Moto Borgotaro presents a rare GS Paris Dakar…still in the crate!
The BMW R100GS PD (Paris Dakar) is one of the most sought-after vintage adventure bikes, a 980cc boxer-powered beast that proved itself capable of handling a vast array of terrain with aplomb.
“Add great all-day comfort, simple low-tech maintenance and serious durability, and I can understand why, for many long-distance riders, the airhead GS ‘bumble bee’ is still a top choice.” —Motorcycle Classics
The PD version featured a long-range gas tank, hard bags, luggage rack, and front impact bars, recalling the BMW desert racers of the Paris Dakar Rally. The even rarer Classic version featured Avus Black paint with silver PD Classic graphics on the 6.3-gallon tank, as well as chrome touring case mounts and cylinder protection bars, and round valve covers.
Recently, we heard from our friend Peter Boggia of Moto Borgotaro, a New Yorker who cut his teeth apprenticing beneath Chuck House in New Orleans before opening his own shop in New York, Union Garage NYC. Today, Peter finds, restores, and sells some of the world’s finest vintage and custom motorcycles, including Keith Hale’s one-owner Ducati 750 Super Sport.
Now he’s back with this 1995 BMW R100GS PD Classic that was imported to Blackfoot Motosports of Calgary, Alberta, Canada…and has never left the crate!
“It was part of a small collection of crate bikes that remained at the dealership, the PD Classic was in the showroom at Blackfoot.”
Peter acquired the bike and brought it to his shop in Brooklyn, where it now has a clean New York title. Of course, as the PD “Classic” model, it has the Avus Black finish, silver PD Classic graphics, as several chrome accents.
Other features include a tinted wind deflector, hand guards, heated grips, headlight grill, flared front fender, black two-up seat, rear luggage rack, aluminum skid plate, side and center stands, a fuel tank storage compartment, and a single-sided swingarm with a monoshock and enclosed driveshaft.
As you can image, Peter was thrilled to come across such a pristine specimen:
“It is a true oddity to find a GSPD in a crate, and in Black, in final year… I believe only 70 were produced.”
The bike is currently for sale on Bring a Trailer. Of course, whoever buys the bike will have to answer the question: leave it in the crate, or pack a crowbar?
If the new owner wants to crack the crate and ride off into the sunset, Peter says he’s more than willing to help put the GS on the road:
“I would do it myself for only the costs of the oils and battery. It would be a pleasure to be the first mechanic to touch her — it’s a piece of history.”
What would you do? Ride it, or leave it crated?
Crated BMW R100GS PD: Seller Interview
• This 1995 BMW R100GS PD Classic has remained in its factory shipping crate (!) since importation to Blackfoot Motosports of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Can you tell us anything about how or why this bike ended up remaining in its crate all this time?
It was part of a small collection of crate bikes that remained at the dealership, the PD Classic was in the showroom at Blackfoot.
• You get to see, ride, and work on a lot of rare machines — but how excited were you when you discovered / acquired this one?
Very excited, BMWs sold very well, especially the GS’s as it is one of the most usable motorcycles ever produced. So, it is a true oddity to find a GSPD in a crate, and in Black, in final year… I believe only 70 were produced.
• Any idea what it would cost to have the bike assembled and road ready?
I would do it myself for only the costs of the oils and battery. It would be a pleasure to be the first mechanic to touch her — it’s a piece of history.
• Can you give us any clues as to what’s coming next from Moto Borgotaro?
We are releasing some stunning posters of some of the rarest motorcycles ever sold. I brought the only known example of a Ducati 750ss never to have run back to the Guggenheim museum, where she was the star of the “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit.
I also have a single ownership Moto Gizzi 1000s coming and a 500-mile 1976 Mv Agusta America — absolutely stunning machines!
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Ride it!!!!!! why leave such a beautiful piece of machinery in a crate, a waste!
Un grande classico, niente da aggiungere…
Current bid $42K US (!!!!)…..obviously I’m missing something.
I love my ’93 red R100GS/PD but I’m thinking that at the price this thing is selling for it better stay in the crate if the new owner wants an investment. Once it’s being used it will instantly lose 75%+ of the selling price. Buy a nice example like mine to ride And maybe make clear topped bar table out of this thing so the value is preserved and you can look at it all the time among jealous friends. 😉