Joined: Mar 2007 Oddometer: 4 <!-- icon and title --> Value of 94/95 R80 G/S <hr style="color: rgb(87, 87, 87);" size="1"> <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> I'm thinking of picking up a bike, but I don't know a lot about it. I'll know more tomorrow. It's a 1994 or 1995 euro spec. It is the first year for the mono swing arm. The current owner has had it for two years and never had it running. He didn't want to change the dead battery. I think there's an exhaust leak (don't know from where yet). He's asking 4k. I'm wondering if it is just a battery....how much $$$ a tired main seal and ??? would set me back (to get it going). Are these things tough or easy to work on? Are parts fairly available? I've seen some guys on here are working across the Atlantic for stuff. Any input would be appreciated. see linked pics. http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/bmw/bmw2.jpg http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/bmw/bmw3.jpg Thanks, Evan
You GOTTA be in Europe or Africa, right? otherwise, I'm all befruddled on dates of mfr. Here's one bit I found. Good luck. http://micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_basic.html <CENTER>The South African's BMW R80GS Kalahari </CENTER>The 5 September in a mail to the BMW -GS motorcycles mailing list, Lodewyk Steyn give us some information about a new "old" GS version : I've got a bit of information I would like to share with the readers of BMW-GS. Early in August this year (1997) a new model of the old model GS was launched in South Africa. Known as the R80GS Kalahari, it originates from the R80GS Basic available in Europe. It is white in colour with a blue frame. The following is a description of what the motorcycle looks like: Round headlight with old instrument cluster as found on early model GS's and G/S's. Small windscreen. High front mudguard with Marzocchi front forks. White Power rear suspension. Early model 35 liter Paris Dakar petrol tank made of steel. No crashbars or sidestand. The rear subframe is the same as that of the first G/S's with the lugage rack at the back as an optional extra that bolt on. Paralever suspension. R80GS Kalahari decals. The old reliable 798cc aircooled boxer engine is used. The model is currently only produced for the South African market but there is rumours that it might also be available elsewhere. A short test by Bike SA (South African bikes magazine) R80GS Kalahari (Lit: "Schwaeche" - -weakness-) A story about a bunch of city slickers who were intriduced to the way of the Kalahari. And a bit about the R80GS, a modernised affordable progressive simple retro BMW. The name "Hari Kari" would have been more apt than "Kalahari" the way some of the guys bounced and hopped their way through the road test. The area was around the Kalahari Geinsbok Park, with our base the Motel Molopo at Andriesvale, also a stopover for the annual Easter Namib Desert Run. The bikes were the new BMW'S, named the "Kalahari" in South Africa, a revamp of the original late 1970'S R80GS into what it should have been in the first place. They took the legendary and reliable and tough and everlasting boxer two valve twin GS, first launched in 1978, and did to it what many had done to theirs at home - they changed the suspension and put on a bigger tank. The best improvement was the suspension with the front end getting motocross type Marzocchi forks and the rear a White Power shock with Paralever drive shaft. This transforms the bike from a good road bike and an adequate offroader to a better of both. The bike can now hit potholes and ditches and objects of destruction without denting rims and sending shock waves to the rider. I have been riding BM's on the annual Easter Desert run for 16 years, each year bending the bike less and less as home made improvements to the suspension were made and suddenly in one hit BMW do it all with this Kalahari. Where were you, I asked, in all those years when 1 needed you. I now also have a new R110OGS (no, don't phone, I'm not selling the old one) but it is heavier, albeit much more powerful, especially with the RS motor. And in low speed sandy conditions I'd rather have the lighter R80. Or, better still, this R80 with a 1000cc uprated motor, but we'Il probably have to wait another 18 years for that. Other changes include a big Paris Dakar tank, which completely transforme the bike visually and makes it look the part, and wider wheels, with the new system where the spokes attach te the rim outside the tyre rim, allowing tubeless tyres to be used and making spoke adjusting possible without removing the tyre. The seat height, despite the better suspension, is actually lower, which is great news for those who paddle their way through sand and up cliffs and things.
If it runs buy it. The PD bikes are fetching far more than they are worth. If that was over here it would be a real bargain. This guys selling them for the equivilent of $17000 --> http://www.bamw.co.uk/photo19082007043013/1188511476.jpg His bikes are as new or better then new. The trouble is he's driving the value of the bikes up far higher than they should be.
