Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ncdan on June 23, 2020, 04:54:01 PM
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Until I can find the right Guzzi to replace my 1400 I just sold, I’ve been looking for a low cost older bike to leave at my second home just to have a bike available.
I just found a local, family owners, 1995, BMW R100R. Bike has 47k miles, always service by the dealership where bought new and no issues, period. Newer tires, fresh service. I spoke with the owner who seemed like an honest fellow who said the only cosmetic issues were the 25 years old shield was tarnished and scratched snd the plastic bags were faded. The guy said he priced it for a quick sale at 2,000.00. The KBB is more that that, trade in value. Any advise on this model, price or any other useful information. Thanks in advance!
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Ride it , look at the lower shock mount on the swingarm style front end , the mounts can crack . Other than that , at $2K how can you go wrong .
Dusty
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The Beemer sounds like a good deal, but don't forget that the most bike for the money in that price range is a Guzzi, every time!
Even as a temporary ride....
Lannis
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The Beemer sounds like a good deal, but don't forget that the most bike for the money in that price range is a Guzzi, every time!
Even as a temporary ride....
Lannis
I’ve been looking high and low Lannis but so far I’ve not been able to find that perfect guzzi that I’d like to be my last bike purchase. It must be the right one and I’m in no hurry. Soooo, this beemer popped up and caught my eye.
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Check this one out Dan, Looks like a good deal, I'm sure Huzo will approve!
https://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/d/union-2007-moto-guzzi-norge/7135818154.html
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Check this one out Dan, Looks like a good deal, I'm sure Huzo will approve!
https://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/d/union-2007-moto-guzzi-norge/7135818154.html
They are nice bikes for guys like Huzo😂😂 but the sport touring scene bikes are just not my cup of tea.
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Ride it , look at the lower shock mount on the swingarm style front end , the mounts can crack . Other than that , at $2K how can you go wrong .
Dusty
Normal telescopic forks on that bike. $2k sounds like a bargain to me...
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Ride it , look at the lower shock mount on the swingarm style front end , the mounts can crack . Other than that , at $2K how can you go wrong .
Traditional telescopics on this one, no?
Good bikes and that seems like a very nice price. Bear in mind, Roper says that the exhaust sounds like a parson farting in a bathtub. And, as a BMW airhead owner and fan I'm confident in saying that they are not very exciting and don't handle particularly well. But I like them anyway! :)
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If it is the Mystic they are fairly rare here in the US and still a bargain at $2000. If it's the classic it's still a deal, just more of them around.
Paul B :boozing:
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Essentially a lower R100GS. Same engine, 980cc, US version 58 hp. Same 5 spd tranny. Same Paralever single side swing arm, monoshock easily removed. Paralever final drive is pivoted to rear of swingarm. Low (3.09:1) final drive. Uses torque rod similar to CARC to reduce shaft jacking. Single dry plate clutch, fairly light pull.
Rear wheel held in place with 4 lug nuts. Off and on in a minute.
Earliest model R100R had single front disc brake, and (ulp!) drum rear brake. Later had dual disc front.
Smaller Bing cv carbs (32mm) than older R bikes (40mm)
My original driveshaft made it for 120,000 miles. Many are shot at 30-40k miles. Replacement is roughly $700.00. Ted Porter Beemer Shop sells a rebuildable shaft with replaceable cush blocks for less.
Fairly lightweight. Typical gummikuh (rubber cow suspension and frame.) Soft ride ….. remember, a lot of older airhead in this bike.
My 1991 R100GS (still own her) needed output shaft bearing at 60,000 miles. Leaky rear main required clutch plate replacement. Did top end refresh (valves/springs/guides/rings) at 128,000 miles.
Source for new oem parts: https://shop.maxbmw.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51635&rnd=07242017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEEF2-mWHlA
Bob
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Dan, two thoughts.
1. That BMW could be great. Check it out.
2. V9 - I mean it....I REALLY DO.
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Dan, two thoughts.
