850 Mods

[genejohnson]

I've noticed that there is not much aftermarket mods for the 850. I've tried to locate bigger bore piston sets for it with not much success. Is it not as popular due to the shaft drive or some other reason? Gene

[Steve]

Although it was the heaviest GS made (except for the GK), and not really that high on power, it is a formula that just WORKS.

Seems that most of the 850 riders will go faster with suspension upgrades and better riding technique and don't need to rely on more power.

If you seriously want more power but want to retain your shaft drive, look into getting a 1000 or 1100.
Both are nice bikes, but tend to not be as smooth as an 850.

For some reason, the 850 seems to be a bit more finicky about intake mods, making it more frustrating than the other bikes.
Plenty of them with aftermarket exhaust, and a few with pods, but it's a headache doing it.

.

[dpep]

Although it was the heaviest GS made (except for the GK), and not really that high on power, it is a formula that just WORKS.

Seems that most of the 850 riders will go faster with suspension upgrades and better riding technique and don't need to rely on more power.

If you seriously want more power but want to retain your shaft drive, look into getting a 1000 or 1100.
Both are nice bikes, but tend to not be as smooth as an 850.

For some reason, the 850 seems to be a bit more finicky about intake mods, making it more frustrating than the other bikes.
Plenty of them with aftermarket exhaust, and a few with pods, but it's a headache doing it.

.

+1

Suspension mods will give you a huge bang for the buck. Intake and exhaust mods will give you a huge headache most of the time. For whatever reason the 850 is particularly partial to its stock airbox, jetting, and exhaust, all properly connected and sealed. Properly running, the 850 isn't exactly shabby as a street motorcycle. If you must have increased horsepower it is probably a better use of your money and almost certainly of your time to sell the 850 and buy a larger displacement bike.