Suzuki GS850G 1979—1988
Suzuki GS850GL 1980—1983

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GS850G model history on this page as I know it. The page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

The 850cc versions of the GS1000 was available only with a shaft drive and were called GS850G. Suzuki didn't really have anything for the avid touring rider until the introduction of the GS850G. At its heart was a GS1000 engine, altered to incorporate shaft drive. Its bore was reduced by 1 mm and had 8.2 mm shorter stroke. The 850 cylinders will actually slide straight onto the GS1000 studs, but will not fit onto a GS750 stud set. The engine was placed in a modified GS1000 frame. Suspension from the GS1000 was softened up for a plush ride (the GS1000 had gas suspension at the front, the GS850 had hydraulic suspension), and tubeless tires were used for the first time by Suzuki. A large 22 liter (5.8 US gallon) tank was fitted for maximum range. The GS850 actually weighed more than the GS1000E, by 29 lbs. The price in 1979 was $2995... a very good price even in those days. Later, Suzuki produced a couple of variations on the theme. Most popular was thecustom styled 'GL' model, which was restyled in a more 'laid back' fashion. All in all, the GS850G has proved to be a long running and bullet proof tourer. Wet weight in 1983 was 604 lbs.

1979 Suzuki year code: N

1979 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 235 mm (88.0 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 145 mm (45.1 in) Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 490 mm (58.7 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 253 kg (557 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive. Click on the image for larger picture.

GS850GN was introduced in February 1979 with a 5-speed gearbox, twin front and single rear disc brakes, 19-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels. It had a fuel meter, automatic turning indicators (returning after ten seconds), both electric and kick start and a shaft drive. According to a comparison test made in '79 by Finnish Tekniikan Maailma magazine Suzuki had succesfully managed to combain a sports and a touring bike in the GS850G. The handling, the gearbox and the clutch were considered as the best of the three touring bikes in the test (the other bikes were the BMW R 100 RT and the Kawasaki ZI 1000 ST). The test team also praised the suspension and the seat of the GS850. Although it had a smooth, vibration-free engine it needed to be ridden at 5 000 rpm and above with heavy load — after all it had only 77 horses. The team didn't like the handlebar (too narrow for such a heavy bike) and the placing of the footrests (too high and too far ahead). ”Harmonic and easy to handle, both on road and streets.” Colors available: Blue, Black or Red Initial frame number: GS850-100001

1980 Suzuki year code: T

GS850GT (introduced in November 1979) replaces the GS850GN with constant vacume carburettors and electronic ignition. The GS850GL, introduced for 1980, had similar mechanics to the GS850G but in custom style, high handlebars,stepped seat, smaller fuel tank and shorter slash cut silencers. Initial frame number: GS850-116014

A really nice 1980 GS850G, photographed by Neil Harding, Middlesbrough, England. “Here are three shots of a very nice GS850, taken at a local bike shop, North East of England. The 850 was in for an MOT. I don't know any of its history only that it was in original condition and had recently been bought off eBay.” Here's a link to more pictures of the same bike.

1981 Suzuki year code: X

The 1981-year's GS850GX saw some minor cosmetic changes, alloy finishes on the engine and 2 into 2 exhausts, chromed front mudguards and chromed grabrail. Colors available: Maroon, Black and Silver Initial frame number: GS850-128084

1982 Suzuki year code: Z

GS850GZ had similar specs to the GS850GX but was fitted with anti-dive front forks and alloy support plates for the pillion footrests. Initial frame number: GS850-131533

1982 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 235 mm (88.0 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 145 mm (45.1 in) Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 490 mm (58.7 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 253 kg (557 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1982 Suzuki GS 850 GL Overall Length: 2 235 mm (88.0 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 145 mm (45.1 in) Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 490 mm (58.7 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 253 kg (557 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1983 Suzuki year code: D

1983 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 865 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Seat Height: 795 mm (31.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in) Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in) Dry Weight: 245 kg (540 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1983 Suzuki GS 850 GL Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 855 mm (33.7 in) Overall Height: 1 145 mm (45.1 in) Seat Height: 765 mm (30.1 in) Wheelbase: 1,510 mm (59.4 in) Ground Clearance: 145 mm (5.7 in) Dry Weight: 243 kg (536 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844 cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77,6 hp (57,1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6,6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1984 Suzuki year code: E

The 1984 Suzuki GS850GE had chrome sleeves over the rear suspension springs, alloy grabrail instead of the previous chrome version and a storage compartment in the tail unit. Initial frame number: GS850-132500 West-Germany (E22): GS72A-100001

1984 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 865 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Seat Height: 795 mm (31.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in) Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in) Dry Weight: 245 kg (540 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1984 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 865 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Seat Height: 795 mm (31.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in) Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in) Dry Weight: 245 kg (540 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1985 Suzuki year code: F

GS850GF replaces the GS850GE with minor cosmetic changes to the indicators in the tail light housing and the warning light cluster in the instrument panel. Initial frame number: GS850-132625 West-Germany (E22): GS72A-100152

1985 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 865 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Seat Height: 795 mm (31.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in) Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in) Dry Weight: 245 kg (540 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1985 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 865 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Seat Height: 795 mm (31.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in) Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in) Dry Weight: 245 kg (540 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive. Here's even larger picture.

1986 Suzuki year code: G

To my knowledge the '86 GS850GG was identical to the '85 GS850EF. Initial frame number: GS850-132895 West-Germany (E22): GS72A-100272

1986 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 865 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Seat Height: 795 mm (31.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in) Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in) Dry Weight: 245 kg (540 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive.

1986 Suzuki GS 850 G Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 865 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Seat Height: 795 mm (31.3 in) Wheelbase: 1 500 mm (59.1 in) Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in) Dry Weight: 245 kg (540 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 844cc inline-4, DOHC, 8 valves. 77.6 hp (57.1 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 65 Nm (6.6 kg-m) @ 7 500 rpm. Shaft drive. Here's even larger picture.

More: Suzuki GS models

More: Suzuki GSX models

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: MC Reports, Parts Partners, Paul Dreycott etc.

This free site is managed by Jarmo Haapamäki.
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation for Jarmo
so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.

Came here from a search engine?
Click at the home button below to get to the main page with frames.