GS750 vs GS850

[Scudder]

Yup. I ment VM carbs on the 78 750.

I agree that at higher rpm the 850 is great, and is plenty fast, despite the 80 mph speedometer, which has been maxed out on several occasions on the expressway. It is the lower rpms that the 850 in my opinion can't touch the 750. Seems that the 750 can get up and go in 5th gear from 35 mph to 100 mph+. The 850 is way more sluggish than that (because of all the things that we've discussed) in 5th gear.

Bottom line (to me) the 850 is better on the highway, because it is geared to be a touring bike, and the 750 is much more suitable as a dash in and out around town bike.

My 750 can be shifted into 5th gear at around 30-35 mph and still accelerate great when necessary. My 850 can be shifted to 5th gear at around 40mph and doesn't have as much acceleration as the 750 at that point. The 850 still does the job, but I think twice before accelerating around cars in traffic. When I'm running 65 mph and I need to quickly overtake a car, the 850 doen't respond as quickly as the 750. The 750, I don't give it a second thought. A twist of the throttle and I'm in.

Rode the 850 for a 10 hour round trip this summer and it ran flawlessly, crusing at 70-75mph. Riding to the Smokey Mountians in the Spring, so we'll see how that goes.

Thanks for the input.

Scudder

[Scudder]

My son has a 1978 gs1000. Where would you think that would fit into our discussion?

1978 gs750, 1980 gs850, 1978 gs1000

I'm thinking my son's 78 gs1000 might be the better of them all.

Scudder

[tkent02]

My son has a 1978 gs1000. Where would you think that would fit into our discussion?

About a mile ahead in the low end grunt department. Heavier than the 750, lighter than the 850. Faster than both, but longer and less nimble than the 750. The 1000 engine in the 750 frame makes a nice motorcycle.

[hampshirehog]

My son has a 1978 gs1000. Where would you think that would fit into our discussion?

1978 gs750, 1980 gs850, 1978 gs1000

I'm thinking my son's 78 gs1000 might be the better of them all.

Scudder

Define better.

The 750 is the only one with a kickstart, somebody nicked the chain off the 850 but it still goes and the 1000 has the most expensive side panel badges.

[Scudder]

Good call. I guess better is relative to the individual. I am a huge fan of the kick start. I enjoy the maintanance of the shaft drive. Fortunately my sons gs1000 is in excellent condition, with all its pieces, side covers included. It's pretty cool to see a 21 year old riding a vintage 1978 gs1000. Lots of older gentlemen like myself, talk to him about the bike. He didn't know what he was getting when he got it. Now... he understands.

Scudder

[hampshirehog]

I know what you mean about seeing young guys on these bikes which are older than them. My lad is 19 and used to laugh at the heaps of junk I bought home and now he keeps pinching them; I only pretend to tick him off (trouble is he knows it....).

[dpep]

My 750 can be shifted into 5th gear at around 30-35 mph and still accelerate great when necessary. My 850 can be shifted to 5th gear at around 40mph and doesn't have as much acceleration as the 750 at that point. The 850 still does the job, but I think twice before accelerating around cars in traffic. When I'm running 65 mph and I need to quickly overtake a car, the 850 doen't respond as quickly as the 750. The 750, I don't give it a second thought. A twist of the throttle and I'm in.

I would never be in 5th gear on one of my 850s below 50 mph, certainly not when passing. Around town 4th is pretty much top gear; 5th is an overdrive.

What are the rpm's on each bike at 65 mph?
...

[Scudder]

I would say when I'm cruising at 65-70 mph I'm at 5000 rpms on both bikes.

Scudder

[Tim Tom]

. It's pretty cool to see a 21 year old riding a vintage 1978 gs1000.

I was 19 when I got my GS. It's a good 7 years my senior . Being a young guy with an old bike is kinda funny. The other riders my age tended to poke fun at first, but now all respect the GS. Especially when they can't get away from me on their $10k sportbikes. The older guys all think it's great of course. And the girls like that my bike has a real backseat and different from the usual tool with a bike. Believe it or not guys, it's not the BIKE that repels women

I would never be in 5th gear on one of my 850s below 50 mph, certainly not when passing.

Agreed here too. If I'm at cruising speed on the highway (75+ in NJ) I'll pass in 5th. Drop it down to 4th if I need to make it quicker than needed.

If I'm passing on a back road doing 40-50 I'll drop it down the 3rd for the pass. I don't mind the extra downshifting, well worth it for the boost in acceleration. When riding on a good twisty road I'll be in whatever gear I need to keep the rpms around 5-6k to get a good drive out of the corners.