While the Japanese manufacturers started to dominate the motorcycle industry in the 70s, BMW was one of the only brands that managed to innovate while keeping, and even gaining, market share. A major reason to that success is that BMW was not obsessed by competition, instead they simply tried to produce innovative motorcycles with exclusive designs.
But BMW was also fighting against itself. Indeed, the German maker had a strange reputation of the manufacturer producing bikes for old people. To break that image, BMW asked the trending designer Hans Muth to design their new flagship bike, the R100RS. The result was an astonishing success. The 9-piece fairing and the 980cc flat twin were the keys to the creation of the first sport touring bike. The 70hp could take a rider to cruising speeds of 100 mph with no hassle and a comfort level that still stands as a reference today. The 535 lbs vanished as soon as the bike started moving. Please read Motorcycle Classics for more information.
The R100RS (VIN: 23148888) presented here is in very nice condition showing just above 80k miles. It features Brembo brakes and upgraded Dell’Orto carbs. The bike has been kept in safe storage for 11 years, keeping the newly-painted fairing in great shape. New tires and new battery have also been installed.
Find this R100RS in Punta Gorda, Florida here on Craigslist for a price of $5,900.