Hi Don: yes, the '79 GS850G had self-cancelling turn signals (SCTS) and the gear position indicator (GPI)
plus it had an accurate fuel gauge (I never had to push the bike anywhere - which was good because it was heavy), utterly reliable shaft drive, a dash-centre mounted choke, adjustable damping rear shocks, air-assisted front forks, a neat little storage compartment in the tail-cone AND it also had the best seat I have ever found on any bike. The GS850 seat was broad and roomy and as I recall it, there were two foam densities - "harder" down the centre and "softer" toward each side (or maybe vice-versa). It was amazingly comfortable and Gold Wing riders used to envy me to no end. I cannot be certain, but I think that the GS850G was the first bike to provide many of those features - it was quite a sensation at the time as even the GL1000, and certainly none of the Harley's or other brands had most of those items.
As for the self-cancelling turn signals, the system was quite sophisticated and the operating logic was speed and distance based. I think I have this right:
- below about 5 MPH - the signals simply stayed on until you pressed the switch down;
- between about 6 and I think around 35 MPH - the signals flashed for a certain number of seconds to allow you to complete your turn;
- above 35 MPH - the signals flashed for a certain distance (usually at those speeds you are passing another moving vehicle rather than going around a corner).
All-in-all, it truly was an excellent system which gave me NO trouble at all and worked in a way that made perfect sense. Between the SCTS and the gear position indicator plus the excellent seat, reliable and quiet but pretty torquey engine and decent handling, the GS850G was really a heck of a great bike. I equipped mine with a beautifully colour-matched
Hannigan Sport-Tourer fairing and lowers plus a tank bag - and I was good to go! I put more than 100,000 miles on mine with ZERO issues and no repairs beyond oil and tire changes, a new battery here and there and a set of brake pads or two. In fact, after the initial 10,000 mile valve check (shims) at which I think 6 of the 8 valves needed an adjustment, I had it checked a couple of times after that but none of the valves ever needed anything again. The dealer told me to not worry about it unless I heard something start to rattle - and I never did.
When I returned to motorcycling in the fall of 2015, I was thrilled to find the Honda ST1300 but very surprised to find that it had no SCTS, no GPI, no air-assisted forks and that the seat is....OK, but not wonderful. It looks just like the GS850 seat for the most part except that there is no texture or pattern on the ST seat to keep you from sliding around on it. In fact, in the few hundred miles I put on my 2007 ST last fall, the thing I found most annoying was how slippery the darned seat is. There is no "grip" and so I kept sliding around (mostly forwards) which I found a little disconcerting and I suspect it could be tough on the "auxiliary equipment" in a hard stop.
Oh well, other than that, the ST really is a fantastic bike and about as close as I can get to my old GS850 - plus it has an extra 50 HP and built-in bags and that excellent adjustable windscreen and of course ABS - which we sure never had in the 1970's.
Cheers,
Pete
