What GS Motorcycle Should I Get Next?

[Guest]

I am ready for a new project bike I'd appreciate some input from the group. I have a 1980 GS550 and it's time has come to be retired but I liked it so much that I want to get another GS series motorcycle. While the 550 had plenty of power and got great fuel mileage for the riding that I do, I'd like to get something bigger and preferably shaft drive. I also have a few goodies that I'd like to move over to he new bike; larger custom tank, Regulator/rectifier and my custom trunk mount, etc. All of the reading I've done on this site would seem to suggest that based on popularity the GS850 seems like a good option. The 850 looks to have the best of both worlds in terms of slightly more power, still good fuel mileage, shaft drive and seems to share many parts with the smaller and larger bikes.

I want something that will be a solid machine and doesn't need to be a racer. Good fuel mileage and reliability are most important to me. Is there some other model that would be 'better' than an 850? Flipping through my local craigslist pages there are several good candidates that need a winter workshop. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[portdave]

850 is a great bike. You could also consider the 1100G model

[Steve]

Any of the shafties will fit your needs. The 1000 and 1100 have a bit more low-end grunt than the 850, and still get about the same fuel mileage. You have to REALLY be twisting the throttle rather hard to get below 40 on any of them. Look at my 850 in my sig. That bike hauled the two of us (and our gear for a weekend) around New England a few years ago. Only 750 miles or so on that trip, but fuel mileage was right at 41 mpg.

Where are you in oHIo?

.

[goturbo]

Dave and Steve -thanks for the replies and input. I had read in several threads that the 850 is actually heavier than the 1000/1100 and that the bigger machines actually are a refinement on the 850. I did not realize that there is no appreciable difference in fuel mileage. It does make sense. That certainly broadens my search. Thanks.

Steve -I am in the Akron-Canton Area.

[Steve]

Yes, the 850 was the heaviest GS, until they added touring luggage to the 1100G and called it the 1100GK.

If I remember correctly, the 850 was about 15 pounds heavier than the 1000 and 10 pounds heavier than the 1100.

I was not too far from you last weekend, might have been able to stop by.

.

[azr]

One thing to keep in mind is that the 1979 GS850 still uses VM carbs which can be a bit more work to deal with. The CV carbs which are on all the 1000G/1100G bikes and any 850 beyond 1980 are easier to deal with and compensate for elevation changes better than the VMs. Although the 79' 850 has a kick start, the only year for a shaft bike out of any of them, so there is that coolness. You're getting some good advice on the bikes, really it sounds like anyone of those 3 bikes will suit your needs well.

[Steve]

Yeah, the '79 was the only one with a kicker, but it was also the only one with points.

Can't say that I miss the demise of either one of those items.

.

[BanditRE]

Welcome aboard! I just finished fixing up a 79 GS850 and I had a great time doing it. Replaced basically everything along the way, spent far too much but what are you gonna do? I had a few bugs after finishing but after a few rides I think I've got it just about where it needs to be. I'll second what the others have said here about the 850. I re-built the VM carbs without much trouble at all and they seem to be working just fine. Living in Michigan though, I don't have to worry much about large elevation changes so I can't comment on how they react to that. I replaced the points with an electronic ignition and the bike runs very well. Very smooth engine, very little vibration and honestly the stock seat is great. Its almost 40 years old and its given me a great ride. I haven't done serious daily mileages on it, but I've done a few 200 mile days since I got it back together and its comfortable for the whole day.

If it ain't got a kick start, its not a real bike!

It is surprisingly heavy for a bike of this displacement. I had an old Nighthawk 750 and the 850 is well over 100 lbs heavier than that was. The engine is physically quite large and the frame is built like a bridge abutment! It handles well though. There's plenty of more knowledgeable people on here than me, but if you have any questions about the 850, please ask. If you're at all interested, I documented most of my recent "restoration" on this forum. Its called BanditRE's GS850 if you want to take a look.

Good Luck

[goturbo]

Thanks for all the advice.

How does the 850 cruse at freeway speeds? I have the 550 sprocketed such that it spins 5000 rpm at 72mph. That is right at the bottom of the power band so it isn't too buzzy but still keeps up with traffic fine. Somewhere in the old technical forum there was a sheet that somebody assembled in which was contained the road speed per rpm for nearly ever stock GS manufactured. I fished but came up empty.

I would really like to stay in the 1980 or newer category to avoid all of the legacy technology -although I must agree the kickstart option is very cool...

[BanditRE]

The engine speed for the 850 sounds about the same at 70mph, right around 5000rpm, plus or minus. The bike has a fairly linear powerband, but there's not much pull lower in the rpm range. Like so many early inine 4s, you have to get it spinning before it makes its power.

I'm fairly certain 1980 and later bikes have the same gearing as my 79. If an 80 bike or later is what you want, then that's what should be looking for! Good luck.

[simon kuether]

G'day mate . I've got a nice 1000G currently residing in Ohio .
PM me if you're interested in a bargain .

Cheers , Simon .

[goturbo]

G'day mate . I've got a nice 1000G currently residing in Ohio .
PM me if you're interested in a bargain .

Cheers , Simon .

Hello Simon,
I am interested, however I am unable to send PM's (likely because I have only recently created a user ID). If you could PM me with the details I think I can respond to it. I am also interested to know how you ended with a motorcycle on the opposite side of world! I'll bet that is a story...

[Steve]

Yeah, it's a story alright, and I am quite proud to be a (small) part of it.

I'll let him tell the story, but I will confirm that it's a nice bike.

.

[simon kuether]

Here's the bike .
I came off it going to Brown County in2014 and the clocks are damaged .
There's another set with it to fix it up .
I just didn't have time to put them on before we came home .

I'm open to offers as I don't think I'll be able to be back for a few years .

If you're interested , I can arrange for you to have a look at it .

It's currently in storage near Hamilton .


Cheers , Simon .

[simon kuether]

If you want to see how I ended up with a bike in the States , look at "Simon and Deb's Excellent Adventure" in "GS Stories" (page 3) .
It all began here .
We've been over your way three times .

We've met some amazing people but regrettably , probably won't be back for a while .


Cheers , Simon .