Faults:

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.

General Comments:

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.

Faults:

Nothing too much; fork seals needed replacing, ECU had to be replaced and starting was an issue sometimes; needed to replace battery on a regular basis.

General Comments:

One of my favourite bikes. Lightweight, high performance - spinning nearly 14,000RPM it would take off like a rocket. Handling was great; very flickable.

At high speed, being naked (and only 400cc) top speed was not great. The seat was also rock hard - and passengers certainly complained about comfort.

Faults:

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.

General Comments:

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.

Faults:

Rear brake system froze up - needed brake seals and pads replaced.

New pads were squeaking like mad, but adjusting the shims behind the pads fixed that.

General Comments:

For its age, nearly 20 years old, it's got all top shelf kit. Triple slotted disc brakes, monoshock rear suspension, basic as inline 4cyl which redlines at 13000 rpm. Ouch!

Ridden gently, i.e. under 5000 rpm, it's actually quite economical, or would be if petrol wasn't $1.75 per litre. Once you use the upper part of the rev range, performance is spectacular for a 400cc bike, but so is fuel consumption.

It's a lot of fun, very quick, but not insanely so. Very agile. Very light and good brakes, so it stops as well as it goes.

Not the most comfortable seat, but great riding position for rider about 185 cm or thereabouts. The seat is the only part of the body that gets sore. Built for speed not comfort.