850 GS's

Stujw70

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After seeing a couple of the 850's for sale on this site recently

What are people's views on these?

As far as i am aware they are the same bike just with a different engine bore, is this correct?

Are they a uk bike or import?

ta

Stu :bow
 
Stujw70 said:
After seeing a couple of the 850's for sale on this site recently

What are people's views on these?

As far as i am aware they are the same bike just with a different engine bore, is this correct?

Are they a uk bike or import?
My IAM observer had one until very recently. He thought it was a lovely smooth bike which lacked power in comparison with the 1100, but was otherwise a beautiful bike to ride. Of course his was a fast one because it was black :D

Standard UK bike as far as I know.

Mike
 
I got chatting to a chap who owned an 850GS and he'd had the 1100 before but preferred the 850 engine characteristics.
 
They were officially imported to UK for a while,but of course,private imports may well be here too,so you`d be best off checking this,as some insurers are strangely bothered by non official imports.

There`s a few 850 owners (past and present) on this site,so no doubt they`ll be along soon.....
 
My 850 chop is gleaming. Has a loverly range of power but can be a bit jittery if it hasn't been run for a week or so. This soon clears up with a good blast. Shame she's up for sale at the minute.. :(
 
Stujw70 said:
What are people's views on these?

As far as i am aware they are the same bike just with a different engine bore, is this correct?


Stu :bow
70 bhp and 5-Speed gearbox.
 
Cracking bit of kit.The only thing I have ever heard about them,is the "lack of power" but the one I borrowed seemed to go alright,and I don't remember anything coming past in the few days I had it :rolleyes: I think they might use more petrol than the 1100 as well,smaller engine working harder and stuff.I'd have one without question,but the 1100 just has the extra grunt
 
I agree with what Vern says - cracking bike but could do with a tad more power. Less vibes than the 1100/1150 and a 5 speed box of a tractor. Rock solid build quality though.

A lot didn't have the rider info display or heated grips (both which are very handy). Poor resale value also in comparisson to the new price which was all but the same as the 1100/1150

I miss mine.

AndyT
 
I haven't ridden the 850GS but have had the opportunity to ride a couple of 850Rs as courtesy bikes in the last year or two. IMO this is possibly the nicest of the Boxer engines, that is it's smoother and seemed perfectly willing on the country roads I tried it on.

The only drawback I can think of is if you do regular two-up riding with luggage. Is this the case?
 
TBH, you'd be pushed to notice a big difference between the 850 and the 1100, maybe runs out of puff a bit over a ton & ten but otherwise a really sweet bike, loved mine to bits. Didn't notice any less fuel consumption with it, despite using it hard. As others have said, mine was one of those without ABS, RID or heated grips but you never miss what you never had, as me old Dad used to say. Like Andy and his 850, I'd like mine back, please :D
 

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Had mine for 18 months (2001 model) and still happy - it does everything the 1100/1150 does almost as quickly and feels much smoother. Certainly keeps up on the road in real terms
Great off road as it is lower geared, and does about 50 mpg on average.
Mine has RID but not ABS
I bought it because it was very low mileage and looked like it had been cared for!
Would I buy it again......................yes unless the new 1200GSA is any good

Oh yes - it is a black one so it must be faster.................
 
Yes, the 850GS is much underrated. I replaced mine with an Adventure which is like a tank compared to the 850. The 850 is brilliant for commuting and I found it very,very quick indeed with a very sporty nature. The one thing I didn't like about it was the lack of a sixth gear hence it's demise.
 
850 GS

I have a silver and yellow 850 GS which I am happy with, I bought it in May but due to a broken hand have only just started using it.
I am finding that it does not like / will not rev over 5000rpm I think it must be a problem with my bike alone if the previous posts are anything to go by. If anyone has any suggestions as to why the bike will only do 90mph I would be happy to hear from you. The bike has just been seviced by Steptoe which has made it so smooth and eager up to 5000/ 90mph.
Thanks
 
R850GS

Thanks for all the replies everyone, i did go for an 850 in the end.

Purchased it from another site user GSJON.

Silver & Yellow
Heated grips
RID
Non ABS
Panniers
Baglux cover & Bag
Belly pan thingy on the main stand
9800miles
Dec 2000 'X' reg

Picked it up Christmas eve, worked over Christmas and New Year so have already racked up 700+ miles. So far everything seems to be sweet.

Done a few mods with a few more planned.

Fender extender
Made a grill cover for it
Fitted my top box
Touratech hand guards spoiler things and security oil cap

Next plan is Migsel bar and fit some light along with a clear and slightly taller/ wider screen.

Have attached pic

Stu
 

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this is a bike that i am considering,

i have the f650gs which i love, but i would like a little more power we have an 1100 but that is jase's and i would probably need to modify for me to fit on it (lower the seat and /or the shock ) and because this is his bike he doesnt want it modified and to be honest i am not sure i have the confidence to go from the 650 to the 1100

so thank you for this post as i a now seriously considering the 850 as a viable option, if i can find one at a decent price

ta :thumb
 
archaeo said:
this is a bike that i am considering,

i have the f650gs which i love, but i would like a little more power we have an 1100 but that is jase's and i would probably need to modify for me to fit on it (lower the seat and /or the shock ) and because this is his bike he doesnt want it modified and to be honest i am not sure i have the confidence to go from the 650 to the 1100

so thank you for this post as i a now seriously considering the 850 as a viable option, if i can find one at a decent price

ta :thumb
If you are worroed about moving from a 650 to an 1100 I wouldn't recomend an 850 as the wieght and size is identical. The 850 though is more forgiving when turning it on out of the bends.

The Silver/Yellow 850 that Stu has just bought looks superb and I thought about that one myself but can't justify another bike at the moment. I do really fancy another 850 though. :-)

HAve Fun

AndyT
 


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