Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

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-   -   BMW R850GS -Any good? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/which-bike/bmw-r850gs-any-good-65026)

Tim O 29 Jun 2012 14:48

BMW R850GS -Any good?
 
I've just seen one of these for sale: 28,000 miles, year 2000. Took it for a test ride and liked it (from what one can tell from 30 mins). I want something reliable and a friend said he had heard these are one of the most dependable of the BM GS range. Anyone have any experience of this model? Any thoughts on it? Thanks in anticipation.

Margus 30 Jun 2012 09:12

It's just a smoother version of R1100GS. Everything is identical except bores and pistons. The 850 version is almost becoming a cult bike since it's a very rare GS and the engine is somewhat livelier than the robust 1100 - more freely "breathing" revs are paid off with less low grunt and less torque compared to the big brother.

Having the same details I reckon the reliability is on par - the engine is bomb proof (my 1100 is 250 000+km without any touching other than the valve adjustments and I've first hand seen 700 000+km 1100GS with no top end overhaul), you may encounter the usual worn bearings in final drive (mine has been almost a constant 80 - 105 000km per bearing and replacement is around 1 hour work even if done in the bush if you know how to do it - always carry a bearing+seal kit ($70 or so and takes a lot less room and weight than a chain-kit!) on longer travels). For rough-roads 2up full gear the Touratech frame Hard Parts are highly recommended - check it, it's often already installed on many R1100/850GSes.


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