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Is the GS850G up to this?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shirazdrum
  • Start date Start date
I've taken both apart and the GS is built better, easier to work on, and the exhaust last forever compared to the early hondas. As long as you are not looking at harlys you should be oK with either choice.

With a few things like Intake boots, carb cleaning, RR replacement and the aforementioned rear spline greasing the 850 is pretty much indestructible. You'll have to clean carbs on the Honda as well and it doesn't have nearly the brakes the GS does, something to consider with luggage and a fairing.

The 850 was a favorite touring bike in Europe for years, so much so dealers assembled them from parts after they were discontinued. For real touring look for a GS1100GK with the factory bags and fairing setup.
 
I know that this is a GS forum and I?m not questioning your patriotism toward this bike but do you honestly think that this machine (GS850G) is capable of such a trip?
Click to expand...

Hi Chris, I will be doing the same trip in the future. As for the capability of the 850 doing that trip (I have the the same one, 1980) I have no doubt that it will make it. Just make sure you get it tip top.

I have been planning this trip for some time now. If you want to I could pass you some info I have collected (I am planning doing it through the west side in South America) You can just PM me if you are interested.

Good luck in your trip :)
 
The year doesn't really matter but Post 80 with the CV carbs I think you'll get a smoother more relaxed ride.

Pre 81 splines are tougher but Suzuki still sell spares.

79 will likely be points - upgrade to Dyna S for $120.
80 will be part electric with mechanical advance (similar to Dyna S). Igniter box can go bad - replace with Dyna S if it does.
81 - not sure, could be as 80 or as 82.
82 - Fully electronic incl advance unit. Can go bad. If it does you need a Dyna 2000 or a Dyna S with the mechanical advance unit off the earlier model.

The igniters don't go bad often on the post 80 models but it's not unheard of. I had one go bad on mine.

Personally I would choose what I have... a 1980 GS1000G upgraded to a Dyna S ignition.

Dan :)
 
There's only 2 classic Jap bikes I would use for a long trip like this: a GS or a Honda Cub. Of course, the GS does have one advantage over the Cub......
 
Thanks a lot guys for all the information so far. I read the ADVR story of the guy. That was just sad. Animals are unpredictable; you just don?t try to go around them in a two-lane road that fast. I hope he?s doing better.

Well I found a nice bike with 25,000 miles on it. It?s in a prefect shape(so he says) ; no rust anywhere and no dents at all. No oil leak starts right up and it looks very good. (It?s not in my state so I haven?t ridden it). He?s asking $1500 firm.
It?s an 81 GS850L that already has case guards and a luggage rack.

Is it a good deal or should I keep looking? How much is too much?

Regards,
Chris
 
C.V. said:
Sorry to say, he commited suicide last year. :(
Click to expand...
That?s just terrible. We do things that change our lives and those around us forever. I read the first few pages and how he was full of adventure, riding the trip of his lifetime. My heart goes out to his family.
 
shirazdrum said:
Well I found a nice bike with 25,000 miles on it. It?s in a prefect shape(so he says) ; no rust anywhere and no dents at all. No oil leak starts right up and it looks very good. (It?s not in my state so I haven?t ridden it). He?s asking $1500 firm.
It?s an 81 GS850L that already has case guards and a luggage rack.

Is it a good deal or should I keep looking? How much is too much?

Regards,
Chris
Click to expand...
For that much money, it had better be almost in showroom condition.
Case guards and rack are definitely nice additions, but don't add much, if any, to the book value of the bike.
Many good bikes can be found for less than $1000.

Do you have any pictures of the bike that you can post for a better evaluation? :-k

.
 
Not sure what title laws are in your state, but make sure you have no problem taking full legal custody of the bike. If you're set on that one, go see it, ride it, take a multimeter and test it, etc......For a near perfect one, $1500 isn't to bad. Of course, $1000 would be better.:)
 
shirazdrum said:
It's actually on Ebay. here's the link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320346492467&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=.
he said he'd let it go fo $1500. this is the second time relisting it. he originally had a buy it now price of $2000:eek:.
It's way too far from me anyway, but it looks good( without that goofy windshield and those saddle bags of course, bike gottta be naked baby)
Click to expand...
That looks like a clean bike, and it comes with extra forks and motor, new rubber, etc. 1500 seems like a decent deal. Like said above, take a multimeter and check the charging system, don't buy it without fully checking it out. 1500 seems fair, but if you need to replace the RR or stator, batt. and any of the other standard maintenance issues, 1500 can baloon pretty quick.
 
holy crap

holy crap

However, before planning trips to Southern North America and South America, I strongly suggest people read this:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136505

Read all of it.

this so hits home being a fellow rider and breaks my heart to see any one hurt like that and as a parent of 3 great boys i have no idea how or what i would do.just goes to show NEVER take anything for granted in life.. be well be safe everyone.....Pat
 
I'd pass on an 850L based upon gas tank size and handling.

