R80 G/S Dubai

[kavb]

Well can't believe its eight months before I first posted for some advice of the R80G/S on this forum.

Most of the time it has been in the shop waiting for parts. Still almost there now, she started out as the silver bike and now dressed in white (just waiting for a headlight mount to fix it in the cockpit) and hopfully we will then be done.

One time I did ride her, thought it would be a great idea to take a little excursion into the dessert; stalled with the back wheel burried in sand only to realise that little glowing red light on the dashboard did mean the battery was not charging (rectifier) and received the dreaded click when I hit the starter. Kickstarting in 40 degree heat didn't work either. Flagged down a passing motorist who dropped me at the nearest petrol station where I found a taxi to bump start me and follow me home.

So hopefully Motorworks will deliver the final parts soon and I will start the bonding session with the bike. Thanks to Rob Farmer, Thunder and Lurcher for the mudguard/handguards (newly painted), speedo and cockpit respectively. Also Bill-H for the wiring diagram.

Billy

 

[Rob Farmer]

That looks great

 

[how much]

wow! what a transformation

looks so much better in white..... with a red single seat!


not that i am biased

hm

 

[brassmonkey001]

Looking nice now Billy.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Looking good, your not going to be riding it around Dubia are you, those roads are mad mad mad,

Its a nice 32 degrees today though

 

[Elvisto]

Looking good! well done

 

[kavb]

Thanks yes I also think she is looking good, but if I honest the photos do flatter it a little - and there is still way to much chrome for my taste. Been a frustrating 8 months getting the parts particularly. The long term intention was to ride the bike home to the UK when the work runs out here (probably shortly).

However think time has run out on that plan as I would want 6 months for a 'shake down' to make her reliable. My spannering ability to do this on the run is limited. Bike has effectively has been standing for the last 10 years, with very limited running before that (common out here given the heat) so to hop on travel eight thousand miles may be a bridge too far.

Now looking at an old (ish - 1995) K75RT to do the trip on. Needs to be an interesting bike (has a bit off soul) and this my tick the reliabilty box though I can hear the howls of protest from an airhead forum already.

I don't find the roads too bad out here, actually commute on a (ahem) scooter - Yamaha Majesty daily (even in the heat). Was toying with the idea of taking the Majesty on the trip but just does everyting too well to make it an interesting ride for me.

Billy

 

[how much]

Billy
hope if you don't ride the 80g/s home you at least ship it home, they are getting quite valuable now in the UK


hm

 

[(RIP) Proff]

I agree with Howmuch, bring the old girl home
Also Nowt wrong with a K75RT great bike and bloody comfortable to boot

 

[kavb]

Yes the plan is to being her home. Think the IR rules are that as long as you have owned the bike for more than 6 months you are exempt from VAT and Import Duty (shamefully they charge this on the combined value of bike and shipping) so I should be clear on this.

As well as money I've invested too much time and effort to sell without giving the girl a good run, but it has been enjoyable if frustrating time (as well as running joke in my office as I have been saying she'll be ready next week for the last four months).

Thought I had the only one in Dubai but spotted this vagrant in the Mall of Emirates a few weeks back.

 

[Rugged Path]

knew a guy in Dhahran who had a 92 100GS for sale for $2500. I can find out if it is still available.

 

[kavb]

Many thanks for that offer Rugged Path but the logistics of getting a bike from Saudi to UAE (even though we border) might be a bit of a nightmare. I think I'll have to buy something capable of getting me to UK within UAE.

Cheers

Billy

 

[Rugged Path]

Billy,
Hummers are going cheap now that they have stopped production in the US. That'll get you home along with the GS on the seat. A GS on 4 wheels .

I am hoping to ride home sometime in April-May via Jordan-Syria-Turkey and then ferry to Italy.

 

[kavb]

Can't stand 'em usually find them in my mirrors about 2ft from the back of my bike.

Being in Saudi may make the trip a bit easier from a bureaucracy perspective. I think as a UAE Resident I can get a 2day transit visa into Saudi but difficulty may be that I will be leaving Dubai for good so technically would be a Resident no longer. Also hell of a ride in 2days.

My route therfore would I think be Iran-Turkey. Never thought of ferry to Italy, is this just for a better scenic ride (than Balkans)?

Be interested in how it goes. Haven't looked into Carnets and exporting the bike from UAE yet (apparently you can only do this on export plates - whatever they are).

Not sure at the moment when my trip will happen (if at all) depends on Dubai getting hold of some money - enshallah.

Billy

 

[ianboydsnr]

Went to see the bike racing yesterday, only just up the road from Arabian Ranches where I am staying , bit windy and dusty, was ok for a free day though,

 

[kavb]

Yeah sure has been a dusty couple days. Test rode the K75 today, nice bike but didn't get the feel good factor that you get from the G/S so probably a no goer. Didn't help that the owner forgot to put any fuel in so ran out on the test ride.

 

[bumpmuncher]

Yeah sure has been a dusty couple days. Test rode the K75 today, nice bike but didn't get the feel good factor that you get from the G/S

nothing unusual there then i get the same from my rt did you also get the feeling you would fall asleep if you spent too long on it

 

[kavb]

Probably didn't ride it for long enough - 20mins. Had a lot going for it but felt unstable to me above 70mph (probably the cr*p tyres) and also pretty vibey at those speeds which I thought was disappointing given its legendary smoothness. Loved the gear change indiator, not having to lift the lever to see your in 5th or count as you drop down (or is that just me?).

Am I talking too much about a K and going to get banned?

It did start off as G/S talk hones Mr M.

 

[bumpmuncher]

thats not good they are usually rock solid could be bad tyres as you say. my 100 gets a little twitchy and needs a bit of work to get round bends when the tyres are low on tread and squared off . they are also very sensetive to tyre pressure i think most rt brick riders will agree.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

knew a guy in Dhahran who had a 92 100GS for sale for $2500. I can find out if it is still available.

Hi Rugged Path,

Is that bike still for sale?

Bin