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Which is the coolest of the '80-'90s enduro BMWs? Which is the coolest of the '80-'90s enduro BMWs?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 21 May 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Samy View Post
If you are not a professional rider who will tor the world in 5 years and do 200 K kms, HPN is not nacessary as it is said to me by Mr Possi himself though you can make some minor modifications as you like.

He asked ”Which is the coolest of the '80-'90s enduro BMWs?”
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  #17  
Old 21 May 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
Ok a little comparison question here.

Which of the following models do you think are the best:

r 65 gs
r 80 gs
r 100 gs
r 100 paris dakar

The important factors are:

reliability and spare parts
Range and economy
Good off road abilities
solo or two up capability
pricing

<SNIP>
Just thinking...

I think you forgot one bike in your comparison...the K75...

Since all those GS's get modified anyway, I think a slightly modified K would compete very well with anything labeled GS for the important factors you listed above!


IMO..anyway.
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  #18  
Old 21 May 2008
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hmmm hmmm, interesting info.

basic gs, K75 hmm hmm

k75s can be had pretty cheaply which is a plus, but I suspect that the you would need to put a relatively expensive rear shock on and new front forks with more travel.

does the k75 have low enough gears to do off road?
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  #19  
Old 22 May 2008
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  #20  
Old 22 May 2008
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Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
The plot thickens...

A naked r 100 gs is the most practical you say? But that model doesn't have a large tank.
Hmm.

Yeah the HPN modded bikes are like the women we all dream of shagging. We all wan't one but when it comes down to it there are lots of benefits of choosing a cheaper model. (that didn't come out quite right?)

Honestly I don't think a bike worth more than 3000$ is suitable for touring. Not for me anyways. If it in that priceclass and below I can set fire to it and walk away without crying too many tears.

Above that priceclass, you have a "hanger on" instead of a tool. Can't really afford to lose it, have sleepless nights when parked in suspicius places.

That does NOT mean that I will not buy a much more expensive bike to use for touring. Riding motorcycles is not a loqical hobby...

Thanks for your info guys! Keep the facts/opinions comming.
I guess he also talks about money too !
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  #21  
Old 22 May 2008
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Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
Thank you very much for the information, very good write up.

These bikes are from before I started motorcycling so I haven't really seen the changes through the years, which makes it hard.

The "basic" 800 is expensive though!

Peter

And here he says Basic is expensive. Ok you see he is not talkin about the "coolest bike" !
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  #22  
Old 22 May 2008
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Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
He asked ”Which is the coolest of the '80-'90s enduro BMWs?”

I tried to answer both at once.
Coolest is R 80 and then made a price comparison as he mentioned also. The question is not only the "cool" but price too as I understood though I am not a native.... Sorry.
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  #23  
Old 22 May 2008
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Originally Posted by Samy View Post
I tried to answer both at once.
Coolest is R 80 and then made a price comparison as he mentioned also. The question is not only the "cool" but price too as I understood though I am not a native.... Sorry.
It was a bad joke, I was looking for an excuse to post the HPN-pics.



The K75 on the first pic was built of a friend of mine. Some more K-pics here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...0-1200-a-29697
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  #24  
Old 22 May 2008
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Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
hmmm hmmm, interesting info.

basic gs, K75 hmm hmm

k75s can be had pretty cheaply which is a plus, but I suspect that the you would need to put a relatively expensive rear shock on and new front forks with more travel.

does the k75 have low enough gears to do off road?
You can stick on a very nice YSS for about $400USD...you have to rebuild any quality after market shock after 30k miles anyways...so why pay that more upfront? We're not Rallye racing here...are we?

The front could use the Marzocchi, BUT that would be the only other thing worth doing IF you cared too.

If you don't change the R80 or r100 or the f650 or any other Enduro bikes gearing, you won't need to on the K75 either...for off roading...now altitude is another ballgame, but you have that problem with anything carbureted anyways.
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  #25  
Old 25 Jun 2008
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RE: which airhead GS?
Back to the original question of which model is best, which of course has no correct answer. I have owned both an 88 paralever and now an 82 Monolever. I've also owned an R65 - didn't like that engine to much.

I miss the 1000's power, but don't miss the vibration or the breakable driveshaft.

I choose to fit my 800 G/S with a fork off the R100, and a larger 320mm disk. This combined with a larger tank (the R80 G/S PD tank is the most gorgeous tank I can think of - but far too expensive) and a better rear shock is pretty much the perfect mix of both models. The 800 has an 18' rear rim, which takes a wider range of dirt tires.

Every model requires some modification to be perfect!

Get a good deal on a starting point and go from there in the direction of your choice...! Lot's of parts still made/ available new.
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  #26  
Old 25 Jun 2008
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isn't that an oxymoron - cool and BMW?
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  #27  
Old 25 Jun 2008
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Here's another nice K75 enduro I saw at the Adventure Riders OZ meeting in 2006:




Hi Frank, hope you don't mind?
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  #28  
Old 25 Jun 2008
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Sorry to break in on this one but anyone know where I can get hold of the gs Kalahari screen/fairing - is anyone selling them as aftermarket screens. Ta jake

By the way I run a 91 r80gs standard tank and half faired - bit of a cross over between the PD and Basic, and think the softer / smoother engine is well suited to this bike but the power is limiting if your doing a lot of road miles at speed (I think I am right in saying the r100 is much more prone to bad running where poor quality fuel is used - which might be a factor when considering what to go for).
Just love the HPN's ; lots of money but very very nice. I fitted the HPN rear brake cam and shoes and got a huge improvement over standard on the rear brake would love to do the rest of the bike to HPN but maybe another year!
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  #29  
Old 25 Jun 2008
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Originally Posted by adventure950 View Post
Sorry to break in on this one but anyone know where I can get hold of the gs Kalahari screen/fairing - is anyone selling them as aftermarket screens.
You can get it from BMW,

Slipstream deflector: part# 46 63 2 303 903 (white)
Sticker: part# 51 142 303 907

...or e-bay!
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  #30  
Old 30 Jun 2008
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Oh, man!

I had been thinking of a new 2008 KLR, but those modded K75s are wicked!

That's a great concept. Nearly bulletproof BMW K engine, looks like loads of bash plate clearance, smooth, carrying capacity.

What do you guess such mods cost, $2000USD for suspension, new forks, bearings, tank, etc?

Thoughts on 60/40 touring with a rig like that vs a KLR650?
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