Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
Converting r80/100* to GS Converting r80/100* to GS
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD, USA
Posts: 19
Converting r80/100* to GS
I have been looking for an 80/100GS bike. They seem to be few and far between though so I was wondering if it is possible, worth it etc to convert from say a r100r to a GS. What type of things would have to be done if it is possible at all. I'm guessing new suspention and higher wheel wells, but are the bikes pretty much the same or should I really just be looking for a straight GS.

I hope this question makes sence because I still don't know the difference between all the different BMW arangements.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Mar 2002
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
Starting in front: brakes, forks, wheels, headlight, speedometer,tachometer,dashboard, handle bars.
The oil cooler is in a different place and the exhaust is different.
The engine, transmission, reardrive are the same. BMW sold a kit to change a R100GS to a R100GSPD it was the big tank and the headlight crash bars. I saw a R100R with that on it, paint matched. it looked good.
The big difference is the front end.
Forks, I think you could get by with R100R forks but the rims are 2.50-18 the GS is 1.85-21. Tires, if you are going for a lot of dirt riding I have never seen 18" dual-sport tires. The rear rims are 2.50-17 on the R100R and the R100GS. You can find lots of tires road or off road.
Exhaust on the GS is high so it won't get damaged but that makes the left saddle bag smaller. If you mind the possable damage to the exhaust with the R100R you can have a larger laft bag.
Cost, I think if you want to go "off road" it would cost much more to change a R100R to a GS than to buy a GS and make changes to it.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Mar 2002
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
Minor correction - the first R80G/S - note the "/" came out in 81 with an 18" rear wheel which was pretty much the standard then, and in 88 BMW came out with the R100GS, which came with a 17" rear wheel.

There's no problem getting good 18" rear tires. It's the front 18" or 19" depending on what year R100 that's harder.

BUT - you could buy a gorgeous mint R80/100G/S/GS for less than the cost of the conversion.

Notes - the old one is lighter and simpler, but the forks aren't good, have been known to break, but the rest is mostly bulletproof. The later ones have good forks, but the driveshaft is a "standard replacement part." i.e. every 50,000 miles.

There's lots of discussion on both, good and bad, and there's the story on my own G/S under our trip pages.

Buy an R100GS and be happy!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Colchester, UK
Posts: 8
Ed.

I've also been keeping an eye out of a cheap GS and am well aware of the fact that they go for silly money in the UK. Even an old rat bag of a bike seems to go for over £1500. It might be worth searching out an old R80ST. HPN (www.hpn.de) use either a GS or an ST as a starting point for their bikes so I would assume that the frame and engines are identical - thus converting an ST to overland spec shouldn't present too much of a problem. Even though the production of ST's was far more limited than that of the GS's UK prices for ST's seems to be far more reasonable. I few months ago I saw one of sale for £795 but it had already been sold when I called. Assuming this as a rough price guide you should be able to fully kit out an ST for less than it would cost to buy an unprepared GS.

In the end I gave up the BMW chase and went for an Africa Twin instead - cheaper, newer and more reliable (maybe).

HTH

Alfie.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD, USA
Posts: 19
Ok, so it'll be easier/cheaper just to buy one out right so I'll just keep my eyes open. Thanks for the info.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 233
Why they're dirt cheap in the UK. I haven't seen a decent airhead GS here in the US lately for under $5000 US. Priced them right out of the market.

How about this: Converting an R1100R to a R1100GS. Just a thought.... Really I've thought about it.

Kurt
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
hi,
i had a r100r classic in perfect condition (1994, 25 000 kms)
i thought about making it a gs
first, too many worries
second, it would cost you quite a lot of money to adapt your R to a GS
finally, i bought a r100gs pd classic

if you do not find in england (because little choice, expensive), try in germany on internet
i'll find you some websites

safe travels
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
here you are :
www.mobile.de
www.motoscout24.de
there's a lot of choice
maybe, there are some other websites ?

good luck
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:24.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top