Last Airhead

**John Ferris** · #1 23 Nov 2006

1996: The last 2-valve boxer comes off the production line
Below is a copy from the BMW site.

The last model of the classic boxer generation comes off the production line at the Spandau BMW motorcycle plant, the R 80 GS Basic. Thus on December 19th 1996, a chapter of German motorcycle history comes to a close after over 70 years. The final balance sheet: BMW sold 685,850 units of the classic boxer series worldwide since 1923. 467,000 of these had been built in the Spandau plant since 1969. There are now 1690 employees there producing up to 400 motorcycles per day.

A sad day in history.

**Samy** · #2 24 Nov 2006

Hi,
I am very lucky to have one of the last production of R80 Basic 1997.
Hate modern bikes with too many electronics. GSM mobiles are mad of electronics too and I can't use a mobile telephone more than 2-3 years. It easily getting old.
But I can have my R80 Basic for many years to come.

**AliBaba** · #3 24 Nov 2006

Hehey, don’t forget about the Kalahari. It was only produced for South Africa and had some of the mods most people do on the Basics like bigger tank, windscreen and handguards.
Some of them are imported secondhand to Europe and I was lucky to get this one from Netherlands:

Nice bike, but shitty tires and the WP blew right away (they usually do).

I also have a Basic but it was a bit tired after I had trashed it around for 180 kkm..

..........so this year I decided to shape it up a bit.

**martyboy** · #4 24 Nov 2006

Hi, i had a R100 RS for a few years and toured all over europe on it. I loved it, i`m going all misty eyed at the thought. Not sure if it`s the bike or my youth i miss ?..........feelin old now !
Marty.