1. That BMW could be great. Check it out.
2. V9 - I mean it....I REALLY DO.
Thanks Kev. Just to make myself understand with this, I’m still going to replace my 1400 with another guzzi. I just saw this Beemer while surfing the local Facebook yard sale and saw this one and when I checked KBB and found it to be priced at trade in value and started looking at what others were selling for, well I figured it’d be a good investment to at least leave at the river house.
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They are nice bikes for guys like Huzo😂😂 but the sport touring scene bikes are just not my cup of tea.
Damn right officer...!
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Thanks Kev. Just to make myself understand with this, I’m still going to replace my 1400 with another guzzi. I just saw this Beemer while surfing the local Facebook yard sale and saw this one and when I checked KBB and found it to be priced at trade in value and started looking at what others were selling for, well I figured it’d be a good investment to at least leave at the river house.
If you had a 1400, why is a Norge such a stretch ?
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Damn right officer...!
Lol, I was just funning buddy, that red monster of yours is bulletproof and would make any rider proud to own 👍
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Thanks Kev. Just to make myself understand with this, I’m still going to replace my 1400 with another guzzi. I just saw this Beemer while surfing the local Facebook yard sale and saw this one and when I checked KBB and found it to be priced at trade in value and started looking at what others were selling for, well I figured it’d be a good investment to at least leave at the river house.
I'm saying that BMW might be a great bike. Get it.
But to replace the 1400, with another Guzzi, then I'd recommend the V9.
Yeah, you COULD get a Tonti Cali and they are great bikes. But I'd go V9 instead.
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Normal telescopic forks on that bike. $2k sounds like a bargain to me...
Dangit , somehow I read that as R1100 , this bike is the last of the airheads .
Dusty
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I'm saying that BMW might be a great bike. Get it.
But to replace the 1400, with another Guzzi, then I'd recommend the V9.
Yeah, you COULD get a Tonti Cali and they are great bikes. But I'd go V9 instead.
👍I’ll definitely take it in consideration my friend
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I'm actually thinking that Norge would be a perfect bike to combine my 1400 and griso duties into one bike. A direction I would like to move in. Owner just texted me that it is still available and in pristine condition. hmm??
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If you decide against it, I wouldn't mind knowing where its at :smiley:
Based on the description its definitely worth looking at.
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Dangit , somehow I read that as R1100 , this bike is the last of the airheads .
Dusty
I’m trying to attach a picture but something is wrong with that part of our forum right now.
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I'm actually thinking that Norge would be a perfect bike to combine my 1400 and griso duties into one bike. A direction I would like to move in. Owner just texted me that it is still available and in pristine condition. hmm??
Be careful Dave, that Norge doesn’t look like it’s got that much room compared to your 1400 and the wife may not think it’s as comfortable as the 1400 for the long ride down next month🤔
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If you decide against it, I wouldn't mind knowing where its at :smiley:
Based on the description its definitely worth looking at.
You got it Mo👍
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Hey guys, how about someone attempting to add an image because I can’t get one to load and let’s see if it’s on my end or the sites.
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I need to make this correction, Dusty was right this bike is a R1100R BMW.
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Hey guys, how about someone attempting to add an image because I can’t get one to load and let’s see if it’s on my end or the sites.
Try this video of R100R
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEEF2-mWHlA
pic download test (doesn't appear to be working)
So ...... it's an 1100, not a 100 ... quite a bit different.
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I’ve been looking high and low Lannis but so far I’ve not been able to find that perfect guzzi that I’d like to be my last bike purchase. It must be the right one and I’m in no hurry. Soooo, this beemer popped up and caught my eye.
Well, the idea was that instead of buying a cheap temporary BMW while you're looking for the perfect Guzzi, you buy a cheap temporary Guzzi while you're looking for the perfect Guzzi .... !
Lannis
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Well, the idea was that instead of buying a cheap temporary BMW while you're looking for the perfect Guzzi, you buy a cheap temporary Guzzi while you're looking for the perfect Guzzi .... !
Lannis
👍
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I need to make this correction, Dusty was right this bike is a R1100R BMW.
