The Beetle of the Bike World (BMW R80)

Member Name: baldeagle

Product:	BMW R80
Date:	24/08/00 (4993 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Build quality, reliability, rugged construction

Disadvantages: Never exciting, it just got you where you wanted to go

I always wanted a BMW, and after a 30000 mile affair with a Honda XBR500, I wanted something more comfortable, and with a the facility to carry lots of luggage.

The R80 fitted the bill, for although the seat seemed a little unforgiving during the first encounter, it remained comfortable until the tank needed topping up every 200 miles or so. Although it never had much performance - 50bhp at about 6000 rpm - what it little it had seemed unaffected by passengers or luggage, and it would sit all day on motorways at 85mph purring away like a VW Beetle.

Fitted with hard panniers, top box and a rucsac strapped to the tank and touring became a relaxed and easy affair for bith rider and pillion.

It was literally a great all round bike. It excelled at nothing, but just got on with the job of being a comfortable and reliable two wheeler.

I still don't know why I sold it, perhaps boredom, but after about five years and thirty thousand miles it had dropped a thousand pounds - so no complaints about depreciation.

Summary: