BMW GS Paris-Dakar
 

Any and all advice appreciated as to differences and if one is better than the other for the BMW GS Paris Dakar editions from 1981 to 1996.

I have had a total of six bikes over my life time the last one being an old Husquvarna 250CR. I quite riding about seventeen years ago but have wanted to get back into it for the past five years. A day ride on a friends Honda XR over the Fourth of July made me realize how much I missed it.

I have always wanted a GS PD and want to know the pros and cons of the different years. All help appreciated.

I have two old Land Rover Series so older machines are fine with me. Thank you. (Goal is long distance travel both on road and off but also for around town)

GS differences
 

JC4H - If someone hasn't already, Welcome to the HUBB!
I am sure this topic has been covered previously on the HUBB, such as:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ht=BMW+R100+GS

There are really only two bikes (the G/S 80-87 monolever, and the GS 88-95 paralever), with several variations of displacement, tank sizes, and other trim. There are pro's and con's for all.

My Favorite? the mid 90's R80/ R100 Kalahari - only sold in South Africa (I think).

Perhaps have a look at the previous discussions and then post a more focused question on issues that you don't see covered.

Thank you for the welcome. Good thread on my questions. If anyone knows of anyone who is or may want to sell their BMW PD please put them in touch with me. I prefer the look of the 1984 to 1991 models but may end up purchasing a later model due to availability.

Reference reading
The BMW R G/S and GS motorcycles

Just curious but does anyone have an idea what the BMW GS HPN Dakar or Rally Sport cost?

Not cheap. Built to order. See the HPN site and email them if interested .. I you want them to supply the entire bike they will have to buy one second hand .. so timing and pricing will be variable. Mostly they start with your bike and change that .. Your best off emailing them .. if you are serious. Oh .. and it won't be a fast build.

Think they have a catalog .. nonbling but for functional performance where it matters.

HPN-Rallyesport if that still works .. other wise throught the menus hpn

Still looking for a PD. While all PDs are great I would like to find a R80 PD. How difficult/rare is it to find one for sale. Anyone have any ideas? I cannot find one anywhere for sale. Are they so difficult to find for sale that I should focus on a different model? Any particular "For Sale" websites I should monitor? Any and all help/advice appreciated.

Look at the Internet BMW Riders site
Airhead R- bikes for sale Page 1 - IBMWR BMW Motorcycle Marketplace
and the BMWMOA BMW MOA
And Craigs list.

R80gs
 

You can expand your search to the R80ST, which is basically the G/S but with different forks, a 19" front wheel, and less suspension at both ends. These are not that common either, but seem to often come up for more realistic pricing. A change of rear shock and front end will get you to a G/S, if you have time to look for parts. The R100GS front end bolt right on, and is superior to the older bikes.

Unless an original 84-87 R80 G/S PD goes up for sale soon I am going to purchase a regular R80 G/S and add the PD parts. I know I need to keep a look out for tank and seat but how easy is it to source the white front fender, white back fender, tank sticker, and PD exhaust guard. Any insight and/or sources greatly appreciated by me. Any PD parts I did not list?

The G/S front fender is white .. no need to change it.

You could just paint the original rear fender ..

You have not listed the rear rack .. you nned tat for the seat rear to bolt too.

------------------------
Why bother .. yes the tank adds to the range, and the solo seat is comfotable .. and it adds luggage capablities
But the reat is just cosmetic. Be a real airhead .. just change the bits you need too.

It should be possible to find a G/S Paris Dakar.
Like this one, with 1.000.000 (?) miles: 1986 BMW R80 G/S - P/D A steal at 4500 OBO


But as Mollydog says it depends if you want to keep it original or make a travel-bike. You can go long distance with a standard G/S but depending on your driving style and route it might be smart to consider some modifications.

Don’t forget a healthy battery:
http://www.actiontouring.com/pic/dyttgs.jpg

I have a R80 Gs Basic 1996. Satisfied too much. It has 35 L gas tank. WP shocks on it. Easy to maintenance. Only problem is I can't find some parts easily here in Turkey. For example I asked for heated grips and dealer said it is not possible to find one for my bike. They accept it OLD.