Oh, too bad, less enthusiastic.
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Oh, too bad, less enthusiastic.
+1.
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I need to make this correction, Dusty was right this bike is a R1100R BMW.
Ah, ok, I'm less interested now. Still, it sounds like a decently good buy and there is nothing wrong with the 1100. Its just not a '95 R100R.
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Ah, ok, I'm less interested now. Still, it sounds like a decently good buy and there is nothing wrong with the 1100. Its just not a '95 R100R.
I have little to know knowledge about these bmw bikes, so what’s the difference between a r100r and a R1000r, same year,1995?
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(https://i.ibb.co/stYp2kt/8-CA636-FB-36-EB-438-F-A35-B-5-F0-C990-CC856.png) (https://ibb.co/stYp2kt)
Ok guys the picture Gods has awaken. Here’s the 95 R1000r BMW that I’m going to look at.
Bad, good or indifferent????
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It's an R1100R. The R at the end means it's a naked bike. They're not bad bikes, but rather homely. I'd be way more interested in the R100R for $2K - what a deal! About 15 years ago I rode my R100R across the country to VT and back. It's one of the best handling airheads ever with none of the flexing others are known for. With 40mm forks, dual 4 pot Brembos and the paralever rear end it handles amazingly well.
But the R11 - you're talking FI, complex electronics and a bike that's 25 years old. I don't think the demand for those is very high, so $2K might be about the max they go for on the open market.
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It's an R1100R. The R at the end means it's a naked bike. They're not bad bikes, but rather homely. I'd be way more interested in the R100R for $2K - what a deal! About 15 years ago I rode my R100R across the country to VT and back. It's one of the best handling airheads ever with none of the flexing others are known for. With 40mm forks, dual 4 pot Brembos and the paralever rear end it handles amazingly well.
But the R11 - you're talking FI, complex electronics and a bike that's 25 years old. I don't think the demand for those is very high, so $2K might be about the max they go for on the open market.
Thanks for the well thought out and factual response Sir.
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I put probably 250,000 miles on airheads , everything from /5's to an '84 R100 RT , and they were fine machines . However , the idea that a last year ('95) airhead is a superior motorbike to an early oilhead is silly . The oilhead is faster , has better brakes , the handling is so much better the two bikes almost can't be compared , and suspension quality is light years ahead . The idea that airheads were trouble free is ludicrous , the post '84 models had transmission problems because of the circlip issue , there were problems with valve heads breaking off the stem and valve springs cracked . Were they simpler than an oilhead , yes , but try repairing a bean can ignition system , or locate a good set of points now for an earlier model .
Sorry , I loved my airheads , all 4 of them , but even with the problems some oilheads had , they are still functionally superior to an airhead .
Dusty
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I put probably 250,000 miles on airheads , everything from /5's to an '84 R100 RT , and they were fine machines . However , the idea that a last year ('95) airhead is a superior motorbike to an early oilhead is silly . The oilhead is faster , has better brakes , the handling is so much better the two bikes almost can't be compared , and suspension quality is light years ahead . The idea that airheads were trouble free is ludicrous , the post '84 models had transmission problems because of the circlip issue , there were problems with valve heads breaking off the stem and valve springs cracked . Were they simpler than an oilhead , yes , but try repairing a bean can ignition system , or locate a good set of points now for an earlier model .
Sorry , I loved my airheads , all 4 of them , but even with the problems some oilheads had , they are still functionally superior to an airhead .
Dusty
Voice of experience, thanks Dusty. I plan to go check her out ASAP👍
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Do not see how you can go wrong knowing the history and service records for that $$$ :thumb:
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I've had both as well and the oil head is superior. Four valve heads and oil coolers and electronics as dirt simple as it gets. With a manual and a good digital meter can be easily maintained.
Good price w/ known history, a winner.
:-)
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TO ME, the lack of interest when I found it was an Oilhead and not an Airhead was NOT because which was technically "superior" it was because they ARE different things.
