SUZUKI GS125 (1982 - 2000) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £40 |
| Power: | 12 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (29.3 in / 745 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (227 lbs / 103 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesIf you want to get to work, carry a butty box and do it all on about 69p per day, then the Suzuki GS125ES is for you. It's about as exciting as cold porridge, but like the Honda C90, or Kawasaki KH125, the Suzuki GS125ES simply provides basic two wheeled transport and costs peanuts to run.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineBasic suspension and skinny wheels, with later Suzuki GS125ES models featuring cast alloy items, offer a slightly bouncy but competent ride. Probably more rebound in the beefy dualseat than the Suzuki GS125ES's twin rear shocks to be honest...
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Suzuki GS125ES's four stroke single cylinder motor is virtually bulletproof, but makes a claimed 12bhp... eventually. A five speed gearbox lets what power there is get you to a cruising speed of about 55mph, although the Suzuki GS125ES will buzz its merry way to about 65mph on a good day.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueChange the oil once a year, adjust the chain occasionally and put petrol in it. That's about all you'll need to do to a Suzuki GS125ES in a typical decade of ownership. The mid 1990s Suzuki GS125ESs had a black painted exhaust which tended to look tatty in winter, but otherwise a durable little bike.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentIf you can pick up a Suzuki GS125ES from a bloke called Derek, who has burbled to work on it for the last eight years, you will find you have a virtually indescructible commuter for as little as 500 quid secondhand. Bargain. Find a Suzuki GS125ES for sale.
Equipment
Relatively roomy seat, tiny nose fairing and a digital gear indicator on later model Suzuki GS125ESs are the main highlights, on what is otherwise a basic, no-frills mode of transport. The Suzuki GS125ES does have a centrestand however, which some 125cc custom/commuters lack.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 124cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 4 stroke, single, 5 gears |
| Frame type | Steel tubular type |
| Fuel capacity | 11 litres |
| Seat height | 745mm |
| Bike weight | 103kg |
| Front suspension | None |
| Rear suspension | Preload |
| Front brake | 220mm disc |
| Rear brake | Drum |
| Front tyre size | 2.75 x 18 in |
| Rear tyre size | 3.00 x 18 in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 80 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £26 |
| Annual service cost | £40 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
3 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 12 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 7.2 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 65 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 180 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1982: Suzuki GS125 launched. Costs £899 new.
1988: Suzuki GS125ES with cast wheels and electric starter appears.
1994: Suzuki GS125ES styling updates see black paint on engine cylinder & exhaust.
1998: Suzuki GS125ES loses fork gaiters and gets chrome exhaust again.
2000: Suzuki GS125ES deleted.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI GS125 (1982 - 2000)
8 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI GS125 (1982 - 2000) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your SUZUKI GS125 (1982 - 2000)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £40 |
Year: 1990
Annual servicing cost: £20
This was my first bike and as an 18yo it got no mercy from me. It never let me down once and was the most reliable bike I've ever owned. Sure it wasn't fast but it was more than fast enough for around town. The MPG is fantastic and I'm pretty sure I put £4 in once per week, and I used it for work.
It's not fast but it's reliability makes up for it.
It's a basic bike but I never had any problem with it and I would ride it in every kind of weather.
Change the tyres, do not use the standard (factory) ones.
Buying experience: I bought mine new from a dealer and I think it was £1695.
Year: 1993
Annual servicing cost: £30
Very reliable and good little bike for getting around. Cheap to run and always good fun to ride, a great 125 for starting to ride with little cost.
Breaks are a bit sluggish but will stop... eventually. The suspension works great as well but can be a bit bouncy at times.
After fixing the engine and carburettor and fine-tuning it slightly, it runs quicker than you can expect. Easily gets you to 60mph and after a while (with the wind behind you) can accelerate you to a whopping 75mph... No better feeling in the world than a 125 overtaking other cars on the dual carriageway.
