850 VS 1100 performance

[Anonymous]

Hi -- New with questions! A couple years ago I bought an 82 GS1100 shaft drive. All my previous bikes were either big twins or 750 inline 4 cylinders, and even though the 1100 had a ton of miles on it and was pretty tired, it ROCKED. Compared to the Yamaha and Honda 750s I had it was scary fast. Unfortunately, I wore it out! Sometime back I bought an 81 GS 850 engine with only 18,000 on it. It bolts right in with only some minor mods. Now, here's my question: after riding the 1100 will this 850 seem underpowered? I'm hesitant to put it together this way even though it would be much quicker and cheaper than rebuilding the 1100, but I don't want to be disappiointed with performance. 750s always seemed pretty fast to me, but after cruising around with the 1100 for a couple years they dont' seem so quick, and I ride two up alot. (I'm 200lbs; she's about 120lbs)

Bob

[focus frenzy]

well you will be giving up a good 25hp at least.

[Anonymous]

I expect you'd notice the reduced mid-range torque the most, especially two-up. Not so hard to overhaul rings and valves on these bikes, BTW

[Einar J Skog]

Hi

GS850GX >>>>>> 78 Hp & 63 Nm
GS1100GK>>>>>> 94 Hp & 87 Nm


GS1000G>>>>>>>>91 Hp & 81 Nm


So, as you can see,the 850G is much weaker.



GS1000GLx (1100 wiseco,dynojet stage 1 ,KN filter. Open yoshimura 4-1)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. I'm pretty well convinced I should rebuild the 1100 engine, and build a go-cart with the 850!

Boo

[Anonymous]

that would be a smart decision

1100 is better, no substitute for cubic inches, as they say...

[Anonymous]

Sure, but my first three cars didn't have 78hp! I'm sure you could get by quite nicely even with that lightweight on the back.

[Anonymous]

once you have rode an 1100 for any length of time, an 850 is wimpy

the 850 is adequate, but you'll be constantly reaching up for a sixth gear that don't exist

the 1100 is sooooooooo much better, espcially when riding two up at interstate speeds going uphill

plus the 1100 is geared taller, the 850 is really wound up at 75 mph, with too many rpms

the 1100 is much more "sedate" at 80+, which is a typicall highway speed we must keep up, or we get run over by semis

[Anonymous]

I've always thought the 1100 ran good down the freeway, especially with a windshield. Just relax and cruise. I got the 850 engine for less than the price of one Wiseco piston. That's why I bought it.

Boo

[SqDancerLynn1]

It sounds like you already have the 850 installed, I would go ahead & ride it that way. Take your time rebuilding the 1100 motor