Performance of GS850GLT 79.

[peterd123]

Being relatively new to a 79 GS850, what is the average performance that I should expect. So far it feels like a struggle to go past 80 mph without feeling like i'm pushing it too far. It feels like it should have another two gears. Are there any mods that would bring it up to date, without spending a fortune.
Be good to hear from others who have similar.
Regards
Pete

 

[Big T]

Are you talking about the motor, the chassis, or what?

The motor should top 100 mph in 4th gear easily

Were you riding cruisers before? The motor needs to be revved up

 

[1948man]

Shift at about 7500 rpms and see if you get it going faster.

 

[Burque73]

There's a thread somewhere titled how fast is your old GS. 850s aren't super fast but shouldn't have any problem at 80, 90 even reaching low 100's. My stock 83 850G topped out at 115 or so. That's with a big windjammer so a small slipstream or smaller fairing may have less wind resistance. There's a huge difference in fuel consumption at those higher speeds. I'll get somewhere around sixty miles fewer out of a tank running at 85 or 90 for a long time, depending on the wind of course.

Not sure if the differences like carbs, ignition and whatever else they changed would make the newer ones any faster.

 

[Dogma]

You don't need mods to get past 80, you need fixes. My 850GLT hits the ton plenty easy. Not that I do that on the street. Anymore.

What's yours doing that doesn't seem right?