| MODEL | BMW R 80GS 1988 |
| Year | 1988 |
| Engine Type | Four-stroke, two-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer, pushrod operated, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 797.5 cc / 48.7 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 84.8 x 70.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.2:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 37 kW / 50 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 61 Nm / 6.2 kgf-m / 44 ft-lb @ 3750 rpm |
| Ignition | Battery ignition, Bosch 12 V / 280 W alternator |
| Induction | 2 x Bing constant-depression carburettors |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Gear Box | 5-speed |
| Clutch | Dry single plate, diaphragm spring |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Double-loop tubular steel frame with bolt-on rear section |
| Front Suspension | 40 mm Marzocchi telescopic hydraulic fork, 225 mm / 8.8 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | BMW Paralever single-sided swingarm with central shock, 180 mm / 7.0 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 285 mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | 200 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2290 mm / 90.1 in |
| Overall Width | 1000 mm / 39.3 in |
| Overall Height | 1165 mm / 45.8 in |
| Seat Height | 850 mm / 33.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 1514 mm / 59.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 200 mm / 7.9 in |
| Dry Weight | — |
| Wet Weight | 210 kg / 462 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 90/90-21 S |
| Rear Tyre | 130/80-17 S |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 6.3 L/100 km / 15.8 km/l / 37 US mpg |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h / 106 mph |
The 1988 R 80 GS was the first full season of the second-generation 800 cc GS, which swapped the original G/S Monolever for BMW's Paralever rear end to tame shaft-drive jacking. It also gained a 40 mm Marzocchi fork, a larger tank, spoked rims that accept tubeless tyres and a stainless exhaust, while losing the standard kick-starter. The renamed 'GS' badge now stood for Gelände/Sport.
