BMW R 80 G/S (1981-1982) Specs, Performance & Photos

The BMW R 80 G/S was a dual-sports motorcycle manufactured by BMW in Berlin, Germany, from 1980 to 1987. Over its production period, the maker made over 21,860 motorcycles. The bike's G/S designations represent the German words Gelande/Strasse, which translates to off-road/road.

The R 80 G/S was the first motorcycle in BMW's GS family of dual-sports motorcycles, which comprised over 500,000 produced units. In addition, the bike was often considered the world's first "Adventure Bike" capable of tackling both on and off-road conditions.

In 1981, the German motorcycle manufacturer released the BMW R 80 G/S, an adventure motorcycle in its second production year. The bike came in the same shape and form as the previous one without significant changes.

The bike was made around a double-loop tubular steel frame with a bolt-on rear section that comprised a hydraulic telescopic fork with 200 mm travel on the front and a monolever swingarm on the rear with 170 mm of travel.

As for the braking power, the motorcycle's wheels were fitted with a single 260 mm brake disc on the front and a 200 mm drum braking unit on the rear, offering optimum stopping power.

The 1981 BMW R 80 G/S had its soul brought to life by a 797cc four-stroke air-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine that delivered 50 hp with maximum strength at 6,500 rpm and 57 Nm (42 lb-ft) torque at 5,000 rpm.