GS 850 1/4 mile times???

[Anonymous]

I don't think asking about how fast or how quick our bikes may be is such a bad thing. Certainly I'm not about to take my 850 or my 1100 to the track. But hey, it is interesting to know how they compare to other fast machines. It's also interesting to know the numbers. I have a long hill with slight curves that leads to my home. Of course it's almost impossible to resist blowing by the other vehicles on the road. As I'm doing so, I'm often impressed with how fast I went from following to being way out in front. Then I wonder, just how fast is my bike? I guess the next best thing to doing it is talking about it (or corrresponding on this forum) with others who share the feeling. One thing's for sure, one of the main reasons I ride, is to go through the gears, hear the pipes, and feel the strong machine pulling hard.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think asking about how fast or how quick our bikes may be is such a bad thing. Certainly I'm not about to take my 850 or my 1100 to the track. But hey, it is interesting to know how they compare to other fast machines. It's also interesting to know the numbers.


Of course there's nothing wrong with it, Karl. I was just taking a contrarian view. I find it ironic, though, that I, the math teacher (now retired), couldn't care less about quantifying the power of my former 850's and now the 1100GK.

It simply struck me as odd that the performance numbers question was raised about one of the least likely GS bikes to figure out performance-wise, the 850. Not the 1100E or the 4-valve 750's, or the 1150 -- but the old reliable 850.

By way of comparing the 850 (I had four of them from 1986 thru 1999) with the 8-valve 1100 shaftie, all I can say is that the 1100 doesn't accelerate any faster than the 850. Numbers? I don't need numbers to tell me that; the power is developed the same way. The only difference I can tell between them is the top end; the 1100 ain't screaming its head off at 80 mph. That's the only advantage of the 1100 over the 850, in my view.

I guess some folks need numbers. Usually I do, but not in this case.

Interesting thread.

Nick

 

[Jay B]

Maybe you don't care, but I'd bet a lot of 850 owners wouldn't mind knowing what an average guy on an 850 could do at the track. What's "enough" for one guy might not be enough for another.

Nonsense. One does not choose an 850 with performance numbers in mind. Those who regard performance numbers as important don't buy 850's; they go for the 1100E or the 1150.

I can't conceive of an 850 at a track. A GS850 is a good bike to get a rider to the track so he can enjoy the races.

Nick

Nick I have to disagree with you there. You never can tell what can turn into a nice little bracket racer. I sure didn't start out to do that to this (the truck not the 850)

but it happened anyhow and when I stopped the brackets I had quite a few trophies to haul home... Good thing it was a long bed......

 

[Anonymous]

You must realize that drag racing has changed over the years. Now almost all local drag racing is bracket racing. For this kind of racing, the GS 850 is as good as any. Bracket racing isn't about how fast you go, it's all about how consistant you can run. You need to run exactly the same each run, to do good. In 1983 John Bennett won the Music City Dragway championship, on a 750 Hondamatic, so who says the 850 wouldn't fit right in at the strip. So far, I can't find anything the GS 850 doesn't do well. Also if an 1100 GK won't accelerate any faster than an 850, the 1100 is in bad need of a mechanic.

 

[Anonymous]

Also if an 1100 GK won't accelerate any faster than an 850, the 1100 is in bad need of a mechanic.

Nonsense. The 1984 GK is geared noticeably higher than the 850. I mentioned that, and it's common knowledge. That's why the acceleration gain by the added 250 cc is negligible.

Read what I wrote. My 850's were in perfect state of tune, as is the 1100GK.

Nick

 

[Anonymous]

Also if an 1100 GK won't accelerate any faster than an 850, the 1100 is in bad need of a mechanic.

Nonsense. The 1984 GK is geared noticeably higher than the 850. I mentioned that, and it's common knowledge. That's why the acceleration gain by the added 250 cc is negligible.

Read what I wrote. My 850's were in perfect state of tune, as is the 1100GK.

