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How fast is is your old GS?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
kflaggs1kevin said:
i got my 1981 gs1100ex i got from a guy that had it in storage for 14 years i went threw it and got it running good. its got a kerker 4 into1 on it and a k&n air filter with no airbox lid. i was runnin side byside with my buddies sv650 and we slowed down at 120 but she was still climbing pretty good. its fast enough for me
Click to expand...

Oh I love those kerker 4-1's!

I got one with a cherry bomb, sounds mean as hell, it turns heads for sure.

Im scared to lean right, because it sits SO low to the pavement.
 
This weekend out in the country I got my '81 GS850G (with 85mph speedo) up to 7500 RPM on a slight upward grade. I don't have rear-sets (an 850 with rearsets?) but I was crouched over the tank with fairly low bars and tiny bar-end mirrors.

Based on a previous post about 850 shaftie drive 3:4 ratios that puts me at an even 100mph. The Falcon still had something left and felt smoother than I even expected. Considered trying for 8000 but then started wondering about things like when I'd last checked the tire pressure.

About 5 years ago a friend on an ST1100 told me he paced me at about 120 on an Arizona interstate (with the ORIGINAL fork springs and rear shocks!), but based on the way I felt at 100 yesterday (with year old Progressive suspenders front & rear), I no longer believe that number. Or maybe I'm just getting older.

Either way, the real treat was taking some sweepers at 80-85 and realizing that she's just as stable leaned over as she is tucked up in a straight. Been riding with a bunch of honkin' v-twin cruiser guys here in Alabama since I left behind my sport-touring crew in AZ, and those guys are pretty sedate in corners for obvious reasons. She seemed to appreciate the chance to open up a bit. :)
 
Last edited:
In 1981 on my naked gs1100 with 1000 miles on it, early one cold morning on a straight freeway near Seattle, I clocked 137 flat out. Took it back to the dealer, saying I wanted it tuned to go the reputed 145. The dealer told me that was with a 110 lb. rider, not me at +/- 170. Said there was nothing he could do. The relationship with the road seemed tenuous at that speed.
 
SD Interstates

SD Interstates

75 is the speed limit on south dakota interstates, and going 85 sometimes is common, also i get alot of chances to run my bike up to 110 or so with a vetter vindicator fairing and a sissy bar bar on it. I also did a 530 chain convertion from a 2.73(repeating) gear ratio to a 2.75 gear ratio i don't know if that has much effect on the end result though.
 
had the bike (78 750e) doing 110mph (in a 35mph zone)...they frown on that...;)
$125 later and much smarter now...:)

i had to see the limit, but know that its plenty scary being there...
 
The GS750L Did 125mph...had to be followed for a correct reading(85mph speedo)

The GS400X did 95 mph, that took a bit... Impressed with the little bike that could.

The GSF1200S, 167mph indicated by the speedometer, 5th gear @ red-line, Scariest part it took hardly anytime to do it... FYI SHE'S ALSO NOT STOCK...
 
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When I was checking the jetting, my '83 pulled redline, at an indicated 140mph - I was scrunched down as low as possible behind the speedo to keep from getting blowed off - I have no urge to do it again.
 
'79 GS850 gotta put 'er onna DIET obese an overweight

'79 GS850 gotta put 'er onna DIET obese an overweight

Now you gotta realize that gettin' old doesn't mean gettin' smart or does it go the other way..?

Back in da day..('75) riding a fast (then) KZ900 cruisin with a pal on a Honda 750 northbound on da Interstate.. bout 65/70 looked over an nodded..AWAY we go... :confused:

"Round "bout 100 indicated on kawie speedo I see? in rear view his headlight.., Yeah I got him...kept her twisted tight an started gettin' da "shakes"....hang on :eek: (how's that fer STUPID"?) started to smooth out and kept climbing.. finally @ around 133? I decided that's all folks.. started slowin' down... oh no!! here comes this violent shake (Dynamic instability) HANG-ON.. :eek: got 'er leveled off and under control WHEW! :-\\\

With this act complete now I deduce what occurred.. :cool:Forgot to mention this bike was wearing a Windjammer and Bates bags etc. AERO lift.. FLIGHT! DANGER NEVER AGAIN> GS850 now 120+ EASY but not VERIFIED I wanna LIVE.. :o :rolleyes:
 
Roostabunny said:
This weekend out in the country I got my '81 GS850G (with 85mph speedo) up to 7500 RPM on a slight upward grade. I don't have rear-sets (an 850 with rearsets?) but I was crouched over the tank with fairly low bars and tiny bar-end mirrors.

