1977 BMW R100RS
The Seven-Piece Suit
January/February 2008
By Bill Stermer
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Unusually shaped for its day, the R100RS was a pioneer in the steps towards aerodynamically-designed street bikes.
Photos by Jeff Whitlock and Mac Kirkpatric
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Years produced: 1977-1984 (first generation)
Total production: 34,502
Top speed: 108mph (period test)
Engine: 980cc ohv, air-cooled opposed twin/70hp @ 7,250rpm
Bore and stroke: 94mm x 70.6mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Carburetion: Two 40mm Bing CV
Transmission: 5-speed
Electrics: 12v, coil and breaker points
Frame: Dual downtube cradle
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Twin shock absorbers, adjustable preload
Front brake: Dual 260mm (10.25in) discs
Rear brake: 200mm (7.87in) single-eading-shoe drum
Front tire: 3.25 x 19in
Rear tire: 4 x 18in
Wheelbase: 1,466mm (57.5in)
Weight (wet): 243kg (535lb)
Seat height: 825.5mm (32.5in)
Fuel capacity: 24ltr (6.3gal)
Price then: $4,595 (1977)
Price now: $2,500-$5,000
MPG: 42-50
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In an era of increasingly sophisticated touring machines, the 1977 BMW R100RS was the best-dressed of them all.
It was at once elegant, futuristic and bold. Its wedge-shaped fairing and icy, silver/blue paint sang the alluring song of long distances at high speeds with comfort, sportiness and competence. It could cover hundreds of miles in a day, then shrug them off and do many more, its rider ensconced in an envelope of unruffled comfort. It was the R100RS, BMW’s most competent sport-touring machine yet.
When BMW introduced its 1977 R100RS 30 years ago, its cradling cockpit fairing promised unsurpassed protection swathed in breathtaking style. Finally, the rider, while enjoying the ride to the fullest, did not have to suffer the slings and arrows of wind, chill and rain.
One of the joys of motorcycling is being out in the weather; one of the drawbacks of motorcycling is being out in the weather. The RS allowed the rider to enjoy the ride regardless of the weather. It enhanced the enjoyment of a fall day in the crisp, chill air; of taming coastal drizzles without the need of a rain suit; of crossing the snow-fringed passes of the Alps or Rockies with seamless style and comfort on a true "gentleman’s express."
And what style! When the RS was introduced, nothing on two wheels had ever looked like this before, had ever functioned like this before, had ever shown so much — paint! Its seven-piece, frame-mounted fairing was something that the rider almost wore, something sleek, crisp, pleated and sculpted. Today, every modern plastic-wrapped sportbike and dresser owes a nod to the RS’s trend-setting style. It may not have been the first bike to feature dressed bodywork, but it was the one that established the trend.
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