R80 g/s possibly the best bike BMW ever made

[mikeyboy]

Maybe,possibly.
I guess it depends on an individual’s opinion.
At the time of its release,it was a “ monster trail bike” and a Dakar inspired bike.
Its evolution into the paralever saw it get a bit bigger,more complex.
After that,hmm the 1100, a lot more bulk,huge weight gain.
The 1150 ,more evolution,I think riders saw them as good touring bikes whilst,if you had ability,still very capable off road.
The mk 1 1200 seemed to be a very positive step ,less weight,more power,an amazing touring bike with true off road prowess.
1200 LC,no comment.
Back to the R 80g/s
In today’s mind set,it’s tiny,it’s light,it’s nimble.
On the road,it’s as quick as you need.
Ok so the suspension is basic,the brakes,,,,,adequate.
For a bike that’s getting on for 45 years old,I’d take one over any new bike

 

[Spout]

Their only annoyance was not having a sidestand

 

[Kitsilano]

And don't forget the 1994 model year descendant!

(Currently for sale, on the forum)

1994 R80 GS 'Bumble Bee' Configuration. (Was Imported Privately). 92,000km.​

 

[Skid06]

spot on...Loved my 08 hexhead, but my Mikeyboy special is my all time favorite bike

 

[Kitsilano]

spot on...Loved my 08 hexhead, but my Mikeyboy special is my all time favorite bikeView attachment 395279

'tis a thing of beauty!

 

[bakerlonglegs]

I had one and I loved it, one of those ‘wish I hadn’t sold it’ bikes, but you’re right about the suspension and brakes - they were never up to task of being a trail bike from stock. Needs a lot of modification (which you are the greatest at!) to make it one of those.
However, I like your thinking! I’m going to propose an alternative choice picking up on all the advantages for the road you listed - the R80ST. Flies under the radar and therefore undervalued next to its more adventurous looking brother. Actually would have been perfect for 95% of my riding and I could have bought a TTR250 (or other simple, proper off-reader…) with the difference for trails.

 

[Paul C.]

Just wish I’d got bought one years ago.

 

[AustinW]

I had one and I loved it, one of those ‘wish I hadn’t sold it’ bikes, but you’re right about the suspension and brakes - they were never up to task of being a trail bike from stock. Needs a lot of modification (which you are the greatest at!) to make it one of those.
However, I like your thinking! I’m going to propose an alternative choice picking up on all the advantages for the road you listed - the R80ST. Flies under the radar and therefore undervalued next to its more adventurous looking brother. Actually would have been perfect for 95% of my riding and I could have bought a TTR250 (or other simple, proper off-reader…) with the difference for trails.

I was going to say R80ST. I had one ‘85-89. HPP499Y. Toured Europe two up on ita few times (we were skinny things then). Suspension very soft, brakes so-so, clocks leaked water in, centre stand pivot wore out, side stand self retracted very strongly, seat took a long long time break in, or it might have been my bum did, strong wind blast. The clutch was sharp, and the drive train unforgiving - it took time to learn to ride smoothly. At the time nobody really “got” the bike but it was a brilliant all rounder handled well once your learned how to ride itand I really gelled with it. I would have liked a bit more power though. RD350s and the like blasted it into the weeds. Part ex’d it for a K100RS but didn’t like that much and wished I’d kept the R80.

On balance the G/S gets it, I always wished I’d bought one of them instead.

 

[Nin]

I enjoyed mine, but not for long European rides from A to B, that was a complete balls ache. On back roads and gravel it was outstanding though.

 

[The Other PaulG]

On the road, it’s as quick as you need.

Agreed, and the 80 engine (compared to the 100) is so sweet. My g/s (in fact an ST with an identity issue) was such a fabulous bike. Let it go for £2500 just before prices went crazy.

 

[Steptoe]

I was in the studio when they did the advertising pictures for the launch of the R80 g/s .. Shot by Graham Ford and Kevin Summers in Woodfield studios, Woodfield road, Just off the Harrow road.
I was the only one with bike license, and so was sent out to get the bike looking dirty.
I knew it wasn’t going to get the art directors hoped for look of a “around the world” patina riding along the Harrow road and Ladbroke grove. but just wanted to go out for a ride on it. Spent about an hour riding around ,
We ended up with the bike in the studio on a mound of earth (from the roadworks outside (courtesy of the Gas board) and smearing mud over the bike by hand
The pictures were used in all the adverts in every bike magazine on the bikes release.
I have mentioned it a couple times previously on the forum

 

[Gelandestrasse]

Steptoe, you are a Legend!

 

[Posh Pete]

I rode one of the very first demos on the showroom floor. I absolutely loved it. Same engine as my R80/7 with a better riding position (at lower speeds at least) and all the agility we now expect of adv bikes. But without the weight! I even took it off road - well on a fairly gentle woodland track I knew.

Alas, life was heading the family way so duty called! The R100GS I have now is a reasonable substitute but still not the first of the true adv bikes.

 

[Steptoe]

Steptoe, you are a Legend!

You spelt it wrongly - it’s Leg End

 

[Gelandestrasse]

As a 'toe' is....

You are a big toe here, not a little one

 

[Steptoe]

I remember that Gauliouse (a n old forum member) was selling an R80 g/s for £2300. It was bog standard apart from the indicator switch being customised due to the previous owner having a thumb missing . I almost bought it but it seemed expensive at the time

 

[cookie]

Enjoyed my old G/S for quite a few years. Bought from Kenny of this forum. I spent a fortune on that bike to get it the way I wanted. Sold it a couple of years ago for £8.500. I saw it was on eBay last week for £10,500.



Pros: A Charming classic machine that will go almost anywhere.

Cons: Surprisingly uncomfortable. Stock brakes are suicidal, HE conversion is an improvement, but Billet 6 pot is better. Revs it's tits off at sensible cruising speeds. There is a high 5th conversion that makes a nice difference, but it's not a 5 minute job to fit.

 

[Grantiii]

Well I agree with Mikeyboy statement.
My 86 built PD rides really really nice....
Feels light & easy to manage + glides over speed bumps.
I have a paralever 800 GS a couple of years newer which just doesn't feel anywhere near as nice.
As a bonus more comfortable riding position on PD.
Mikeyboy did a Great Job of rebuilding all major components on both bikes, so it's a fair comparison.
Have hit 70 now !!
PD will be the last bike I get rid of !!!

 

[robertotoole]

As I was saying last week, half way up a steep rocky hill on a new Africa Twin with the power cutting out as the electronics couldn't handle the conditions, my R100GS would just keep going!

Simple is best.

 

[Steptoe]

Here’s one I had in earlier ..



And my later R100GS with 5k miles which I still have tucked away in the garage, it’s an old picture but may have been the last time I used it before putting it into storage
I put it up for sale a few years ago on the forum for £2450.. had someone come along, said he’d buy it, and then proceeded to tell me how he was going to build a hipster special out of it.
I refused to sell it to him and decided to keep it