R 850 GS any good?
- Thread starter Baldrick
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richie
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People who own or have owned them say they are great and very under rated. When I rode one however I found it a bit gutless for motorway mile munching compared to the K 75 I was riding at the time.
Ride it and find out for yourself. I'd stick with the 1100 as it is quite a bit more grunty if not that much more powerfull re BHP...
Ride it and find out for yourself. I'd stick with the 1100 as it is quite a bit more grunty if not that much more powerfull re BHP...
Schwarz Baron
Registered user
Speak to Shuck Raider, he had one and loved it!
STUBBS
undead
when it came to retire the 1100 the 850 was my choice i find it a better bike than the 1100, pulls better at the lower rev end
Oh yes, cracking bike
TBH, I was pushed to notice a big difference between the 850 and the 1100, 'specially with a Remus on the smaller one. Maybe runs out of puff a bit over a ton in standard nick but otherwise a really sweet engine, less buzzy than the 1100, loved mine to bits. Didn't notice any less fuel consumption with it, despite using it hard. 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. If circumstances had allowed, I'd have kept it as well as buying the 1150.
I've got one and it's great. Although it's a bit down on grunt compared to an 1100, it also has slightly shorter gearing, which up to about 80 pretty much evens things out, particularly up the rev range a bit.. Weight and fuel consumption are pretty much identical to the 1100, but insurance is cheaper. The biggest single advantage of the 850 is that you can usually get them much cheaper than the 1100.
The one I am looking @ is a 2000 W plate, it has done 49K, I guess the milage is'nt that important (same for all GS models). Are bits for it as readily avail as the rest of the GS range?
What speed is it happy cruising at? and what is its avg mpg (I used to get approv 10 miles to the ltr with "Herman")
Is there anything I should be asking the seller, known troublespots, faults etc?
What speed is it happy cruising at? and what is its avg mpg (I used to get approv 10 miles to the ltr with "Herman")
Is there anything I should be asking the seller, known troublespots, faults etc?
Most of the spares are the same as the 1100, but even the ones that are unique (a few engine bits) are no problem. Cruises fine at 90mph, perfectly OK at 100, not been any faster. I average about 48mpg, commuting into central London and back each day.
I'd check the service history, or if it hasn't got any budget for a full service. Check gaiters for oil leaks, including the one around the pushrod for the clutch at the back of the engine. Have a look at the wheels, give them a spin to check how true they are. Usual tyres and pads. If the suspension is original it'll be a bit tired by now. Gas it in second to check for clutch slip. Try riding at a steady speed to check for any surging. Check the wheel bearings for any play. Cables for fraying or slack. Final drive for slackness or clonks. Brake lines for bulges - steel braded hoses would be better. Can't think of anything else, they're generally well regarded from what I can make out.
I'd check the service history, or if it hasn't got any budget for a full service. Check gaiters for oil leaks, including the one around the pushrod for the clutch at the back of the engine. Have a look at the wheels, give them a spin to check how true they are. Usual tyres and pads. If the suspension is original it'll be a bit tired by now. Gas it in second to check for clutch slip. Try riding at a steady speed to check for any surging. Check the wheel bearings for any play. Cables for fraying or slack. Final drive for slackness or clonks. Brake lines for bulges - steel braded hoses would be better. Can't think of anything else, they're generally well regarded from what I can make out.
Nah, I was just assumin.. Beemers legendary reliability n all that 
thats somthin in short supply round here at the moment...
no bike ...no car ... looks as though it will be the train to work to morrow! 
thats somthin in short supply round here at the moment...
no bike ...no car ... looks as though it will be the train to work to morrow! 
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I had a 2001 GS850 one of the best bikes I've ever owned. Swapped it for a 1200 but much preferred the 850. Very similar to the 1100 but smoother. the 850/1100's were very well built and finished bikes.
Spike
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Gs850
I have owned my GS850 for 4years its been a brilliant bike! It does tend to run out of steam @ 100mph but seems to be more free revving than thev 1100. The hanling ride and fuel consuption is great. I would recommend the bike to anyone!
I have owned my GS850 for 4years its been a brilliant bike! It does tend to run out of steam @ 100mph but seems to be more free revving than thev 1100. The hanling ride and fuel consuption is great. I would recommend the bike to anyone!
STUBBS
undead
you wont be disappointed
you wont be disappointed
Your right I wasn't
It took me all of 20 seconds to decide to buy it, the photo's on Ebay didn't do it justice.
Cruising @ 5K revs 80 / 85 most of the way home. Plenty of grunt to pass all those sunday drivers, & up those hills on the A429. The panniers & top box didn't seem to make any diff at all to the handling.
Now wheres me wallet, there must be somthing I can buy
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Your right I wasn't
It took me all of 20 seconds to decide to buy it, the photo's on Ebay didn't do it justice.
Cruising @ 5K revs 80 / 85 most of the way home. Plenty of grunt to pass all those sunday drivers, & up those hills on the A429. The panniers & top box didn't seem to make any diff at all to the handling.
Now wheres me wallet, there must be somthing I can buy
Lovely bike there and the best colour scheme too (imho). It could even be my old 850 although mine was a 2001 on a Y plate. You will love it, they are addictive.
AndyT
850GS
Yep, cracking bike. That is the same colour as my old one, i traded it in against my 1150Adv last year.
Enjoy
Yep, cracking bike. That is the same colour as my old one, i traded it in against my 1150Adv last year.
Enjoy
madmax
Registered user
For sale Panniers?
gettin bored now £100 for quick sale...
Hi Baldrick
Do you still have the panniers for sale or is it and old post?
If you have them how much to post to Blackpoool?
Regards
Martyn
gettin bored now £100 for quick sale...
Hi Baldrick
Do you still have the panniers for sale or is it and old post?
If you have them how much to post to Blackpoool?
Regards
Martyn
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