Haynes or Clymer?

[dwvoss]

I need to get a manual for my GS850L. Manuals seem to be readily available from Haynes or Clymer. Is one better than the other?

Thanks!

[ptm]

I prefer Clymer. They tend to use more pictures and diagrams from the factory manual. Haynes creates their manual by disassembling a used bike so things aren't as clear in the pictures since the parts are dirty and greasy.

Keep your eye out for a Suzuki factory manual - they come up on eBay from time to time, but be sure to get one that covers your year and model.

[Hap Call]

I prefer the Suzuki Shop manual...it's the best if you can get one. They show up on e-bay fairly often.

Hap

[ikazuki]

if you got money burning a hole in your pocket clymer is good, shop manual is best if you can wait. the haines and clymers dont give you all the info you need, of course that is one good reason for gs resources. hundreds of opinions all based upon individual experience. good luck and safe riding, ikazuki

[bwringer]

Get both -- they are both pretty bad, but sometimes one will have a crucial bit of misinformation or information that the other does not.

Sometimes the British mechanical terms in the Haynes can be a little baffling.

They're pretty cheap, anyway.

Seen this?

http://repairmanual.com

[dwvoss]

Thanks for the advice

And for the link to repairmanuals.com. They've got reprints of the factory repair manual available, so that looks like the way to go.

[78GS750]

Sometimes the British mechanical terms in the Haynes can be a little baffling.

And the early Japanese manuals were better ! ?? :shock:

If you only afford one, go with the Clymer. \\/ My 2¢

[snark]

Get the Haines, the Clymer, the Suzuki manual, and a bottle of whiskey. They all lack somewhere and you can never have too much reference material. The whiskey just helps take the edge off.

[Road_Clam]

Haynes or Clymer?

NEITHER. They both suck. Some GS Members who have purchased these manuals have posted much contradictary specs and info in these manuals. I have the factory Suzuki manual, worth every extra penny!!!!! If you are just planning on light GS repairs, the Clymer will suit, BUT if you think you might need to get more "involved" with some in depth repairs, you DO need the factory manual.

[Poot]

I prefer clymer over haynes, but as stated, get shop manual if possible.

[dwvoss]

Thanks all

Have a shop manual on the way.

[steely]

I bought both the Suzuki shop manual and the Clymer. The Suzuki manual assumes a lot of familiarity that I didn't necessarily have. I find that if I reference both, it helps me understand better.

[bwringer]

Have a shop manual on the way.

I assume you already have the whiskey, then?

While the specs in the Suzuki manuals are more trustworthy, the Haynes and Clymers will often show you crucial steps that are missing or mistranslated in the Suzuki manual. They'll also cover the use of ordinary tools, instead of telling you to use Suzuki Special Tool #654432-QR9908/X to remove the frammis from the squibbler. More seriously, the Suzuki manuals gloss over anything that an experienced mechanic would already know, which could lead to trouble.

For example, the instructions for replacing the brake pads are:
Step 1: Remove calipers and old brake pads.
Step 2: Reassemble with new brake pads in the reverse order as removal.

The aftermarket manuals are a bit more verbose...

I much prefer to have as much information as I can get my hands on.