Nick

I can attest to the fact that Nick's bikes are kept in top tune. And it seems to make sence that with the lower gearing the 850 may accelerate in the same general range as the larger bike.

Seeing that Nick has easily over 100K experience on the 2 bikes. I would have to take his views seriously.

Nick, maybe we may have to go against our beliefs and drag race from 0-60 to prove or disprove this theory, LOL.

In any case, it does not really matter. I just love to ride my 850. I get much more satisfaction from how many trouble free miles I can pile up. Not how fast I was running to get there.

JMO.
Charlie

 

[dpep]

In any case, it does not really matter. I just love to ride my 850. I get much more satisfaction from how many trouble free miles I can pile up. Not how fast I was running to get there.

Charlie

Well put. But I do like my speed fun also. I guess my ideal motorcycle would be one that maximizes the cheap thrill/maintenance ratio. Could be why I've held on to my 850 for 24 years.

 

[Anonymous]

Seeing that Nick has easily over 100K experience on the 2 bikes. I would have to take his views seriously.

Thanks, LandscapeMan. Actually, it's 160,000 miles on four consecutive GS850's, from 1986 to 1999. 53,000 miles on the GK. Total GS miles: about 213,000. Total motorcycle miles: about 350,000 -- now on my 35th riding season.

I do like the speed, Don. I ride rather crisply. On the other hand, I just cringe at the thought of a GS850 on any kind of track, for any reason.

Nick

 

[dpep]

I ust cringe at the thought of a GS850 on any kind of track, for any reason.

Nick

I'm not a track man myself, Nick. But I could see the 850, properly classed, in a vintage endurance race. The BMW Battle of the Twins Series has offered some pretty fun racing over the years with what was a comparable bike to to the GS shafties. I would probably agree that it is not their highest and best use, but I would definitely try to see one of them race if the opportunity were anywhere nearby.

 

[bwringer]

With properly sorted suspension and good tires, a GS850G is an excellent tool for unwinding twisty roads. It has good ground clearance and the engine has plenty of smooth power. It also has good brakes -- not as incredible as modern brakes, but still strong enough, fade-free, and easy to modulate. I've pretty much left my engine stock, since it's so difficult to get performance data and parts, and because it works so well just the way it is.

That said, you have to remember it's heavy, tall, and the chassis isn't as stiff as on more recent bikes. Ultra-smooth is the name of the game (isn't it always, really?). And if you don't upgrade the suspension with modern shocks, fork springs, tapered steering bearings, etc., it's a complete pig.

On a trip two years ago to the Blue Ridge Parkway area in western North Carolina, my buddy on a BMW RS was dragging parts long before I was. He was having a lot of trouble keeping up! I have a lot more experience on the road than him, but he road raced for a few years. We were not being competitive, but we were riding at a brisk 8/10 pace. I only had to stop and wait for him a few times.

In any case, that's kind of the appeal of the GS850G for me -- it's sort of a "poor man's BMW". With a few hundred bucks in suspension upgrades and proper maintenance, it's perfectly capable of safe, rapid and reliable long-distance trips.

 

[Anonymous]

In any case, that's kind of the appeal of the GS850G for me -- it's sort of a "poor man's BMW". With a few hundred bucks in suspension upgrades and proper maintenance, it's perfectly capable of safe, rapid and reliable long-distance trips.

Been doing just that for many years. If all roads were like the Blue Ridge Parkway, which I ride top to bottom every year, I would still own an 850. Only reason for the 1100 is that not all roads are like the BRP; the 1100 is much better traveling at 80 mph than the 850 is.

Other than that, the close gear ratio and smooth power delivery of the 850 is perfect for the Parkway-like roads.

The 850 is indeed the poor man's BMW; the 1100 is the poor man's Gold Wing, the poor man's BMW, and the poor man's FJR1300 Yamaha.

Very entertaining thread.

Nick