Roadtest for 82 850g anyone have a copy?

[jimfj]

actually two questions,

1.) Anyone have road test numbers like 1/4 mile times and or other performance info for a 1982 850G? I searched and didn't come up with anything. I have seen refrences to road tests for other bikes but nothing for the 850. I need bragging backup in print!

2.) Is the clearcoat on the 850 laquer or enamel? I need to possibly reclear over the black paint on my tank and don't want to lift the original.

any help is appreciated as always.

Jim

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. jimfj,

I've got a couple of contemporary magazines with GS850G articles. I could find some numbers for you when I get home, just let me know what you want. Eventually I'll try to scan them and post them on my website as PDF files for all to enjoy.

Among the specs mentioned (that I recall) are 1/4 mile times, mph at redline in each gear, things like that. What else would you be interested in?

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[jimfj]

BassCliff,

Suzuki Cycles.org has the height, width, horsepower ect. but anything like you mentioned, rpm in gears, top speed as tested, 1/4 mile time all that. I haven't been able to find anybody with a magazine from that era and would love to have a copy of what you have.

Thank you for the recomendation on the Spifire windshield for the 850 as well. Makes 70-75 on the highway almost pleasant. I mounted mine lower than yours, on the headlight bucket. I tried it up there but the buffeting on my helmet was a little too much for me.

Thanks again,

Jim

[mcloud]

http://www.mcreports.com/Pages/Indivbikes/Suzuki/GS850.html

[GQROD]

You can spray enamel over dried laquer-dried meaning old paint.

DO NOT SPRAY LAQUER ON OLD ENAMEL IT WILL LIFT !!!!

Also do not spray enamel in high humidity it will lift as well and create fisheyes and craters similiar to bad orange peel.

Hope this helps

[jimfj]

MC Loud , did you order the tests? What were they like, is it worth the money?


GQROD, I am assuming that the original paint on the GS is laquer?

Jim

[bwringer]

Here's a neat article I saved and scanned from the May 1997 issue of Motorcyclist.

http://bwringer.com/gs/850sport_tour/

None of the numbers you seek (sorry), but a nice article featuring a 1983 Cosmos Blue GS850 just like mine. They upgraded the suspension and added a hideous fairing and hard bags to turn it into a capable sport-tourer.

It put me on the road to owning my GS850 shortly after!

[BassCliff]

Here are some excerpts

Hi Mr. jimfj,

I have 3 magazines with articles about the GS850G. Here are some pertinent numbers. One of these days I'll scan the entire articles.

Cycle World March '79 (GS850GN)

Engine speed @ 60mph ... 4471
Braking distance from 30 mph ... 34 ft.
" " " 60 mph ... 129 ft.
Standing start 1/4 mile ... 12.7 sec. @ 106.38 mph
Speed after 1/2 mile ... 122 mph
Maximum speed in gears ...
1st ... 45
2nd ... 66
3rd ... 84
4th ... 103
5th ... 121

Acceleration ...
0-30 ... 2.05 sec.
0-40 ... 2.94 sec.
0-50 ... 3.88
0-60 ... 4.57
0-70 ... 5.61
0-80 ... 7.02
0-90 ... 8.31
0-100 ... 10.90 sec.

Cycle Feb '79 (GS850GN)
Standing start 1/4 mile ... 12.97 sec. @ 104.77 mph
Engine rpm @ 60 mph ... 4460
Maximum speed in gears @ redline ...
(1) 46.6
(2) 65.6
(3) 84.6
(4) 92.1
(5) 121.2

Motorcyclist Dec '83 (GS850GD)

Charging output ... 235 watts
Best 1/4 mile acceleration ... 12.73 sec. @ 104.2 mph
200 yard top-gear acceleration from 50 mph ... 74.2 mph terminal speed
RPM @ 60 mph, top gear ... 4461
Calculated speed in gears @ redline ...
(1) 46
(2) 65
(3) 84
(4) 103
(5) 121 mph

All three of the articles fairly gushed praises about the 850. "Extremely comfortable", "reliable", "fast enough for anyone without some sort of glandular problem", and "handles as well as all but the most sporting bikes", etc. One reader's comment is still quite appropriate today:

"The GS850G illustrates one of the pitfalls of today's motorcycle marketing techniques. It's a wonderful motorcycle, almost perfectly suited to the kind of riding we all do most of the time. But because it's not a sport-riding weapon, or a black-leather-and-studs image maker, Suzuki and the buying public have left it in the showroom gathering dust. Motorcycles sell best when marketed as toys, it appears, and the GS is simply not a toy; it's just a smooth, nimble, reliable, expertly engineered motorcycle. To most motorcycle buyers, the GS is dull; to me, it's a real sweetheart of a bike."

I think that statement pretty much sums up the mentality of current motorcycle products and marketing as well. The '79 GS850 sold for $2999 and the '83 sold for $3638 (MSRP).

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[psyguy]

They upgraded the suspension and added a hideous fairing and hard bags to turn it into a capable sport-tourer.

...and found an "interesting" place for pillion footrests!

[jimfj]

Thanks very much BassCliff and Mr. Bwringer!!!

I apreciate the info and anyone else that has anything to contribute. Maybe those figures should go into the permanant part of the site?

Thank you again and let us know when you scan those articles and post them on your site BassCliff.

Jim