Wasn't exactly love at first sight. It wasn't running optimally and started breaking down a lot as previous owners neglected the poor thing. After giving it a fix and some fine tuning, it runs with no problem now and will bring a smile to your face.
Oil and cleaning is all it needs. You'll end up spending more on polish and T-cut.
Comes with a few neat features for a bike of that era but for the modern day, the headlight can be a bit dull, but still provides a very decent and bright light.
Version: Gs125es
Year: 2000
Annual servicing cost: £60
Best, lightweight, nippy, frugal. Worse, awkward gear lever, easily adjusted, keep on top of rust.
Adequate.
Eager.
No problems whatever!
Easy to service yourself.
Add your own to suit your needs.
Year: 1993
I bought mine of eBay for £500 I needed a cheap run around after selling my C.G and doing my D.A.S and decide to go for a G.S has you do not see many around, do not know why as I have found it a good little workhorse far better then a C.G with rev counter and kill switch and trip counter similar to a big bike, if you are thinking about getting then do it. I wish I had bought mine sooner and do not forget that all Chinese geared bikes are based on this engine why pay more instead get a geunine jap 125 that will last the course
Mine has disc on the front and drum on the rear with being a esm model which is the best of both worlds
The engine is ok on mine it is not fast but it is not meant to be fast, just for knocking about on
I went for a jap 125 rather than a Chinese one for build quality and cheap parts
I change the oil and filter and few others jobs like chain adjustment I can do myself the petrol a week is £7.00 which is about 110miles give or take
Buying experience: Bought off ebay
Year: 1999
Annual servicing cost: £30
Great bike only ever had a problem with how the rear light was wired when it rained it eat through the wires to the light other than that no problems
Not bad on fuel 200 miles to a full tank before haveing to go onto reserves
Version: Gs125ES
Year: 1997
Annual servicing cost: £40
It has two wheels, it goes forward, around corners, and pop the occasional wheelie. Oh and it never dies.
I can ride all day long, in wet weather the front brake can bite a little hard and throw the back, but a little feather and the unlockable rear drum soon fix that.
Bobba Bob Bob, pull pull pull, this little tinker can smash out a whole 12hp and a little more I suspect at above 9000rpm, red line at 10500.
5000 hard miles on top of 30000, and I've only had to replace a tyre.
Add a tooth to the front sprocket, keep the tyres up, don't thrash it and get an easy 100mpg. Mine takes a drop of oil occasionally but at almost 20 years old it's to be expected.
My bike was not standard, no grab bars, lack of centre stand. However, electric start, manual choke, twin headlight and really bright 12v indicators will get you through.
Buying experience: Private purchase, bike was in a bit of a state, but did run, and at less than £320 no one could complain.
I decided (after 8years in a car) that rather than just jump to my big license to get the hang of 2 wheels on a little 125. This is how I ended up with my little GS125 and I have to say after a few months I have become rather attached to the little thing. It's been very reliable aside from a dodgy relay and a frayed throttle cable (both very cheap and easy to fix) Gear indicator is a nice little touch, rev counter is useful and having the center stand makes life soo much easier at times than just having a side stand Best way to describe it is a mountain bike with an engine. Very comfortable seat and riding position (even at 6'2"). The bike is so light it is very easy to just flick through the corners and the engine is quite happy to be thrashed (for progress keep it spinning above 5k rpm). Only downside is it tops out happily at 55mph, I have had it faster but you have to almost lie down on the bike and it isn't worth it for the extra 5 mph. I live in the sticks and getting round tractors takes some doing (but that could be aimed at any 125 I suppose). Like it enough I will be keeping it as a commuter when I pass my test (hopefully next year). It has certainly given me the 'biking bug.
This bike is very reliable, i bought it for £350 and have never had any problems. Starts first time in the mornings (hot or cold), Came off it once and it just slid along the floor - no damage done!. Really think you should buy one, very good to learn on. Bit bouncy but still handles very well. Great bike 10/10
