Buying an R80GS

[Oggyr80]

I am a newbie in need of guidance and a little holding back. I am looking at an R80GS on Sunday and am completely and utterly smitten. It's a 92 paralever with about 55 thousand on the clock. It's the yellow and black and sounds like it's in good condition. It is listed as a r100gs apparently an import glitch.
What is the most I should pay for this bike?
What should I be looking out for?
Are there any books or publications that might help? (Not playboy)
Does anyone else have one they would consider selling?
Can't wait to join you all for adventure and debortuary?

 

[Kenny]

Welcome aboard...about £2,750 max if in reasonable condition ( well it is a paralver )....have a look on top of the cylinder where it joins the crankcase..there should be the figure 8 standing proud on the cylinder about 6mm in size..this tells you it is a 800cc and obviously if there is a 10, then it is a 1000cc model. Both equally as good as each other and fetch very similar prices.
At 55,000 miles and if it is a 800cc then in the old days it was wise to change the ex valves as they have been known to snap off but I personally have never heard of one happening so don't let that put you off buying it !!

Hmmm...paralever and there shaft drives..have a search on here as they are just about goosed at this mileage..ask it it has been changed etc etc

Good paintwork shows it has been looked after etc. Silencers/balancer box/exhausts all should be stainless steel items by now or newer OE replacements.

Ensure the red tickover light goes out past 1,100 revs or so...if not then charging system fautly ( probably new rotor at about £70 req'd )

Panniers, most have them.

Lots more but you'd need someone to be with you...but they are a good buy

Oh and you should hear the tappets clicking away..so don't be alarmed, aircooled engines are not quiet in this dept !!

 

[Oggyr80]

My thanks

Thank You for the advice it sounds like all the boxes have been ticked, shaft reconditioned and all the other bits and bobs addressed. The bike is at £2750 and apparently had a lot of work done on it by Andrew Sexton (apparently a man who knows his stuff) so all sounds well so far.
I will keep you updated on my progress.

Oh and sorry for over sharing.... but I just got back from passing my test

 

[elevensies]

congrats


ohh dear, a airhead for a first bike




you will be damaged

 

[mikebaker]

R80GS

Hi

Passed my test in January of this year and got an R80GS for my first bike.
Love it to bits.
First proper trip out is a week across Europe with four others in about a month.
Can't wait!

 

[Oggyr80]

A good ride

Mike; I would be interested to hear how your trip to Europe goes so keep me posted on the dirty details.

Planning a trip to Germany and one to Tuscany around the end of June. Anybody got recommendations on good biking routes or guide books covering these trips. Also looking for recommendations for off road courses and advanced lessons in Leeds/Bradford area.

Looking at bike tomorrow so fingers crossed.

 

[jez]

I know a few people (some from here) who've done courses with these guys and say that they learnt loads. i2imca And for advanced road riding tuition contact James Bryan on here as he's doing individual advanced training courses.

 

[lurcher]

If you want it buy it. If the bike has been standing for a while it might have the odd glitch, so ride it and get to know it.Even if its had a recent service change it's oils. Like any mechanical thing it may develop problems but there is nothing on these bikes that cant be sorted out, they are great bikes and very enjoyable to ride. If you want complete reliability and no tinkering then buy a jap bike but where's the fun in that? There are plenty of people with the knowlege to help through any problems so dont be put off if you are new to tinkering.

 

[Oggyr80]

Did it

I got it. As soon as I got on it was a done deal, it's as if someone designed it to fit me.
I need to change the tyres as they are the off road ones with chunky squares on them. I'll check the forums for the best touring tyres, but suggestions are welcome. The back wheal is also off square by a couple of mill so will look at getting this sorted.
Thankyou all for advice.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Well done

Sounds like it's fitted with TKC tyres. I can't get on with them at all but some of the guys like them.