1982 GS850 and 850GL

[Anonymous]

Perhaps this deviates a little from the topic here, but I was wondering if anyone knew all the differences (cosmetic mainly) between the 850G and the 850GL. I really like the look of the stock saddlebags and backrest that I've seen in quite a few pictures on the GL; I don't really like any of the currently manufactuered saddlebags that I've seen (nor some of their prices!). My 1982 850G is currently lacking in both the above mentioned and I'm trying to find the best way to give it the 850GL look. Thanks!

An example of the look I love:

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/visitors/visitors-suzuki-2002-10/1982_GS850GLZ_Mote_500.jpg

[kalessin]

The main differences, GL versus G (off the top of my head):

- different fork angle and leading front axle for a more cruiser-like kicked-out front rake/trail
- chrome front fender and half-rear-fender with different taillight
- "pullback" or "buckhorn" cruiser-style handlebars
- shorter mufflers (I'm not sure if the support bracket bolt is in the same place)
- rounded-down tank, about one gallon smaller and an inch or two shorter
- stepped-banana-shaped seat, i think they're all on metal pans
- frame differences to accomodate the different seat, tank and rear fender
- different airbox design to fit the different frame
- different speedo/tach cluster [Edit: after looking at pictures, I'm not sure about the gauges...]

On all the GL's and G's that I've seen, I haven't seen any Suzuki-branded sissy bars, backrests or luggage. The aftermarket for this stuff seems to mostly have been supplied by KG and Vetter, but there were other vendors. Many of the rack/sissy bar designs seem to have been universal kits with adapters.

My current 1100GL came with a beat-up KG luggage rack with a top box bolted to it, which I removed because I hated the look. My girlfriend at the time wouldn't ride with me without a backrest, so I found a tall one made by KG and workable adapter bits to bolt it on at a local bike salvage yard, mostly fitted by riding there and holding things up until I found what would fit. I later bought a matching luggage rack that bolts to the back of sissy bar.

The picture you posted has a lower, wider KG backrest and luggage rack bolted on over the aluminum Suzuki grab rail.

As far as the saddlebags go, the ones in the photo look like a pair of vinyl ones like you could get at JC Whitney or Dennis Kirk or whatever. Gotta be careful with them because they can droop onto the pipes and melt. The ones in the picture have been hung across the frame under the seat. I'm not quite sure how I'd fit saddlebags under the seat on a G, but there may be some way.

(if you haven't yet, try looking through all the pictures in the gallery of GS bikes with various backrests and luggage racks.. there's quite a variety, but you can see some of the common designs)


-- Joel

[Anonymous]

so you wanna give up the range and comfort of the g to make it look like a gl

you give up function for the sake of form :?

not smart, at least to me 8O

i guess it takes all kinds...

[ringo00]

You'll want to swap the handlebars, you can also find bags similar to the picture on ebay for about $50. Check salvage yards for racks and sissy bars.

[kalessin]

Hmmm...

I forgot to mention in my first reply: Welcome to the GSResources Forum, Emszurek!

Even if might be curmudgeon-chic to claim otherwise , style considerations are important to making most riders happy.

The gas-tank range is definitely shorter on a GL, but the comfort is almost the same. The form isn't really all that much different from a G, and other than the rake/trail of the front fork, the bikes are mechanically almost identical.

I think in this case taking the classic Standard looks of the G and adding the right saddlebags and sissy bar/luggage rack would give the bike a look much like what Emszurek is looking for. If you look around at pictures of G and GL (and other GS's) models on the net and in the GSresources gallery, about half of the bikes have some kind of sissy bar bolted on.

For saddle bags, I think i'd suggest a straight-up-and-down styling on the G rather than the slanted style. They're more practical to pack, and they'd look better with the lines on the bike. My only complaint with most of the vinyl classic-style saddlebags, especially the inexepensive ones, is that they're not designed for keeping the rain out at the upper corners where the flap folds over. I've noticed that a lot of leather ones are offered in the classic styles these days, but i'd hate to actually use leather bags in the rain.


-- Joel

[kalessin]

Amazing...

Here we are talking about "converting" a G into a GL, and there's another member of this forum with the nickname Snowbeard that has done just that, and made a webpage showing some details.

GS 650G with stepped seat, GL style tank, buckhorn bars, luggage rack, and saddlebags:

http://www.funhoginc.freewebpages.org/ratbike.htm

Note the lack of sidecovers on the frame (I don't know if the original ones would still fit).

(I noticed this in the "bike pics" thread in the GS Motorcycle DIscussion Area)

-- Joel

[Anonymous]

Wow guys... thanks. I checked out that link you left and it gives me some good ideas. I love the look of both the G and GL (how couldn't I?) but for practicality I need saddlebags and my fiance? wants the backrest (and I like the look of it). I love the ones in the picture I posted and I thought perhaps those came with the bike stock. I love the feel of my G, I doubt I'd want to mess with the rake of the handlebars or anything like that, especially decreasing tank size. I thought the GL would have a bigger tank, wasn't it more oriented towards touring? Anyways, thanks guys, You've helped my search for my dream bags and backrest

[Anonymous]

the gl is not oriented to touring, the g is the one, which is why the gas tank is bigger

the gl is oriented to looking good

as i said, form vs function

[kalessin]

Wow guys... thanks. I checked out that link you left and it gives me some good ideas. I love the look of both the G and GL (how couldn't I?) but for practicality I need saddlebags and my fiance? wants the backrest (and I like the look of it). I love the ones in the picture I posted and I thought perhaps those came with the bike stock. I love the feel of my G, I doubt I'd want to mess with the rake of the handlebars or anything like that, especially decreasing tank size. I thought the GL would have a bigger tank, wasn't it more oriented towards touring? Anyways, thanks guys, You've helped my search for my dream bags and backrest

Glad to help!

Yep, the GL was designed by Suzuki to be their "cruiser" model, aka "custom" in the UK. I think "L" was for Luxury or something like that.

Will you post pics of what you come up with? Always good to see.

the gl is not oriented to touring, the g is the one, which is why the gas tank is bigger

the gl is oriented to looking good

as i said, form vs function

I should put a 2-gallon fuel cell on the luggage rack like the Iron Butt riders do, and a plexifairing windshield or Windjammer, and test this GL-isn't-oriented-to-touring theory... and this way I could tour on a fabulous-looking bike

(actually, my GL's tank needs refilling right about when my butt needs a rest -- i've got a long way to go before i'm ready for even the newbie-level Ironbutt ride, 1000mi in 24hrs)



-- joel

[Anonymous]

your butt could go much longer with the flat seat of the g model

that gl seat is terrible compared to the wide flat seat on the g

of course a gl can tour, it has the same powerplant as the g

the buckhorn handlebars on the gl make you put your hands in an unnatural twisted position, the g bars are much more comfortable in design, your hands just fall on them naturally

plexifairing is a good product

[Anonymous]

Well... this is my first bike so I'm just content having it for this season. Over the winter I'd like to play with it and try throwing some stuff on. I'll definately post some pictures as soon as I can for you though! Thanks again guys...

[Einar J Skog]

Hi

Remove the buckhorn handlebars .
Put on some lower ones.So that you lean a little forward.
Then you are ready for touring.
I did it on my bike.