Summary:
One of the best all-around street motorcycles ever made. Should never have sold my first one
Faults:
Small tear in seat when I bought it (will re-cover the seat).
Slow leak on left fork seal since 32,100, have parts, but not urgent.
General Comments:
This is my second GS850, and first G model. The seat height is a bit high for my 31 inch inseam, but I plan to rectify that when I have the seat rebuilt (I'm looking at a Bill Mayer custom build).
This bike has by far the best seating position of any motorcycle I've ever ridden.
Absolutely reliable even at 30-years-old.
Handles very well for a late 1970s design, though not up to 2010 standards.
Brakes are a bit weak by modern standards, though adequate giving the handling limits of the late 1970s suspension and skinny tires.
This is one luxurious ride. An accurate fuel gauge, self-cancelling turn signals, gear position indicator, huge 5.8 gallon tank and the above-mention comfortable ergos make this one of the best touring bikes of any size.
No real plastic to speak of, this is an honest, real-steel motorcycle that tends to draw admiring glances everywhere it goes, even though it was the most generic of the generic in 1980.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th July, 2010