BMW R 80GS Basic

The R 80 GS Basic was produced only in 1997 and was the ultimate model with the "old" air cooled flathead, As you reported the model was sold only in white with a blue frame, high fender and White Power rear shock, basic technical data as well as additional equipment like the R 80 GS. The most important distinction was the smaller tank comes from the old ST, the seat and the headlights. NO side stand, NO hand guards, NO fly screen or "crash" bars.

A short test by Motorrad (German bikes magazine)
The Old "Soft Spot" (Lit: "Schwaeche" - -weakness-)

Having bid farewell several times already to the "Last Edition Models", here is yet another two-valve boxer. .. A blessing for those who still have a weakness for this venerable but respected powerplant. BMW has provided us with the ultimate proof: there really is life after death! The proof of this phenomenon sits there on two wire wheels, painted in the traditional white & blue, and and is powered by an "Old Guard" Boxer. That spirit which used to bear names like R 80 G/S or R 80 GS has been reincarnated as the R 80 GS Basic and still enjoys the best of health. Now this "resurrection" is not creating a world-wide commotion, since the Bavarians have used the possibility of yet another two-valve BMW variation to snare their loyal customers for the last several years. And acording to the slogan: "You'd better get it; it's the last one", there will certainly be plenty of customers for this special model. A good trick, and one that the clever Bavarians have used with some regularity.

Perhaps this time things are different. Perhaps in the year of the IFMA show it was necessary to clean out one or another of the warehouses in order to make room for the long-awaited new arrivals from BMW. And instead of selling off all the old spare parts that have been accumulated over decades a few parts at a atime, the Bavarians thought of a cleverer way to dispose of all this aggregated obsolescence. Why not just take something from every model series, put it together in a complete motorcycle, and then bring it to the grateful multitudes for a mere 15,959 Marks (about $10,500). No sooner said than done... the motor is taken from the 798 cc drivetrain used until 1994 in the R 80 GS. This series is upgraded with the round valve covers dating back to 1969 and the first /5 series, which also decorated the cylinder heads of the R 100 Classic and R 100 GS Paris/Dakar - both promoted in 1995 as the ultimate last two-valve Boxer models. With 50 horsepower the Basic remains true to the old GS versions. Obviously, the Paralever swingarm, which revolutionized suspension contruction at BMW in 1987, is used.

Further back in the racks they found a little 19.5 liter gastank that fitted. It won't bother anyone that this tank used to fit the street-version R 80 ST. On the contrary, this tank saves the weight of the 6.5 Litresof gasoline that the actual GS tank would have held... Still older by three years is the little headlight nacelle with the integrated speedometer housing. Since there is no tachometer, there are little marks on the speedometer face to indicate the maximum speeds in all five gears, to protect the valve train from over-revs.

RIDING IMPRESSION OF THE R 80 GS Basic

The rear shock is contemporary, built specially for the Basic by White Power. In front, the springing and damping is provided by a Marzocchi telescopic fork, in the manner which it has done since 1987 - totally comfortably.

Comfort is also the overall impression which the exceptionally good-natured and agile Basic makes from the first test ride. The extremely low seat height, in comparison to the contemporary R 1100 GS, conveys security, the high, wide handlebar provides a relaxed, upright riding position. Thanks to the low center of gravity the 218 kilogram (479 lbs.), weight of the fully-gassed Basic is scarcely noticeable. It is true that the unfortunate angular step between the tank and the seat interferes a little with the enjoyment of long rides, still the main impression is of stress-free relaxation. This "Old Lady" can still fly over the secondary roads, and the worse the pavement, the better she handles it. Both front and rear suspension protect the rider from all disturbing influences, yet react softly and sensitively without feeling mushy (lit. "doughy").

The narrow enduro tires provide very positive effect, especially on such curvy roads. No wiggling in bumpy curves, barely any tendency to stand up and run wide when braking while leaned over, and even at full throttle flat-out running on the autobahn at 170 kph (105 + mph) the weaving (a familiar characteristic of GS's at high speeds - kWp) remains within bearable limits.

Not so superior is the performance of the ancient front brake. With middling effect, the single 285mm disc and two-piston caliper is already overtaxed with the weight of rider and passenger. When saddled with the burden of a passenger and fully loaded saddlebags (as are offered in the accessory catalog), the brakes give up completely. Two or three hard brake applications for the critical hairpins of an alpine pass descent is sufficient to bring the brake lever completely back to the twistgrip without resistance. In this event all one can do is trust in the rear drum brake, less efficient but more reliable in its effect. Nostalgia or not, here is an area where BMW should not have relied on such old junk, but as with the (Paralever) swingarm should have paid more attention to functionality.