First off, if the tank is undented it's worth $800 to a grand. So take that into account. The solo seat and rack is worth a bit too, most guys spend $300 for that set up. It's got the kickstart trans, and that's a plus. It looks fairly decent in the pictures - how is it in person? With it not running you're taking your chances, ask Solo Lobo - who I think will fill you in with a lot of gory details about his similar acquisition earlier this year. If you can get him down to $3000 or $3500, you should do ok. How many miles are on it? Does it have any documentation with it? The odometers are pretty flaky on these bikes and speedos get replaced, sometimes as early as 25K, so don't just accept what you see as the actual mileage. That bike, if it was running well with no tranny or final drive noises would be worth $5500. These bikes are fairly easy to work on and parts are readily available. That's not a problem. But parts can be expensive. Used parts can be a bit scarce for the G/Ss partly because there weren't that many of them and because they're a very desirable model. Also, a good sealed battery will cost you somewhere around $60 to $100. Probably more like $80 to $100, but I have heard of great deals so perhaps you could do better. The rear main isn't too tough, but as simple as it seems there are tricky things to beware of, otherwise money will be flying out of your wallet faster than you ever thought possible. So take your time and read up on the next step before-hand!
Nice bike, and it has the white frame too, you don't see to many with the white frame, for that money I would buy it in a heartbeat.
A buddy told me about it. I'm going to talk to the owner tomorrow at 2:00. I'll post the mileage and any other bits of info I found out a little after (Pacific Time). Thanks, Evan
Correct! The G/S was the first beemer with the single sided swing arm when it came out in 1981. This model was made from 81-6.
So true, I'm well over $2K in repairs to the non-running 1981 G/S I bought.. $5,500 at a minimum if it was running with no noises... At $4k it's a gamble, but it will easily sell for that....
OK. 81? Buy it. That's the bike that Ed Culbertson rode through the Darien Pass, in OBSESSIONS DIE HARD years ago. Get the book. Unbelieveable. It is THE definitive GS BMW. Had one, great bike, mine was too good to ride. Only put 6k on it, and felt guilty riding it. So pretty. Sold it to a collector. I would have just beaten it up. Buy it. Get a Works Performance shock. The rest is up to you. GREAT bike.
I'm here in Santa Cruz, where on the Central coast are you? OIf you need any help with parts or shop tips or whatever, PM me and we can hook up. If your local to the area here and want a second opinion or a second set of eyes to look at flaws. same thing. Robert
well, i already have too many bikes, but if you don't buy that for $4k, i'll gladly take it...seriously. please let us know. thanks, pat
I was wrenching and blew past my 2:00 call. I caught up with him when he was going out the door to work. He gets off at 10 tonight & talk to him then (I'll post after I talk to him tonight). Sorry to keep ya waiting to hear about it. Thanks for the tip Kismet. Wirewrkr, I'm in Grover Beach, about 15 mins south of San Luis Obispo and and an hour north of Santa Barbara. Thanks for the offer! The bike is in Hollywierd. ~Evan
There is no such thing as a cheap airhead. That said I think $4,000 bucks is a good price. If your looking for a G/S PD. Here's the thing these bikes to some people are very special. and as such they go for a lot of money (I've seen really nice ones sell for around $8,000 bucks) But in the end it's still just an old bike with it's "issues" If you NEED a G/SPD then this is a really good find. If you want a Airhead G/S or GS then this is also a good find but it's priced at the top of that price scale. You are the only one who can make that call. Now about airheads If it's not running assume the worst. It will need at least a new battery, Carb rebuild, and from the photos it looks like the forks might be leaking as well. Budget around 100 bucks for the battery 30bucks for the carbs and maybe 100 to 200 for the forks. (I've never had to do BMW fork so i can't tell you for sure) The charging an ignition systems are suspect on all BMW but there are easy fixes budget around $1500 for the whole meal deal Of a new charging system and new ignition system. As others have said that tank is dear to a lot of folks and they would be willing to pay for it. even more if it's signed. However assume the tank is rusty from the inside out and consider it worthless until you know it's not. These bikes don't have the dry dual ujoint shaft so that's at least $500 bucks you will save. It's got both sidecovers. I wonder if it was a later converison rather then a from the factory PD. Overall I'd say get it. But expect to spend about $1500 getting it the way you want it to be.
squish, Your numbers are all wrong for repair costs. $1,500 for charging ? not likely, $4K top of the price scale? lol And BTW, I have an '81 that needs a new u-joint, so wrong about that as well.