R850gs pros and cons

[Ant1967]

Hi guys I've just purchased a mint 17,000 mile 850gs ( it's bog basic no heated grips no abs and no digital rider display ) I've had a GSA in the past but this was so good I couldn't turn it down. If you have one or have owned one what have been your experiences. Cheers Tony the tosser

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Smooth engine.

 

[STUBBS]

great gearing for everyday use

 

[Vern]

Buzzy as feck if you've ever ridden and 1100!

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Buzzy as feck if you've ever ridden and 1100!

Controversial!

 

[Seamaster]

Heavy and underpowered.

 

[richie]

Controversial!

Not at all, real world

 

[AndyT]

Put some pics up then....... mine was a y-reg in silver /yellow and. I loved it

 

[Felters]

Hi guys I've just purchased a mint 17,000 mile 850gs ( it's bog basic no heated grips no abs and no digital rider display ) I've had a GSA in the past but this was so good I couldn't turn it down. If you have one or have owned one what have been your experiences. Cheers Tony the tosser

The 850's are fairly rare so you aren't going to get a huge number of specific replies. That said most of the bike is shared with the 1100 so here's my view of the world.

Firstly you've bought a good bike. Stick up some photo's - we all like a gander at other peoples bikes.

The lack of ABS is a positive in my book. Less to go wrong.

If it's still got the standard screen think about going for the MRA version. Makes a huge difference. And handle bar muffs

Err... that's about it. Just get on and ride it.

 

[Ant1967]

Thanks for your comments keep um coming. I was after a xcountry just cos I like the look but didn't know if I could live with one especially on a longer run.

 

[motobiker]

compared to the 1100. nippy, economical, smoother through the rev range. brilliant as a solo ride. any hint of it being underpowered is only apparent when its fully loaded with a lardy pillion and then only when you compare it with an 1100 back to back. The 850 was fully sorted almost from the off - only the very first ones (96) had the gear box problem in common with pre-97 1100s. If yours IS a 96 then fret not - if it was gonna - it already woulda.

I'm just a tad jealous.

 

[Seamaster]

Be aware that this can happen without hard parts

 

[Seamaster]

I have gone from an 850GS to an X Country, and at present, I prefer the 850GS.

In a moment of madness I decided I could not cope with the weight of the 850 and sold it, I bought an x country with 900 miles on the clock which gets better every time I ride it, particularly since its first service.

I had a lot of fun with the 850 and at some point in the near future I will go back to an oil head even an 850 if the right bike comes along,

 

[Seamaster]

Oh, they look fantastic dirty

 

[Ant1967]

Great picture same colour as mine (2000 model year) I will try and get some pics up of mine over the weekend. Already ordered the hard parts also

 

[Littledumptruck]

I've had one for three and half years, fantastic bike. I had an 1150 some years ago, but it wasn't a good one, was too expensive and I just couldn't get my head round it's cost verses condition and vfm. The 850 came at a fraction of the cost, and delivered so much more for so little. I've added 16k in this time.
I have however just bought another 1150, off a mate, one owner, great bike, and for a good price. But I'm not selling the 850 yet.

Ok, the 1150 has more grunt, but most of its extra is top end, up to 80 ish they feel very similar as the 850 is geared to compensate. In the real world the 850 is fine. ( put it this way, most of the guys I ride with don't know mines an 850 unless I tell them )