Is there a better or best GS850 year

[Steve]

Nope, not sure at all! I have no idea whether the difference is actually the head angle or the triples. Or both...? I seem to recall the frames are different in the headstock area, but I don't know whether that affects the angle. I guess if you get really bored this winter you could go out to the garage and take some measurements.

A couple of weeks ago would have been the perfect time to do this. Had the front end of her bike apart to change fork seals, everything was wide open, would have been EASY to measure. Will have the fairing off my bike soon, will be easy to measure.

Ergonomics are certainly better for shorter humanoids (and worse for those of more Steve-ish height) on the GL models.

Even though my wife's bike is set up for a shorter person (shorter shocks, fork tubes slid up in the triples, cut-down seat, L-ish bars), it's not all that bad for shorter trips. A few years ago, I rode it to Delaware (oHIo), which is about two hours away. Worked on a bike there, rode the two hours home. It was reasonably tolerable, knowing that it was temporary, but would not want it set up like that for long-term use.

On both models, the stock handlebars are dreadful for most people, but the GL handlebars are much worse; if you find an example with stock handlebars, it will inevitably have very low mileage because it's physically painful to ride. The slightly smaller tank is the only other real disadvantage of the GL models. The GL exhaust has a bit more growl, which most will find pleasant.

I must not fit into the "most people" category, as I prefer the stock G bars. The height of the L bars isn't so bad if you have a windshield, but the weird angle of the handgrips definitely puts them into the "torture device" category.
Not so sure I would call the GL exhaust a 'growl'. I have always thought it had somewhat of a motorboat quality to it. Just changed my wife's exhaust to '79 850G pipes because the baffles were rattling in her L pipes. Nice and quiet now, and also have the added advantage of longer pipes that don't end at the front of the saddlebags.

And in at least some years of the GS850 (no, I'm not trawling through fiches for exact details) the transmission gearing in fifth gear is one tooth lower on GL models, so they have a bit more giddy-up in top gear, at the expense of slightly higher revs at speed.

Gonna have to disagree with you a bit, Brian. Yes, it might have been one tooth different, but it was in the other direction. The fifth gear ratio on the '80 850L was the same as all years of the 850G, because it had a 17-inch rear wheel. The '81-'83 850Ls had a 16-inch wheel and the fifth gear ratio changed from 0.961 to 0.923 to keep the engine revs about the same as the G. According to the chart I got off the forum some time back, the revs at 70 mph for the '80 L and all the Gs were 5021, the '81-'83 Ls were 5016, so I think they nailed that one.

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[850 Combat]

As to the 6000 RPM "Rush" on a GS850, to me that feels like a terrible lack of low and mid range power. I've owned GS850s from a '79 to an '83. I will take any pre 1982 over any 1982 or newer. I will also take a 1000G over any 850G. The 1000 fills in the missing low and mid range power of the 850 pretty nicely. It is stronger everywhere, but especially from 2000 to 5000 RPM. Geared taller too. I find the handling of any of them to be pretty OK. Better than the Concours 1000 I had. The 28 degree rake and neutral steering is close to the British bikes I grew up with, so except for being 50% heavier than a Commando, the steering feel is still similar.

I also like the stock handlebars, but I also generally ride at 70 mph and below. Too much faster, and I would want something else.

[Burque73]

Here's an interesting comparison. I think the bars have been swapped on this G from the stock configuration to give more forward lean to the rider. May be a useful comparison though.

Just plug in your height and inseam and see what your projected riding position would be.

http://cycle-ergo.com/

I did my bikes and an L model for comparison. In my experience, the 83 850G riding position is very similar to my KLR. I have low back pain if I slouch, and my wrists hurt/ hands go numb if the forward lean is too far. For some reason the only time my wrists or hands give me issues is while riding two up on the 850G.

[ddaniels]

Here's an interesting comparison. I think the bars have been swapped on this G from the stock configuration to give more forward lean to the rider. May be a useful comparison though.

Just plug in your height and inseam and see what your projected riding position would be.

http://cycle-ergo.com/

I did my bikes and an L model for comparison. In my experience, the 83 850G riding position is very similar to my KLR. I have low back pain if I slouch, and my wrists hurt/ hands go numb if the forward lean is too far. For some reason the only time my wrists or hands give me issues is while riding two up on the 850G.

Doesn't look like an'82 seat.

[Burque73]

Doesn't look like an'82 seat.

Yeah, it's more of an 81 or earlier pictured but their options are limited when choosing the specific bike. They didn't have an 850 L either, just a 650. Still a neat tool to play with.

[bwringer]

Gonna have to disagree with you a bit, Brian. Yes, it might have been one tooth different, but it was in the other direction. The fifth gear ratio on the '80 850L was the same as all years of the 850G, because it had a 17-inch rear wheel. The '81-'83 850Ls had a 16-inch wheel and the fifth gear ratio changed from 0.961 to 0.923 to keep the engine revs about the same as the G. According to the chart I got off the forum some time back, the revs at 70 mph for the '80 L and all the Gs were 5021, the '81-'83 Ls were 5016, so I think they nailed that one.

Dingbust it, I think I'm going to officially retire from posting obscure GS850 trivia without fact-checking first. Turns out the sludgy contents of my cranial cavity misfile the occasional item...

[Burque73]

I'm new to the forum and there are 3 Gs850 bikes I'm thinking of looking at. All three have about 23000 miles, excellent condition as far as paint and chrome. All are around $1800.
The 1979 is red and has vetter faring. The 1981 is the original owner but has recently be repainted the original gray he says. The 1982 is blue.
So, is there anything better or special that would make me lean towards one bike over the other?
The background story is that in 1981 I looked at a new Suzuki GS850 but family life wouldnt allow me a treat for myself. I'm 71 now and think I've earned the treat.
I just got back to bikes last year and bought a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Special.
thanks in advance for the help.
tony

Did you decide on a bike? There seemed to be several 850's up for sale right around the time you posted this.

[limeex2]

Just an opinion. 850's are good solid bikes, its just that the 1000/1100 versions are good solid bikes also and don't cost any more and Imo better. That being said, underneath the Vetter bike savers is a beautiful unmolested 850...