There aren’t many motorcycle engines that are unique enough that most enthusiasts couldn’t point them out if they were sitting on a shelf next to other motorcycle engines. Certainly, a Harley-Davidson V-Twin is in that category as would be a Moto-Guzzi’s longitudinal V-Twin. This 1978 BMW R100RS with its legendary airhead flat twin is listed here on eBay in East Syracuse, New York, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $1,529.
How I have never owned a “Beemer” is beyond me. For the record, a BMW motorcycle is called a “Beemer” and a BMW car or SUV is known as a “Bimmer”. Do not get those terms mixed up at any BMW event or you’ll be in trouble. They’re also known as Airheads as they’re air-cooled. Although, most older motorcycles are also air-cooled, sooooo…
Before you BMW R100RS experts light your torches and sharpen your pitchforks, I realize that this one doesn’t have any of the “iconic” frame-mounted farings. So, was this one crashed and rebuilt without those farings, or were they just taken off for some reason? The seller doesn’t mention any of that at all. I like the naked look, and it has the RS markings on the engine. Geo? Howard? Alfa? Anyone? Do we have a BMW motorcycle expert in the Barn Finds family?
You can see that there is a lot of rust on this bike, or at least on parts of it. The handlebars need lots of help, which makes me think that everything else in that area needs to be restored. I could be wrong, as I have been many times in the past. Hey, I’m just a regular, all-around vehicle fanatic, not a BMW motorcycle scholar. The R100 series came out in 1976 and lasted until 1996, with a slight pause in the mid-80s. The beautiful snowflake wheels were offered in late 1977 for the 1978 model year and they were actually recalled and replaced, and I’m assuming that these are replacement wheels.
The classic BMW motorcycle flat or boxer-twin engine was great in hot climates because the heads stuck out from the frame for better cooling. This one has a 980-cc air-cooled OHV boxer twin with 70 horsepower. The seller says that this one doesn’t run but it turns over. Hagerty is at $5,600 for a #4 fair-condition bike, and given the visible rust and the fact that this one isn’t running, I’d guess that it’ll sell for much less than that. Any thoughts on what the final bid price will be on this one?
This was the poorest rendition of a motorcycle I ever rode,,,and I rode a few. When I had my 1st GW, a friend had a R90S, very similar. I believe it is missing the small fairing and lowers. I didn’t care for the bike one bit. Uncomfortable riding, clunky shifting, weird twitches in handling, hard starting, howling back brake. I couldn’t put 10 miles on that thing. Now, as mentioned, I was at a yard sale, the guy had a newer one, a 1200 RT, looked like a fantastic bike, and their dual sports are pretty cool too, but I hated this bike, sorry.
I couldn’t disagree more, Howard. Having put over 100k miles on a bike that is very similar to this, I think with a little TLC this would be a very nice ride. I agree it is severely overpriced though.
It’s okay, I welcome discussion, as long as it’s cordial, which your comment is. I’m not complaining about the quality, Germans are 2nd to none, I just didn’t like it. Riding position, shaft drive quirks, not that the GW was any better, funky controls, the vibrations at low rpms, it just wasn’t for me. What do I judge all bikes by then? Why, the 1975 Kawasaki Z1-B,or any “Limey”,,of course.
Overpriced? Looks like a bargain to me. Running it should sell for around $3500-$4000. Looks like an easy fix too. I rode around the world on a slash 2 conversion with this motor. I bought the motor with over 100,000 miles and put another 100,000 on it in the slash 2 frame. Can’t kill these bikes with regular oiul and filter changes.
A pal of mine, having had BSAs for years, needed a reliable commuter so bought a really nice R100S – the unfaired model, which is what this looks like. The RS had the small fairing and narrow bars and the RT the big fairing and more of a sit-up riding position, I think. He had absolutely no grief with it whatsoever.
…and the longitunal V-twin would be from Ducati; Guzzi’s is transverse.
