westgl":16uwcps9 said:
It is surprising that the 1000, 1100, 1200, 4 Cylinder Naked bike's all weigh fairly close to each other weight wise, and that the GL1000 was not the lightest of them all.
GL1000
Standard 584-Lbs Dry weight
GL1100
All Dry Weights
Standard 566-Lbs GL1100 weighed 18 lbs less than the GL1000, probably use of more plastics.
Dressed 672-Lbs
GL1200
All Dry weights
Standard 599-Lbs
Dressed 698-Lbs
SEI 770-Lbs
The GL1200 was only naked as you know for one year 84'. My 86' GL1200 Interstate weighed 700-Lbs, but now Naked it weighs 580-Lbs wet
Taking the weights listed above, and the horse power & torque figures to get a Power to weight ratio is the best guide line to use.
GL1000, 1978'-79' 584-Lbs / 78 h.p. = 7.48 Lbs per h.p., Torque 584 / 61 ft lbs = 9.57 Lbs per ft lb of torque
or 1975'-77' 584 / 82 h.p. = 7.12 Lbs per H.P., Torque 584 / 61 ft lbs = 9.57 Lbs per ft lb of torque
GL1100, 566-Lbs / 83 h.p. = 6.81 Lbs per H.P., Torque 566 / 64.9 ft lb = 8.72 Lbs per ft lb of torque
GL1200, 599-Lbs / 94h.p. = 6.37 Lbs per H.P., Torque 599 / 77.4 ft lb = 7.73 Lbs per Ft Lb Torque
So the Lightest on it's feet is the GL1200, not taking gearing in to consideration.
These are all stock weights, going really naked, can make it lighter than stock standard weights
Taking this all into consideration the lowest amount of weight per H.P. or torque usually wins.
But lower gearing Can be the equalizer to a better power to weight ratio. although engine revving higher or fuel mileage would suffer if too much gearing.
But Lower Gearing alone does not tell the whole story, as the GL1200 has the smallest diameter of wheels, this can lower the gear ratio also
GL1000 has a 17" Rear wheel I dont have the tire height or what the final ratio would be, for any of these bikes
GL1100 has a 17" Rear wheel
GL1200 has a 15" Rear wheel getting the shortest Profile tire on this Rear 15" rim may give a better Final Gear ratio.
Especially if the Rear tire's over all height when mounted to the wheel, were 1" or 2" shorter than stock, this would work on any size Rear wheel and tire combo going lower profile can provide better take off from a stop and going through the gears.