What?s the most iconic BMW motorcycle from the past fifty years" The R80G/S Paris-Dakar would have to be near the top of the list, even if you?re not into ADV bikes. The 32-liter tank, signed by Dakar legend Gaston Rahier and fitted with dual petcocks, has got to be one of the most recognizable tanks of all time.
The R80G/S P-D also introduced many people to BMW?s famous motorsport livery. It?s a color scheme that is still being emulated today, from the R nineT Urban G/S we tested a few days ago to the limited edition Les Ateliers Ruby x BMW Motorrad 90th anniversary helmet that sits on my desk.

These days, you need luck (and deep pockets) to put a R80 G/S P-D in your garage?only around 3,000 were built. But you can get a big helping of the classic Paris-Dakar style and practicality with a new kit from the Italian specialist Unit Garage, designed to fit the popular R nineT. Unit Garage is run by Fabio Marcaccini, who knows a bit about Paris-Dakar bikes: from 1987 to 1992 he piloted Yamahas in five successive events. ?In the early mornings I was waiting in line for the start of the special stages, standing next to BMW pilots like Herbert Schek or Raymond Loizeaux,? Fabio recalls.

?I didn?t understand how you could compete with bikes like that?I came from circuit racing. But after finishing with the races, I tried a friend?s BMW R80 G/S Paris-Dakar [above]?and it was just love. It was a simple bike that went slow, but with a charm that immediately made you dream....