R80GS and R100GS Info

[Dr LC8]

Hi eveyone,

Since a long time, I wished to have a R80GS Basic or Kalahari like this one:



In Europe you can find many of them, however prices are very high (7.500 to 13.000 Euro). I am not prepared to pay such ammount of money.

However if you look for standard GS80 or GS100 produced between 1988 and 1995 you can easily find few for 3.500 to 6.000 Euro). Few examples:

R80GS








R100GS




Are these the same bikes except for the engine 100 vs 80?
Do they share forks, frame and rear swing arm?
What are the main difference among the 80 and 100 engine?

If what change is only tanks, fairings and fender I guess I could buy a cheap one and build it up according to my preferences just gradually.

Let me know your thoughts,

Many thanks:wink:

Nic

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Stick to your KTMs

I really suggest you ride one before you buy Nic

 

[ChasF]

Are these the same bikes except for the engine 100 vs 80?
Do they share forks, frame and rear swing arm?
What are the main difference among the 80 and 100 engine?

There are only minor differences between the R80GS (paralever 87 on) and the basic, mostly cosmetic but I think the rear subframe is different or modified.

Basics were built to use up the parts stock from the discontinued airheads.

Airhead GS's are lovely bikes to own and ride but do require a different mindset to owning modern bikes with gadget overload - it's all in the name.

 

[Dr LC8]

Stick to your KTMs

I really suggest you ride one before you buy Nic

Johnny,

Why you say that? I rode a gs100 few years back. Low smooth and not breaking.
In all honesty it shouldn't replace any of my KTM. 690 R will stay, 990 adv replaced by 990 smt. GS to travel smoothly or for dual sport travel...

Nic

 

[how much]

get an airhead..... live life in the slow lane

i love my R80 g/s, its the longest i have ever kept a bike! it is a relaxing easy going bike and you tend to ride it at modest speeds... it puts you in a different mindset to modern bikes


hm

 

[Devon]

The PD is the best 'everyday' airhead that can just about tour 2 up imho. I would take the 100GS over the 80GS because of the extra power and torque but the difference isn't huge: airheads aren't about power or speed
Basics are great and prices reflect this. If you are sure you 'get' airheads and really want one I would suggest you look out for a standard, low mileage, not too many owners bike. When it's all said and done, you are a long time dead and if you really want a Basic and can stretch to the asking price: go for it, you will probably be able to use it for a long time and get what you paid for it when the time comes to sell, if not more Basics come up on German ebay for sensible money occasionally.
I should add all the above is IMVHO

 

[Benjamin M]

Is Rob Farmer's Basic replica still for sale, might be worth a PM?

 

[Kenny]

Is Rob Farmer's Basic replica still for sale, might be worth a PM?

... or if you are passing Turkey, drop in and see him !

 

[Benjamin M]

... or if you are passing Turkey, drop in and see him !

Oh yeah, I forgot about that Still, he's taken the GSPD has he not? I thought he was looking to chop in the Basic he's built for a Brit bike or something...?

Good luck to the OP btw, I do hope that you find what you're looking for!

 

[Rob Farmer]

... or if you are passing Turkey, drop in and see him !

Keep up Kenny!! I'm in the Austrian mountains today...


The only real difference between the basic and the standard bikes is the rear subframe. It's an upgraded version of the one fitted to the early mono bikes. Still available from BMW for just over £400. You will then need a mono seat and either an st tank or an expensive Paris Dakar tank if you want the kalahari look.

 

[Dr LC8]

Keep up Kenny!! I'm in the Austrian mountains today...


The only real difference between the basic and the standard bikes is the rear subframe. It's an upgraded version of the one fitted to the early mono bikes. Still available from BMW for just over £400. You will then need a mono seat and either an st tank or an expensive Paris Dakar tank if you want the kalahari look.

Hi,

In fact I am thinking that except for the blue frame, it is easy to make an "ordinary" GS 100 or 80 into a Basic looking model. I guess even cheaper...

I was told that the Basic is the lighter GS ever. I guess is due to the subframe?


Nic

 

[Richard A]

Yes, you are right, but it's still about 15kg heavier than an original monolever 'G/S' if my memory serves me correctly (combination of paralever and thicker frame top tube, I think).

 

[SeanW]

G/S wheels are more like a conventional wirespoke wheel than tubeless-friendly GS wheels with heavy rims and spokes on outside so they are probably a bit lighter, as is the G/S subframe, and I would imagine the forks are lighter too....

 

[Dr LC8]

G/S wheels are more like a conventional wirespoke wheel than tubeless-friendly GS wheels with heavy rims and spokes on outside so they are probably a bit lighter, as is the G/S subframe, and I would imagine the forks are lighter too....

The G/S is out of discussion to old and pricy.
Subframe wise it is my understanding that you gan fit a regular GS with the Basic one.

Nic

 

[Kenny]

Doc, I'd just buy a nice para and wouldn't try to adapt it towards a Basic. There's only one way to have a Basic, and that is the real McCoy ( but they are overpriced for what you get ).

 

[Dr LC8]

Doc, I'd just buy a nice para and wouldn't try to adapt it towards a Basic. There's only one way to have a Basic, and that is the real McCoy ( but they are overpriced for what you get ).

Real McCoy??? What is that?

Nic

 

[Canuck]

I think its a packet of crisps

 

[Kenny]

I don't know, Canadians and Italians

OE

 

[Dr LC8]

Ah I see, you can get a GS Basic collecting points from McCoy crisps...

 

[Rob Farmer]

Dr LC8

I posted a thread that ran through the build of my Faux basic - http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245626&highlight=basic

I started with a pile of bits instead of a complete bike though. Like yourself I love the look of the basics but didn't want to pay big money for one or have the 800cc engine.

I've still got a few bits to do to mine to finish it off but it's a great bike to ride. Next to the PD it feels very light. The high comp pistons and moorespeeds (www.moorespeed.co.uk) head work means it has plenty of go in the mid range.

The right hand pannier frame for the Basic model is specific for the model. If you want to use panniers you will need a mono rack and left hand pannier frame and the basic right hand one (if you can find one).