Dilemma... RS/RT and what era...?

Wrigsby1

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So on my lookout for another Airhead, my radar has been changing...

I'm really an Oilheader on my 5th 11GS which will stay. I've had 3x Airheads, 2x Mono RT's both 80 and 100 and a Paralever R. I started out looking for an RT Classic but saw a really lovely modded 100/7 and also read about the pre 80 Moto Pistons Rally... The 100/7 was withdrawn from sale to give the owner another year and now I'm swithering on pre or post 1980 bikes and their differences.

It's really an RT/RS I will want and I'm of the preservation society for these unique bikes. RT says practical and comfy and RS for their differences and design and also because there are more about to pick from.

So any feedback re the heavy flywheel vs the lighter ones, the early ATE brakes vs the later Brembo's and if anyone who's had earlier and later bikes what they think of the 40mm to 32mm difference in riding. Also how easy can you tell the state of the tank for corrosion...? Even those who have had the RS and RT and which preference...(y)

I've a local heavy flywheel RS that will be worth a look and Sherlocks have a decent and interesting looking 82 for sale amongst others. I'll probably end up paying between £4-5.5k and an not looking for immaculate but tidy and mechanically sound.

PS Mikeyboys CS is very lovely but way overbudget for me and I want the bigger fairing...;)

Thanks in advance...:)
 
I was about to pitch in with Mikeyboys CS when I saw your end comment. Genuinely, if I had 10k spare I would be taking his hand off.
 
KMD said:
I was about to pitch in with Mikeyboys CS when I saw your end comment. Genuinely, if I had 10k spare I would be taking his hand off.
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I would totally agree... I've thought previously about S/CS and his is a lovely as you could get... It's as close to a new one as there is...
 
Got a copy of the book "BMW Motor Cycles from 1969 to 1985 Boxer from /5 for Christmas. Good read, gives the history and background to all the models covered. Motorworks sell the book.

I have owned, R80RT, R100RT, R100RS (Airheads) and currently have a R100CS (3k miles since ground up restoration :) ). I went with the CS due to weight, my RTs were around 240+ Kg, great weather protection. Loved the RS, but can't handle the bars anymore, they are different to the RT and S bikes, so puts pressure on the wrists and for me cuts saddle time, but great weather protection as well.

I also have a newer 2019 RT, so didn't want another fairing bike. The CS is lighter and a brilliant ride, mine has the drum rear, which saves something like 3Kg over the rear disc on some and works better. Brembo brakes as well, although not up to modern standards, so a little more planning required.

As mentioned in another thread, there are only around 30 CS in the UK and currently only about 8 not SORN, so a nice model to own. Mickys is a lovely bike, but Simon (King Rat) also has a good example. At the airhead meeting this year I met a chap who had owned his CS from new.

If my wrists could put up with it, I would go for the RS, quite a few put on K75S bars which helps a lot. But the CS does it for me currently.
 
Thanks... That was my only RS concern and as I'm a lanky twat I'll see if I can get a sit on one ... Different bars are certainly an option though...👍
 
Before I bought the CS, I was leaning towards another RS, but after a lot of research the bars off the K75S are like Rocking Horse Sh1t. So I would get one that already has had the conversion. i'm only 5ft 8, but the wrists can't handle the RS with the normal bars, yet I can ride all day on the CS with no issues.
 
I’ve always fancied an R80 or R100 RT. I’ve considered them to be something of a ‘gentleman’s express’ which, as I have never ridden either I could be completely wrong about. Do like the look of them though.
 
My Mono 100RT was a decent old bus with over 100k on it but you'd jump on whatever, usually a bit more casual as the fairing was so good... Bit lairy in the big wind of Shetland so that was the only catch...🤣 The earlier ones are supposed to be a bit more original design purpose with bigger carbs n calves etc so wondered what feedback there was re them both.
My R80RT mono was one of the last and a bit gutless after later bikes hence the change up but I guess if I'd of stuck with it I'd have grown used to revving it more that you expect on a Boxer...
 