IF I wanted what was technically superior, I wouldn't go for a 25 y/o bike, I'd get a NEW ONE. An R9T probably, or maybe MAYBE an R1200R.
But IF I wanted to get a 25 year old BMW, then I'd RATHER have an Airhead, especially one of the very last ones, cause it's cool, and the newest of the oldest if you will.
I probably don't WANT either really, cause if I did, then I'd have one.
And I don't want either more than I want what we currently have.
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Meh , cool is wonderful , but maybe the concept is age dependent . A mid 90's airhead just isn't all that cool to an old guy , if cool is the deciding factor then find an R51 , or a '55 model R50 . There is zero difference on the cool scale between a mid '90's airhead or a mid '90's oilhead .
Dusty
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Cool is in the eyes of the beholder I figure. Cool in this case is 2000 bucks that KBB says the trade in value is significantly higher. You know, like money in the bank with interest 👍 besides the 7800 I got for the 1400 is just sitting and waiting for that special goose. Besides I just bored and looking for an adventure to get into, lol😂🤣🤔
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I owned a couple of oilhead bikes. The '95 R1100RS was slightly glitchy in traffic due to fueling issues. My second and last oilhead was a 2004 1100 (1150?) Rockster, with factory dual plug heads, ran strong from low to top rpm, and fueled very well. No ABS. Loved this oilhead. The 1995 initially disappointed me simply because I expected it to be a better Type 247 engine.
I've been on my R100GS for 29 years, 160,000 miles, love it, and have often considered going on a search for a 1995 model of the R100R.
(https://i.ibb.co/KFRjpVj/Slide20.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KFRjpVj)
THEN ...............
On a rental R100R Mystic in Novato CA Nov/Dec 1995. 3-4 day ride, from Dubbelju Rentals, San Francisco CA.
South to Ventura from SF (NOT on 'the 5!') then North to Novato. Beautiful ride!
(https://i.ibb.co/pb3gWjk/Hudson-to-Montana-2009-067-Small.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pb3gWjk)
............ 14 YEARS LATER .... @ 118,000 miles
My bike, not a rental. NE Ohio to N Utah/S Wyoming, then back to Cleveland OH.
......................................Sierra Nevadas in background
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Meh , cool is wonderful , but maybe the concept is age dependent . A mid 90's airhead just isn't all that cool to an old guy , if cool is the deciding factor then find an R51 , or a '55 model R50 . There is zero difference on the cool scale between a mid '90's airhead or a mid '90's oilhead .
Dusty
No, an R51 or R50 is useless in my book. The R100 would still be practical enough for every day duty, but cool enough to me.
I'm not looking for a TRUE antique. NOOOOO THANKS.
But again, that's why I don't have the R100 either... cause the V7 is just plain better for me.
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An Oilhead BMW ranks down near the very bottom of my desirability list, an Airhead ranks somewhere around the middle. ;-)
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The R1100R you’re looking at was also available in a sleeved-down version, the R850R. I traded my K75 for one. The engineering was vastly superior IMO to my K75 (better suspension, more torque, smoother gearbox, better rear end) and handled quite confidently with its Telelever front end, though it wasn’t as attractive. $2k for a clean R1100R is a good buy where I live. The bike is simple to maintain and should be quite reliable. ABS was an option on these bikes. I’d have another R850R if I had the room.
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The R1100R you’re looking at was also available in a sleeved-down version, the R850R. I traded my K75 for one. The engineering was vastly superior IMO to my K75 (better suspension, more torque, smoother gearbox, better rear end) and handled quite confidently with its Telelever front end, though it wasn’t as attractive. $2k for a clean R1100R is a good buy where I live. The bike is simple to maintain and should be quite reliable. ABS was an option on these bikes. I’d have another R850R if I had the room.
Understood! I rented one in CA ........ in a way like the old smaller displacement airheads ...... smoother.
Bob
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I have little to know knowledge about these bmw bikes, so what’s the difference between a r100r and a R1000r, same year,1995?
