BMW R100S. This was built in Jan 1977 and is an example of a first year /7.BMW R100SBMW R100RT MonoleverBMW R100RS1979 BMW R100RT
BMW R100, with variant models designated by T, S, CS, RS, RS Classic, RT, RT Classic, TIC, TC, R and GS is a BMWmotorcycle series, using a two-cylinder four-strokeboxer engine of 980 cc capacity. Model production began in 1976, with a premature shutdown and subsequent restart in 1985, and final completion of the series in 1996.
The last of the "airheads," this article also discusses the different /7 models of smaller displacements (R60, R75, R80).
First (/7) and second series
The "slash seven" development was an evolutionary change of the BMW 247 engine from the previous "slash six" and initially constituted the R100RS (51kW / 70 PS), R100S (48kW / 65 PS), R100 (44kW / 60 PS), R75/7 (37kW / 50 PS) and R60/7 (30kW / 40hp).
The R100RS was the first motorcycle manufactured in volume to be fitted as standard with a frame fixed full fairing, a feature pioneered by the Vincent Black Prince. This innovation was a departure from previous touring fairings, giving birth to the modern sport touring motorcycle.
Brakes
The R100 models received a double disc brake in the front wheel. For 1976 to 1979 models the front brake was a pivot caliper ATE disc actuated from the controls via cable to a brake master cylinder under the tank. From 1980 models onwards front brakes were changed to a Brembo fixed caliper brake, and the master cylinder was moved from undertank to the right handlebar. With the introduction of Monolever models in 1986, the Brembo fixed calipers were mounted on the fork tubes. The back brake was initially a drum brake. Starting in the 1978 model year (September 1977), the R100RS, RT and S models received a Brembo rear disc brake with fixed caliper on the rear wheel, and from model year 1985 the rear drum brake returned.
Wheels
The models originally were fitted with wire spoked wheels, but in September 1977 for the 78 model year shifted to an aluminum cast "snowflake" pattern. The initial aluminum wheels were prone to breakage, prompting a BMW recall for replacement.
Engine and drivetrain
In keeping with the evolutionary development of the Boxer line, the engine was a laterally opposed 2-cylinder boxer engine with lower camshaft and overhead valves. Driving the camshaft was a duplex (later simplex) chain with a spring-loaded chain tensioner. The clutch was a single dry plate with cable actuation. A 5-speed manual transmission, with an optional kickstarter for the early models, and shaft drive to the rear wheel completed the drivetrain.
Carburetor
A constant velocity 40mm carburetor was supplied by Bing (Type 94). Starting in 1980, an emissions control system was implemented in various countries, which reduced available horsepower by approximately 10%.
Suspension
The front forks were telescopic with a diameter of 36mm without gaiters. 1984 and prior had a dual swing arm with two shock absorbers, model year 1986 and after used the BMW monolever, 1988 and after added the BMW paralever for r100GS, R100R and Mystik models the RS And RT continued with the monolever rear swingarm.
Ignition
Up to model year 1981, a points type high-voltage capacitor ignition was used. From 1981 onwards, an electronic ignition was fitted.
Specifications
Model
Cylinder
Bore & Stroke (mm)
Displacement (cc)
Power (HP at 1/min)
Construction
Production
BMW R60/7
2
73.5 × 70.6
599
40 / 6400
1976–1980
11,163
BMW R75/7
2
82 × 70.6
745
50 / 6200
1976–1977
6264
BMW R80/7
2
84.8 × 70.6
797
50 / 7250
1977–1983
17,703
BMW R100/7
2
94 × 70.6
980
60 / 6500
1976–1980
12,029
BMW R100S
2
94 × 70.6
980
66 / 6600
1976–1980
9657
BMW R100RS
2
94 × 70.6
980
70 / 7250
1976–1984
33,648
BMW R100RT
2
94 × 70.6
980
70 / 7250
1978–1996
?
BMW R100T
2
94 × 70.6
980
66 / 7250
1978–1980
5643
BMW R100
2
94 × 70.6
980
66 / 7000
1980–1984
10,111
BMW R100CS
2
94 × 70.6
980
70 / 7000
1980–1984
4038
Pause and Restart
In the 1980s for environmental and marketing reasons, BMW initiated a move to the water-cooled K75 and K100 models to remain competitive with the technical lead of the Japanese motorcycle industry. For this purpose they wanted to give up the production of the "airhead" two-valve boxer models. This decision led to protests from customers and dealers, BMW restarted R100 production, but with modified lower output, and improved torque curve engines with 44kW (60hp). They later produced an 800 cc version with 37kW (50hp).
Starting in 1985, the road versions were equipped with a single-sided swingarm (Monolever). From 1988 Paralever rear suspension was introduced, first in the GS models R80G/S (later redesignated "R80GS") and R100GS, and later in the road versions R80R, R100R and in 1994 the R100 Mystic.
Sources
Hans-Jürgen Schneider: BMW R 45 – R 100 RS ab Baujahr 1976: alle Modelle mit Zweizylinder-Boxermotor; Technik, Wartung, Reparatur BLV Auto- und Motorradpraxis, München Wien Zürich 1984, ISBN3-405-12908-7.
Don Morley, Mick Woollett: BMW. Heel Verlag, Königswinter 1994. ISBN3-89365-402-X.
Andy Schwietzer, Werner R. Reiss: BMW Boxer alle ab /5: BMW Zweiventiler von 1969–1985. 1. Aufl. Bodensteiner-Verlag, Wallmoden 2006, ISBN3-9806631-4-0.
