R80 G/S vs R100 G/S (vs F800GS)

[donbcivil]

It's funny, I have two very good bikes (Triumph Speed Triple, DRZ400 SM) but keep coming back to the idea of owning some model of GS.

I'm wondering (and hope this isn't too controversial of a question) whether the R80 is preferable to the R100 or vice versa? Thinking in terms of riding enjoyment, parts availability, simplicity for trailside or home repair.

I also have to admit a bit of interest in the F800GS as well but it costs more, ABS is likely to become non-optional (Ive heard) in the future and I also find BMW dealers kind of irritating.

Thanks, Don

 

[Rob Farmer]

Hi Don,

There are 3 potential aiheads using slightly different versions of the gs tag.

1981 to 87 Monolever bikes - these are 800cc machines and are identified as R80g/s
87 to 95 (ish) Paralever bikes - 800cc or 1000cc - R80GS and R100GS

The early Monolevers are pretty hard to come by and fetch a high premium because of this. They are quite agricultural but extremely reliable if not a little cramped for two up riding.

The Paralevers 800cc and 1000cc bikes are virtually identical apart from the final drive ratios and a few other minor details. These bikes are very comfortable, practical machines. The drive shafts are a weakness but this can be overcome by using an upgraded driveshaft.

If you are used to modern machines then the airheads can be a quite a shock when first ridden. They have their own charm are infinetly customisable - you will seldom find two the same. Unfortunately a lot have been terribly abused over the years so there is a risk element involved when buying them.

Try and get a long ride on one before buying they are an acquired taste and many are bought and sold when new owners haven't taken to them. I suspect that the new F800gs was supposed to be a modern airhead and I can see the appeal but the engines all wrong for me.

 

[BillN]

You seem a very confused man and need to do a lot more research or buy a 800GS - I would

 

[donbcivil]

You seem a very confused man and need to do a lot more research or buy a 800GS - I would

You don't want every bike that every manufacturer makes?

 

[BillN]

You don't want every bike that every manufacturer makes?

Don

My point is that you have grouped 5 Bikes together that are somewhat and even very different.

The early to mid 80s R80G/S is different to the mid 90s R100GS and very different from the modern F800GS which is different from the Triumph Speed Triple and DRZ400 SM.

i.e. in my mind, you cannot really compare, in the same breath, a 1982 R80G/S with a 2009 R800GS with ABS, as being alternatives.

Hence my point of doing more research before you ask the question

 

[Windmill John]

My bit now
BMs are very personal, I go along with Rob Farmers view.
Going by what you have, the new F800GS might be more suitable.
But, the older GS', in my mind, are about a passion, practicality and a desire.
I love BMs. Yes the Japanese bikes I've had were fantastic. Anyone who criticises Jap bikes should pull their head out of whatever. They handle possibly better, accelerate quicker etc. Admittedly corrosions a pain.. whoops going off track
I've always wanted an R100GS; got one now. Love my R80 as well.
Bottom line, if you haven't got a passion for older BMs, stick with new.
I sold my R850GS, that's a different story, but those bikes are superb. The handling is superlative, comfort one or two up excellent, just don't play with the electrics
Good luck and if you do go for an 80 or 100, switch off your comparing mind for a while and the love will soon flow

John

 

[Wreford Miles]

You buy an Airhead beacuse you just know/feel you want one.

Do you want one? do you really want one? do you really really want one?

If the aswers is YES go out and buy one - Which one?

A: The one that makes you think/feel ' I really want that one'


If the above does not apply then buy an 800GS beacuse it does what it's designed to do very well but... Of course you'll miss:

Walking around the bike and twisting the fuel taps
Adjusting the choke and throttle to the point where you come to know it will burst into life with the touch of the button
Feeling in the gears, letting out the clutch that offers so much feel
Reading the road ahead so you can ride the road in away that suits the Airhead
Smelling of wee

 

[Windmill John]

Agree

Except smelling of wee, other points were succinctly put.
I feel the airheads are about passion as well as riding.
I don't want to go back to side valves and plungers, but I feel more at one with my airheads than with previous Japanese bikes.
The Jap bikes made me smile, but the airheads make me nod in appreciation as well as smile.
Remember, there is a little more work in riding them compared to more modern bikes.

 

[John Armstrong]

Easy life wanted = F800

Want a slower pace in life, see the scenery, work on the bike, don't want electric / electronic everything = Airhead.

