New GS850 owner from Seattle, WA

[RustyTank]

Hi folks! I recently acquired a 1979 GS850, in great shape. I purchased it off a buddy of mine who's a mechanic. He put in a Dyna electronic egnition, installed heated grips, even has a usb plug in in the rear cowel , bike also came with some sweet hard bags. This was one of my buddies favorite bikes for years but it was time for him to part with it and I jumped on the chance. I rode a 1978 CB550 for years and eventually wanted something a bit bigger, something with a little more oomph. So far so good! I look forward to reading interesting posts and learning what I can from this awesome community.

Rockin some hard AND soft bags on this photo
IMG_E4878.jpg

[Burque73]

Nice score, Rusty! The 850's sure are great bikes.

Sure wish mine had a kick start at times. I carry a power pack for the rare occasion that the battery gives up.

[BigD_83]

Hard to go wrong with a well-treated 850G. You just missed out on this year's edition of the PNW Rally, but maybe next year...

I'd be digging into the R/R to see if you are getting all the juice you need for those heated grips, especially if you plan on wearing heated jacket/pants through the winter/shoulder seasons.


Is your buddy a member here, too?

[steve murdoch]

Welcome to the site, Rusty.
Good looking bike.
The matching pin-striping on the hard bag is a nice touch.

[RustyTank]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

@BigD_83: I don't think my buddy is a member here. He's never mentioned this forum specifically. Thanks for the tip regarding the heated grips.
About the PNW Rally, thanks for that tip too. I'll look out for it next year. Surprised I haven't heard about it.

[Charlie G]

Welcome to the family (nut house)!

[dorkburger]

Welcome ...

[SailEXIT]

I had one of those bikes until I destroyed it in a spectacular Sunday AM crash.
Same colour and bags too.
I miss that bike.
It has a kick start.

I have an 83 now, nice but no kick start.

Have a great day.
Shaun

[RustyTank]

I had one of those bikes until I destroyed it in a spectacular Sunday AM crash.
Same colour and bags too.
I miss that bike.
It has a kick start.

I have an 83 now, nice but no kick start.

Blech! I'm sorry to hear you crashed your 79! Even if it was spectacularly. I think the 83's are a nice looking machine.
Yea the kick start IS nice to have. Don't think I've used it once yet but, nice to have in case.
I really, really like the hard bags it came with. The bike is in great working condition, just needs a little love in the paint department.

[LAB3]

Yea the kick start IS nice to have. Don't think I've used it once yet but, nice to have in case.

Protip: Kicking a bike over works different than pushing a button. Give it some practice BEFORE you're on a dark back road at 3am in the rain!