Other Bikes » R100RS - which year was the 'best' year?

... and why?

I was going to point out the typo until I checked on wessie’s link and realized you’re talking old bikes.

From 1981 there were a few upgrades:
Lighter flywheel - better throttle response
Electronic ignition - more reliable, less maintenance
Brembo brakes front and rear - more powerful ( not modern standard)

So personally I like the ‘81 onwards ( twin shock) models. Some purists prefer the 76-80 models without these upgrades, aesthetically they are very similar apart from the blue anodised BMW callipers on the earlier models.
I think the looks were not as good on the later mono shock models, they also had lower power and a muted exhaust note, but others are likely to disagree.

Mine is an ‘81 model, so I am biased, but that was a conscious choice when I acquired it back in ‘85.

Mine was an 81 bought new. The only downside to the bike was engine noise inside that fairing. I had to have the wheels replaced due to reported cracking and the new front had run out on the disc mounting and had to be replaced again.
I’ve just finished a 1000+ mile UK trip on my 04 1150 RS. It is a very capable bike. The only thing it lacks is the 1200’s acceleration. It needs to be ridden quite differently but it is no less enjoyable for it.

I would get one of the latest years with the Mono Shock.
I think that was 1988 to 1995.
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Good info in this thread.
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/threads/r100rs...rsepower.16251/

I can't say that my 1985 R80, with its 18" front wheel and single-sided swing arm, was the best year. The R80 was rebuilt by my dealer under warranty at only 4K miles when the rocker roller bearing cages disintegrated and scattered bearings all over my garage when I was trying to check the valve lash during the first service. As long as he was doing that, I paid extra to have the engine rebuilt to early R100 specifications and then had him install a complete RS fairing. See attached photos.

Unfortunately, the weight of the fairing, combined with the soft suspension and 18" wheel was a bit too much for the chassis and the bike was subject to violent tank slappers around 40 mph when braking hard if the steering bearing adjustment was not kept tight. The other problem that I had is that the alternator could not keep the battery charged even at freeway speeds, possibly due to the electronic fuel shutoff switch required by U.S. EPA regulations. That switch sucked up 25 watts. But when standing still, the bike sure looked nice. Anyway, the later year RS models were a lot better, especially when they came directly from the factory and were not converted from an R80.

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Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #8

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I can't say that my 1985 R80, with its 18" front wheel and single-sided swing arm, was the best year

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Thanks gents.

I really appreciate your thoughts & words of experience

Gulp! Good ones are pricey aren't they?

A decent looking '83..

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw-motorbikes...-cc-/1480804911

And an equally decent looking '93..

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1741179

Same(ish) money.

That’s is a very informative thread on BMWMOA from Lee, and I think it also proves my earlier point, there are so many views on the best version of the airhead RS. Overall I’d say they are iconic bikes, whichever year you opt for. I think the original Krauser panniers are a better style match than the K series versions, more in keeping with the styling.

Yep, loads of insight from that link, and as you say, pluses & minus for earlier & later models.

I had an '81 (or maybe '82) R65 many years ago and then a few years later an '87 mono R65 (with a dealer fitted RS fairing). I very much liked them both.

Nigel, I prefer the panniers shown on the 93 model above. Are they the Krauser style you refer to?

Zitat von Bonzo im Beitrag #13

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Yep, loads of insight from that link, and as you say, pluses & minus for earlier & later models.

I had an '81 (or maybe '82) R65 many years ago and then a few years later an '87 mono R65 (with a dealer fitted RS fairing). I very much liked them both.

Nigel, I prefer the panniers shown on the 93 model above. Are they the Krauser style you refer to?

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My daughter is still riding her 1981 R65LS (a German model with a kick starter and silver wheels) and it still runs great. It has about 100K on the clock. She has the factory BMW-brand hard cases installed on the bike that seem to be holding up well, as is her original tool kit stored under the seat. After all these years, the tools still look like new, with not a touch of rust on them. Photo attached.

I used to have a 1982 LS and hers must have a different camshaft than mine did. Her bike has good low-speed pulling power, but on my bike you had to rev it up to really get moving. Mine would top out at about 90 mph, but hers starts running out of breath at 70.

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