4.5" wide rear on the 88-89, went to 5.5" on the 90 and later).  The 86-87 models have narrower 18" wheels front and rear.

Lastly, I feel the the VF1000R is one of the ten best looking bikes ever.  I would've killed for one in '86, but had to make due with its 500cc baby brother instead.

[smackdoogle]

Thanks for the info.  Yeah,  I signed up on gixxer.com.  Not my cup o tea but you are right, look and you'll find a lot of good info.  It's a funny website, you have the older guys working to keep the old bikes clean and nice.  Then, on the same site you have some yahoo's trying to stretch a bike 4 feet long or stunting the piss out of something.  

Anyway, good to know about the wheels sizes.  That was my biggest question and can be the most noticable improvement on an old bike.  My VFKR handles great with the 120/180 tires on it and aftermarket suspension.

[RRdvark]

What wheels did you put on the R?  I believe it had a 16" front and 17" rear from the factory with the cool racer-look spoke pattern.

It's getting very difficult to find good tires to fit the older stuff.

[smackdoogle]

I have CBR F2 on the front and CBR 900 on the back both 17".  Modern rubber is nice.  Any excuse to put up a picture of it.

[J-Mac]

I have CBR F2 on the front and CBR 900 on the back both 17".  Modern rubber is nice.  Any excuse to put up a picture of it.

I don't blame ya. Nice bike.

[Blunder]

http://www.maximum-suzuki.com/forums/index.php has a section dedicated to the older GSXRs because they're popular with Bandit riders. It's on the main forums and called Area 51.

[Mookie]

http://www.oldskoolsuzuki.info/

Build yourself a sweet 7/11  

[kevin_stevens]

Motorcyclist devoted their current (June) issue to the 25th anniversary of the GSX-R, lots of info on the different bikes and gens.

KeS