Description
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1984 BMW R80RT with Ural Sidecar.
Back in the late 70s and early 80s, BMW had begun to move away from its trademark boxer engine. The Japanese competition was dominating the market with its efficient inline fours, and the horizontally-opposed twin was proving a little long in the tooth. Accordingly, BMW released its own water-cooled triples and fours in the form of the K75 and the K100.
While this allowed the German brand to close the gap on the likes of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, the boxer fanbase remained steadfast in its loyalty. And for good reason — BMW had been making incremental improvements to the bikes since the series’ introduction.
Alongside the top-of-the-line R100, BMW also introduced the R80/7, a road-going adaptation of its venerable G/S, and a successor to the R75/7. Powered by an air-cooled 797cc Boxer twin, it reportedly made around 50 horsepower at 6,500rpm and 42.8lb-ft of torque at 4,000rpm. Though it wasn’t an especially lightweight machine at 456lbs, it proved exceptionally well-balanced and versatile. As Cycle World said in a period review: “When you light these things up it’s generally to go somewhere in style, in comfort, and rapidly. Zoom. Graded by this standard, the R80 is very much in the Beemer tradition.”
Want to learn more? Check out a review from Cycle World originally published in October of 1985 here.
This example is VIN: WB1044802E6173746. The seller purchased the bike at auction approximately 15 months ago and states, “I was day-drinking while visiting family around the holidays in 2023 and checking out motorcycle auctions as a further distraction. This beauty popped up, and I immediately knew that my dog and I needed to spend hours riding it through the countryside. Due to busyness, laziness and injury (mostly mine), we only managed a few loops around a parking lot. If you are looking for a sidecar rig, this one is beautiful and set up correctly, with proper tires, suspension, brakes, etc. If it does not sell, I will bring it home and aim again for the countryside with the dog in Spring.”
The odometer shows 97,467 miles.
Maintenance:
This bike has a well documented build history over at Adventure Rider here and here. In preparation for the listing, the seller had us install a new battery, change the oil, change the transmission oil, change the final drive oil, and mount a new sidecar tire.
Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok, light rust inside tank
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: New
2T Oil Level: NA
Coolant Level: NA
Coolant Quality: NA
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Good, <1.5% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: NA, Drum Brake
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NA
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: NA, Cable Clutch
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: NA
Final Drive Condition: Ok, New gear oil
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: NA
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: Drum
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 45/21
Tire Date Code Rear: 46/23
Tire Date Code Side: 46/23
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 100%
Tire Press. Front: 36 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 36 PSI
Tire Press. Side Tire: 36 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.8V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.9V
Running Condition: Runs well
Test Ride Completed: Yes, unit operates as designed
Test Ride Distance: 1/2 Mile
Modifications:
Ural sidecar.
Custom paint.
Krauser luggage.
Brembo brakes. Aftermarket rotors. Powder coated wheels.
Keihan Systems exhausts.
Aftermarket oil cooler.
Aftermarket windshield.
Corbin seat.
Airhead decal.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Avon Sidecar Triple Duty MKII and Metzeler Block K tires with date codes of 4521, 4623 and 4623.
The sale includes three ignition keys, two sidecar keys, and four pannier keys. BMW tool kit, and luggage.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Santa Monica, California, this BMW is offered on a clean California title. Per the California DMV website, it will cost $406 to bring registration current through September 2025.
Have any R80RT stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
