The TRUTH Behind the First BMW GS(R80/GS)

#srkcycles

[jimtitt]

The original GS name came from Herbert Schek who built the race bikes in his own workshop (he is still a BMW dealer) and had to holomologate them himself as Schek-BMW GS which originally meant GelandeSport, the name was sold to BMW and they turned it into Gelande Strasse.
The original competition bikes were ultra-trick, I used to be a magazine test rider and when the R80 GS was launched they brought along a race bike, chassis number 016 which I got to ride (I raced against Herbert a few times back then in the over 500 class on an ultra-trick 501 custom framed Triumph). The Beemer weighed 130kg dry with a 1000cc engine, nothing like the fat pig they mass produced (which incidentally was developed by Aprilia for BMW).
Herbert is a cool guy and real good rider, rode for Maico very succesfully and even spent two years developing the Puch Wankel engined bike for enduros before Puch gave up on the whole project.

[gregshamieh]

Sean -- I'll share a 'BMW Centerstand Jiu-jitsu trick with you, just 'cause I like ya buddy. ;-)

I have 4 BMWs - ranging in age between 1973 to 2017 in my garage -- including a K1200LT which is 851 lbs with a full tank of gas. I'm 5' 8" and 185 lbs, and not built like Arnold, for reference.

Here's how ya do it - grab the bike by the left bar and the grab handle that all BMWs have along the left side. Roll the bike backwards and let it roll for 10 to 12 inches to pick up some momentum. Once its rolling step down on the centerstand pedal, and put all your weight on the pedal. The bike's momentum will do 9/10th of the work to get it on the stand. Your back and right knee will thank you.

[NoBody-xgwg]

That "B" at the end of 'StraB' is actually a DOUBLE - S SOUND.. STRASSE!

[chrisridethatbloodything]

2:33 the paralever came with the later models. This is just a swing arm.
While accelerating the bike goes up. If you lift the throttle it goes down. In Germany it had the nick name "Gummikuh" / rubber cow. Qite a good naming for germans, huh? ;-)

[renegadegreg]

I had a 1985 Paris Dakar. Large gas tank. I drove this all over Arizona off and on road! One of the best ever!

[geisterfahrer]

1976 R90/S here. I love this old bike. I bought it with 50k original miles, stripped it to the frame, and rustored it. It still has its battle scars, had to replace both valve covers because of poorly repaired damage. Put an electronic ignition system on it, and another few minor modernization mods. Dead reliable. You can't beat the old airheads.

[luddite]

I was hoping you'd feature this bike after I saw it on your "Start my Harley" video. By the way, 1:39 "destroy" is right! The "S" in "GS" isn't pronounced "Strab" it's "Strasse" - the last letter isn't a "B" it's a double-S "ß". (Might be useful to know if you're ever lost in Berlin!)

[LibertyEver]

I wish BMW Motorrad would make a modern R600GS with a smaller 600 cc boxer engine (50-60 HP) and overall much lower weight for better off road performance, shaft drive, but keep the huge 24 liter fuel tank and large rear rack. Store the fuel low for low center of gravity and have an easy to service air filter on top. Keep it simple. Make it a true on/off road ADV bike, unlike their very cool off road HP2 Enduro.

[Stratoliner]

Everything from the 80's is rad! Except the cold war, that sucked. Oh, and Madonna.

[BasketCase]

The 800ST road version of this bike was very underrated.
Perfectly balanced bike.
An absolute dream to ride ❤

[JR-bjuf]

When I was a mechanic at a BMW dealership in the 1980s when these things hit the floor plan. We all took the first one home for a demo ride and we all wanted on. It was light, narrow and nimble. We sold two to these guys that were great friends and riding buddies. They rode the heck out of them and loved them. We did have some clutch issue on the first versions but that was soon rectified. These are just great solid bikes

[chuckcull]

When all my friends had pictures of Ninjas and Katanas on their wall back in the 80's, I had a poster of this bike on my bedroom wall. After reading stories about Norge Peterson transversing the Darien Gap and riding the Pan American highway on one, that was the inspiration of many of my childhood dreams. That and Rachel Hunter. Really Iconic bike!

[bw]

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, this looks perfect in every way, just keep making it.

[gasdive]

That's not the 24 litre tank. That's the 19 litre tank. The Paris-Dakar version of this model has the 32 litre tank.

The R100GS had the 24 litre tank.

[spartanxx]

Your humor never gets old. Not cruel and absolutely hilarious.

[iansellers]

Im the lucky owner of an 96 Basic here in France i push it hard every day ànd love it such a great all round machine easy to repair and Maintain i highly recommend this riders bike.

[ryanroux]

An absolute gem!
I had the pleasure of restoring a 81 model and travelling with it here in South Africa for about 6 years, at the time I also had 2003 1150GS which I had travelled from Cape Town to Cairo.
Both machines were incredible in their reliability.
The little 800 would run all day on freeway or B road at 135kmh no problem and was a real pleasure on the gravel too.. no racer but an real treat and would be a perfect companion for a Round the World partner.
My mate has one he still uses for commuter in between his other..
Needless to say I always take a walk around it n give it a loving pat.. magic motorbike
Enjoy it and don’t sell it..
I certainly am sorry I had let mine go… albeit to a good home
Thank you for great content 👍

[MON_MOSO_MON]

TIPS.
Put a piece of wood or something under the rear tyre.That makes center-standing much much easier.

[garys]

The white plastic side panel( left side)is where you put your hand to lift it up on the centre stand, its easy when you do it the 2nd time 👍

[davidmullarkey]

Great review. That bike has Monolever driveshaft. The next version from 87 on had the Paralever with higher ride height. I sold my '81 80G/S for £1500 in 2001 and bought a 600 Tenere. What a fool I was!