Its a completely different motorcycle. Frame, drivetrain, everything. For example say you thought a guy had a Calvin at a really good price, but then you found out it's a 1400. The 1400 is probably much more advanced, and to some people "better", but its not an air cooled big block.
The 1100's are known as oilheads. They're fine motorcycles, but if I wanted one, I could find one closer for not much more money. A $2000 R100R with records and in good running condition? Not so much.
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I put probably 250,000 miles on airheads , everything from /5's to an '84 R100 RT , and they were fine machines . However , the idea that a last year ('95) airhead is a superior motorbike to an early oilhead is silly . The oilhead is faster , has better brakes , the handling is so much better the two bikes almost can't be compared , and suspension quality is light years ahead . The idea that airheads were trouble free is ludicrous , the post '84 models had transmission problems because of the circlip issue , there were problems with valve heads breaking off the stem and valve springs cracked . Were they simpler than an oilhead , yes , but try repairing a bean can ignition system , or locate a good set of points now for an earlier model .
Sorry , I loved my airheads , all 4 of them , but even with the problems some oilheads had , they are still functionally superior to an airhead .
Dusty
Wait.....what? This from a Guzzi rider?? :grin:
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The R1100R you’re looking at was also available in a sleeved-down version, the R850R. I traded my K75 for one. The engineering was vastly superior IMO to my K75 (better suspension, more torque, smoother gearbox, better rear end) and handled quite confidently with its Telelever front end, though it wasn’t as attractive. $2k for a clean R1100R is a good buy where I live. The bike is simple to maintain and should be quite reliable. ABS was an option on these bikes. I’d have another R850R if I had the room.
ABS, that is the achillies heel of many of the oilheads. Some models with the servo pump extremely expensive to maintain and repair. Even the non pump models can be problematic!!!
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Meh , cool is wonderful , but maybe the concept is age dependent . A mid 90's airhead just isn't all that cool to an old guy , if cool is the deciding factor then find an R51 , or a '55 model R50 . There is zero difference on the cool scale between a mid '90's airhead or a mid '90's oilhead .
Dusty
You're not old enough. :laugh: !!
Bob
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I had one of these. I wanted a classic looking BMW with black paint/white pin striping. Bought a new one. Only motorcycle purchase I ever regretted. My experience: Took drained oil after first oil change to an Advanced Auto Parts store to dispose. Manager asked if it was only oil and I said it was. He removed the cap of the container, smelled the oil, and said he couldn't accept it because it had gas in it. I said, nope, only oil, just did the oil change into a fresh container. He said, smell it. Yup, strong gas smell in the oil. Problem #2: The bike would be in first gear at a stop, I would accelerate away and it would just pop into neutral. A variation of this is that I would be at a stop, click down into first gear, neutral light out, let the clutch out to motor away and it would be in a false neutral. Both dangerous. Three of my friends who were long term BMW owner's said that the trans would get better with more miles. I took it back to the dealer and had their mechanic take it out. He told me before he took it out that "they all do it." Hmmm?. When he came back in after the test ride he was laughing in his helmet. He said, and I quote, word for word, " I don't know how to tell you this, but this is a good one." I kept the bike for a little while longer and it popped out of gear one more time motoring away from an intersection and a car behind about tagged me in the rear when I bogged down. That was it. Coulda had a lemon. it happens. Who knows. I moved on. My one and only BMW.
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ABS, that is the achillies heel of many of the oilheads. Some models with the servo pump extremely expensive to maintain and repair. Even the non pump models can be problematic!!!
The R1100R doesn’t have the servo-assist brakes, but the next generation model, the R1150R, did. They were fine unless you neglected regular maintenance (fluid changes), in which you’re correct, they were expensive to repair. The servo assist provided strong braking as long as the ignition was on, but was a bit inept when the bike was off. I could live with them but am glad BMW dropped them on its later models.
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I'd buy it, no question. I have a 73 R75 and previously owned an R1150. There's absolutely no comparison between an airhead and an oilhead. The oilhead is much, much more modern and capable. I didn't care for the ABS "whizzy" brakes on my R1150 due to them being rather abrupt in operation, at least to my taste. The R1100 will have a fantastic ride/handling balance, at least in my experience. I loved it for that.
