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1996 BMW R80GS Basic & Kalahari
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R80GS Basic - The last model of the 247 series being mechanically as the paralever R80GS but with the 19.5 Litre Tank of the earlier 1984 R80ST, (NOT the R65 Tank or R80G/S Tank), high front guard, smaller rear sub frame, (unique to Basic), and seat similar to the 1980s R80G/S, (but NOT the same), NO side stand, NO hand guards, NO fly screen or "crash" bars. OEM was a white power rear shock plus "round" rocker covers. The frame and the centre stand were painted blue, (BMW Paint Code 318 - santorinblau), and the tank etc., white, (Paint Code 146 -alpinweiß). The "wet" weight of the Bike was 218 kg and it was only officially sold in Germany.
R80GS Kalahari - similar to the Basic but had the Paris Dakar 35 Litre tank last seen on the 1986 R80G/S Paris Dakar, and the usual paralever small fly screen, (but painted blue and white), and hand guards. It was produced for the South African market, (but I think could also be purchased in Germany)
The 35 Litre tank was an option on the Basic and such bikes had the Basic decals on the Tank, whereas the Kalahari had the R80GS Kalahari decals. BMW still offer the R80GS Basic decals but I have never been able to get hold of any original Kalahari decals from BMW
History: Micapeak - see: this link - they probably have the best information regarding both Bikes. Production year was 1996. The Kalahari was sold in South Africa from August 1997.
Production numbers: As far as I can ascertain the Basic was only built in 1996 and probably 3,003 units were built. I have read that the last air cooled boxer made was a R80GS Basic which left the Spandau factory on 19 December 1996, frame number 0267503 and handed over in a formal ceremony to BMW Mobile Tradition. It would appear that all the Kalahari Bikes were built as Basics then "converted" afterwards. I cannot find out a specific frame number range, but I believe, (by deduction), that production started with frame number 0264500. The earliest frame number I have seen mentioned is 0264561 - (I will start a UK Register if other owners are interested, email me)
Quite a few Bikes "hung around" in dealer showrooms etc., and it is quite common to see a Bike registered a year after its build date.
There is a slight confusion as to when the last Bike was sold, (and maybe produced?), this comes from an article on the BMW Motorrad Zambian web site which indicate that the last Kalaharis came from Germany in August 1998.
UK Bikes: All the Bikes in the UK were imported from Germany, mostly direct by individuals, but Bracken, the independent BMW specialists imported quite a few and sold them from their SE1 premises.
Handbook etc: The Bikes came with the normal 80GS, (or R80R/R100R), Handbook and Service Book, in German with no special mention of the Basic, together with a 12 page Supplemental Owner Handbook, (Zusatzbetriebsanleitung), in German, for the Basic and a 5 page booklet explaining the secondary air system in six languauges. ?They must have done the same for the Kalahari, but I have never seen one?
Differences versus the R80GS: The Tank, the shorter rear sub frame and the seat. The Basic did not have hand guards or fly screen, (but most that you see these days have fitted these). The Kalahari has the small fly screen, (blue and white), and hand guards. The rear shock on both Bikes was by White Power with reservoir and both had "round" rocker covers. The Basic Tank has a single petcock whilst the Kalahari Tank has two.
Maintenance: As the normal paralever GS. The BMW Maintenance Manual is here.
Maintenance Comments – my views: Service the Bike every year, (or 5,000 miles). The starter motor will go but despite adverse comments re Valeo versus Bosch, I prefer the Valeo as it is much lighter and not expensive to replace. The rotor will go, (the Guzzi will also fit). Check the Diode Board and maybe fit a Thunderchild. The engine etc., is bullet proof. Keep the electrics clean and check them regularly. Change the front Brake, (320 mm rotor if you want to keep the existing Brembo) or with a reworked Oilhead or K100 Bremo Caliper. Always keep the Battery on an Optimate. Be careful if you fit “off road” tyres, e.g. TKCs, when riding on tarmac. The centre stand will wear. Keep an eye on the paralever drive shaft, but problems in this area are greatly exaggerated and they are cheap and easy to replace. The chrome plated Collector Box will rust unless you clean it regularly, it can be replaced with a Keihan stainless Y piece which is cheaper but adds a little "roughness". Remove the Tank every year and empty it to get rid of any water that may have collected around the Petcock or it will eventually rust through.
Advertising Materials: I have only found one BMW Brochure in German, (“Come Back to Basic"), dated 08/1996.
Other Information: If you have any further information relevant to the Basic or Kalahari and you would like me to add it to this site, please email me. |
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My Bikes - Past and Present
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| SOLD:A Basic, with HPH, Zega Panniers, HPN rocker cover and small screen, Tank & Panniers |
SOLD: Basic, with Kalahari Tank, HPN single seat, specially made rear rack and box, etc
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