Vintage Thing No.85 - Suzuki GSP500

Well though out and subtle in a muddy sort of way

So Suzuki never made an GSP500? Somebody has. I spotted this outfit at the start of the 2011 Land's End Trial at Plusha Services.

I walked passed it only to pause and turn back. At first glance, it's nothing special but then you notice the double overhead cam twin.

It's greater than the sum its parts. The 500 was a sensible ride to work bike. The SP370 was a twinshock traillie from the seventies. A clandestine liaison between the two and this wonderful love child is the result.

I liked this a lot and despite all the fun that we had on that Triumph outfit I wonder what it would be like as a solo machine. Good on the road but perhaps a little heavy in the mud?

Maybe it is best as an outfit - it keeps the perversity of motorcycling asymmetric.