Based on a previous post about 850 shaftie drive 3:4 ratios that puts me at an even 100mph. The Falcon still had something left and felt smoother than I even expected. Considered trying for 8000 but then started wondering about things like when I'd last checked the tire pressure.
Click to expand...

Rearsets? You mean the rear passenger pegs? That what I used to use in my speed crazed youth of two summers ago. :evil: BTW 8,000 is nothing on a 850G. Run it up to 9,500, that's when things get really fun.

While my CBR riding friend still lived stateside we would go out and do top speed runs down a nice flat smooth stretch of highway that was not patrolled by the state and ran through different counties every 15-20 miles or so.

I had my '82 up to a staggering 135. According to his speedometer. Then he would give 'er more gas and dust me while he rocketed towards 155... It's crazy how fast a new 600cc sport bike is.
 
To me, the fun isn't in how fast I can go, but how quickly I can get there. That said, I took my Z1 out on a miles-long straight one time in the early '80s and ignored the red-line. 1100 kit, cams, exhaust, etc. When it stopped speeding up, I shifted. The last time I looked at the speedo, I was doing 105. In second gear. Great bike. I don't ride like that any more.
 
havoK said:
had the bike (78 750e) doing 110mph (in a 35mph zone)...they frown on that...;)
$125 later and much smarter now...:)

i had to see the limit, but know that its plenty scary being there...
Click to expand...

thats insanely cheap. ive paid that much for a parking ticket.
 
kmccaffrey said:
Now you gotta realize that gettin' old doesn't mean gettin' smart or does it go the other way..?

Back in da day..('75) riding a fast (then) KZ900 cruisin with a pal on a Honda 750 northbound on da Interstate.. bout 65/70 looked over an nodded..AWAY we go... :confused:

"Round "bout 100 indicated on kawie speedo I see? in rear view his headlight.., Yeah I got him...kept her twisted tight an started gettin' da "shakes"....hang on :eek: (how's that fer STUPID"?) started to smooth out and kept climbing.. finally @ around 133? I decided that's all folks.. started slowin' down... oh no!! here comes this violent shake (Dynamic instability) HANG-ON.. :eek: got 'er leveled off and under control WHEW! :-\\\

With this act complete now I deduce what occurred.. :cool:Forgot to mention this bike was wearing a Windjammer and Bates bags etc. AERO lift.. FLIGHT! DANGER NEVER AGAIN> GS850 now 120+ EASY but not VERIFIED I wanna LIVE.. :o :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Back when I was 18 I had a brand new 1983 GS750e. I had a 4to1 Yosh pipe on it. On the 401hwy in Ontario crouched over my gas tank, one hand on the throttle and my left hand wrapped around the tank (wind resistance) and going slightly down hill I got it up to 137mph! Did I mention I was 18?LOL. 28 years later I now have a 1980 GS750e and once I get up to 85mph I lose my nerve and start thinking about my 9 year old boy at home. Maybe it's true that "the older you get the wiser you get".:)
 
old gs

old gs

My old 1982 GS1100e ran 11:17 @116. @ Bristol drag strip
Bone stock except whillie bar !!
After selling and buying back restored to original condition in oct of this year same drag strip it ran a 11:27 @ 118.
Oh year for got to mention twisted crank had been replaced
Still have original 1982 picture and the 2011 picture I will post later
only difference is rear tire [much better traction] and my 23 year old son which has been drag racing since 15 [jr dragster-IHRA SS PEA]
 
1980 850l...

1980 850l...

Not sure...speedo goes to 85 and pegged it...probably only 90 mph is my guess. I don't need to go any faster then that though.
 
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