83 gs850 gear ratio

[zukilump]

Is there an interchangable final drive for these bikes?? My bike will do about 70 mph and its going into the red on revs in 5th gear.

[trdhrdr007]

I've got an 80 model GS850G. I haven't taken her out for the last couple of months so I don't remember exactly, but at 70MPH I'm somewhere around 5000RPM. That's a long way from redline, you've got a problem somewhere. Maybe a slipping clutch?

[Steve]

The standard ratio for just about all Suzuki GS shaft-drive bikes is 3.09, which yields about 70 mph at 5000 rpm as stated above.

I am under the impression that the only different ratio available is from the '83 (was there also an '84?) 1100GK, which had a 2.90.

I agree with trdhrdr007, you probably have a slipping clutch.


.

[catbed]

am i completely wrong in saying that my 850 goes 70 in 2nd gear at redline? i do believe thats what it does.

[zukilump]

Ok guys, thanks for response. Will check the clutch.

[Nessism]

The standard ratio for just about all Suzuki GS shaft-drive bikes is 3.09, which yields about 70 mph at 5000 rpm as stated above.

I am under the impression that the only different ratio available is from the '83 (was there also an '84?) 1100GK, which had a 2.90.

I agree with trdhrdr007, you probably have a slipping clutch.

According to the parts fishe...starting in 1983 the 1100cc shaft drive bikes went to a 11/32 (2.909) final drive ratio. The 850's remained at 11/34, which is what all 850cc and larger shafties ran previously.

Regarding the original question, clutch is likely cause or maybe the final drive splines are stripped?

[Steve]

Thanks, Ness, I knew somebody would slap me back onto the straight and narrow. 8-[

Now to think outside the box again. Do all GS tachometers use the same drive ratio?
Is there any chance that his engine is actually turning 5000 rpm, but the tach is reading higher?


zukilump,
Does the engine sound like it's really screaming at 70? Normally it will sound a bit busy, but should handle it well.

.

[bwringer]

Honestly, I'd suspect the tach is wonky more than anything else. If he had that much freaking clutch slip, he'd have a hard time getting out of the driveway.