Gs850g vs 650g

[Redman]

I had 82 650G from new untill 2005. Had 82 850G from 1994 till 2006.

SO I had been riding the 650G for 12 years when I got the 850G.
First observation is that it is taller and heavier.
THen notice More torque at lower rpm, not need to shift as soon or as much, a bit more acceleration but not much. More comfortable for longer rides beacuse bigger and heavier.

.

 

[Redman]

Oh, an other thing, this took me a year or so to notice: THe 850G has a drain plug and fill plug for the secondary gears gear oil (650G did not, is in engine oil).

Secondary Gears; the gears on front of driveshaft, back side of transmission.

 

[Redman]

When/if talking to seller of 850G, ask them about the hub in rear wheel. That is much more subject to failure on the 850G than on the 650G. If seller seems ignorant of it, then you can assume it hasnt been greased and then you can proceed as if it is about to fail.

Not the final gear drive (some call pumpkin).
The hub IN the rear WHEEL, some call spline, called "joint assembly" on the microfische.

.

 

[salty_monk]

From my experience on the 1000G the V&H header makes little difference to the jetting with a stock airbox and I am at sea level... You may need to adjust the pilot screws. It's noisier than stock for sure (but one of the quieter pipes out there).

 

[wymple]

When/if talking to seller of 850G, ask them about the hub in rear wheel. That is much more subject to failure on the 850G than on the 650G. If seller seems ignorant of it, then you can assume it hasnt been greased and then you can proceed as if it is about to fail.

Not the final gear drive (some call pumpkin).
The hub IN the rear WHEEL, some call spline, called "joint assembly" on the microfische.

.

I'm not remembering which years might have this problem, but it's a small problem. They are available (I have one on the shelf), and not expensive. A simple inspection will tell you it's condition so if shaky you can dig one up before getting too far from home.

 

[Wingsconsin]

I have owned them both - 650L & 850L
My riding is 100% alone on the GS bikes
I loved the 650 - quick-nimble-fun-fast-sporty- (all the great adjectives)
I sold it and found an 850 (quick enough-nimble enough-fun for me-fastish-sporty kinda)
The difference maker for me is two -fold
I am a bigger dude at 6' and 275# (down from 350#) -
I felt like I was too big for that bike/frame combo to be comfortable for some of my longer rides -
The bike is used primarily for cruising and commuting but it's not uncommon for me to go out for a 'ride' in the evenings and cover 100+ miles
And an occasional wild hair ride that might take me away for a few days covering 500 miles per day -

Depends is the best answer in my opinion - on your size, riding style, and plans on how to use it -

EITHER BIKE is going to be a great fun ride - once you sort out all the needs of a 30+ years old bike

'There is no such thing as a cheap motorcycle' -C. Robert circa 2015

 

[Admiral Beez]

Steve, I realize that those are the published numbers, but if the 650 actually makes more than 60hp on a dyno I'll eat my hat.
The 850 numbers seem reasonable, but the 650 is way out of line. No way a mildly tuned, stock, 2 valve, air-cooled 650 is making 72@9000 rpm.

I’ve owned my GS650G since early 2018. My earlier bike for eleven years was a 1969 Triumph single carb 490cc twin with at best 35 hp. The GS650G with three more carbs and 180cc more engine feels like a rocket to me.

I’ve never ridden a GS850G, but find me an air-cooled bike made in the 21st century of 850cc or less that makes more power than a GS650G. I certainly can’t find one. Motor Guzzi V7 has less than 50 hp. Even oil-cooled bikes of 850cc size would be hard pressed.

 

[wymple]

Well, just drop back one century, to the 20th, when your bike was made, for air cooled punch?....Here's one that was fast

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_xj650_sega 81.htm

The KZ650 was a worthy competitor,

All the 750 air cooled 4's were beefier in the engine dept. All the 650's were within a tick of each other. I think all the tariff 700's were as well.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Wait for a 1100G to show up, 1100GK even mo betta.

 

[RichDesmond]

...I’ve never ridden a GS850G, but find me an air-cooled bike made in the 21st century of 850cc or less that makes more power than a GS650G. I certainly can’t find one. Motor Guzzi V7 has less than 50 hp. Even oil-cooled bikes of 850cc size would be hard pressed.

Well, that's a bit of apples to mangos, as any air-cooled bike these days is not a performance driven design.

I'm not bashing the GS650 at all, I think it's a great bike. I just don't think that it makes close to 72hp.

 

[GSXR7ED]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks to everyone for their input.

My bike history is short and I've only ever ridden a 750. Definitely, middle of the road and great for long trips and nimble.

Ed

 

[Admiral Beez]

Well, that's a bit of apples to mangos, as any air-cooled bike these days is not a performance driven design.