BMW's motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company commenced manufacturing engines for other companies. BMW's own motorcycles—sold under the BMW Motorrad brand—began in 1923 with the BMW R 32, which was powered by a flat-twin engine. Production of motorcycles with flat-twin engines continues to this day, however BMW has also produced many models with other types of engines.
The BMW K100 is a family of four-cylinder 987 cc motorcycles that were manufactured by BMW from 1983 to 1992.
The BMW GS series of dual-sport BMW motorcycles have been produced from 1980, when the R80G/S was launched, to the present day. The GS originally stood for Gentleman's Scrambler, but was later renamed to Gelände/Straße. GS motorcycles can be distinguished from other BMW models by their longer travel suspension, an upright riding position, and larger front wheels – typically 19 to 21 inch. In May 2009, the 500,000th GS was produced, an R1200GS model.
The BMW R90S is a 900cc sport motorcycle produced by BMW from 1973 to 1976. BMW commissioned designer Hans Muth to oversee the R90S, which became the flagship of the boxer engined "/6" range. Sporting distinctive two-tone paintwork, a bikini fairing and a new tail, the R90S was intended to shrug off the enduring image of BMW bikes as staid and utilitarian.
The BMW R1200RT is a touring or sport touring motorcycle that was manufactured from 2005 to 2019 by BMW Motorrad to replace the R1150RT model. It features a 1,170 cc (71 cu in) flat-twin engine with a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive.
The R60 and R60/2 are 600 cc boxer-twin that were manufactured from 1956 to 1969 in Munich, Germany, by BMW.
The R69S, R69US, and R69 are motorcycles, fitted with 594 cc boxer twin engines, that were manufactured by BMW in Munich, Germany.
The BMW R1100GS is a dual-sport motorcycle that was launched in 1993, and manufactured from 1994 to 1999 by BMW Motorrad in Berlin, Germany. The bike has a 1,085 cc (66.2 cu in) flat-twin (boxer) engine, first seen in the R1100RS which was launched the year before in 1992, and was the first member of the GS family to use an air- and oil-cooled engine rather than the earlier air-cooled airhead engines which had been used on BMW motorcycles since the R32 in 1923.
The Triumph Speed Triple is a series of motorcycles produced by Triumph Motorcycles. The 1994 Hinckley Triumph was one of the first motorcycles produced in the streetfighter style. The style originated with bikers who, having crashed their race replicas, put the bikes back on the road without fairing, and has since become popularised.
For the WWII-era motorcycle, see BMW R75
The 247 cc BMW R27, introduced in 1960, is a shaft-driven, single-cylinder motorcycle manufactured by BMW.
BMW S1000RR is a race oriented sport bike initially made by BMW Motorrad to compete in the 2009 Superbike World Championship, that is now in commercial production. It was introduced in Munich in April 2008, and is powered by a 999 cc (61.0 cu in) transverse inline four-cylinder engine redlined at 14,200 rpm.
BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand and division of German automotive manufacturer, BMW. It has produced motorcycles since 1923, and achieved record sales for the fifth year in succession in 2015. With a total of 136,963 vehicles sold in 2015, BMW registered a growth of 10.9% in sales in comparison with 2014. In May 2011, the 2,000,000th motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad was an R1200GS.
The BMW R65 is a light touring motorcycle introduced by BMW in 1978 to add a mid-size motorcycle to its product line. The original R65, contrary to the views of some commentators, has the same sized frame as the larger R series motorcycles. The R65 does however have a shorter swingarm than its siblings and therefore a shorter bolt-on rear sub-frame; this, along with the shorter front forks and 18" front wheel, gives the illusion that the R65 frame is smaller. The initial model R65 was manufactured until 1984. In 1985 the R65’s engine was put into the same frame and suspension as the R80 which featured a single rear shock absorber (mono-shock). Additionally, between 1981 and 1984, the R65LS was manufactured. This R65 variant has a small triangular fairing that was designed by Hans Muth.
The BMW R 80 G/S is a motorcycle that was manufactured in Berlin, Germany, by BMW Motorrad from 1980 to 1987. Production totalled 21,864 bikes. It was the first in the BMW GS family of specialised dual-sport bikes, of which over 500,000 have been produced, and is often considered the world's first "Adventure Bike" able to be equally capable on and off-road. The designation G/S stands for the German words Gelände/Straße, which mean offroad/road – highlighting the bike's dual sport design.
The BMW R1100RT is a BMW touring motorcycle with a horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder boxer engine. It was built from 1996 to 2001 in the BMW Berlin plant in Spandau, together with several sister models of similar design, including the R1100R, R1100GS and R1100RS, with almost identical engines but different engine tunes, trim levels and chassis details.
The BMW R1100S is a sports motorcycle that was manufactured by BMW Motorrad between 1998 and 2005. Introduced some 25 years after the R90S, the company's first sports bike, the R1100S was the first BMW bike having clip-on handlebars, rearset footrests and a removable cowl to cover the pillion seat. Producing nearly 100 hp, it has been described as a "sporty sports-tourer".
Magni is an Italian company that builds specialist motorcycles. The company is based in the city of Samarate in the province of Varese. Magni, in addition to building the bikes that bear its name, is also active in the construction of specials to order and a supplier of special parts for the restoration of MV Agusta classic motorcycles.
The BMW R 18 is a cruiser motorcycle manufactured by BMW Motorrad and was officially introduced in April 2020 and launched in September 2020 in Germany. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an official introduction at the BMW dealers was not possible, therefore it was presented virtually on the internet.
The BMW R1250RS is a sport touring motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad. It was unveiled at EICMA in November 2018. Like the other versions of the R-series, which include the R1250RT, R1250R (Roadster) and R1250GS, the motorcycle model is powered by a boxer engine.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
