100gs vs r100rs

[Sylvester]

There is a r100rs for sale near me (mono lever one of the last years). I have a r100gs at the mo. I love the bike ,obviously, but I also like the idea of having the RS in the garage. The only fault I could level at the gs is the gearing. it really feels like its buzzing along on the m/way. I normally cruise around 5000rpm which works out to be around 125kph. as the top end is higher on the RS I presume they must be "longer legged". If I were to be brutal with my GS it pulls straight through to the redline which works out to be 170kph I just need something less revy for the longer runs and wonder if the RS would fit the bill. The RS has the smaller carbs and the headers look a bit skinny. If memory serves me correct it has around 60 HP as opposed to the 70HP of the older models. So, if I buy it I suspect it won't stay stock for long. Anyone here with both, or who knows how the RS goes? Its a fair punt from the H/Q so not worth turning up just for a ride.

 

[PW Cymru]

I've got both a 95 PD Classic and an 82 RS.

Your right about the low gearing on the GS and yes the RS is much more relaxed at motorway cruising.

The RS isn't to everybodies taste as the bars can be a bit narrow if std (can be modified) and many people find them uncomfortable.
I'm 5'10" and rather skinny so I don't have issues with it.

I think the mono RS's had smaller carbs and headers for emissions reasons but I might be wrong.

 

[Kenny]

RS is a great motorway muncher........if the handlebars are to narrow, then K1 handlebars will fit

 

[B Murr]

Would a taller fifth gear gearbox mod be the answer ?

 

[Roger Chatterton]

My old mono shock RS was a dream on the motorways and fast roads. Happy speed was around 90-ish, and lovely behind that fairing. Riding up the M11 on wet days at anything above about 50 mph in heavy-ish rain I would hardly get wet at all, thanks to that fairing.

However, when I took it around the Pyrenees, those little handlebars and limited turning circle were not ideal! Almost got too hot , thanks to the fairing, which directs most of the hot air upwards, at lower speeds.

Two very different bikes, with two different purposes in life; RS had a great engine and great aerodynamics. My 100GS PD has not so good aerodynamics, lovely engine with bags of torque, but much less weather protection, and not so good above 80 mph. BUT it does have around a 320 mile range before going on to reserve. 40mm carbs as opposed to 32 mm(?) on the RS. PD has 21" front wheel too, so different riding feel into bends, but better view of the road.

Horses for courses- my advice (which is usually not worth much) would be one of each. Problem solved. QED

 

[Rob Farmer]

I had a twin shock heavy flywheel RS. It was probably the best airhead engine I've ever owned or ridden. The bike came into it's own on the motorway and fast a roads but I could never get used to the bars being so narrow and away from the motorways I could never really find a use for it so it was sold.

The mono RS has 38mm headers the same as the 81-84 twin shock.

Have you considered an RT? Theyre a much more versatile machine.

A picture just for the hell of it.

 

[Sylvester]

Whoa that white mono RS!! I had a R80 mono with an "S" fairing and that was the best of both worlds but it wouldn't pull the cock off a chocolate mouse. The bike in question has around 50k (kilometers of course) and is 4000€ with panniers etc. I thought about the 100RT and a 1150 RT. Both would be cheaper. The 100RT makes sense but just seems too pedestrian plus isn't the gearing shorter than the RS? 1150 too complicated. I still haven't worked out how to improve the throttle response on my Triumph Sprint due to the EFI. I have heard that the early 1150s suffer from surging on a steady throttle.Strangely the bikes for sale seem to be spread out a fair bit and due to the strange system we have here regarding registration and stuff, if you want to take it away with you a van/trailer is usually needed. Hence the amount of planning I do before going. Stuff seems to stay for sale for ages as well so if you buy it, you gotta be sure or you will be stuck with it.

 

[John Armstrong]

Would a taller fifth gear gearbox mod be the answer ?

That would be my thoughts. I've now got a R80 mono, and its buzzing away at 5000rpm at about 60mph ish. Getting to the redline is going to be a little harder work than behind a GS fairing I think

 

[Sylvester]

I have a different cam to fit this winter as well. I will get the taller gear put in the box and see how it works out. If I'm still not happy I'll wad up for an RS. I want one anyway so we'll just have to see what follows me home one day.

 

[Beemerboff]

John, if you are doing 5000 revs at 60 mph you might want to take a look at your clutch, or your rear tire - my 37/11 G/S is doing 4000 at the same speed.

The bike came with a higher fifth but I wouldn't have known if I hadn't seen the bill for the gearbox work.

When the box totally failed after less than 20,000 km it was replaced with a stock box and I didn't notice any difference.

Smoothness on an airhead is a reflection of your skills as a tuner, and if you don't have the skills spending a fair wedge of cash on gearbox work isn't going to make a lot of difference.