WHAT 1984 BMW R80G/S Paris-Dakar
WHO Henri Grawe
WHERE I GOT IT Altona
HOW MUCH Over $9000
WHY I BOUGHT IT
I’ve always had a thing for the old Beemers. I’ve had a couple of those. I bought it because I saw it online and I just drove straight out there and gave the guy a cash deposit. After I was there, three guys from interstate called and offered to buy it sight unseen.
WHAT I DID TO IT
I have done absolutely nothing at all to it; except change the registration. I’m not all that mechanical, to tell you the truth. The previous owner rebuilt it from the ground up, so I didn’t have to do anything. It runs beautifully, idles nicely, no expensive noises. The owner’s brother found it in Queensland when he drove past it sitting next to a shed. He eventually went in and offered to buy it. They dragged it down to Melbourne on a ute and fixed it up. He doesn’t make money out of restoring bikes; he just does it for cash to pay for the next one.
HOW DOES IT GO?
It’s not fast, but it’s fun to ride. Compared to the 1150GS Adventure, it’s a lot easier. It’s just smaller and it’s a completely different style of motorcycle. It’s great around town, just a bit too wide. But it’s agile, and quick and easy to ride. And it always starts. I don’t really ride it off-road. If I was going to ride off-road I would get a bike that’s just a little less collectable.
SHOULD I BUY ONE?
I would certainly recommend it. I love them. I think they’re great. They are cheap, bulletproof and easy to ride. By modern standards, they’re not very fast though. This bike seems to be one that people kind of want. I have tinkered with the idea of selling it to get something just a little bit more rideable, but I don’t think I will because I just kind of like it. Every man should have a motorcycle hobby, even just to look at and drink beer.
with Dylan Ruddy
See the full Reader’s Ride in issue #449 of ADB Magazine.
