Suzuki 2 Strokes

I am thinking of getting a 185. Has anyone had one, how did it do for you, what are any problems with it, etc. I got to ride one (a 1975 model) for a few minutes. I liked it, always thought they were nice looking, except for the extra large starter/generator. Right now it would actually be more appropriate for my use to and from work, errands around town. This town is very compact, if you hit all the traffic lights on the 'main' road, it would take maybe 15 minutes to get from one end of town to the other. The way I have to park my GT500 is a little muscle exercising every time to leave and park it for the night, I can use the exercise, but it gets kinda old. The 185 would be easier to pull out from in front of my wife's car, out from the carport and roll it down the driveway to start it. I also would still like to get a GS850G/ GS1000G for taking my wife and I for rides and maybe a trip, but I would have to park it across the road from my house at a U-haul storage facility. I simply don't have anywhere to safely store it and maneuver it out for use. I found a 1974 GT185 for $1000 in very good shape, just wanted to get some opinions, wisdom, BS, etc. before I buy something I may regret......

I had a 73 and had a lot of fun on it, especially through the gap with the original tires...!
I couldn't get it above 60 mph downhill with a tailwind... but the thing started everytime and never had an issue. Extremely lightweight and maneuverable, took my motorcycle liscence test on it and it was a breeze. The guy administering the test laughed at how the Harley guys show up on their giant Fat Boys with microwaves and coffee makers and can't make it through the course without dumping them...
Anyway, loved mine but sold it because I live out in the country and it was a little too small for the geography. If I lived in town it would have been perfect. I'd say go for it!!
-John

I brought a new one in 73.cost me about a nz$1000. very zippy,light to handle,easy to throw around corners.got mine to 85mph racing a friends cb175.sold it to buy a cb360-sold it to buy t500m-sold it to buy xs1.wish I had kept the titan. Alan

The GT185 is a great little bike and the starter is a welcome feature, its not blisteringly fast but still has decent power etc for general riding and around town puttering.
If you are not 6ft tall and over 200 lbs, it should be fine for you.
The money value sounds reasonable too if the condition is as good as you say, do you have any photos of it?

No photos. It is in Oklahoma City,OK. Gold color I believe. I am a little shorter than 6', but a little more than 200lb. Maybe a little more air in the tires will help?

Honey, does sitting on this little bike make my backside look fat,

I had a gold 74 that the my first bike. Rode it a bunch 75-77, when I bought my 550. Very nice little bike that did not give me any issues at all. Regretfully, after I moved out and it had set in my parents garage for several years, Dad gave it away to a friend of his. Who then totalled it.
It may be a bit underpowered for someone over 200lbs, except maybe at low speeds around town. At that time I was around 5'6" and only 135 lbs. In the 5th gear the tach and the speedo almost exactly match. Ex., if you are going 50 mph, the tach is on 5,000 rpm.

Allen, don't quit your day job, there are more than enough comodians!!! So, after some sly probing questions, SWMBO pretty much killed the idea of another bike. I wanted to ADD it to my stable (?) rather than replace the GT500. I would like to get a GS650G, or GS850G, or a GS1000G for two up and distance riding. The BMW I was looking at, won't cut it for two up in our case. Will now have to think very hard and crafty (?) to get another bike. Any GOOD ideas will be appreciated.

I've always had good luck with the 'ask for forgiveness, not for permission', but of course you also have to know 'when'