Got stolen!
Mono-shock elbow little end bearing replaced at 120000 km. OEM cost $650, so used a 25 cent nylon bush (lasted at least 160000 km without requiring replacement.
Seat wore out at 150 000, recovered.
Efficiency of engine cooling decreased with age. When near new it was seriously overcooled (unless racing). With age it tended to stall at idle while waiting for lights - diagnosed as a combination of fuel boiling in carburettor, and ignition system breaking down due to heat.
Muffler died permanently at about 170000 (6 years), but it is fair to say would have lasted longer if it hadn't been smacked by a blind tin-top.
My first (stolen) Impulse was user friendly, with excellent brakes, handling, and acceleration to match. The engine was brilliant, aside from regular oil and plug changes (the secret to Suzuki reliability). I was aiming for 500 000 before an engine rebuild.
Recalling my first Suzuki Impulse, I after 10 years of other bikes (Honda, Kawasaki, BMW) decided to return to the Suzuki fold and picked up a very average 20 year old (63000 km, 16 previous owners) Impulse.
The seat feels harder than I recall, but is becoming more comfortable as I begin to throw the bike around and spend less time sitting on it. A few tweaks adjusting cables, gear shifts and tyre pressures and the magic returned.
In NZ the Suzuki GSX400X Impulse was the courier riders choice for many years as it has an unbreakable engine, Full time oil pump, huge carrying capacity (I had mine loaded with over 220kg of luggage), quick and nimble both on the open road, and in town. Not only cheaper (1/2 the cost), but more reliable than its flasher, heavier, fully faired brother, the GSX400rf.
Formula three racers also liked it. In standard trim (less mirrors and indicators) it would quite happily pull 237+Km down the back straight at Pukekohe raceway, then handle the judder bars under full brakes through the hairpin... One guy I knew coaxed an additional 15 hp out of his Impulse simply by polishing his carburettors.
I had a 1987 Impulse, a great little bike for zipping around in and doing some serious miles on. Mine always gave me issues, it overheated and more often than not it would drop to 2 cylinders. When it was going it was a very quick bike; I changed the muffler set up and the power increased dramatically. I have a Kawasaki 550 now, which is lame in comparison.
I had an impulse. Very nice little bike, my first 'big' bike off my learners licence.
Had some issues with the brakes, ended up with braided lines on her, sorted that out.
The sound was magnificent! Mine came with an aftermarket can, and when she came on song at about 7500RPM, she sounded awesome.
I have one and it seems to be fine for an old bike. Great step up from a Honda 125. Goes great seeing as it's over 20 years old. I raced it at a HAGD at Ruapuna and it went great. I can't seem to find the correct tire pressure for both front and rear tires, if anyone knows them then that would be very helpful.
Thank you.
I bought one new in 1987 and had it for about 10 years and 40000km. Only stopped at the shop because my mate wanted to have a look at it. I rode out on a new bike.
Raced it once at Ruapuna drags and clocked at 13.6s at something like 91mph. There was a drag bike there running the same 400cc motor; the guys said the only mods to the engine were to beef up the electrics and remove the air cleaner. He was pulling 12.3s.
It got a bit temperamental sometimes dropping to what seemed like 2 cylinders. The only way I found to clear it was to apply full choke and let it cough for a bit. Then once it got over that it went like a rocket.
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