Characteristics of an R850R?

[cswett]

Howdy,
There's a reasonably low-mile R850R for sale in my area. Anyone have any insights into its strengths, weaknesses, mechanical and maintenance issues, riding characteristics, etc. I'm not much of a wrencher so want something as bullet-proof as possible. I currently have a very clean 95 K75 but also have boxer lust. I'd love to have a R1200R but the finances just won't allow it. I'm short, 5-5, 29-inch inseam. The k75 has sufficient power for my needs, though I guess I'd like cruising speeds to be at a little lower RPM.
I figure I can sell the K75 for about what I'd pay for the 850.
Any thoughts?
Is there another forum I should be posting this to?

[sweatmark]

The R850R shares a strong kinship with your K75: smoother than the larger displacement option, with perhaps even better reliability than the R1100R. Having owned R850R and R1100R, along with Roadstar and Rockster, I'd dare claim the R850 to be the smoothest & sweetest. Note that the R850/100 variants have a couple versions of transmissions, with at least one of them susceptable to shift dog damage... we had one of those in the R1100R.

The low or mid seat height position of the R850/1100R will probably fit you perfectly. There are three seat heights possible with the bike's front seat mount.

[omg1010]

The R850R shares a strong kinship with your K75: smoother than the larger displacement option, with perhaps even better reliability than the R1100R. Having owned R850R and R1100R, along with Roadstar and Rockster, I'd dare claim the R850 to be the smoothest & sweetest. Note that the R850/100 variants have a couple versions of transmissions, with at least one of them susceptable to shift dog damage... we had one of those in the R1100R.

The low or mid seat height position of the R850/1100R will probably fit you perfectly. There are three seat heights possible with the bike's front seat mount.

The gearbox was changed from 1999 models onwards. Hence any R850 equal or younger than 1999 should be less suceptible to the shift dog damage. Secondly the R850 in most cases did not have the surging problems which other models had ... It is considered to be the most bullet-proof of all models. If you can get hold of it with low mileage and if its equal or younger than 1999 and if it has a good service record I can only suggest - go for it!

Kind regards
Oliver

[Photoguy]

I really liked my 850 and it's more similar than different to my 1150. Very comfortable bike with plenty of power. Only thing I really wanted that was missing was a higher gear... mine was a '96 btw.

[philbytx]

If you are in the U.S., you have limited year choices with the R850 as it wasn't a sales success here. I think the last year you could buy them here was 1997. My riding buddy has a 1996 for 6 years now and he loves it.

[TracyPrier]

Mine is a 97. The 850 was a much bigger success down here in New Zealand so there are plenty around.

I am impressed with mine... but then again I'm just enjoying being back on an oilhead boxer

I have found the need to make 1 inch bar risers and have just finished fabbing up a pair of rider peg lowering blocks and eventually I might diddle with the seat a bit but these are just personal taste things.

I am finding it a nice middle-ground between my the big-girl R1100RT-P and the F650. Smooth ride with a capital smoo

however up there you might have more luck picking up an 1100.

cheers
Tracy