Source: Bike Bound
From SWT-Sports: Dirt-Ready Boxer for an Enduro veteran…
The BMW R80G/S is well-known as the grandfather of the modern adventure bike. True, there was no shortage of strange looks when the original G/S was introduced in the early 80s, but the Bavarian boxer’s dominance in the Paris-Dakar Rally quickly silenced the critics. Here was a new kind of bike: a twin-cylinder machine that could eat up miles both on pavement and off.
Our buddy Manu Schad of Germany’s SWT Sports has carried on the legacy of these two-valve boxer off-roaders, racing them in enduro events and completing an 8000-mile trip to Dakar along the old routes of the world’s toughest race.
Meanwhile, his workshop has completed nearly 200 conversions of these two-valve boxers, many of them modified for heavy-duty off-road use. These are not your average scramblers that look the part but aren’t suitable for anything wilder than dirt roads — they’re “EnduroBoxer” weapons built to be ridden and raced in the multi-cylinder classes of enduro events.
The rolling chassis of this particular machine — SWT 174 — was built for Reinhard, a retired master mechanic and enduro veteran who was a hands-on participant in the project. Reinhard owned his first airhead at the age of 19 — an R75 with a R90S engine. He also owns a two-valve frame with an R1100 four-valve engine, but he wanted a two-valve “enduroboxer” to ride around the roads and trails of sunny Spain.
“Reinhard has been riding Enduro for 30 years and simply felt like building a motorcycle according to his own ideas. He was inspired by the SWT-SPORTS No. 119. This is purely a hobby project that reflects his passion for motorcycles and mechanics.”
The frame isn’t actually from an R80G/S, as you might expect, but an R80R. It’s actually the same robust frame as the G/S, but the R80R, as a roadster instead of an adventure bike, is generally much less stressed over its lifetime. The frame was thoroughly inspected and beefed up with SWT-Sports reinforcement tabs.
The rear suspension comes from Dutch company TracTive, matched with a modified swingarm, while the forks are from Austria’s WP Suspension — top of the line components, which SWT-Sports has tested extensively on previous builds. The bike now rolls on Excel rims from Haan Wheels (21 x 1.6″ front / 18 x 2.5″ rear) with dual-sport rubber.
The engine was rebuilt to 1070cc and matched with an SR-Racing exhaust. This two-valve boxer now makes just over 80 hp and 109 Nm (80 pound-feet) of torque — a 60% power increase over a standard R80. Reinhard himself fit the Beta 300 RR rear end, complete with an LED taillight and room beneath the seat for a storage. The headlight is a standard BMW unit, and he chose to retain the stock switchgear, as he’s a fan of the design.
So how does this fire-breathing boxer perform?
“The engine delivers noticeable power, and the acceleration is simply sensational. In this configuration, the boxer engine is the most fun. The suspension is excellent, incredibly agile, and with a seat height of over 90 cm, it’s perfect for real men. During the test ride, I was absolutely stunned. I almost wanted to keep the bike and give the customer his money back. ;-)” -Manu
Manu notes the bike rides surprisingly well on the highway, too. Though it’s less practical than some of the SWT builds, lacking luggage and a passenger seat, it’s an aggressive headturner that’s just what Reinhard envisioned.
Below is our full interview with Manu of SWT-Sports, including more shots of the build from various angles, as well as an interesting video SWT has made comparing the original R80G/S to the newly launched R 12 G/S. Stay tuned for more burly boxers from this German outfit!
BMW Boxer Enduro: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
The motorcycle is based on the frame of a BMW R80R, which is similar to the frame of the BMW R80G/S. However, this frame has not been used off-road and has not been exposed to the extreme stresses of off-road use. For this reason, I prefer this frame, as it offers the same robustness as the GS frame, but in a less stressed condition.
The frame has been reinforced by SWT-SPORTS with special plates to give it new life. All other plates that are not required for off-road use have been removed. Before any reinforcement, the frame is thoroughly inspected and checked for straightness to ensure it is in perfect condition.
• Why was this bike built?
The motorcycle was built by Reinhard for the sheer fun of it. As a master mechanic, he greatly enjoyed the assembly process and was able to apply his extensive experience. Reinhard has been riding Enduro for 30 years and simply felt like building a motorcycle according to his own ideas. He was inspired by the SWT-SPORTS No. 119. This is purely a hobby project that reflects his passion for motorcycles and mechanics.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The idea for this bike modification came from inspiration found on the internet. Reinhard kept coming across fascinating BMW motorcycle customizations, which gradually captivated him. During his search, he finally found the perfect base bike – a BMW GS with a modified engine. However, it was primarily our own modifications that repeatedly inspired him and eventually led to his project. The “119” and “72” modifications particularly caught his attention.
Although this modification may not be the most practical choice – it lacks luggage solutions and doesn’t offer the option for a passenger – it is undoubtedly a real head-turner. The look is simply stunning, making the bike appear in a completely new light.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The frame, or rolling chassis, comes from SWT-SPORTS, but Reinhard nearly completely developed the mounting for the BETA RR 300 Enduro rear end himself. The exhaust system was supplied by Rudi from SR-RACING.
The suspension, which comes from TracTive in the Netherlands and WP Suspension in Austria, is outstanding and performs excellently both off-road and on the road. Even on the highway, the Boxer is safe and controlled to ride.
The wiring harness is an original part, specially adapted for this conversion. Reinhard is a big fan of the original switch units. The front headlamp is still from the Basic and GS models, which is also used in the BMW HP2.
At the rear, an LED taillight has been installed. The paint has been enhanced with red trim and graphics, while the motorcycle is otherwise finished in simple black.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
The motorcycle weighs around 200 kg with the current components installed. Despite several parts being removed, the weight reduction is minimal due to the upside-down fork and the longer swingarm with the shock absorber. However, the improvement in the suspension is immense – the difference is clearly noticeable. The engine now has 1070 cc, producing just over 80 hp and delivering a torque of around 109 Nm. Compared to the stock version, this represents a true leap forward
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
The engine delivers noticeable power, and the acceleration is simply sensational. In this configuration, the boxer engine is the most fun. The suspension is excellent, incredibly agile, and with a seat height of over 90 cm, it’s perfect for real men. During the test ride, I was absolutely stunned. I almost wanted to keep the bike and give the customer his money back. 😉
What really impressed me was that even on the highway, there were no issues. Even with chunky tires, the enduro stays secure and stable on the road. This is largely thanks to the guys at TracTive and WP Suspension.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Reinhard is very proud of the result of his weeks of craftsmanship. What excites him the most is the successfully crafted rear frame. With it, he has truly brought the classic into the future. The creation of the small parts took a lot of time, but it was definitely worth it.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Reinhard would like to thank SWT-SPORTS, especially Manu, who has always been there for him. He is absolutely thrilled with the motorcycle. Manu also handled the suspension adjustments at the end of the build quickly and smoothly.
BMW R 12 G/S vs R80G/S
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