The G/S PD's go for big money over here, you could get two para's for the sort of money they go for. So will it be a toy or get thrashed, in which case I'd look at a paralever bike, the 100 being the more common. Also, the early para's look very similar to the G/S ie small fairing no roo bars and a lot less plastic / weight, which is the type I've got

 

[donbcivil]

My point is that you have grouped 5 Bikes together that are somewhat and even very different.

The early to mid 80s R80G/S is different to the mid 90s R100GS and very different from the modern F800GS which is different from the Triumph Speed Triple and DRZ400 SM.

i.e. in my mind, you cannot really compare, in the same breath, a 1982 R80G/S with a 2009 R800GS with ABS, as being alternatives.

Hence my point of doing more research before you ask the question

I appreciate the information I've been getting in this thread, so please don't take any part of this reply as belligerence.

I realize that these are all very different bikes, as I don't personally see much point (unless I win the lottery) of having multiple very similar bikes. The Triumph and DRZ are pretty dissimilar, the DRZ being a fraction of the power but also very light and capable on a variety of terrains in almost any weather. The DRZ is also more low tech (carbureted) and more maintenance intensive, so an opportunity to see if I'm up to that.

So essentially right now I have a very modern, not too heavy Speed3 which has more power than I'm likely to use (much) and a lighter bike that I can use, say, on a fire road...potentially even one track, if I develop the skills.

What I don't have now is a bike powerful + comfortable enough for LONG distance riding with a passenger on a variety of terrains. I find some model of GS appealing for that purpose, my goal in posting here was to start getting some data points to see if a GS would fit that bill based on what I want in a bike...this is going to be a long decision process because my daughter will have several years of college tuition needed in the next few years. I also bought the new English '30 years of the GS' book for information.

Regarding which GS: I sat on a 1200 GS and don't like the weight (or the cost). The F800 GS is gorgeous and very capable but I'd feel less risk tossing a $5k or so used bike around on a rough road and the older bikes' failure modes are well understood...and maybe more fixable on the road. So if I develop mad mechanical skills and go ga-ga for an older bike, it has the edge in some respects. I've thought of rebuilding an old Triumph but maintaining a less old GS would give me more options. And Round The World folks rave about the bikes from the 80s and 90s...

Thanks for all the input, I really do appreciate it!

 

[VAL. H.]

I appreciate the information I've been getting in this thread, so please don't take any part of this reply as belligerence.

I realize that these are all very different bikes, as I don't personally see much point (unless I win the lottery) of having multiple very similar bikes. The Triumph and DRZ are pretty dissimilar, the DRZ being a fraction of the power but also very light and capable on a variety of terrains in almost any weather. The DRZ is also more low tech (carbureted) and more maintenance intensive, so an opportunity to see if I'm up to that.

So essentially right now I have a very modern, not too heavy Speed3 which has more power than I'm likely to use (much) and a lighter bike that I can use, say, on a fire road...potentially even one track, if I develop the skills.

What I don't have now is a bike powerful + comfortable enough for LONG distance riding with a passenger on a variety of terrains. I find some model of GS appealing for that purpose,

Based on this statement the R100GS/PD is the bike for you. Though be warned they don't have the overtaking ability of the modern bikes 'ie next generation GS's like the 1100-1200's'. They are smaller and easier to manage and therefore significantly easier to ride off road.

my goal in posting here was to start getting some data points to see if a GS would fit that bill based on what I want in a bike...this is going to be a long decision process because my daughter will have several years of college tuition needed in the next few years. I also bought the new English '30 years of the GS' book for information.

Regarding which GS: I sat on a 1200 GS and don't like the weight (or the cost). The F800 GS is gorgeous and very capable but I'd feel less risk tossing a $5k or so used bike around on a rough road and the older bikes' failure modes are well understood...and maybe more fixable on the road.

I'm surprised you find the 1200GS too heavy, as it's the lightest of the oil head GS's (maybe it was the ADV you tried??), the F800 is very tall in comparison to the standard oil heads.

IMO buying a cheaper used R80/100GS is a much better option for your intended use. Also the maintenance issue is eased by the fact that these older bikes can be maintained by any of the small motorcycle workshops who are usual a whole lot cheaper than the BW dealers.

So if I develop mad mechanical skills and go ga-ga for an older bike, it has the edge in some respects. I've thought of rebuilding an old Triumph but maintaining a less old GS would give me more options. And Round The World folks rave about the bikes from the 80s and 90s...

