BMW R 80 G/S Paris Dakar (1983-1984) Specs, Performance & Photos

The BMW R 80 G/S was a dual-sports motorcycle created by BMW from 1980 to 1987. It was the first dual-sports motorcycle in the BMW GS family, which comprised over 500,000 motorcycles. From 1980 to 1987, the maker produced over 21,800 R 80 G/S units.

In 1984, the German motorcycle manufacturer launched the BMW R 80 G/S Paris Dakar, a more off-road-oriented version of the base model, manufactured in 200 units. The bike was slightly tweaked to deliver the best possible performance, safety, and comfort.

Unlike the standard models, the Paris Dakar version came with a single seat, a luggage rack on the rear, an under-seat exhaust system, knobby tires mounted on wire-spoke wheels, and an extra-large 32-liter (8.4-gallon) fuel tank. The bike had the same specs as the base model in other departments.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 1984 BMW R 80 Paris Dakar had installed a 797cc four-stroke twin-cylinder air-cooled boxer engine that delivered an output power of 50 hp at 6,500 rpm and 57 Nm (42 lb-ft) torque at 5,000 rpm.

It was built around a double-loop tubular steel frame, packing a telescopic fork on the front with 200 mm of travel and a monolever swingarm on the rear with 170 mm travel.

For stopping power, the bike's wheels were fitted with a 260 mm brake disc on the front and a 200 mm drum braking unit on the rear.