In the 1970s, a group of BMW engineers led by Laszlo Peres modified the R 80/7 for the International Six Days Enduro just as designer Hans Muth began advocating for a “Gentleman’s Scrambler,” or “two-wheeled Range Rover.” In 1980, the R 80 G/S installed the R 80/7’s boxer twin in the R 65’s lightweight frame, now with long-travel suspension and a single-sided Monolever swingarm. The G/S won three Paris-Dakar Rallies, and it carried riders like Dr. Gregory Frazier on around-the-world adventures. From 1997 to 2000, Dr. Frazier rode “Ugly Helga” over some 250,000 miles before retiring it to the museum at Bob’s BMW.

For more pictures and information on this or any other vehicle in the Motorcycles exhibit, check out the exhibition book in our store!