Bit of a long shot really but i'm after a bit of advice re an R80 RS i've got chance of buying. The bike in question is on a 'C' plate which will be around 1986 and has very low mileage at around 8000mls and is fitted with BMW hard panniers. It is in very good condition as you would expect from the low mls however it has been virtually unused and been in dry storage since 2000 when the last tax disc expired but it does apparently start and run ok. Just wondered if there was anything in particular to look for on these machines that could be a problem and would also appreciate any input on a possible value of said machine. I have been given a non negotiable price to buy but i need to be confident that it would be a good buy for me. Thanks in advance.
R80 RS
- Thread starter hairysteve
- Start date
Backmarker
Registered user
Had a 'C' plate 86 R80RT. Don't remember an R80RS. Is it a genuine UK Model, or an import, or a conversion (I do remember a few guys fitting the RS fairing (a very revered fairng I should add) from the R100RS to R80's (original naked)). Which of these it was would largely determine 'book value', condition would determine how much you/someone else are prepared to pay - which is its' 'value'.
Big Jets
Registered user
The R80 mono is probably one of the most bulletproof bikes they have made ,at 8000 miles its brand new ,they did do a mono rs ,hard to value not seeing it but monos tend to be cheaper than any other model IMO.£1000 to £1500 you got a good deal after that say £1500 to £2000 is probably what the bike would sell for on fleabay.
But did BMW ever offer an R80RS (mono or dual-shock) in any market?
I'm no expert but I don't recall the 80 as an RS in the UK.
If not, then it affects the value only insofar as originality matters to someone who wants an original bike.
As for the question "what's it worth?" or "what should I pay?" - that's too subjective to give any answer beyond, "if you want it badly enough you'll pay what's asked, it's worth what you are willing to pay."
I understand the reluctance to post the asking price because someone will pipe-up that it's too much, that you could have bought his for less, etc.
As for the other question regarding reliability and what to look for, I'd suggest that you should expect some minor things to fail if you start using it regularly: Just because the mileage is low doesn't mean that it's youthful, things will have aged even without regular use. Some things may even have aged more through the lack of use.
Run it for a tank full, then change all the fluids. Run it again and just keep an eye open for seals etc to need changing.
Good luck. I hope that if you buy it you have much enjoyment from it.
I'm no expert but I don't recall the 80 as an RS in the UK.
If not, then it affects the value only insofar as originality matters to someone who wants an original bike.
As for the question "what's it worth?" or "what should I pay?" - that's too subjective to give any answer beyond, "if you want it badly enough you'll pay what's asked, it's worth what you are willing to pay."
I understand the reluctance to post the asking price because someone will pipe-up that it's too much, that you could have bought his for less, etc.
As for the other question regarding reliability and what to look for, I'd suggest that you should expect some minor things to fail if you start using it regularly: Just because the mileage is low doesn't mean that it's youthful, things will have aged even without regular use. Some things may even have aged more through the lack of use.
Run it for a tank full, then change all the fluids. Run it again and just keep an eye open for seals etc to need changing.
Good luck. I hope that if you buy it you have much enjoyment from it.
Big Jets
Registered user
Check out the Haynes Airhead manual, bike on the cover is a R100 rs mono.If they done a r 100 I assume they also made a R80 rs.The white one with the blue decals is a bike on my wish list ,lovely
Big Jets
Registered user
It should tell you the model on the vin plate.
R80 rs Mono's were sold by [iirc] BMW Cardiff, Pearlescent white,
All 1985 on C plates.......
Pikey Dave had one, I had one many years ago..
Wish I'd still got it..
As other have said, one of the most undervalued BMW's ever..
Bulletproof and bloody comfortable....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eG66RrTY54
Bit of a parts bin special ala 1150 GSA SE......and we all know that they are "special" as are the owners..
All 1985 on C plates.......
Pikey Dave had one, I had one many years ago..
Wish I'd still got it..
As other have said, one of the most undervalued BMW's ever..
Bulletproof and bloody comfortable....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eG66RrTY54
Bit of a parts bin special ala 1150 GSA SE......and we all know that they are "special" as are the owners..
Check out the Haynes Airhead manual, bike on the cover is a R100 rs mono.If they done a r 100 I assume they also made a R80 rs.The white one with the blue decals is a bike on my wish list ,lovely
There was a lovely one for sale at Stafford for £2200.
I can't see the point of an R80RS. The whole point of the RS is that it's a high speed touring machine. Having an 80 version seems pretty pointless. The Mono R80RT I had a few years would slow down in a good headwind. Just didn't have the grunt to push the fairing through the wind. A 100RT is a different matter completely.
Thanks everyone for the input. Having looked at the very nice white RS in the video clip i suspect the bike i looked at is an R80 not the RS as it doesn't have the big fairing. I was going by what the chap who owns it told me. Will investigate further. Any more input gratefully recieved.
fayeslane
Registered user
I wouldn't bother about an 80 if you want a serious machine that will do everything then look for one of the Sport models like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-BMW-R100CS-/281016202193?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item416ddef3d1
The CS model is a great machine and has everything to make them a usable daily rider. Pretty rare but don't fetch huge money. These are the definitive airhead twins. Very reliable and will run to over 120 Mph
or there's the very last R100RS Lovely bikes, well sorted as well. This ones on ebay for £3k and worth every penny.
Agreed...
Either fairing (especially the RT) really needs the extra grunt of the R100 motor...
I had a Mono R80RT years ago, an acceptable commuter, but hardly exciting to ride!
I wouldn't bother about an 80 if you want a serious machine that will do everything then look for one of the Sport models like this
The CS model is a great machine and has everything to make them a usable daily rider. Pretty rare but don't fetch huge money. These are the definitive airhead twins. Very reliable and will run to over 120 Mph
A mate of mine used to have one just like that (his had Krausers though), lovely bike and went really well. Probably better than any RS in reality.
R80 Update
Thanks everyone for your comments. Went to have another look at R80 today, as mentioned a very low 8000mls. However bike is not as i was told. Is actually an R80 RT with full fairing removed and fitted with a bikini type fairing similar to that handsome CS in picture on thread. With an asking price of £2k have decided to give it a miss.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Went to have another look at R80 today, as mentioned a very low 8000mls. However bike is not as i was told. Is actually an R80 RT with full fairing removed and fitted with a bikini type fairing similar to that handsome CS in picture on thread. With an asking price of £2k have decided to give it a miss.
Backmarker
Registered user
Knowing nothing about this particular bike, and making no comment on it whatsoever - I knew of a high mileage RT (20 years ago) that had a big front end smash. Fairing & instruments were hideously expensive, so it was written off and then made roadworthy with s/h forks / instruments /fairing from a much cheaper model.
It's pretty common to dump the RT fairings they rattle like crazy after a few knocks and bashes. If it's a genuine S fairing they fetch a pretty penny on their own. A new S fairing with all the bits, if you can get them comes in around the £700 mark.
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