Adventure Motorcycles
1981BMW R 80 GS
21 fields on record
The 1981 BMW R 80 GS is the bike that started BMW's GS adventure line and the whole big-trail-bike class. Its air-cooled 797cc boxer twin makes 50 hp at 6,500 rpm through a five-speed gearbox and shaft drive, for a top speed of about 173 km/h. An 850 mm seat, 196 kg wet weight and 19.5-litre tank suit long trips on any road.
- Capacity
- 797.0 ccm
- Engine
- Boxer, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Dry weight
- 194.0 kg
- Seat height
- 850 mm
- Power
- 50.0 HP (36.8 kW) @ 6500 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- The original dual-sport adventure tourer: built to cover long distances on tarmac and rough tracks alike, ideal for exploration and round-the-world journeys.
- Built for
- A rugged, unhurried icon. The torquey air-cooled boxer and bulletproof shaft drive make it dependable and characterful rather than fast - the bike that founded the GS legend.
- Not ideal for
- Not for speed seekers, track riders, or those wanting nimble technical enduro performance; its weight and modest power frustrate anyone chasing outright pace.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usEngine
- Capacity
- 797.0 ccm
- Power
- 50.0 HP (36.8 kW) @ 6500 RPM
- Engine type
- Boxer, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.2577 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 84.8 x 70.6 mm
- Compression
- 8.2:1
- Cooling system
- Air
- Valves per cylinder
- 2
- Torque
- Not on record - add it
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Shaft
Performance
- Top speed
- 173.0 km/h (107.5 mph)
Dimensions & weight
- Seat height
- 850 mm
- Dry weight
- 194.0 kg
- Wet weight
- 196.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 19.50 litres
- Ground clearance
- Not on record - add it
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Single disc
- Rear brakes
- Expanding brake
- Front tyre
- 3.00-21
- Rear tyre
- 4.00-18
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1980 | 1981 | 1984 | 1987 | 1991 | 1994 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 797 cc | 797 cc | 797 cc | 797 cc | 797 cc | 797 cc |
| Dry weight | 194 kg | 194 kg | 194 kg | 194 kg | 194 kg | 194 kg |
| Seat height | 850 mm | 850 mm | 850 mm | 850 mm | 850 mm | 850 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 19.5 L | 19.5 L | 19.5 L | 19.6 L | 26 L | 24 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the BMW R 80 GS?
The 1981 BMW R 80 GS has a Capacity of 797.0 ccm (48.64 cubic inches).
What engine power does the BMW R 80 GS have?
The 1981 BMW R 80 GS has a Power of 50.0 HP (36.8 kW) @ 6500 RPM.
How many gears does the BMW R 80 GS have?
The 1981 BMW R 80 GS has a Gearbox of 5-speed.
How much does the BMW R 80 GS weigh?
The 1981 BMW R 80 GS has a Dry weight of 194.0 kg (427.7 pounds).
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