Thanks for all the input, I really do appreciate it!

Finaly; you'll find in practice that the Boxer engined GS's are much more off road friendly than almost any other 'big trailie' including the F800GS. This is simply due to the engine configuration preventing the bike going right down onto it's side, therefore making it much easier to pick it up again 'especially if your passenger's their to help'. In practice though, you'll find the DRZ is much easier still to ride off road (not much fun with a passenger though) however the GS's will handle fire roads with ease.



Val.

 

[Sylvester]

I think you've just got to bite the bullet, go off and buy a 100gs (go big or go home). If you don't like it, sell it on. You shouldn't loose much/any if you buy smart. I know there are lots of guys/galls who take them off road but the plain fact is you already have a very capable off roader. In a previous life I did 10 years motocross/enduro and have proved that you don't need 1000cc twin to put yourself in hospital so, no thanks, I just don't go there coz I'm too chicken. So, stump up the cash dive in and see if the airhead experience is what you think it is. I honestly can't see myself on anything else. More involving than Jap, less frustrating than Italian (well, the older ones at least).
Licence intact. No skin left on the road. Touch wood.

 

[Sylvester]

I forgot to add, it is not mandatory to smell of wee but you will have your own space at the bar!

 

[Windmill John]

The right choice

Entschuldigung Herr Sylvester in Der Dom, I agree
If I were buying a bike to do no more than 100 miles on road at a time and a lot of off road, I might go for an XT660 or similar.
But, bearing in mind I did 30K miles in 3 years on my GS, as well as mileage on other bikes, if you want a bike that will go on road very well and off road well, then, the GS it is
Whilst I wouldn't say no to a new one, I can work on my R100GS.
Airhead, running rough, is it fuel or ignition.
Oilhead running rough, is fuel or ignition, or hall sensors, air temp sensor, oil temp sensor, Motronic, fule pump, fuel filter ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[BegesRus]

Sumed up

Windmill John says all of the things I would say - I've had GSA / K1100LT / VFR and others but I keep gouing back to GSPD - why - you get the same motorcycling experience at 60m.p.h. as you would on a VFR at 110m.p.h - a lot more rider input required on the GSPD - setting up for a bend power through braking distance - all of this for me enhances the motorcycle experience - I've toured extensively on all of the bikes and they all do a good job - the GSPD however can be fixed by 'any' mechanic whilst the others - well reach for the computer . . .

 

[donbcivil]

I forgot to add, it is not mandatory to smell of wee but you will have your own space at the bar!

How can that be, if people are TAKINg the p1$$?

Captain Literal

 

[fayeslane]

Every time I fiddle with an airhead I appreciate the fact that the designers realised that some poor bugger would have to pull this apart one day. Went from 1200GS to R100GSPD for the reasons others have mentioned -simplicity.
As a wise man (drinking mate) once said "no matter what you ride the edge is still the edge".

 

[BegesRus]

I like that 'edge' thing - sums it up really

 

[donbcivil]

I like that 'edge' thing - sums it up really

Discovered the edge unexpectedly, last week. Finally managed to tear myself away from work the DAY AFTER a rousing speech by Lois Pryce and Austin Vince.

Rode up into BC and a rock fall on road cut the vacation short on the second day. My worst injury is a sprain but my beloved Speed Triple may be toast.

Writeup:
http://recycledmotorcycling.blogspot.com/

At this point, I will probably replace the Speed Triple. But there is a part of me thinking about going for that R100 GS instead (or possibly trading the DRZ in on one)....

 

[Shep]

Every time I fiddle with an airhead I appreciate the fact that the designers realised that some poor bugger would have to pull this apart one day. Went from 1200GS to R100GSPD for the reasons others have mentioned -simplicity.
As a wise man (drinking mate) once said "no matter what you ride the edge is still the edge".

+1

I bought an '88 R100GS earlier this year, as everyday transport it's almost as capable as the 12GSA its replacing, if fact the airhead is the first choice bike for me, so much so that the GSA is for sale soon.

The older bike is more the style of bike that first got me interested in motorcycles way back in the 60's, the main difference is the airhead is built way better than any shite I was riding back then. Sure there are little faults and niggles, but it's nice to sit down and fiddle with a bike that I can repair almost everything on it just using a basic toolkit, no fancy finishes, just ally, steel and paint

Shep