I try to find one of the same for one of my friend, but can't. Nobody wants to sell a good and clean one...

Thank you for the responses. I want an airhead and just like the look of the R80 PD. I do not even neccesarily need one in pristine condition but after restoring two Series Land Rovers I know it is alot easier to start with as many original parts as neccesary.

I will not use it as a collecter bike but for trips, offroad, and around town. I plan to add a couple of saddle bags and that is about it. Maybe GPS.

As for painting the rear fender, I would prefer not to especially if it is plastic.

More questions. Notable difference in power between 50 bhp Monolever and 60 bhp Paralever? Are the gas tanks from the paralevers and monolevers interchangeable? What is the "pogo-stick" or "hop" people indicate the Monolever had versus the Paralever?

R80 motor?
R100 motor ? - 200 cc of difference.
For people prepared to accept some small differences - yes. For people after perfection - no. Gap between seat and tank.
You get that difference on washboard - with the engine power on. The paralever is better that as it removes some of the torque reaction from the suspension system. Some people prefer the extra relabnility of the monolever system.

R80 G/s
 

Regarding the Monolever (81-87) vs the Paralever (88-95/97?): Yes the Paralever is better on some surfaces, with the power on. Washboard being one such surface that really brings out the jacking, or stiffening of the rear swingarm. I've had both bikes, and would say that the difference in a stock setup is noticeable but more influenced by the shock. So, Monolever with a good shock is betterthen/ equal to the Paralever with the stock shock.

Reliability/ simplicity: Monolever wins hands down.

The only other issue to consider is tubeless tire fitment. Grant feels this is a significant enough safety issue that he is moving towards fitting his G/S with a paralever to get the tubeless tires, which have less dramatic blowouts if/ when they get punctured. Never experienced a blowout (yet..) with the tubed tires, but it doesn't sound very pleasant.

The 35 liter PD tank from the Monolevers is, in my opinion the nicest looking tank ever mass produced. It is worth paying the extra $1000 that the PD versions tend to sell for, you will have trouble finding a tank for that price. They just don't come up for sale that often. I've heard rumours that you can still order the older PD Tank from BMW, but never had that substantiated. Anyone ever had any luck with this?

Can you not fit tubeless rims on an R80?

Anything is possible - given enought time & money.

However using off the shelf wheels - it is not possible to have tubless wheels on the monoleaver (I think that is what your post is about?). There was a paraleveler (tubless wheels) with an R80 motor .. did not sell well.

I have put the cart before the horse and purchased the BMW R80 PD tank and PD seat. Maybe not the wisest move but I want the R80 PD and decided it may be sometime before one comes up for sale and I could go ahead and buy a regular R80 and add tank and seat and have the same bike. Hopefully, a good R80 will come up for sale soon or If I find and buy a PD, I will sell tank and seat.

PD Tank
 

Good call, the PD tanks are kind of hard to find. You will easily sell it if you find a full PD. Good luck with the R80, there are lots of good ones out there. Old bikes, but fortunately most owners seem to take care of them.

Any thoughts or advice as to whether it would be worth taking this eBay Motors: 1981 BMW R80GS Rolling Chassis & Engine (item 300254601280 end time Sep-09-08 16:28:04 PDT)

and rebuilding into R80 PD model? I already have the tank and seat but would need front and rear fender and then to fix it up mechanically. Price seems a little high. Also, any idea of realistic cost to put in "good" condition for overland trips? Any help appreciated.

