Suzuki GSX400FW 1983—1984
Suzuki GSX400FWS 1983—1984

I have tried to tell the story of the Suzuki GSX 400 FW on this page, as I know it. The page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

1983 Suzuki year code: D, GSX400FD, GSX400FWS, GSX400FWS-1

The liquid-cooled GSX400FW (internal code GK71A) was launched in Japan in March 1983. Yoshimura tuned up the engine and built up the special frame to entry Japanese domestic TT-F3 race. 184 bikes found their way to Sweden in 1983, where it was sold under the model name GSX400FWS and had 52 hp in 1983. The Japanese version had 50 ps (49,5 hp). The GSX400FW caused a small sensation when it was launched in 1983. 52 bhp from a 400cc four-stroke, combined with a sporty, almost racer-likechassis was a great new model from Suzuki. The liquid-cooled engine was slightly heavier than its predecessor but could be revved up to 11,500 rpm and deliver more power. The handling of the bike was considered a s very good, the disc brakes excellent (the rear brake was almost too good). It was a full-size bike and could be ridden with a passenger, but the huddled-up riding position and the need to use very high revs to get the most out of the engine could be annoying in a long run. The fuel economy was slightly worse than with other 400cc bikes but still quite good. If I have understood my Japanese source correctly, there were two versions of the GSX400FW available in Japan in 1983. You can see the difference between the model versions in the pictures below; they had different graphics and fairings, but also 2 hp difference in the engine power output. I would say that the 50 Ps model was an early version of the same bike and was later replaced with the 53 Ps version, but the Auto-by magazine says both of the models were released in March 1983 so I can't tell more about it without getting more information of the subject... The announced weight difference between the 1983 and 1984 models is another thing I can't explain to you. The '83 weight figure comes from a Japanese source, the '84 figure is the claimed dry weight for the Swedish GSX400FWS model.

1983 Suzuki GSX400FW, Solid Black (019)

1983 Suzuki GSX 400 FW Overall Length: 2 110 mm (83.1 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in) Seat Height: 780 mm (30.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 178 kg (392 lbs) Engine: Water-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 49.5 hp (50 ps) @ 10 500 rpm, 3.6 kg-m @ 8 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1983 Suzuki GSX 400 FW Overall Length: 2 110 mm (83.1 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in) Seat Height: 780 mm (30.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 178 kg (392 lbs) Engine: Water-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 49.5 hp (50 ps) @ 10 500 rpm, 3.6 kg-m @ 8 500 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1984 Suzuki year code: E, GSX400FE, GSX400FWS, GSX400FWS-2

The second and last model version of the GSX400FW was presented in Japan in June 1984. The engine was somewhat tuned, the Japanese version gained four additional ps, the Swedish version (GSX400FWS) had got six extra horses. Suzuki also released the GSX-R (GSX-R400) in 1984, based on Yoshimura's TT-F3 racer. The model was available only in some countries, not many units were sold outside Japan. Both models used a similar water-cooled four cylinder four-stroke with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder but the GSX400FW had lower power output and the GSX-R400's new engine with its 66 kg (145 lbs) was 10 kg (22 lbs) lighter than the slightly more moderate GSX400FW engine. You could say that the GSX-R400 replaced the GSX400FW but it took five more years before the actual follow up model, GSF400 Bandit, was launched in June 1989.

1984 Suzuki GSX400FW, Pure White / Sky Blue (91R)

1984 Suzuki GSX 400 FW Overall Length: 2 110 mm (83.1 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in) Seat Height: 780 mm (30.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 184 kg (405 lbs) Engine: water-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 58 hp (42,5 kW) @ 11 500 rpm, 37 Nm @ 10 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1984 Suzuki GSX 400 FW Overall Length: 2 110 mm (83.1 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in) Seat Height: 780 mm (30.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 184 kg (405 lbs) Engine: water-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 58 hp (42,5 kW) @ 11 500 rpm, 37 Nm @ 10 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1983 GSX400FW specifications (Japan)
Engine:	Water-cooled DOHC inline-four 4-stroke
Cylinder Volume:	398 cc
Bore x Stroke:	53.0 x 45.2 mm
Compression Ratio:	10.9:1
Power output:	49,5 hp @ 10.500 rpm
Torque:	3,6 kg-m @ 8.500 rpm
Fuel Economy:	43.0 km/l
Overall Length:	2 110 mm (83.1 in.)
Overall Width:	735 mm (28.9 in.)
Overall Height:	1 215 mm (47.8 in.)
Wheelbase:	1 435 mm (56.5 in.)
Seat Height:	760 mm (29.9 in.)
Ground Clearance:	160 mm (6.3 in.)
Dry Weight:	178 kg (392 lbs)
Transmission:	6-speed Constant Mesh
1st Gear Ratio:	3.166
2nd Gear Ratio:	2.125
3rd Gear Ratio:	1.631
4th Gear Ratio:	1.333
5th Gear Ratio:	1.173
6th Gear Ratio:	1.083
Primary Ratio:	2.212
Second Ratio:	3.066
Starting System:	Electric Starter
Ignition System:	Electric Ignition
Gasoline Tank Volume:	17.0 liter
Caster:	27 " 20'
Trail:	96 mm (3.8 in.)
Front Tire:	100/90-16-54s
Rear Tire:	110/90-18-61s
Suggested Retail Price (Japan):	559,000 Yen

More: GSX400FW brochures and adverts

More: GSX400FW magazine articles

More: Suzuki GSX models

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: www.infomadonna.ne.jp/~redking, www04.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/ca2, Auto-by magazine

This free site is managed by Jarmo Haapamäki.
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation for Jarmo
so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.

Came here from a search engine?
Click at the home button below to get to the main page with frames.