1981 Suzuki GS850G, Frame no. to be advised Engine no. to be advised

1981 Suzuki GS850G
Frame no. to be advised
Engine no. to be advised
By the mid-1970s, Suzuki was in trouble. As worldwide emissions standards tightened, the handwriting was on the wall for the company's well-regarded line of two-stroke streetbikes. In 1974, Suzuki went all in on the technically advanced RE-5 Rotary, at a cost in the millions, but it failed to find an audience and after three years was withdrawn from the market. Whatever came next had to be a home run, or Suzuki might be out of business. Thankfully, the GS series was a grand slam.

Among Japanese bike-makers, Suzuki may have been last to the party with a multi-cylinder four-stroke, but the 1976 GS750 and 1977 GS1000 were arguably the best. Their air-cooled, DOHC, four-cylinder engines made good power, but it was the bikes' superb handling that really set them apart. Soon, additional GS models rounded out the line, among them the GS850G in 1979, which added a 4mm overbore to the 750 engine, giving 843cc. Air-assist forks from the GS1000 came next, as did shaft drive, cast wheels and a bigger, 5.8-gallon fuel tank. Obviously aimed more at long-distance riders, the 850 remained unflappable in the twisties, as Cycle World magazine found out in 1980. "It's a fine handling bike", noted the editors. "So willing to go around corners it entices its rider into enjoying sinfully fast riding". Still regarded as one of the most competent roadsters of the 1970s/'80s, the 850G remained in Suzuki's catalog until 1988.

This particular GS850G, a 1981 model showing 4,500 miles, is in remarkably original condition save for a missing left side panel, and is reported to run very well. The chromed case guards were a popular accessory of the day.