New Comer in need of a bike

[Matches]

Greetings All
My name is Matthew, revisiting the pleasure of bike touring after a long layoff. A lovely cruise on a rented GS 1200 through the French Alps has successfully converted my wife. Phew. So now all I need is a bike! I have a odd set of requirements and here they are.
We own a large Barge in Southern France. The plan is to tour the European canals and then use a bike for regional touring. This will involve day trips up to week long excursions, no round the world stuff. 95% will be on European a/b roads but it will also have to negotiate muddy rutty canal paths, comfortably tour two up with camping gear and be relatively light as it needs to be hoisted on and off the barge (by crane or gang way). We dont need massive power, Dakhar off road capability or tyre pressure/blood pressure sensors or scrotum warmers. A budget is not really the issue.
I started my search with a late model GS 1200 (weight issues), then the KTM / 800 F (lighter but perhaps a bit cramped two up) then when I really looked the old 100/80 GS came to mind. I think it may meet my criteria ie reasonable lightness/off road capability/power/2 up comfort. It also has classic chique as an attractive extra. I initially dismissed them as old and therefore less reliable. I am ok with regular scheduled maintenance and tinkering, I just am too old and impatient for road side rebuilds.
Does anyone take exception to this and Are there any members with a GS, Basic or similar for sale?
many thanks

 

[toadjam]

for sale section

arkwright had a bonny gspd for sale . think he's taken it out of the sale section , but you could always pm him .
air heads are reliable , bit of tlc and some sensible mods .

 

[richie]

If it has to be a BMW get an 1100

 

[dr nosh]

As a suggestion along the lines of airhead simpicity, have a look at R80ST - Essentially the same specification as R80GS but without longer forks/high front mudguard.

A well sorted one of these can be reliable and 198kg weight.

Prices for these are a little lower than the GS, but are creeping up.

 

[Matches]

many thanks Guys. I will look at the ST option as well

 

[SeanW]

if you have sufficeint funds for a late model 1200, you could think about one of the as-new airhead restroations that Gary at BAMW does - should be about as reliable as you can get...

new-bike prices to match unfortunately

www.bamw.co.uk

 

[Dazzle]

been thinking of selling this, got panniers, baglux cover, touring screen
£3000 ono

 

[ChasF]

If you found an F800 a little cramped then you'll find the original R80G/S and ST too small to be comfortable two up. Both would be ideal from the boat loading point of view as they don't have any extraneous plastiky bits to fall off or snap. The R100GS (1987 onwards) is much more spacious but the PD and later versions suffer from plastic'itus as with most other modern bikes. The Basic is a good option but expensive.

 

[Matches]

Pardon my ignorance but I thought the frame was the same on the R80 as the R100 and so the seating room would also be the same?

 

[VAL. H.]

Pardon my ignorance but I thought the frame was the same on the R80 as the R100 and so the seating room would also be the same?

Yes they do have the same or 'at least' very similar frames. However the 1980-86 g/s has a shorter subframe and dule seat than the later 87-94 80/100GS Paralever Airheads. These later paralever bikes are much better for two up touring too, being fitted with significantly better suspension.


Val.