![]()
No images available
Tap to enlarge
![]()
1982 BMW R 80ST Overview
For 1982, BMW offers the R 80ST as an all-round motorcycle with 797.5 cc on tap. The 1982 BMW R 80ST is built around a Two cylinder boxer engine running OHV valve actuation, a compression ratio of 9.2:1. Out on the road, the R 80ST delivers 36.4 kW @ 6500 rpm of peak power and 58 Nm @ 4000 rpm of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 171 km/h. In everyday use, the 1982 R 80ST tips the scales at 198 Kg, carries a 19-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 845 mm and spans a 1447 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 9 kg heavier than the average all-round motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 1982 BMW R 80ST spec sheet below.
1982 BMW R 80ST compared with other bikes in the All-Round category
Measured against other bikes in the All-Round category in our database (up to 497 models, one entry per model), the 1982 BMW R 80ST comes out as follows.
- With 845 mm, the R 80ST has the joint 39th tallest seat height of 326 bikes in the All-Round category, 6% above the category average of 798 mm.
- Engine displacement of 798 cc is larger than that of 354 of the other 496 bikes in the All-Round category.
- Only 46 of the other 135 bikes in the All-Round category have a higher power-to-weight ratio than the 184 W/kg of the R 80ST.
- Narrowing the field to the 17 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 845 mm is taller than that of 12 of the other 16.
1982 R 80ST - Pros & Cons
Strengths
-
⚡
Strong power output: Peak output on the R 80ST is 36.4 kW @ 6500 rpm and 58 Nm @ 4000 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
-
🛑
Strong front braking: The disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
-
⛽
Large fuel range: With a 19-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
-
⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.
Considerations
-
🔧
Carburetor fuelling: Carburetion is more hands-on than fuel injection - plan on periodic jetting and cleaning as part of routine ownership.
-
🛑
Drum rear brake: A drum rear brake is simple and durable, but expect less bite and more fade under hard, repeated use than a disc setup.
-
📏
Tall seat height: An 845 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Air cooling on the R 80ST keeps the mechanical layout simple, but heat management in slow traffic needs more attention than on a liquid-cooled bike - plan routes and gear accordingly in warmer conditions.
Carburetor maintenance
Being carbureted, the R 80ST is more sensitive to stale fuel and altitude changes than a fuel-injected bike - a carb clean and rejet restores crisp throttle response after any extended lay-up.
Brake disc and pad wear
Single ∅285mm disc, 1 piston caliper up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.
Suspension condition on used examples
Suspension duties are handled by Telescopic hydraulic fork up front and BMW Monolever swinging arm at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.
Final drive maintenance
Shaft final drive on the R 80ST removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.
Frame & chassis check
The Double loop tubular frame with bolt on rear section chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.
R 80ST - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 1982 BMW R 80ST with its 797.5 cc all-round should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 44 years old, this all-round is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R 80ST settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the R 80ST's 797.5 cc two cylinder boxer - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. The sump holds 2 l, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. With a 9.2:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Carburetor upkeep
An R 80ST that's sat unused is almost always a carb-cleaning job before it runs right again - float bowls and pilot jets first, since they clog before anything else.
1982 BMW R 80ST - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 1982 BMW R 80ST have?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST uses a Two cylinder boxer engine with 797.5 cc of displacement. It is air cooled.
What is the top speed of the 1982 BMW R 80ST?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST has a factory-quoted top speed of 171 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 1982 BMW R 80ST weigh?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST weighs 198 Kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 1982 BMW R 80ST make?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST produces 36.4 kW @ 6500 rpm of power and 58 Nm @ 4000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1982 BMW R 80ST?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST has a 19-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 316-380 km between stops.
Is the 1982 BMW R 80ST suitable for shorter riders?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST has a seat height of 845 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 1982 BMW R 80ST have?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST uses single ∅285mm disc, 1 piston caliper at the front and ∅200mm Drum at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 1982 BMW R 80ST use?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST runs 100/90-H19 front and 120/90-H18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 1982 BMW R 80ST have?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST is fitted with a 5 Speed transmission.
How much oil does the 1982 BMW R 80ST take?
The 1982 BMW R 80ST takes 2 l of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.
BMW R 80ST Spec Evolution
The BMW R 80ST was produced across 3 model years (1982-1984). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
| Wet Weight |
198 Kg / 436 lbs |
197.0 kg / 434.3 lbs |
197.0 kg / 434.3 lbs |
| Top Speed |
171 km/h / 106 mph |
172.0 km/h / 106.9 mph |
172.0 km/h / 106.9 mph |
| Fuel Capacity |
19 Litres / 5.0 US gal |
19.00 litres / 5.02 gallons |
19.00 litres / 5.02 gallons |
| Stroke |
70.6 mm |
4 |
4 |
| Brakes - Front |
Single ∅285mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Single disc |
Single disc |
| Brakes - Rear |
∅200mm Drum |
Expanding brake |
Expanding brake |
| Final Drive |
Shaft |
Shaft drive (cardan) |
Shaft drive (cardan) |
| Compression Ratio |
9.2:1 |
8.2:1 |
8.2:1 |
Key Specifications
Engine
Two cylinder boxer
Power
36.4 kW / 50 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
58 Nm / 5.9 kgf-m / 42 ft/lb @ 4000 rpm
Top Speed
171 km/h / 106 mph
Fuel Capacity
19 Litres / 5.0 US gal
Advertisement
Full 1982 BMW R 80ST Specifications
Year
1982
Make
BMW
Model
R 80ST
Make Model
BMW R 80ST
Seat Height
845 mm / 33.3 in
Wheelbase
1447 mm / 56.9 in
Ground Clearance
170 mm / 6.69 in
Height
1150 mm / 45.2 in
Length
2180 mm / 85.8 in
Width
790 mm / 31.1 in
Oil Capacity (l)
2.0 l
Oil Capacity (Quarts)
2.1 qt
Fuel Capacity
19 Litres / 5.0 US gal
Wet Weight
198 Kg / 436 lbs
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer
Fuel Control
OHV
Stroke
70.6 mm
Displacement
797.5 cc / 48.7 cu in.
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder.
Bore x Stroke
84.8 x 70.6 mm
Compression Ratio
9.2:1
Cooling System
Air cooled
Fuel Consumption
4.9 L/100 km / 20.4 km/l / 48 mpg
Fuel Induction
2 x Bing constant depression carburetors
Ignition
Battery ignition
Spark Plug
Bosch W 7 D / Beru14-7DU / Champion N9YC
Starter
Electric
Valve System
2
Clutch
Dry single plate, with diaphragm spring
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
1st 4.40 / 2nd 2.86 / 3rd 2.07 / 4th 1.67 / 5th 1.50:1
Gearbox
5-speed
Transmission / Drive
5 Speed
Fork Tube Size (mm)
36 mm
Fork Tube Size (in.)
1.42 in
Frame Type
Double loop tubular frame with bolt on rear section
Suspension - Front
Telescopic hydraulic fork
Suspension - Rear
BMW Monolever swinging arm
Wheel Travel - Front
175 mm / 6.8 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
153 mm / 6.0 in
Alternator
Bosch 12 V/280 W
Brakes - Front
Single ∅285mm disc, 1 piston caliper
Brakes - Rear
∅200mm Drum
Tyres - Front
100/90-H19
Tyres - Rear
120/90-H18
Wheel Ratio - Rear
1:3.20 or 1:3.36
Wheels - Front
1.85 - B19
Wheels - Rear
2.50 - B18
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
Advertisement