1987 Suzuki GSX400X Impulse review from New Zealand

The common problem with the coils and electrics crapping out. This resulted in it destroying a brand new battery.

Also, when the bike got to a certain temperature, it would cough and splutter, the workshop could never recreate the problem, so it was never fixed and was ultimately why I sold the bike.

Exhaust rusted out, but replaced with a cycleworks aftermarket pipe that gave it more power and a better exhaust note.

This was one seriously fast bike for the time period, plus it was very cheap for $4,000 brand new back in 1988. You got a lot of bike for the buck.

Never had any engine problems, only electrical.

The engine could really take a beating and thrived on revs.

I have owned 15 bikes and the Impulse was my favourite.

It was a 4 stroke that rode like a 2 stroke, redline (I think) of around 17k and had a wicked powerband that kicked in round 7-8k revs.

Some said it looked ugly and it did have rather an unusual fairing, but it looked fine to me.

I'm surprised I didn't kill myself on this, as I was only 19 and still thought I was bullet-proof.

I recall once getting it a good inch past the max speedo reading of 180kph, by my estimates, this would have put me at around 210-220kph, and this was with a pillion on the back.