BMW R80 GS Basic

[Buggles]

I think you deserve a badge of honour...

You have my vote to become the XRV P.I.M.P. : Prime Inspector of Motorbike Porn

JB

[raymo]

The R80 GS is a very very very capable bike, it was not that greatly modified for the Daker.. good examples are hard to find as they are the classic donor bike for building world touring bikes ( modified rear sub frame. single seat and monster fuel tanks, and beefed up alternators )

they are basic air heads and simple to maintain.. ideal..

I was on the hunt for one a few years back but the only really good example I could find was a RTW prepared bike at £4500!!!!

The XLV 750R was marketed as direct competition to this iconic bike, and they are rare too... ( strangely enough there are a lot more on the market now, but 3 years ago I could only find projects and one good one )..

I have the XLV now but still have a soft spot for this simple, purposefull old air head..

[Rubberchicken]

Dunno what it's like over there, but here (.nl) good, original airheads are going for silly money, and travel prepped ones are a rarity anyway. And that's not even going near the daddy, the R80G/S (note slash) in original condition is a collectors item by now.

That said, bargains can be found. I bought mine a few years back for 2000 euro, with 40k miles and "some work". Meaning it was a somewhat shabby looking trade-in with a scratched tank, a holed collector box, and a marginal shock. But it ran well after a service and some new cables, and some patience and 300 euro got me a second hand WP shock and collector box off German ebay.

A word of warning though, for those of you thinking airhead: Unless it's really low mileage it's often better to buy one that's had some more experience, say 75.000 miles, as they'll be cheaper and it's likely (so check!) that they've already had the usual repairs done. Those being the drive shaft at around 50-60k miles, the valves not that much later (mine at 70k miles), and the gearbox anywhere from 40k to 140k miles. Mine went at a shade past 55k miles.

So yeah, though the cost of these are less shocking than they would be for your average honda V-twin, it's not really a bargain anymore after all that. Cheap carefree transport they're not, but I love the silly old thing anyway.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by raymo

The R80 GS is a very very very capable bike, it was not that greatly modified for the Daker.. good examples are hard to find as they are the classic donor bike for building world touring bikes ( modified rear sub frame. single seat and monster fuel tanks, and beefed up alternators )

they are basic air heads and simple to maintain.. ideal..

I was on the hunt for one a few years back but the only really good example I could find was a RTW prepared bike at £4500!!!!

The XLV 750R was marketed as direct competition to this iconic bike, and they are rare too... ( strangely enough there are a lot more on the market now, but 3 years ago I could only find projects and one good one )..

I have the XLV now but still have a soft spot for this simple, purposefull old air head..

ive been keeping my eye out for for one for a while now, toxics going to get finished over winter then i'll start saving for a GSpd a must have in any trial bike nutters garage

[raymo]

Originally Posted by Chad

ive been keeping my eye out for for one for a while now, toxics going to get finished over winter then i'll start saving for a GSpd a must have in any trial bike nutters garage

got an A10 to sort this winter

so keep your eyes peeled in comfort not looking for a project at the moment even though I am down to 6 bikes ( 600 Bandit sold.. not getting any miles on it and found a good home )

[magwa]

A mates bike work in progress....he won't be selling it in a hurry its a 1000cc sibenrock conversion Ive ridden it and its the Dog's danglies





Since these pictures there has been fitted: alloy panniers and side rails, TT sump guard/ TT centre stand guard/hand guards/ sta nav/autocom/ original side panels/ crash bars/ spot lights ( still to be fitted) and a host of other nice after market goodies
I'll post some updated photo's soon

[J]

Originally Posted by Chad

that dakar is a thing of beauty,,one day she will be mine

Not before me young man

[raymo]

Originally Posted by J

Not before me young man

and me

the 1000cc conversion maked this one must have bike....

[magwa]

Same man and heres one he built up as a previous project ( not a basic)
but very very nice




alas he sold this then instantly regretted it so got himself another
There is a moral to the story
Keep hold of the airheads

[magwa]

Cookies basic as it is now
Droooooool