1991 Suzuki Goose 350
1991 Suzuki Goose 350
My second bike was a Suzuki Goose 350.
A friend let me ride a GB400TT. The pulse and the sound of a single got me, and I wanted the Imola look of the Ducati 750 SS and 900 SS that kept appearing in Clubman, which I read constantly. This was the answer I arrived at.
I found a used one in Tokyo with about 4,000 km. It is also the bike I first rode in the city, and on the Shuto Expressway. There was no navigation. I stopped constantly to ask the way, and I remember the relief of finally getting home. It felt like a kid's adventure.
It was stock when I got it. I added a braided line on the front brake, tank knee pads, a SuperTrapp muffler, a rocket fairing, and a fender eliminator. The front indicators were changed to something that suggested an old Ducati. A classmate's father ran a body shop and painted the fairing the same blue metallic as the bike, cheaply, and beautifully.
I also loved the Gilera Saturno, so I was very happy with how it looked. I rode a lot of passes on it.
A 350 cc SOHC that would spin to 10,000 rpm, though above 8,000 rpm it was only spinning. Looking back, this may be when I caught the Suzuki bug.
Specifications
| Grade | GOOSE 350 |
|---|---|
| Model code | NK42A |
| Year introduced | 1991 |
| Month introduced | 12 |
| Market | Japan domestic |
| Overall length (mm) | 1995 |
| Overall width (mm) | 710 |
| Overall height (mm) | 1055 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1350 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 150 |
| Curb weight (kg) | 160 |
| Seating capacity | 2 |
| Engine code | K406 |
| Engine type | Four-stroke |
| Cylinders | 1 |
| Cylinder layout | Single |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Displacement (cc) | 348 |
| Valve gear | OHC（SOHC） |
| Bore(mm) | 79 |
| Stroke(mm) | 71.2 |
| Compression ratio（:1） | 9.5 |
| Peak power（PS） | 33 |
| Power rpm（rpm） | 8000 |
| Peak torque（kgf･m） | 3.3 |
| Torque rpm（rpm） | 6500 |
| Fuel system | Carburetor |
| Fuel tank (L) | 15 |
| Starting | Electric start |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Spark plug | CR8EK |
| Battery | YTX12-BS |
| Engine oil, total (L) | 2.2 |
| Clutch | Wet multiplate |
| Gearbox | 6-speed return |
| Shift | Foot shift |
| Primary reduction | 2.818 |
| Final reduction | 2.571 |
| Gear ratios | 1st 2.500/2nd 1.733/3rd 1.332/4th 1.110/5th 0.952/6th 0.825 |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front sprocket | 14 |
| Rear sprocket | 36 |
| Chain size | 520 |
| Chain links | 102 |
| Frame | Diamond |
| Caster | 25°00′ |
| Trail (mm) | 104 |
| Front brake | Hydraulic disc |
| Rear brake | Hydraulic disc |
| Front suspension | Telescopic fork |
| Rear suspension | Swingarm |
| Front tire | 110/70-17 |
| Front tire construction | Bias |
| Front load index | 54 |
| Front speed rating | H |
| Rear tire | 140/70-17 |
| Rear tire construction | Bias |
| Rear load index | 66 |
| Rear speed rating | H |
| Front rim type | MT |
| Front rim width | 3.0 |
| Rear rim type | MT |
| Rear rim width | 4.0 |
| Headlight | 60W/55W |
| Tail / brake light | 18W/5W |