You’re right, Derek, thanks! I saw that in the specs in the link below, and the V-Twin heads are transverse for sure.
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto%20guzzi/moto_guzzi_850_eldorado.htm
Ducks are considered a “L” not a V … minor point
I hope that I am not out of line with this post as these bikes hold very special memories for me. My dad was stationed in Germany in the 40’s, 50, and 60’s. It was his dream at some point to go back to Germany and tour Europe on a BMW. In 1975 my father and his friend did just that. They flew to Germany, picked up 2 900’s at the factory. They then toured Europe on them and brought them back to the states. His was an R90/6 and his friends an R90S. The 90/6 was made for the open road. It was smooth, no vibration with the horizantally opposed cyclinders. Dad started out on Indians and Harleys in the 1940’s and road GW’s with 2 wheels until Macular Degenration forced him to hang it up at the age of 89. I hope that I can ride as long as he did. Thanks dad for turning me on to motorcycles and the feeling of twisting that throttle open at the start of a trip.
I’ve got a very nice original 75 R90/6 and it’s a great ride. Soon for sale, as I’m going Nomad in March. That said, buy a runner. Parts are real pricey.
100rs is a sweet bike.
I currently own three FL Harley-Davidsons 1960-1996, a 1973 T150V Triumph Trident, a 2016 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, a 1978 Honda CB750. A 1978 BMW R100/7 and a 1978 BMW R100S and….
I love them all. Each bike has its positives and negatives but they’re all fun.
The 1996 Road King is probably the most comfortable and right up there with the BMWs as far as dependability.
Okay….
That said.
I’ve been “Watching” this S bike on eBay since its listing.
It was most likely born an S with the fairing as it has the two triangular mounting tabs (Part # 31 42 1 240 651 Shackle) still attached to the fork tube caps.
Check the photo with the speedometer and tachometer and you’ll see the tabs.
I’ve bought Boxers of this vintage and sad condition for less than $1500.
It’s easy to get upside down on BMW motorcycles as many parts are usually available as factory OEM only….
I’ve actually bought BMW K and R parts in the UK and even after shipping have spent less than parts sourced from MAX BMW who by the way are great people to deal with and they ship bags of M&Ms with parts.
At the current bid price of $1875 plus shipping with seven hours to go I’m out of the bidding…
Just finished up a clutch and top end job on a R80 airhead last night. These bikes have a strong following. Howard, some (many) folks may disagree with your unvarnished opinion of BMW airheads, but “thanks” nonetheless. Someone must have loved my customers R80, it has 316,000 miles on the odometer. The above bike in its current condition will probably sell in the 3-4K range in today’s elevated market. As mentioned before, parts prices are astronomical.
Best bikes are Beemers. Had many different brands but…..always back to these.
It was not unusual for owners to add the fairing to a regular R100,being the S or RS models.The one listed,after the handlebars get replaced,should clean up nice.The two things that are missing are the optional hard bags and the tool roll.The tools that BMW provided with the bike were ot the best quality
I had a R80RT, loved the bike and wish I could have kept it but was desperate for funds at the time. It had full fairing being an RT, and my understanding is that the RS versions did not have fairing. I also had a K100LT also with full fairing. Loved that bike too with the seat low to the ground for short persons.
I currently have a 1996 R100RT. It has 95,000 plus on the odometer. It’s a wonderful bike to ride. Smooth, quiet and handles really well. I must say, it took a little time getting used to how it reacts to its torque with the inline crankshaft and shaft drive. But that was many miles ago. The RS bikes usually had a smaller fairing than my RT.
Sorry – I’ve been riding motorcycles for over 30 years (my Dad is a big BMW fan) but what is a “GW”???
He’s referring to a Honda Goldwing
I bought a 1978 BMW R-100/7 brand new in 1979 and have been riding it ever since. and I have no intension of ever selling it. With proper maintenance these bikes will run forever. My only complaint is that the /7’s had a single front disc brake, and they really should have been sold with the dual disc setup like what was used on the RS’s