BMW R 80 GS Basic (1997-1997) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1997, the German motorcycle manufacturer launched the BMW R 80 GS Basic, the ultimate model with the old, cooled flathead. The bike was sold in a white and blue frame, a high-mounted front fender, and a White Power rear shock.

Visually, the motorcycle packed standard features, such as a high-mounted front fender, a small round headlight integrated into a small cowl, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, a high-mounted exhaust system, a single-sided swingarm, and wire-spoke wheels.

The motorcycle was built around a double-loop tubular steel frame with a 40 mm Marzocchi telescopic fork on the front that provided 225 mm of travel and a BMW Motorrad Paralever swingarm on the rear with 180 mm of travel.

Braking-wise, the bike's wire-spoke wheels were fitted with a single 285 mm brake disc on the front and a 200 mm drum braking unit on the rear, delivering optimum stopping power.

The 1997 BMW R 80 GS Basic was powered by a 797cc four-stroke air-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine mounted underneath its fuel tank, delivering an output power of 50 hp at 6,500 rpm and 61 Nm (45 lb-ft) torque at 5,000 rpm.

The engine's power was redirected to the rear end via a five-speed manual transmission and a final shaft drive that spun the rear wheel to a top speed of 170 kph (106 mph).