DJ GSA
Registered user
the 2002 ... wow. Memories
R100RS -looked like a spaceship 40 years ago !
- Thread starter BOBAD
- Start date
the 2002 ... wow. Memories
Weekday Rider
Registered user
I went to look at buying an RS many years ago. I had been told the fairing was developed in a wind tunnel and was the best you could get. I didn't like it, mostly because of those short bars and as change them to RT bars it was better to just buy a RT. The RT fairing wasn't perfect either but in my opinion could not be bettered. I didn't like the way the wind came over the top then pushed me along, wetting my back in the process but, all large fairings tend to do that.
I was surprised as to how well the tank like RT handled. It took me a little while to get used to it but when I did I could have great fun on B roads with confidence. The brakes, no, not perfect but adequate and not going to cost £1,000,000 when the ABS pump packs up like later BMs do.
I have a R100GS now and love it so much that, come spring I may sell my immaculate Honda XR650R as the GS seems to be all the bike I need. BMW got it right with the old R100's
it's a shame they have got it so wrong since. All just my opinion and I guess nobody will agree.
I was surprised as to how well the tank like RT handled. It took me a little while to get used to it but when I did I could have great fun on B roads with confidence. The brakes, no, not perfect but adequate and not going to cost £1,000,000 when the ABS pump packs up like later BMs do.
I have a R100GS now and love it so much that, come spring I may sell my immaculate Honda XR650R as the GS seems to be all the bike I need. BMW got it right with the old R100's
it's a shame they have got it so wrong since. All just my opinion and I guess nobody will agree.
Far from it Jim.
The RT is the best all round distance machine and is far more useful than the RS as a day to day bike as well.
Luckily we're hidden away in the dusty old airhead section where lots of people don't care to venture, so it's possible this thread won't spiral down towards an argument between WC and KTM owners as most sadly seem to nowadays.
lets put some reality in here
great bike , why do my feet get wet when it rains ?
if only the fairing was 6 inches wider , i could put wider bars on it , and get my knees inside !
great bike , why do my feet get wet when it rains ?
if only the fairing was 6 inches wider , i could put wider bars on it , and get my knees inside !
I have never ridden an RT, but as far as I can see when the police swapped their Norton Interpols for the RTs, they never looked back. Game changers.
I remember years ago somebody did a kit that fitted inside the fairing and wrapped round the cylinders so that the air channelled round them but didn't let your feet get wet.
I've looked high and low for any information on this kit but have never found anything so I'm assuming the chap I saw with one fitted had made it himself.
solidstate100
Registered user
Nope... totally agree
100% agree as well
fayeslane
Registered user
Bought an RS due to boyhood fantasies and love of the looks but it wasn't my thing. I've owned an RT too but the 100GS or GSPD are my pick for all rounders.
solidstate100
Registered user
Just returned today after a 9 day trip to Austria via Bastogne, Black Forest, Deutsch Alpenstrasse, the Lech valley, Imst, Bach Worth, then back up to the Black Forest, Mosel, Bastogne and return ferry from Zeebrugge to Hull.
over 2300 miles on two R100RS Motorsports 1978 models. Great on the motorways and just okay on the bends !!
Had a couple of issues on route which we got around, but enjoyed the journey despite the problems.
1st issue was closed ignition points on route from Zeebrugge to Bastogne, quickly diagnosed and regapped the points.
2nd issue, mates battery (odyssey) failed, causing ignition problems when he put any load on the battery.
Found BMW Motorrad dealer in Buhl ( Fallers) who stated they could not get a battery until mid October...... usual BMW crap service.
Luckily the technician quitely hinted that the local garden centre 50 metres up the road may sell batteries.
Bosch battery purchased for €75 and no further problems. Believe the store was called Helo, one worth keeping in mind.
The motorsports got loads of attention and ran better as the trip progressed.
Now looking for some spare parts to keep the old girls going, I've advertised in the wanted section, thanks.
over 2300 miles on two R100RS Motorsports 1978 models. Great on the motorways and just okay on the bends !!
Had a couple of issues on route which we got around, but enjoyed the journey despite the problems.
1st issue was closed ignition points on route from Zeebrugge to Bastogne, quickly diagnosed and regapped the points.
2nd issue, mates battery (odyssey) failed, causing ignition problems when he put any load on the battery.
Found BMW Motorrad dealer in Buhl ( Fallers) who stated they could not get a battery until mid October...... usual BMW crap service.
Luckily the technician quitely hinted that the local garden centre 50 metres up the road may sell batteries.
Bosch battery purchased for €75 and no further problems. Believe the store was called Helo, one worth keeping in mind.
The motorsports got loads of attention and ran better as the trip progressed.
Now looking for some spare parts to keep the old girls going, I've advertised in the wanted section, thanks.
If you have some long haul riding to do then an RS would be great. I sold mine to a Frenchman (nobody in the UK wanted to buy it at) who was very pleased with it - apart from a loose rocker box coverand him not understanding the airhead charging system.
Got this from him when he got home:-
Bonjour Rob.
I made it back with no prob. Needle on 90 most of the time and I sliced through the French highways like a knife in fresh butter!
A few issue still:
- My boots are all shiny courtesy of a rare option you omitted to mention; The shoe oiler!
Small leaks from the head cover gaskets I presume. Do I need to tighten more the cover;?
- A red warning light when idling. Even after 8 hours at 5500/6000 rpm the light was still on. It stops just above 800 rpm ??
Other than that, nada. It's an amazing job you did on this bike, it grow on you each mile, and the mid range power and sound is very rewarding!
Congrats and many thanks
Fred
A Motorsport.
I've had two of those, both with the white panniers. One used to get horrific tankslappers the like of which i've never experienced before or since on any motorcycle.
IT wasn't a genuine Motorsport Neil. It was a gold 78 when I got it. I just liked the scheme.
Just back from Austria on my '78 RS Motorsport ( with white panniers). Bike handled very well around the twisties,was smooth and comfortable on the motorways. I've owned around 30 bmw'ssince '81,until recently always "the latest model". Now rediscovered the airheads and ive got to say that they are more involving and satisfying to ride than the latest models. Trick is getting a good one.
In the Gorges Du Verdon 1983.
bloody travellers , never at work when you needed them
I can only find one picture of mine. Taken in the Olney area. '81 I think. Lots of fun with it, but p-exed for another. Red with the smoked edges.
I think it was a "Friday" bike and ended my BMW days.
I think it was a "Friday" bike and ended my BMW days.
I think the red/smoke scheme was beautiful.
Bone Dry
Registered user
If you're after a nice one, here's an idea.
Unregistered, just 2 miles on the clock, it's been on display in Japan for 30 years.
http://www.handh.co.uk/buy/1983-bmw-r100rs/13104
Lovely in white. But what would you do with it??
Would you register it and get it out on the road on a sunny day?
Or just an ornament....probably.
BTW I had one 25 years ago and the narrow bars made longish trips unbearable.
Unregistered, just 2 miles on the clock, it's been on display in Japan for 30 years.
http://www.handh.co.uk/buy/1983-bmw-r100rs/13104
Lovely in white. But what would you do with it??
Would you register it and get it out on the road on a sunny day?
Or just an ornament....probably.
BTW I had one 25 years ago and the narrow bars made longish trips unbearable.