If you're thinking of doing the Moto Piston Rally (pre '80 bikes) and it's restricting your available bike choices, you might want to look at either the Colombres or the North of Spain Rallies. Both are organised by MC Indianos and cater for pre '88 bikes, which would give you a wider selection of bikes to consider.

Motoclub Indianos, Asturias – Rally de Colombres y Rally Norte de España

www.motoclubindianos.com www.motoclubindianos.com
 
I quite like my RS77 - did the Colombres Rally on it 2-up in 2021. It’s comfortable for me (5’11”) and found rotating the handlebars in the clamps made a remarkable difference to riding height and comfort, wind noise etc. Brakes are awesome. I could be tempted to part with it but with all it’s upgrades and as I am second owner I always thought it a keeper.
 

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Gelandestrasse said:
I quite like my RS77 - did the Colombres Rally on it 2-up in 2021. It’s comfortable for me (5’11”) and found rotating the handlebars in the clamps made a remarkable difference to riding height and comfort, wind noise etc. Brakes are awesome. I could be tempted to part with it but with all it’s upgrades and as I am second owner I always thought it a keeper.
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Lovely bike , I’m in the look out for an early R100RS so if you do decide to sell it ………


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RT/RS are not my cup of tea at all,
The fairing is very heavy ,exaggerating the pretty poor fork action,
Crashing and banging over potholes,the fairings also direct a lot of engine noise up to the rider.
Each to their own but I wouldn’t have one
 
Joe Bar said:
If you're thinking of doing the Moto Piston Rally (pre '80 bikes) and it's restricting your available bike choices, you might want to look at either the Colombres or the North of Spain Rallies. Both are organised by MC Indianos and cater for pre '88 bikes, which would give you a wider selection of bikes to consider.

Motoclub Indianos, Asturias – Rally de Colombres y Rally Norte de España

www.motoclubindianos.com www.motoclubindianos.com
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Yep, thanks and you may have mentioned it on my Moto Pistons thread which opened my ideas a fair bit...👍
 
mikeyboy said:
RT/RS are not my cup of tea at all,
The fairing is very heavy ,exaggerating the pretty poor fork action,
Crashing and banging over potholes,the fairings also direct a lot of engine noise up to the rider.
Each to their own but I wouldn’t have one
Click to expand...
Yep and your CS is about as lovely as the cleaner bikes could be...👍 If it wasn't for my lanky frame unfaired bikes would have more of a look in, but no or little fairing a decent miles are hard work for me and if I get one it will get some miles racked up...
 
Gelandestrasse said:
I quite like my RS77 - did the Colombres Rally on it 2-up in 2021. It’s comfortable for me (5’11”) and found rotating the handlebars in the clamps made a remarkable difference to riding height and comfort, wind noise etc. Brakes are awesome. I could be tempted to part with it but with all it’s upgrades and as I am second owner I always thought it a keeper.
Click to expand...
That is beautiful. Is that a long range fuel tank?
 
Whilst the fairing of the RS and RT undoubtedly offer wind protection benefits, I'm with Mikey on preferring the naked bikes and removing the weight of the fairing. I'd sooner suffer a little more wind blast and a slightly lower cruising speed for the gains in feel and agility. I removed the fairing from my R100RS mono after a trip to Wales and riding it back to back with my wife's R80 mono. For me it's transformed the bike, it feels so much lighter and agile, and for the roads I want and prefer to ride, I rarely miss the protection a fairing offers.

With regards to the power drop from 69 to 60 bhp on the R100 mono, it's worth remembering that the retune also moved the maximum torque of 55/56 lb/ft from 6,000 rpm on the older model to just 3,500 rpm on the mono, which I think makes it nicer and less work on the hills and twisties, so, it's not all bad. They may not have quite the classic looks of the twin shock bikes, but there's a lot to like about the mono's, and I think they're still pretty under rated.

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Cheers Joe Bar... Very good feedback and great pics as well... It's certainly less cash cachet with the Monos...👍
 
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