Noting the handling issue, are you sure you can take something as big and heavy as an 850 down lots of unimproved roads? Are you a big time dirt bike rider?

If you check the AVRider site, these guys are using dual sports and adventure bikes to go south of the border.

The story posted up was just sad. He was a novice and he really didn't think about the big picture. I can see where

1. You need to be an experienced dirt rider
2. You should speak more than phrase book Spanish
3. You should have health insurance
4. You should have medical evacuation insurance
5. You need lots of preparation and supplies

I know that's a bit off the "which bike is better" topic, but in reality, I'd take neither one for such a trip. I'd be cursing myself wrestling that big GS down another dirt road or goat trail all day. And, I'm an experienced dirt and street rider (40 yrs) and I'm a big guy.

But, everyone has their own idea of what an adventure is.
 
Hi,

I paid $1500 for mine a couple of years ago. It was in "push the button and ride" condition much like the bike you linked to seems to be, but with only 13,800 miles. But I agree with Mr. Big T. I'd rather not get an "L" model because of the smaller gas tank. The "regular" G models have a gas tank that is just shy of 6 gallons. The "L" models are more like 3.5 gallons.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
It's just too far from me. It?s 1400 miles to Montana and with the weather here; I can't count on riding it home. Shipping it is out of question.

I'm not an experienced rider but I know this much that I wouldn't be caught dead on a KLR650 on a highway that a semi is going to pass me 90mph. Cross winds are another issue even there are no truck blasts.
I know that 850 is heavy and that's the point. I won't be doing any goat trails, if a car can't get there, I won't be riding that road period.

It might not make any difference to everyone else's opinion of safety but I drive for living. I work for the safest (hands down) driving business in the world. UPS (I used to hate the intense safety training that we go through but after few years I started to see the real effect, we still do the same thing everyday religiously)
I know we drive big brown trucks but the safety of the road is the same regardless of what you're driving. It's called defensive driving and believing that every one is out to kill you so you stay the hell back accordingly.
To have more experience riding a bike, I need a bike to begin with but I can't afford reliability or my safety for dirt riding narrow trails. I can always hike where I can't ride.

Every sport, every activity and everything we do has more or less of danger attached to it. I?m a mountaineer and have seen quite few corps in my time. Some were novices and some world-class climbers. It?s the assessment of the danger and judging the acceptable risk that makes the difference.

On the bike note, I?m going to keep looking till I find one nice and clean closer to home. I didn?t know that the 850L had a smaller tank, I figured if they made that a cruiser with extra accessories they would leave the tank just the way it was or even make it bigger. That?s just odd.

I appreciate your concern and all the kind words; I?m just a beginner in the world of motorcycles and have no problem learning what anyone has to offer. May it be harsh, I can take it, so don?t hold back.
 
Well, like the guy in AVRider, if you're a novice, that is probably too much of a trip for you. It's not like there's a freeway or even a highway where you are planning on going. A reasonable muddy mountain road may be the only alternative, so , since you lack any dirt riding experience, I think maybe a trip to the Pacific and back on back roads would be a good starting point.

I remember there were some guys that rode from Missouri to the Oregon coast stictly on dirt roads and trails a few years back.

As for a KLR being too small on the freeway, I think you'd find it too large on the roads you'd find outside the US. Especially after the fourth time you've dropped it that day.

And, while I admire your truck training and safety skills (retired MSF instructor here) it don't mean squat on a Mexican (Or Columbian, etc) road when 2 trucks are coming at you head on.

You mention you're a novice, have you taken a MSF class?
 
I have taken the MSF and i'm riding north To Alaska (plenty of civilized dirt road there) before i start south. i'll be riding in Alaska for a month before i head south.(Climbing and fishing mainly)
I know how to ride but i never owned my own bike but you're right, ive never ridden for 20,000 miles road trip either.

Chris
 
Chris, I have hitchiked from Ecuador to Buenos Aires , Argentina in 1986. I travelled throughout Brazil, from the southernmost border ,to Fortaleza darn close to the Amazon. I travelled to Usuahia and throughout Argentina. Crossed almot all of Chile (there was gravel at the time from Northern border -Arica- to almost half way to the capital, Santiago) . Went to Paraguay. I have seen those roads. So, it depends what you want. You want asphalt: You got it. You want dirt roads, then you will find those. Roads are excelent. The Panamerican Highway is all asphalt. There are other things you should worry about. In Guatemala they don't respect the signs. People will cross a red light without thinking it twice. In Peru, they will cut you off in the blink of an eye, Those are the things you should worry, But definetly not the roads. And, if you have to ride in a dirt road, it is a reduced speed area (too many holes for anybody to speed)
 
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