Maintenance is pretty simple and the bikes are quite reliable. Mine had been sitting several years when I bought it and a gearbox seal failed, fouling the clutch and requiring replacement. It wasn't difficult, but time-consuming, like it would be on a Guzzi. If I had room, I'd have an oilhead in the garage again.
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An early R1100R is essentially valueless, a throw away bike in 2020 and forever.
If it were an R100R, it’s the model that a fairly substantial group of buyers think is the peak of BMWs designs... so would be worth something for a long time to come. A totally different animal.
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An early R1100R is essentially valueless, a throw away bike in 2020 and forever.
If it were an R100R, it’s the model that a fairly substantial group of buyers think is the peak of BMWs designs... so would be worth something for a long time to come. A totally different animal.
I remember in the late 70's early 80's when the old beemer guys said the same thing about the 247 design , they are all junk , the roller bearing engines were better , blah blah blah woof woof .
Dusty
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I like the R1100R, and I came close to buying one new in 96 instead of my RK.
I test rode one and told my now long time ex that it did everything better than the RK. It went better, turned better, stopped better. Any then I hesitated. She looked me in the eye and said "but it doesn't get your D£€€® hard, does it?" followed by "then buy the RK" so I did.
Not two years later I was expecting a nice extra paycheck for the Chilton Motorcycle Handbook and I had just heard the heartbeat if my first kid so I celebrated by running out and buying an almost new (< 2k mile) 96 R1100RSa. It was a fantastic bike. But after about 40k miles I had to admit that it wasn't for me. That's not the fault of the bike. It was quick (er than I needed), handled great, pretty comfortable etc. But it still didn't capture my heart like my airheads did before it or my RK's have, or my V7's have etc.
Sometimes it's just the heart, not the head.
Who am I fooling, not sometimes.... ALL the time (or maybe it should be).
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I can relate to where you're coming from, Kev.
Yes, the R1100 does everything better - stop, go, suspension, power - but in the end, the newer bikes didn't grab me. I like the way the older ones look and feel. I don't like the buzzing of the high pressure fuel pump and the way the bikes feel top heavy. I found that I prefer the feel of normal front shocks rather than the telelever. The oil heads went to a cheaper aluminum alloy (easier to cast) that needs to be painted otherwise they corrode away like the Japanese bikes.
In the end, the airheads do everything well enough for real world use. The oilheads have an edge, but it's not that great. Even though airheads aren't much slower, I think it still applies that it's more fun riding a slow bike fast.
I thought the first R1100 was pretty ugly and wasn't turned on at all by them. For about the same money you could get a little newer RS. I thought the 1150R wasn't a bad looking bike and wanted one with wire wheels. All of them can be had pretty cheaply these days.
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Traditional telescopics on this one, no?
Good bikes and that seems like a very nice price. Bear in mind, Roper says that the exhaust sounds like a parson farting in a bathtub. And, as a BMW airhead owner and fan I'm confident in saying that they are not very exciting and don't handle particularly well. But I like them anyway! :)
Back in the day I put a couple of Luftmeister 2 into 1 headers on airheads. They sounded sweet!
Larry
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I can relate to where you're coming from, Kev.
Yes, the R1100 does everything better - stop, go, suspension, power - but in the end, the newer bikes didn't grab me. I like the way the older ones look and feel. I don't like the buzzing of the high pressure fuel pump and the way the bikes feel top heavy. I found that I prefer the feel of normal front shocks rather than the telelever. The oil heads went to a cheaper aluminum alloy (easier to cast) that needs to be painted otherwise they corrode away like the Japanese bikes.
In the end, the airheads do everything well enough for real world use. The oilheads have an edge, but it's not that great. Even though airheads aren't much slower, I think it still applies that it's more fun riding a slow bike fast.
