In considering a Mono' G/S..

[Benjamin M]

Hello everyone,

I'm young (21) and relatively new to riding, though perhaps more of an old fart than most of my peers. This time round, I will spare you a list of my other hobbies and interests.

I've done the 125 thing and having passed my test, I'm seriously considering an R80G/S. I have done a fair amount of reading on the net over the past year with regard to BMW's in general, though the G/S is the one that interests me the most.

In short, I'm posting this thread to ask for the kind help of the owners and members here as to what one should look for when buying a monolever Bummer?

I'm looking really to buy a motorcycle that I can keep and look after for sometime to come, and not just as a quick fling.

My father is an old hand, so really I'm asking for advice more specific to the BMW's than buying used motorcycles in general, though I will take it as a given that all the usual rules apply.

Prices seem to wander to all over the shop, so any advice as to basic (not 'Basic') pricing would be very useful. I understand that the prices will obviously vary with the model variations and specs'.

Any advice as to good places to look out for one would be great as well.

Anyways, I live just outside of Guildford and so I would be more than interested to come and have a look and a chat, if anyone has one near by and some time spare.


Thanks for reading and all the best,

Benjamin

 

[Thunder]

Hi Benjamin.

Not close to your neck of the woods I'm afraid so can't help on that front.

Great bike to have and capable of the most arduos trip so think your on the right track.

Out of interest why a mono?

 

[DrAlf]

Why do you want a G/S in particular? Why not a GS? G/S’s are great bikes but because of the classic status you’ll end up paying a lot for one. The G/S has certainly got cult appeal but the GS is a better and cheaper day to day bike in my opinion.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Why do you want a G/S in particular? Why not a GS? G/S’s are great bikes but because of the classic status you’ll end up paying a lot for one. The G/S has certainly got cult appeal but the GS is a better and cheaper day to day bike in my opinion.

What he says

 

[peepingtom]

What he says

i agree too

pay £2500 to £4000 generally i would say

Paralevers much better value and better looking ?

great choice whatever one you get and a wise choice i was proberbly on a RD350LC at 21

 

[Beemerboff]

A few of us here have both, and as an all roadbike the Paralever GS takes a lot of beating , brakes suspension and all round ridability are a mile infront of the monolever.

However , drive a G/S for a couple of months and you get used to the downspec suspension and brakes , and they are quite a pleasant little bike, if you have never had anything better.

In Oz and probably the UK origonal and HPN kitted bikes command a huge premium.
Cant see why enless you are looking for a show bike ar planning on entering the Paris Dakar.
Most of the mods on a non stock bike have been made by everyday riders to improve the rideability of their P & J , so a cheap non stock bike can be the pick if you are loking for a rider.

 

[bakerlonglegs]

Welcome Benjamin!

I have a monolever - it's a great little bike and I've loved working on it and riding it, no intentions of selling it any time soon. I can't comment on the advantages of a paralever, as I've not owned one, but those who've commented here do know their stuff .

One thing I do know however is that, for what you get, monolever g/s bikes are expensive relative to other airhead beemers of that age. Are you thinking of doing any green-laning or off-roading on it? If it's strictly for road use, and you're dead-set on an airhead beemer, I'd be tempted to look at the road bikes first. They'll be cheaper to buy (than a monolever g/s or a para GS for that matter) and easier to find in good nick as there's more out there, leaving you more £££ for road trips .

Just a thought.

 

[longdog]

Welcome Benjamin!

I have a monolever - it's a great little bike and I've loved working on it and riding it, no intentions of selling it any time soon. I can't comment on the advantages of a paralever, as I've not owned one, but those who've commented here do know their stuff .

One thing I do know however is that, for what you get, monolever g/s bikes are expensive relative to other airhead beemers of that age. Are you thinking of doing any green-laning or off-roading on it? If it's strictly for road use, and you're dead-set on an airhead beemer, I'd be tempted to look at the road bikes first. They'll be cheaper to buy (than a monolever g/s or a para GS for that matter) and easier to find in good nick as there's more out there, leaving you more £££ for road trips .

Just a thought.

Good advice!

 

[Benjamin M]

Thank you all for your advice so far.