Just a very cool bike! Could be a good connection for someone building an R80? :thumbup1:

It’s a very nice idea to build your own bike.
I have no idea if the price is right for USA, I would probably have bought it if it was in Norway:-)

Some info:
Framenumber indicates R80 G/S USA (march -81)
Bodywork missing
Subframe modified, probably has to be modified again to fit panniers
Reflector fork legs missing
Exhaust painted (probably because of rust)
Rear footpegs missing
Toolbox missing
Battery is probably bad
Rear shock is probably bad (for touring)
The bike has the small sump-guard
There are probably some more parts missing

For a front mudguard you have a lot of options, I use some kind of Yamaha mudguard and find it better then the original.
Rear you can get an original or you can fit an Acerbis Baja (or other models).

The wiring looks tidy, but you never know. The bike should be fitted with a Bosch starter which seldom fail (beside it needs cleaning and lube). The charging system should be checked! The coil (if it’s the original grey one) is a weak point and should be changed to a newer one (black).

It’s hard to know how much this will cost or how much time it will take. The best thing would have been to strip it down completely and change/lube all the chassis-bearings and change various seals.
If it has been stored with water in the gear-oil (quite normal) you can expect problems with the gear-box.

There are tons of parts available, new and used, so it’s easy to get parts.

If you want to change the gearing you need to change the bevel-drive, all gear-boxes have the same gear-box ratio. It’s also possible to make fifth gear higher and/or first lower.
If I remember correct you will have 4200 rpm when you drive in 100 km/h (60 mp/h)
It’s easy to rebuild it up to 1070ccm.


If you are prepared for building your own bike and you think the price is right then go for it!

I think you've found your GS expert right here!

Mollydog, I agree. Alibaba, thank you for the info. That is exactly the type of info I was looking for in regards to I am not familiar enough to spot what work needs to be done. The issue with the panniers etc I could never spot at this time. I will keep looking for the right one. I expect to have to do some engine work, upgrade suspension, and upgrade electronis but the less I have to do the better.

I see that you own two Land Rovers so I guess your mechanical skills are more then good enough to keep the airhead running forever :-)

I used to have a series III and I sure learned a lot, interesting car!

Yes, I like the simplicity, sometimes, of the Series and also why the R80 appeals to me. I do not mind starting from scratch on an R80, however, much like the Series, the more work already done by the previous owner the better as the little things begin to add up quick.

The R80GSPD listed on page one seems to be for sale still... and IMHO at $4,500 with the PD tank it is quite a good deal!

1986 BMW R80 G/S - P/D A steal at 4500 OBO

Here's my '81 on a recent ride...

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...DSC04768-1.jpg

Unfortunately, it is already sold. I like your 81. What type of Panniers do you have and do you like them?

Those are the second-to-last set of Happy Trails panniers and racks that the owner had on the shelf, he says he isn't making them any longer as G/S owners were too whiney about the fiit requiring some customization to go onto the bikes (very true ion my case)... the last set sold (racks as the bags are universal) last spring...

Here are a few more leads...

1981 Bmw R80g/s - ADVrider

mt dad's r80gs - ADVrider

and finally the guy who started the thread linked below ("Mugwest") has been thrreatening to sell his G/S for some time, you might contact him...

never thought it - ADVrider

There is a reasonable r 80 st for sale on e bay buy it now price £1500 a steal, same chassis and many parts common to gs just change the front forks and a few other bits and your well on the way.

here's a new one from today...

BMW R80GS

The dealer in VT linked below has three R80G/S's for sale... his prices aren't too favorable, but if you have the need, he has the product.

Motorcycles : Emerson Motor Works, Used BMW Motorcycles, Service, Parts and Accesories in the Green Mountains of Vermont

Thanks for the information on the other bikes for sale. The Vermont bikes are "for me" way overpriced so i will definitely have to pass.

Can anyone explain to me why a good number of GS bikes are painted a striking blue color?

Just received my R80 PD tank. UPS must have used it as a basketball. Box torn to shreds, gas cap broken in two pieces, filler neck crushed in and multiple dents. Those guys must be the biggest knuckleheads in the shipping world. This is not the first time this type of thing has occurred with UPS. I have made a claim. Shame. Was a beautiful tank.

Anyone know the viability of getting dents out of tank by a body shop?