I thought the first R1100 was pretty ugly and wasn't turned on at all by them. For about the same money you could get a little newer RS. I thought the 1150R wasn't a bad looking bike and wanted one with wire wheels. All of them can be had pretty cheaply these days.
Yup!
People call it a lot of things, character, soul, imperfections fine.
Any I know some think that makes us crazy because they value the greater performance and function more. I understand that and don't fault then for it.
We all find our own balance with that sort of thing.
Guzzis in general are a sweet spot between form/feel and function. But even Guzzis vary on that scale from V11 Sports or Grisos to Tonti Calis. From Cali 1400's to smallblocks.
We are all just looking for our sweet spots.
And many have more than one.
I KNOW I could happily own another Oilhead. I also know I'd probably be more happy with an airhead and happier still with my smallblocks.
Which is why I am where I am....
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hey Dan, maybe this puts some wind in your sails? https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=106344.0 (https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=106344.0)
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hey Dan, maybe this puts some wind in your sails? https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=106344.0 (https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=106344.0)
Thanks BBQ, yea Antmanbee sent me this also. I’ll probably send a bid but it’ll reflect shipping cost so it will be a low bid.
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In the end, the airheads do everything well enough for real world use. The oilheads have an edge, but it's not that great. Even though airheads aren't much slower, I think it still applies that it's more fun riding a slow bike fast.
I’ve ridden all of them, and I don’t think at all that an early R1100R is functionally better than a mid-90s R100R. A few years ago I was amused to meet up with friends who do the Beach tours, mostly BMW mounted, and what were Rob Beach and I both using to corral groups on late model BMWs? Almost identical R100GSs. The reason for that is that they work better, and longer, in Alpine service (the best test of a bike IMHO) than newer bikes that we both could have chosen.
1990s airheads are not 1970s airheads, and 25-30 years after they were made there are people that still know it, that the last airheads are very functional bikes. This is hardly a reaction to the new, anything made in the mid-90s is old, including an R1100R. However, an R100R is reminiscent of some of the newer small block Guzzis, a good bike and lighter, better and more pleasant than a piggishly overweight, surging R1100 of any variety from that era long ago.
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R100R were used in a fairly popular race 25+ years ago. In the 1992-1995 time frame, BMW Motorrad of North America decided to sponsor a promotional race featuring riders who had raced in the 1950's, 60s and 70's. Some were more current.
The factory provided the riders with matching leathers and mounted them on identical R100R bikes. This race was held at Daytona Beach, during Bike Week, I think. It proved popular enough with the fans that BMW sponsored the race at least 20 more times, at different tracks across the US. By the time I saw them at Mid Ohio in 1995 time frame, the riders had 'graduated' to identical R1100RS bikes.
But the first race and several subsequent ones pitted Legends such as Gary Nixon, Roger Reiman, Bart Markel, Jay Springsteen, and even Walter Zeller, in races that were fun to watch. George Roeder came off his ride and really took a chunk out of his leathers. Don Emde raced in the series, and wrote a very nice book covering all the races.
I still have the poster signed by Gary Nixon. To this day, I'll remember his gravelly voice, and him asking "didn't I race against you?" No, I'm not that talented! He and Springsteen were good buddies, Jay carrying Gary's #9 on his bike too, with the colors flip-flopped.
Unfortunately, Roger Reiman was killed in an accident on the last race of the series.
https://www.bike-urious.com/1-17-1993-bmw-r100r-battle-legends/
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R100R were used in a fairly popular race 25+ years ago. In the 1992-1995 time frame, BMW Motorrad of North America decided to sponsor a promotional race featuring riders who had raced in the 1950's, 60s and 70's. Some were more current.
The factory provided the riders with matching leathers and mounted them on identical R100R bikes.
A friend of mine has or had one of them in as-raced condition. My memory says it was Gary Nixon’s but it may be incorrect.
(https://i.ibb.co/k80tMPY/31127-EF1-9-C44-481-E-BBAA-B928540-A54-BC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k80tMPY)
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I don't know if that was Gary or not but that is his number. Reg Pridmore was the primo BMW pilot.
kk