I'm not bashing the GS650 at all, I think it's a great bike. I just don't think that it makes close to 72hp.

True, though I never considered my GS650G as a performance machine.

I can't find dyno results for the GS650G, but here they are for the GS750

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/downloads/dynocharts/dynocharts-suzuki-80-85GS750?d=1

Maximum power output: 72 hp/ 8.500 rpm

But the claimed hp is only 63? https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/suzu/suzuki_gs750 76.htm

 

[Nessism]

I’ve never ridden a GS850G, but find me an air-cooled bike made in the 21st century of 850cc or less that makes more power than a GS650G. I certainly can’t find one.

I think you are referring to shaft drive bikes right? Anyway, the shaft drive Kawasaki 750N makes more power than the GS650. Displacement is about 50cc more so it's logical for it to. https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/Kawasaki_Z750N Spectre.htm

 

[Admiral Beez]

Let's consider the technical differences of the GS650G and GS850G. For one, the GS650G has plain bearings while the 850 has roller bearings. I assume the plain ones are more at risk if oil gets low or dirty. And the GS650G has its drive shaft to transmission output more compactly located in order to reduce weight and length. Given the latter, I am surprised that the 650 isn't much shorter than the 850.

If you want the heavier frame of the GS850G, why not go for the GS1100G engine?

 

[GSXR7ED]

^^That bike looks delicious! Lol


Ed

 

[Steve]

If you want the heavier frame of the GS850G, why not go for the GS1100G engine?

If you really want to get down to details, keep in mind that the '80/'81 GS850G and the '80/'81 GS1000G share the same frame part number. The "L" versions also share their own part numbers.

Along the same line, the '82/'83 850 and the '82/'83 1100G also share the same frame number, but it's different than the earlier years.

This means that there is the same amount of room on the 850s and 1000/1100s.

To add a little spice to the mix, the larger bike of each year actually weighs 10-15 pounds LESS than the 850. :-k
Factor in more power, the larger bike is actually the better deal. Many think that the 1100G (and the fully-equipped GK) were probably the best of what was available.

But, ... your original question was 650 vs. 850, and here we are, spending even MORE of your money. :-\\\

.

 

[wymple]

I searched around the net some, and almost all reliable sources had the GS850g running around 12.32 in the quarter mile. The best I saw on a GS650G was above 13 seconds, I saw chain drive GS650's as low as 12.7-12.9.
So feeling punchier, weight or not, doesn't make it so. My nephew has an all electric car that FEELS really fast on acceleration. My son has a 1/2 ton Chevy extended cab pickup that FEELS slower. When they squared off the truck kicked the EV's butt, pulled away clean. The market for the 850 was never the high performance bunch, anyway. It was touted as a gentleman's touring bike and the market target was conservative riders middle age and up. The GS650 was well faster than my XS Yamaha twins, but not in a high gear roll on. My GS850 pulls away from the Yamaha in a high gear roll on. The GS850 is torquier with a wider power band and I find it better on the road. It is heavier than the 1100's to be sure, but that was never a concern at Suzuki to begin with. Their priority was reliability, and I haven't seen any bike more reliable out of the gate. Lots of us like our GS850 just fine.

 

[razorbacksrule]

I've owned an 1100g but it was 30 years ago so it's hard to compare it to the 650s I owned a few years back. Also I know where there's an 1100g with full windjammer package for sale . It's in decent shape but it's been setting several years and he wants $2000 for it and won't budge a dime . Here in the last week two more 850l models have been posted for sale in my area really leaning towards an 850 right now .

 

[Burque73]

I've owned an 1100g but it was 30 years ago so it's hard to compare it to the 650s I owned a few years back. Also I know where there's an 1100g with full windjammer package for sale . It's in decent shape but it's been setting several years and he wants $2000 for it and won't budge a dime . Here in the last week two more 850l models have been posted for sale in my area really leaning towards an 850 right now .

I've owned three 850 G's, two rideable, and an 1100L and there is a world of difference to me more so between the L and G style, let alone an 1100 and an 850. I love the girth and feel of a G. Either displacement is adequate for my use alone or two up, but I'd like a little more power so I'm on the lookout for an 82 1100 engine. Not avidly searching, just casually looking at this point. Ideally I stumble onto an 1100 GK with stock bags and fairing, in similar condition to my current 850, and just trade. Nobody in their right mind would do that but a guy can dream right?

The heavier presence of an 850 not being blown around as easily on the freeway would appeal to me as a comparison between these two bikes. I had a KLR 650 or two over the years but that's not really a good comparison for this discussion. I will say that my passengers have preferred the L's seat which leaves them more in a position to see over my head though.

 

[razorbacksrule]

Been doing a lot off online searching and found a super nice 1980
550l it's the closest to me by far . Might go look at it too !