NGC - BMW R100R - anyone here ever own one?

[ohiorider]

I've owned my 1991 R100GS for 28 + years, and put a bunch of miles on it.  Just curious if any of you ever owned the 'lower' version of the GS. 

The R100R used the same engine, tranny, Paralever drive line, and 3:09 final drive ratio.  Like the old GS, it is carbureted, with dual Bing CV carbs. I rented the Mystic version nearly 25 years ago when I was in CA for a trade show, and rode several good roads between SF and Ventura.  Seemed like a capable bike at the time.

I look for one every now and then, with low mileage and in good shape.  Maybe I'm fantasizing, and it's just another old bike from times past.

Any positive thoughts?

Bob

[JJ]

This beautiful, well maintained, example of a classic R100R is FOR SALE now at Powersports Outlet in Prescott, AZ...   Never owned this model, but have put >50,000 miles each on an R75/6 and an R80RT, and in general, these old airheads are tough to beat..

[ohiorider]

This beautiful, well maintained, example of a classic R100R is FOR SALE now at Powersports Outlet in Prescott, AZ...   Never owned this model, but have put >50,000 miles each on an R75/6 and an R80RT, and in general, these old airheads are tough to beat..

JJ, any more details on this bike?  That looks like a perfect fly and ride.  She looks good in the pic.  Am I up to it?  And do I need another bike?  All questions I need to answer.  Love Prescott.  Is Powersports the Guzzi dealer just outside of town?  Re your airhead comment ..... they do seem to punch above their weight.

Must be a 1992 model, since it appears to have a single disc front brake system.

Bob

[wirespokes]

I've got a 92 I rode across the country from Portland Or to the BMW National Rally in Burlington VT in 2005. It's one of the best handling of the airheads, best brakes (dual four-piston Brembos), and easy to ride. I'm not crazy about the looks and always wanted to retro back to something more like the 90S. But other than that it's a great bike.

[ohiorider]

I've got a 92 I rode across the country from Portland Or to the BMW National Rally in Burlington VT in 2005. It's one of the best handling of the airheads, best brakes (dual four-piston Brembos), and easy to ride. I'm not crazy about the looks and always wanted to retro back to something more like the 90S. But other than that it's a great bike.

Like you, I'm not excited over the appearance of the R100R, never was .... but, having said that, it has a lot going for it, especially if you like airheads, and specifically Paralever airhead bikes.  I remember how much I enjoyed riding the rental Mystic through the hills of California between SF and Ventura, then back north to Novato before returning the bike to Dubbelju Rentals in SF.

There is just something about these lighter weight BMWs that I like .... although they're small, they don't (to me) feel small and underpowered.

I've cruised on my old GS for hour on hour on I 80, when I got antsy to get back home, and the old airhead always performed well.  Maybe it's the fact that when you ride one of these bikes, you feel "1969" done very well.

Bob

[Clifton]

I've owned my 1991 R100GS for 28 + years, and put a bunch of miles on it.  Just curious if any of you ever owned the 'shorter' version of the GS. 

The R100R used the same engine, tranny, Paralever drive line, and 3:09 final drive ratio.  Like the old GS, it is carbureted, with dual Bing CV carbs. I rented the Mystic version nearly 25 years ago when I was in CA for a trade show, and rode several good roads between SF and Ventura.  Seemed like a capable bike at the time.

I look for one every now and then, with low mileage and in good shape.  Maybe I'm fantasizing, and it's just another old bike from times past.

Any positive thoughts?

Bob

I also owned a 1991 R100GS which I bought new and traded on a 1995 R1100RS. About 1997 I stumbled on this low mileage 1993 R100R and have had it ever since. It now has about 30K. I love riding this bike, it's simple, cool running, easy to service, basically similar to my V7 II Stone only with a bit more grunt.

[ohiorider]

I also owned a 1991 R100GS which I bought new and traded on a 1995 R1100RS. About 1997 I stumbled on this low mileage 1993 R100R and have had it ever since. It now has about 30K. I love riding this bike, it's simple, cool running, easy to service, basically similar to my V7 II Stone only with a bit more grunt.

Nice older Beemer!  Good to hear you've put a bunch of saddle time in with this bike.  Looks like a nice all rounder.

Thanks for posting the info about it.

Bob

[Tusayan]

The R100R is the Airheads bike of choice, or anyway the 300K (?) mile ride of founder B Jan, and with good reason: for those who value traditional BMW motorcycle design values it was probably the best bike they built.

[Clifton]

Thanks Bob. I like that it reminds me of my first BMW which was a 1976 R75/6 bought slightly used in 1977. Simple, light, torquey, nice suspension, good gas capacity, only it's a little better in almost every way with electronic ignition, tubeless radial tires, Brembo brakes, Paralever single sided swing arm, etc...
One issue with these Airheads from somewhere in the mid-late 80's until 1994 or 1995 to be aware of was the omission of a circlip in the transmission which could lead to the transmission shafts drifting and stressing the bearings. There are not a lot of mechanics out there who can correctly remedy this. The best one is probably Tom Cutter in NJ (Rubber Chicken Racing) who was the mechanic for BMW's distributor Butler and Smith and also Reg Pridmore when he won the Superbike title in the late 70's.
 My bike at 29,000 miles was running and shifting fine but I wanted him to take the transmission apart, inspect and if needed replace the bearings, and install the missing circlip. He found the shaft had started to shift and two of the bearings to be slightly rough so replaced all bearings. I can't recall how much it cost I just wanted it done, and done by him before he retired.

[wirespokes]

Anyone who's familiar with airhead transmissions can take care of the circlip issue. I've worked on several of mine and for friends as well. The machinist cuts a standard circlip groove and it's all good. However, I've even heard of the bearing 'walking' and forcing the circlip out of the groove. The main problem is forces from the helical gears pushing the bearing. It's best using fifth gear gently like an overdrive and not asking it to work hard or shock it with sudden loads.

The R100R can have the same problems with UJoints as the GS, but less likely. It is a good idea to monitor since a UJoint failing at speed can be disastrous -  shattered swingarm, trashed final drive and transmission. Crash time!