My interest in the monolever G/S no doubt comes in part from its cult status, but for me one of the main attractions is its simplicity.

Also, from what I have been led to understand, the paralever requires far more regular and costly maintenance than the mono due to it being more complex, and running dry. Reading on the net seems to suggest that shaft jacking was never that much of a problem to most anyway, though I'm obviously in position to comment at the moment.

I'm more than willing to keep a more open mind towards the para' though, as the general consesus thus far seems to be that it makes for a more rideable, and cheaper machine to run, on the road at least.

I do plan to ride it off road as well though. Greenlaning and trails to start, though I plan to travel on it as well. This why it makes such sense to me.



Thanks again for your time, and the warm welcome to forum.

Benjamin

 

[cookie]

if you only have one bike, i'd say the para is a much better all-rounder.

for me, the mono is a lot more fun to ride though. feeling substantially lighter with quicker steering (until you ruin it with TKCs) leads to much improved flick-ability IMO.

brakes are terrible on both, but worse on a mono.

shaft jack is a non issue as far as i'm concerned, but then i have spent a lifetime on guzzis

 

[Benjamin M]

Sorry to bump my own thread, slightly off-piste perhaps?

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone could help point me as to where I might be able to find a decent example? Lord knows I have tried, and shall be on the phone-round this week but help is always nice.

Lovely day for a ride anyway. Happy easter dudes!

 

[Redboots]

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone could help point me as to where I might be able to find a decent example?

From whence they came:
Nice '85 model here

14 more there as well

John

 

[Thunder]

Lovely day for a ride anyway. Happy easter dudes!

Certainly was

You have not mentioned your budget which might help, that ones not for sale BTW under any circumstances, but knowing what you want to spend could help with your search.

 

[Timolgra]

I was told today that this bike is now up for sale.
An R80G/S fitted with 1000 barrels/pistons and carbs etc.

Immaculate R100 GS PD bodywork and quite a few extras including twin disks, panniers etc etc it's a real minter and arguably the best of both worlds.

I don't know the price or mileage but if you're interested, PM me and I'll pass on the owners phone number to you

 

[Thunder]

Benjamin

That bike was previously owned by Kenny of this very forum, I've seen and fiddled with it and it is a peach, has all the right bits and more, would seriously recommend it.

 

[Benjamin M]

Hello folks, just to say thank you all for your input and advice. I picked up a slightly scruffy, but functional G/S yesterday from a kind gent through the forum.

I love it.

It's not taxed and tested yet, but I've taken it for a spin around the garden and up the road and it rides and handles beautifully. I don't own a digicam being the luddite that I am, but I shall find a way to post some pictures soon.

It needs a bit of tidying up, the frame is a bit tatty and could do with stripping and painting, though it looks quite appealing in it's current state.

Some minor wiring stuff to do as well for the idiot lights and turn signals. I think I'm going to send the heads into Motorworks in Yorkshire to be converted to run on unleaded in time as well, though the engine is sweet and starts as easy as you like. Not bad for a bike that has already done at least 75k miles.


Like I said, I totally love it. It's taken me quite a while to be in a position to afford to buy one, and it took a while to find one that wasn't a total shiner, so I'm terribly grateful for the help and various messages that I have received from the members here. The front brake really is as non-existant as I have read, though the rear isn't so bad. There seem to be a lot of options with regard to improving the brakes anyway, so after some more research I'll probably try to sort out at least the front.

There are some other things that I'd like to do with it overtime, as the plan has always been to travel and overland on it, though anything I do will be inline with the original concept of the machine, and I will do my best to keep it as tasteful as possible.

Thanks a lot dudes,


Benjamin

 

[Benjamin M]

Paralevers much better value and better looking ?

Never!

 

[Kenny]

Don't come in here causing trouble sonny !!!

 

[BillN]

looks like it was sold for £2,900 on Ebay - really good price for the buyer

 

[Mike Wilkins]

Good one Benjamin

apologies for not having managed to hook up but when I'm home you're working at the pub !!
Bring it to the airhead weekend and get it sorted.
I'll have to get my superior para sorted now there's another GS in town !!
cheers
Mike