Old beemers

[mr jamez]

I've been looking at the R80 RT mid 80's models, seem like good bikes. Has anybody got any experience of riding or running these things?

I'm considering it as its a bit quirky and I'm under the impression they are very reliable and easy to fix! I was pondering a VFR750 or a similar modern machine but I'd just end up tearing about everywhere.

I'm looking at doing some long distance touring/riding around the UK and want comfort and luggage space. I'm thinking of ditching the Triumph due to running costs so my budget is £2000 max.
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NSR 125F > BROS 400 > NC30 > BROS 400 > Trumpet S4 > '97 VFR 750

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I had a 1979 R100RT, nice bike except for two things; the clutch was bloody heavy and the sidestand was very awkward to deploy whilst sitting on the bike. Easy to work on, and the 80 is supposed to be a smoother engine without giving much away in the power stakes.

https://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2004/08/28/bikepics-202568-full.jpg

Phil at Euroclassics here in Northampton usually has a nice selection of clean machines, and he knows his stuff.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[1016.5]

My mate has just got a lovely old '80 R100RT, which he thinks is great and it certainly looks the part in coffee/creme colours. However when touring Germany at Easter he took his '98 R1100R instead 'cos the brakes are far more confidence inspiring and his wife didn't like the pillion seat - kept slipping forwards.

No that useful I know, but hope it might help a bit.

[tatters]

I,ve got a 1992 R100GS Paris Dakar (currently getting ready for a 25,000 mile 6 month tour) which is the top of the range road/offroad "GS" model of R100 range (there also the earlier R65 G/S and R80 G/S), same basic 2 valve air cooled push rod engine as all R65/R80/R100 etc so all parts are interchangeable and theres lots of upgrades/accessories.

Only real weak points are the gearbox bearings failing but even this is quite rare unless the bike is abused, Monolever wet drive shaft on pre-1988 BMWs are bullet proof but later dry Paralever shafts have issues with the U-joints failing though its mostly on GS bikes due the long rear suspension travel, the charging system like most of the bike is 1960,s technology and is quite crap though there are lots of upgrade kits including a complete retro fit from enduralast who make a new stator with a all in one regulator/rectifier like a jap bike.


https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/19092008925.jpg


https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/19092008927.jpg

Great bikes, simple and easy to fix/hold there value/excellent build quality/know to do massive mileage (there ones about with 500,000+ miles on them)/not very fast but loads of torque.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[motobiker]

This website is an excellent source of information on all the 'airhead' models. - https://www.bmbikes.co.uk/

Phil hawkesley who runs the site is very approachable if you have any specific questions and indeed would be my first port of call if I was in the market for one of these bikes. I would fire off an email to him. see if he knows of any 'good ones' for sale.

The G/S range is becoming increasingly valuable - its not unheard of for those bikes to be selling for more than the later models like my own - which goes to show how good they are at what they do.

hope that helps. and good choice in bikes sir.

my baby...

https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w40/motobiker/likkle-1.jpg
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1999 R1100GS + 2006 F800S
(Nottingham)
Sooner or later opinions fade and the name on the tank matters not. I think that happens somewhere between 3rd and 4th gear. Enjoy the ride... everything else takes care of itself.