OK what u think 1981 GS850G

[oldGSfan]

I'd go for the Suzuki but I'm partial to them. But I like that era Yamaha and it's one of just a handful of customs that didn't get too garish for my taste. It would depend on your rush to go riding now, your willingness to do some work, and which you think suits you better. I'd find out what shocks those are on the XS850, there are some horrific ones on eBay etc. If they are Progressive that's a good entry point, a solid shock. I would search Google for weak spots on that model and see if they had come up and been addressed. Those are pretty good finds.

[Don R]

The XS 850 that I saved at first would not start no matter what I tried. I did all of the usual things, plugs, tires, brakes, cleaned the carbs, battery etc. I got out the voltmeter and realized that there was an enormous voltage drop over the fuse panel. I went to O'Rielly's and found a four or five blade fuse panel that had individual feed terminals. It worked so well the bike was running in no time.
It was also my first experience with a petcock that had no off position. I foolishly filled the tank and it all began running out of the overflows. I finally rolled it outside and put an oil change pan under it before needle nose vise grips pinched the fuel line closed. L0L. The shop didn't blow up since I got the heat turned off and opened the overhead doors.
The bike wasn't my style and I sold it for what I had in it. It was a good learning experience though.

[storm 64]

The seat looks good. Paint looks like it will clean up. Exhaust is all there...
Buy it for $500 put $500 into it with some elbow grease you'll have a $2,000+ motorcycle.
I'd say a good deal.

[Big Block]

I think either one would be a reliable motorcycle. Myself I just prefer the style of the Suzuki by a wide margin. So buy which one appeals to you the most I think.

[volsrock1963]

going to look at the GS Saturday