Please outline the differences between the Kirby G models

[Sanifan]

Could someone outline the differences between the Kirby G series? I'm especially curious about the G5 and later models, but it would be educational to find out about all of them. I know there are differences but I'm having a hard time understanding how the differ, exactly, and which models represent significant, must-have, upgrades.

Is there a particular G model that's regarded as the best performing model?

Thanks!

 

[twocvbloke]

Well, the G3 & G4 used a different brushroll with the BPI LED on the opposite side of the nozzle to the HeritageII-LII and G5 onwards, they had a more square appearance, where the G5 to Ult. G had a more rounded look, the Sentria going even rounder but still with sharp lines, and the G5 was the first to have the "kevlar" fan (apparently it's not actually Kevlar), the G6 introduced the rounded emtor and HEPA filtration, aswell as the all plastic "crushproof" snap-fit filltube, and of course, they were all different colours, the G5 being the biggest exception being Burgundy red rather than the various shades of Grey the rest came with...

Under the hood they're all pretty much the same, except the Ult.G had an extra speed switch, so it in essence had 4 speeds (Floor-Low, Floor-High, Hose-Low, Hose-High), the Sentria has an LED headlight where the rest had incandescent, the brushrolls with the G3/4 wend from Sleeve bearings to Ball bearings, and changed around the time of the G6 from 4-row to "oblique", and later they altered that brushroll and introduced a new style rugplate to match, the Techgrive gearing between transmission & motor was altered to compensate for skipping on certain carpet types...

And, the bags went from being plain paper to MicronMagic, then from those to MicronMagic HEPA, and then from those to the White MicronMagic HEPA+, and of course they introduces the F-style connection which allows faster fitting of all variants of the Micron Magic bags...


Bored yet?

 

[twocvbloke]

Scrap the BPI light bit, the G5 onwards had the LED on the opposite side to the HeritageII to G4, brain's not quite functioning at the moment!!! :S

 

[kirbylover]

If you are looking for a G series don't worry so much about the model and features (although you might want a G5 or newer) more important is the condition of the machine. they will all clean almost equally and are all very durable. You can put the newest cloth HEPA bags in the G3 so all this bag talk is irrelevant.

 

[twocvbloke]

You can put the HEPA bags on as far back as a 516, just add a HeritageII mini-emtor and a long-zip bag (or black Flap-top shakeout) and hey presto, a HEPA rated vintage Kirby...

I was just pointing out that during the Generation series, they released different spec. bags to go with the different models as the years went by, the G3 had plain paper, G4&5 had Micron Magic, G6 to Ult.G/DE had paper MicronMagic HEPA, and the Sentria had the White synthetic HEPA+ bags and the F-style connection...

 

[broomvac]

Let's not forget

The transmission return spring, which was included with all Kirby G series vacuums except the Generation 3, though the part can easily be installed into a fully stock Generation 3 in minutes. I explain in greater detail what this spring is about in my "Your one favorite Kirby OF ALL TIME" thread in the Vintage forum in my Generation 3 post. Or, you could just click the link at the bottom.

Also, people seemed to have failed to point out differences in outer bag construction.

The Generation 3 had a much stiffer outer bag material than all other Generation series vacuums. And, while the bag and clip are fully compatible with all Generation series vacuums, the bag topper is much different in that it is beefier and non-removable, hiding a spring supported bag clip as opposed to the usual cloth strap used on all later vacuums. This combination is arguably a better design than the cloth strap, because it secures the bag to the handle in a manner that keeps it from really moving around or twisting. Another difference with the bag topper is that it is slanted on top with the Generation 3 as opposed to squared off on the G4-G6, and rounded on top like on the Ult. G-present.

On the Ultimate G, they changed the zipper from the straight to the curved design, since that seemed to make the twisting of the bag collar on and off easier. This zipper was carried over to the early Sentrias, but later changed when they used the F style bags since they required no twisting action to change.

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?14637_17

 

[Sanifan]

Wow, thanks for the great info...

There's so many changes between the models.

Is the Sanitronic 80 late enough to use the Heritage II bag replacement trick? Which is the better vac? The Sanitronic or Heritage II? And is the Classic a good performing model? I came across 2 beautiful brown and khaki Classics over the past year but passed on them because I knew nothing about them.

I have slightly beat up G5. Do you think I should spend some money to fix it up or just hold out for the rare good deal on a G6 or Ultimate G? I think my G5 works fine, but it has some almost totally corroded (greenish) screw heads on the bottom and a lot of white corrosion on the aluminum around the same area. Must have been exposed to water for a while. Will need some work. I'm looking forward to having a Kirby in good shape. Not quite there yet!

Also, how well do the G series hold up if they haven't been serviced or rebuilt for a while?

Thanks!

I'm

 

[twocvbloke]

The HeritageII bag system can be used on all Kirbys between the 516 and the LegendII, so the D80 is in there, and I did the same with my D80, using a LegendII bag cos that's all I had to hand....

 

[twocvbloke]

Oh, and Kirbys are pretty tough even if they haven't been serviced in a while, they may look all corroded and like a complete wreck, but they can perform like the day they were built in such condition, all they usually need is a polish up and an internal service and they'll be fine...

You could also send it off to Kirby for it to be rebuilt, so there's always that option...

 

[vac_whisperer]

Which is the better vac? The Sanitronic or Heritage II?

Thats really a hard one- cleaning performance is the same!


 


If you have allergies, I would opt out for aa Heretage, simply because of the paper bags.


 


(Yeah, I know they still had the dumpout bag option, but the paper bag was much, MUCH more popular) 

 

[lunchboxsean]

You want the real difference? Stickers... Badge engineering. They are essentially all the same with face lifts with only minor changes to each subsequent model.

 

[thissucks]

i think the newer brush rolls with firm brushes work better, i own a G3 by choce as its the best looking in my opinion,the drive i heavily assisted and the bag, belt lifter and emptor seem to be more rugged.

you can use a new style brush roll on a g3, you just need to remove the led module, or replace the whole nossle.

i honestly think it is the best vacuum in the world.

 

[paul]

Model IDs

I came across these model IDs online. Questions: Were the G8s and G9s made for the overseas market, or were they upgrades? Does the 'D' stand for "design difference"?

G10D - Avalir
G10 - Sentria, Sentria II
G9D - Ultimate G Diamond Edition
G9 - Ultimate G
G8D - Ultimate G Diamond Edition
G8 - Ultimate G
G7D - Ultimate G Diamond Edition
G7 - Ultimate G
G6D - Gsix Limited Edition 2000, Gsix Limited Edition 2001
G6 - Gsix