G/S - GS differences

Differences between 1981-1986 R80 G/S and 1987-on R100GS.

Some R100GS features apply only to 1991-on R100GS's.

The 1981-1986 R80 G/Ss are much more like R65s and R80STs than they are the R100GS (and 1987-on Paralever R80GS, never imported to North America). It would almost be easier to list the few similarities between the R80 G/S and the R100GS than it is to list their numerous differences.

Though the R100GS gained at least 53 pounds over the R80 G/S, BMW did their homework. That weight came with many, many improvements.

  R100GS has:                         R100GS	     R80 G/S         Difference
				      ------         -------         ----------
      More displacement               1000cc         800cc            200cc
      More power                      60hp	     50 hp            10hp
      More torque                     56.1 ft-lbs    45.0 ft-lbs      11.1 f/lb
      More weight                     434 lbs dry    381 lbs dry      53 lbs
      More wheelbase                  59.6 in        57.7in           1.9 in
      More rear suspension travel     180mm          170mm            10mm
      More front suspension travel    225mm          200mm            25mm
      Less ground clearance           6.7 in         6.9in            -.2 in
      Less seat height                850mm          860mm            -10mm

      Bigger oilpan bash plate
      Bigger headlight
      Bigger battery
      Bigger gas capacity
      Bigger oil capacity
      Bigger fork tubes

Major differences between the two:

	Rear wheel
		(R80 G/S: 18", 3 lugnuts;  R100GS: 17", 4 lugnuts)
	Starter motors
		(R80 G/S: Bosch, R100G/S: Valeo)
	Forks
		(R80 G/S: 36mm BMW; R100GS: 40mm Marzocchi)
	Exhaust material
		(R80 G/S: black, rusts; R100GS: stainless steel)
	Centerstand design
		(R100GS centerstand pedals are curved out)
	Electrical components
		(Arranged differently under the gas tank, basic charging
		system is the same however.)
	Gas tank design
		(R80 G/S: longer, one petcock, 5.1 gal;
		 R100GS: knee depressions, two petcocks, 5.8 gal)
	Master cylinder
		(R80 G/S 1982 - 1986: 12mm; R100GS: 13mm)
	Front brakes
		(?) (R100GS brakes don't suck as much as R80 G/S brakes)
	Controls
		(R80 G/S: old-style; R100GS: K-style)
	Final drive ratio
		(R80 G/S: ?; R100GS: ?)

Things R100GS has that R80 G/S doesn't:

	Paralever
	Windscreen/headlight fairing ('91-on)
	"Roo" bars ('91-on)
	Tachometer ('91-on)
	Oil cooler
	Crossover tube in header pipes
	Right-side fuel petcock
	Sidestand reinforcement
	Centerstand bash plate (PD option?)
	Standard accessory socket

R100GS updates:

	Tubeless tires
	Thicker upper triple clamp
	K-style controls
	Vented (no hose) gas cap
	Fuel solenoids (CA models)
	Plastic engine oil dipstick
	Updated clutch spline material

Things the R80 G/S has that the R100GS doesn't:

	A '/' between the G and the S
	At least 53 fewer pounds
	Stock kickstart

This omits the differences between the PD kits, but the most notable one is that the R80 G/S's seat is attached to its PD luggage rack. To get under the seat, the rack must be removed too. The R100GS PD solo seat pops off separately from the rack.

Also, the R80 PD gas tank is steel, holds 8.9 gallons and puts the gas farther back than the R100GS PD tank. The R100PD tank holds 9.3 gallons, is fiberglass and has a handy locking compartment.

Though the G/S has a slightly higher listed seat height than the GS, in practice, most people have noticed that the G/S seems lower. But the experienced vertically challenged will immediately point out that the 53 pound difference is what makes the G/S an easier bike to handle, not the negligible difference in seat height.