R100GS/R80GS

I'm tempted by a R100GS/R80GS as a replacement for my '02 Bandit 12.

Mainly for tarmac only Bimbles in Europe & Wales and the occasional
local hoon.

What do I need to pay? What should I look for when buying?

Are these going to have more go than 60bhp suggests?

 

says...

You're baiting me, aren't you, you ****?

 

why not buy a more modern 1150 or 1200GS?

Oh, that's right - they're overpriced rubbish

 

Fraid that's whoooosed me. Explain?

I certainly wasn't slagging off the B12. Outstanding bikes IMHO.

 

Yeah.

The R1000GS is what I *thought* the 1200 GS was.

 

You've fallen foul of Lozzo's BMW detector...

 

Quite a lot for such an old bike, I'd budget 2.5k+. It also depends
which model you're after, IME the later Centre Pompidou versions
command even higher prices. Me, I prefer the purer earlier ones (which
they sold as the 'Basic' towards the end of the production run.

Usual BMW stuff - charging circuit, oil leaks and oil leaks out the
exhaust, funny noises from the camchain, more funny noises from the
engine, oil drips from the vent hole between engine and gearbox
(indicates rear engine oil seal failure). Gearbox is typical BMW (ie,
not very good) but shouldn't jump out of gear and not make funny
noises, either. Check for play in the final drive and (if it's a GS and
not a G/S) in the paralever bearing as well.

80s have a nicer, smoother engine, 100s have more power and more oil
leaks. They're capable off-road but you have to know what you're doing
as they are very, very heavy for what they are.

Oh, and check if it's got a grey ignition coil. If it does, it's
cracked and you *will* break down when it's raining.

Plenty of service history from SWK is good, no history is bad.
Standard, the (front) brake is of the "hope you've got life insurance"
variety.

Worthwhile modifications are:

- Dual-plugged heads
- Dual disks or at least a four-pot caliper on the front brake.
- Oil cooler thermostat
- Short first/Long fifth gear
- Oil temperature gauge

Hurkhurk. Sir is joking. These things get you anywhere but it may be a
while until you get there. They're not *slow* but you're looking at a
sustained 70-85 and that's it, a bit better with the longer fifth gear.

http://www.hpn.de/ is your friend if you're either in a hurry or want
to go to the South of France without refuelling.

 

Go for the 100 - the 80 is just a bit lacking in oomph.

Get one with the exterior scaffolding, and if humanly possible, buy one
with an aftermarket brake conversion - Billet caliper or similar, as the
stock front brake is lacking.

The more signs of an owner who knows old airheads, the better. So
ideally, a twin-plug conversion, Surefoot sidestand, uprated fork
springs, Nivomat rear suspension, decent luggage, oil temperature and/or
pressure gauge, and a sheaf of receipts.

Timo will be along shortly.

 

Bloody off-line newsreaders. He beat me to it.

 

K100 16V four pot is probably the cheapest solution.

Nivomat on a GS? I'm not sure they did that and ICBA to check.

Forgot to add that if it looks like the PO took the bike off-road on a
regular basis, a strengthened frame is generally a good idea.

 

The Older Gentleman says...

How about buying a bike that is properly fucking built in the first
place.

 

Unlike all those bikes fitted with aftermarket Ohlins or Maxtons,
Power Commanders, TREs, double-bubbles, braided hoses, Scotoilers,
Lazers...

 

Pip Luscher says...

**** off you, I'm having a pop at BMWs here and you're not helping.

 

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 21:38:20 +0100,

I thought I was still in the Ace thread for a moment.

 

Oh come on, this isn't the 1800's...

It's more likely to be a girdle.

 

Thanks to all who responded esp TOG and TG.

I want bullet proof bike, as near to zero maintainance as possible and
what little there is needs to be quick and easy.

....and it's got to be cheap and have as much go as possible.

Have read a bit about the R80/100GS here and elsewhere it seems the GS
is quite limited in go and not _totally_ cast iron in quality I think
the B12 is still the closest I'm gonna get to that.

Shame 'cos I love the GS.

 

says...

That automagically rules out all BMWs ever made. Well known for being
unreliable, finnicky, awkward to work on, expensive and slow - they fail
to meet your requirements on all counts.

 

Nah. The older ones were good quality. [1] For routine maintainance
they must be easy to work on. The cylinders and carbs stick out the
side FFS and there's only two of them so valves are easy easy to get
too and that about the biggest PITA routine job AFAIC. Plus the shaft
means no C+S shenanigans.

Now replacing a clutch....

[1] Interesting debate - when did BMW's become crap?

 

says...

1928

 

I see your 1928 and raise you early 90s.