Segment:
Iconic dual-sport motorcycles, renowned for their ruggedness and versatility for on-road and off-road touring.
Competitors:
Competed against bikes like Yamaha XT600, Honda Africa Twin (later models), Kawasaki KLR650.
Engine Type:
Air-cooled, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder ('boxer')
Drivetrain Type:
Shaft drive
Suspension Design:
Long-travel suspension, Monolever rear suspension (from 1987 onwards for R100GS, R80GS) or dual shocks (earlier GS models).
Durability:
Known for robust construction and reliability for long-distance travel and adventure riding.
Engine Internals:
Cylinder head, valves, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, lubrication system, timing
Fuel Delivery:
Carburetor overhaul (Bing), fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel pump (if applicable)
Ignition System:
Ignition timing, spark plugs, coils, electronic ignition components
Transmission Gearbox:
Gear shifting mechanism, clutch operation, gearbox disassembly and assembly
Final Drive:
Driveshaft, universal joint, rear axle housing, final drive gears, bearings
Front Suspension:
Telescopic forks, fork seals, oil levels, springs, steering head bearings
Rear Suspension:
Monolever swingarm, shock absorber, linkage system (if applicable), pivot bearings
Braking System:
Hydraulic brake system, brake levers, master cylinders, calipers, brake discs, brake pads, bleeding procedures
Electrical Components:
Wiring diagrams, battery, starter motor, alternator, lights, horn, switches, fuses
Chassis And Frame:
Frame inspection, subframe, mounting points
Routine Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacement, spark plug checks, valve clearance adjustments, chain lubrication/adjustment (if applicable)
Engine Rebuild:
Top-end and bottom-end engine overhauls, component replacement
Carburetor Tuning:
Adjustment, cleaning, and synchronization of Bing carburetors
Fork Rebuild:
Fork seal replacement, oil level correction, spring replacement
Shock ABSorber Service:
Adjustment, replacement
Brake Bleeding:
Proper procedure for removing air from the hydraulic brake system
Electrical Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting common electrical faults using wiring diagrams
Wheel Balancing:
Tire mounting and wheel balancing procedures
Bodywork Repair:
Fairing, fuel tank, and fender removal/installation
Depth:
Comprehensive: Covers all aspects from basic maintenance to complete engine and component rebuilds.
Diagnostic Capabilities:
Includes common problems, symptoms, and diagnostic procedures.
Torque Specifications:
Detailed torque values for all critical fasteners.
Illustrations:
Clear, step-by-step illustrations and diagrams.
R80Gs Engine Type:
Air-cooled, four-stroke, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder (boxer)
R80Gs Displacement:
797.5 cc (48.7 cu in)
R80Gs Bore X Stroke:
84.8 mm x 70.6 mm
R100Gs Engine Type:
Air-cooled, four-stroke, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder (boxer)
R100Gs Displacement:
980 cc (59.8 cu in)
R100Gs Bore X Stroke:
94 mm x 70.6 mm
R80Gs Horsepower:
Approx. 50 hp (37 kW) @ 6,500 rpm
R80Gs Torque:
Approx. 56 Nm (41 lb-ft) @ 5,000 rpm
R100Gs Horsepower:
Approx. 65 hp (48 kW) @ 7,000 rpm
R100Gs Torque:
Approx. 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) @ 5,500 rpm
Carburetion:
Dual Bing Constant Velocity (CV) carburetors (e.g., 32mm for R80GS, 40mm for R100GS)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Fuel Capacity:
Approx. 24 liters (6.3 US gal), including reserve
Length:
Varies by model year and specific configuration, typically around 2200 mm (86.6 in)
Width:
Approx. 800 mm (31.5 in) at handlebars
Height:
Varies by model and seat height, approx. 1300 mm (51.2 in) to top of screen
Wheelbase:
Approx. 1430 mm (56.3 in)
Dry Weight:
R80GS: Approx. 190 kg (419 lbs); R100GS: Approx. 200 kg (441 lbs)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Approx. 390 kg (860 lbs)
Crash Test Data:
N/A (Motorcycle specific crash testing standards differ significantly from automobiles)
Braking System:
Dual front disc brakes, single rear disc brake (dual piston calipers common on later models)
Suspension Handling:
Long-travel suspension designed for varied terrain, offering stability and control.
Lighting:
Halogen headlight, taillight, turn signals.
Frame Construction:
Robust tubular steel frame for structural integrity.
Oil Change:
Every 5,000 - 10,000 km (3,000 - 6,000 miles) or annually, depending on usage. Refer to manual for exact intervals.
Valve Adjustment:
Every 10,000 - 20,000 km (6,000 - 12,000 miles), or as per manual recommendations.
Spark Plug Check:
Every 10,000 km (6,000 miles)
Brake Fluid Flush:
Every 2 years
Engine Oil Type:
API SG or higher, SAE 20W-50 or 10W-40 recommended. Refer to manual for precise specifications.
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approx. 2.5 liters (2.6 US qt) with filter change
Transmission Oil Type:
SAE 90 Hypoid gear oil (GL-5)
Transmission Oil Capacity:
Approx. 0.9 liters (0.95 US qt)
Final Drive Oil Type:
SAE 90 Hypoid gear oil (GL-5)
Final Drive Oil Capacity:
Approx. 0.2 liters (0.21 US qt)
Fork Oil Type:
Brake fluid DOT 4 or specific motorcycle fork oil (e.g., 5W or 10W, depending on model year and preference)
Fork Oil Quantity:
Refer to manual; typically 200-230ml per fork leg
Engine Wear:
Oil leaks from the cylinder base gaskets or pushrod seals are common. Valve stem seals can degrade over time.
Electrical Issues:
Aging wiring harnesses can cause intermittent electrical problems. Alternator and starter motor brushes can wear out.
Transmission Reliability:
Generally robust, but clutch slave cylinder seals can fail. Gear selector indexing can sometimes be imprecise if not maintained.
Suspension Wear:
Fork seals are prone to leaks. Rear shock absorber may lose damping over time, especially on high-mileage bikes.
Fuel System Degradation:
Rubber fuel lines can perish. Carburetor internal components (diaphragms, jets) can become gummed up if the bike sits for extended periods.
Monolever Joint:
The universal joint in the Monolever system can wear, leading to clunking noises under acceleration/deceleration.
Legacy:
BMW Motorrad has a long history of producing durable, reliable motorcycles, particularly the boxer-twin R series, dating back to the mid-20th century.
Gs Lineage:
The 'GS' (Gelände/Straße - Terrain/Street) designation originated with the R80G/S in 1980, establishing the adventure-touring segment. The R80GS and R100GS models were direct successors, expanding the engine displacement and capabilities.
R100Gs Introduction:
Introduced in 1987 as an evolution of the R80G/S and R80GS, featuring the larger 1000cc engine and the new Monolever single-sided swingarm/driveshaft system.
R80Gs Introduction:
Introduced in 1987 as a slightly smaller displacement version of the GS concept, often sharing many components with the R100GS.
Production Years:
R80GS: 1987-1990 (approx.); R100GS: 1987-1995 (approx.)
Manufacturing Location:
Berlin, Germany