1990 BMW R80 Specifications

Name: 1990 BMW R80
Brand: BMW

Touring • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

No images available

Tap to enlarge

1990 BMW R80 Overview

For 1990, BMW offers the R80 as a touring motorcycle with 797 cc on tap. The 1990 BMW R80 is built around a Two cylinder boxer engine running OHV valve actuation, a compression ratio of 8.2:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 84.8 x 70.6 mm. Out on the road, the R80 delivers. Flat out, it's quoted at 177 km/h. In everyday use, the 1990 R80 tips the scales at 210 kg and carries a 22-litre fuel tank. That's roughly 114.1 kg lighter than the average touring motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 1990 BMW R80 spec sheet below.

1990 R80 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Large fuel range: With a 22-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 drive (cardan) final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.

Considerations

Age-related wear: No particular mechanical concern flags for the R80 - condition on any used example comes down to how well it's been looked after.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Brake disc and pad wear

Single disc 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.

Final drive maintenance

Shaft final drive on the R80 removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.

R80 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 1990 BMW R80 should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R80 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a R80's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

1990 BMW R80 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 1990 BMW R80 have?

The 1990 BMW R80 uses a Two cylinder boxer engine with 797 cc of displacement.

What is the top speed of the 1990 BMW R80?

The 1990 BMW R80 has a factory-quoted top speed of 177 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 1990 BMW R80 weigh?

The 1990 BMW R80 weighs 210 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1990 BMW R80?

The 1990 BMW R80 has a 22-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 366-440 km between stops.

What brakes does the 1990 BMW R80 have?

The 1990 BMW R80 uses Single disc at the front and Expanding brake at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 1990 BMW R80 use?

The 1990 BMW R80 runs 90/90-18 front and 120/90-18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What is the compression ratio of the 1990 BMW R80?

The 1990 BMW R80 runs a compression ratio of 8.2:1. Always use the minimum octane rating specified in the owner's manual.

BMW R80 Spec Evolution

The BMW R80 was produced across 11 model years (1984-1994). 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	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Wet Weight	207.0 kg / 456.4 lbs	207.0 kg / 456.4 lbs	207.0 kg / 456.4 lbs	207.0 kg / 456.4 lbs	207.0 kg / 456.4 lbs	207.0 kg / 456.4 lbs	210.0 kg / 463.0 lbs	210.0 kg / 463.0 lbs	210.0 kg / 463.0 lbs	-	-
Engine Type	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Top Speed	181.0 km/h / 112.5 mph	181.0 km/h / 112.5 mph	181.0 km/h / 112.5 mph	181.0 km/h / 112.5 mph	181.0 km/h / 112.5 mph	181.0 km/h / 112.5 mph	177.0 km/h / 110.0 mph	177.0 km/h / 110.0 mph	177.0 km/h / 110.0 mph	-	-
Max Torque	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	57.86	49.03 Nm (5.0 kgf-m or 36.2 ft.lbs) @ 3750
Power-to-Weight Ratio	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0.2632 HP/kg	0.2737 HP/kg

Key Specifications

Engine

Two cylinder boxer

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

Not published by manufacturer

Top Speed

177.0 km/h / 110.0 mph

Weight

210.0 kg / 463.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity

22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons

Full 1990 BMW R80 Specifications

Fuel Capacity 22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons

Wet Weight 210.0 kg / 463.0 lbs

Top Speed 177.0 km/h / 110.0 mph

Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.3 x 2.8 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 84.8 x 70.6 mm

Displacement (cc) 797.00 cc

Displacement (ci) 48.63 cubic inches

Engine Type Two cylinder boxer

Fuel Control OHV

Stroke 4

Compression Ratio 8.2:1

Valve System 2

Final Drive Shaft drive (cardan)

Gearbox 5-speed

Brakes - Front Single disc

Brakes - Rear Expanding brake

Tyres - Front 90/90-18

Tyres - Rear 120/90-18

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.

Compare BMW R80

See how the 1990 BMW R80 stacks up against similar motorcycles.

1990 BMW R80

vs 1989 BMW R 65

Build your own comparison →

R80 Years

1990 1985 1984

Explore More

All BMW models All R80 years More Touring All 1990 motorcycles

BMW R80 - other years

1990 1985 1984

All BMW models Touring Compare bikes