The RS, S, RT and R of the 70's were the best bikes for me. Simple air cooled, shaft drive and ultra reliable, going strong fourth years later. I doubt the modern bikes with all their " systems " will last as long.

Learned how to ride at 10 on a Honda CT 90. Moved up to an 81 Yamaha Seca 550 at 16. I'll never forget the day my dad tossed me the keys to his smoke on rec 1981 R100RT. I was 17. " Be careful, be back in a half hour." I'll never forget that.

You've nailed it, mate. I'm blessed enough to have a small herd of old BMWs in my garage... including a R75/5, an R90S, a K1200LT and an F800GSA. The old air cooled twins still speak to me in ways that the F800, for example, never will. Every time I take the R90 out each run through the gears is thrilling - the torque, the sound, the front wheel power wheelieing at the top of the rev band -- it's FUN! My touring barge is likely faster than the S, but the S clearly needs me. Its mutual.

The R100RS sounds beautiful. I had an RT version back in the mid 80s. I miss that bike so much. I am with you. I would take the RS every day.

I fell in lust with the R100RS when they were introduced in 1977 and I finally got one (an ‘83) in 2019. The bike is every bit as nice as I ever imagined it would be. The brakes aren’t up to modern standards but they aren’t bad (I’ve got the Brembos and not the original cheesy AREs with the silly cable operated undertank master cylinder). It is more than 200 lbs lighter than my Honda ST1300, it is nimble, gets great fuel mileage and it is deadnuts reliable - plus it gobbles miles like nothing else.

That brings back memories, had an R100S in the 80's, lovely bike.

I owned a 1978 gold color R100RS in 1979. It was a lovely bike to ride. Easy to maintain and service. It had a downforce faring forty years before it became a feature on some upmarket modern bikes…

A great comparison on lovely looking biking roads, including the breakfast! As an owner of a 1983 R100RS and a 1990 K1 I have to agree with your conclusion. Every time I go and look in the dealers at the latest bikes (which all look amazing in terms of performance and gadgetry) I find myself looking out of the window and thinking that the RS gives me everything I need and draws more admiring looks than any modern bike! I would happily jump on it tomorrow and ride it across continents without a care, knowing that if it had a problem (and that’s very unlikely) I could fix it at the side of the road and carry on 👍

A '83 R80RT with the fairing removed and converted to an R was my first bike. WONDERFUL first bike, but soon replaced that with an '01 R1100RS. Which within a year I felt was too slow, and replaced with an '03 'K1200RS, and now a '20 R1250RS . I love BMW RSes, and yeah, the airheads were cool and in many ways revolutionary for their time. Key words being, "for their time." As for comparing which is more fun, I completely disagree with your assessment. There isn't the grunt, stopping ability, comfort, or little creature comforts and technology doo-dads (that I very much enjoy) to compare. More power, better handling, supremely better braking, vastly improved safety & control systems, etc on the 1250. If you don't ride your bike hard or like a hooligan, I could see the two being more comparable. If you do, the old airhead falls on its face IMO.

Absolutely great video. Thank you! I have a 1980 R100RS and a 2009 R1200RT and I prefer the R100RS under nearly all circumstances here in the UK. I do want to make a comment about the brakes though-on the later bikes, the brakes were uprated, the callipers moved and a handlebar mounted fluid reservoir added. That really is the difference between stopping without drama and wondering, with the old system, if you were going to stop at all. I also have an R60/5; brilliant in it's own way too.

I've been thinking about getting a 70's R100RS. This will help me make my decision.

Good to hear a real biker's thoughts. I bought a low mileage 1992 R100r some years ago which now has almost 53K miles on it. Done several trips from Scotland to France; round trip of 1400 miles or so. Only issue was a broken clutch cable. Past history involved several FJR1300s and Pan Euros, but the airhead is now my favourite go to. It;s everything I love about biking, Though I do have an Italian lover in the the form of a Moto Guzzi V7. Transverse the dogs'. Happy riding, Iain.

First big bike I ever rode... '78 R100RS in white... It was the second R100RS my dad had owned... He had a brand new one in one of those amazing blended colours BMW did in the 70's. He also had a Laverda Mirage, and loads of other cool bikes before he decided he preferred cars. Rode it round a car park aged 16. Dad said to me, don't take it out of first gear. Had it in third gear before he hand signalled me to get off the bike :) Kids eh. I now ride a '22 1250 GSA... I'd had the bike for a few weeks and let my dad have a go. He dropped it at low speed, zero damage apart from a few scrapes on the crash bars... I smiled and said to him... We have come a long way since 1995 haven't we dad? Would love a ride on an R100RS now....

Same engine design, putting power through a, shaft to rear wheel. Handlebars and a seat. Amazing how they can be sooo different, nice video... I'd love the thought a sunny 7.30am February ride here in North East UK. haha.

Just finished rebuilding my 1978 R100rs and its also my first bike. Already absolutely in love with it.

I have a 05 BMW R1200 GS with extremely low miles in it. Yes I love this bike. I'm thinking about getting a second BMW possibly a thirty year old 750 or 1000. Thanks for the video.

R100RS. had one in gold back in the early 80'S in southern NSW. Bought it from a car yard for $4000 (I think). Rode up and down the east coast of Australia on it for a few years, Always did longer trips with a tank bag and lay on that just holding the throttle open. Wish I'd kept it, along with my 1975 Ducati 750SS, and the later R80GS in blue and the best of all TT2 650 Race Ducati. All sold for a new Ducati PASO 906, what an absolute lemon that was. Just back into bikes again now, in my 60s and have grabbed a R1200S to appreciate and an F800S for riding. Test rode the RnineT but its too fast and furious for me and way too technical to live with. The R1250GS seems like the R80GS renewed but like you said, cant maintain it at home.

Iconic bike. I hade one for 3 years back in the 80's. I loved it. Still do..... now I am on a 93 1100GS

I SO VERY MUCH miss my 1977 R100S more than words can express. It was the White with the Motorsport colors. It was one of 400 made. I still dream about that bike some 40 years later. Was it the best Hell NO. All Kinds of issues, but they were fixable with just a small modicum of knowledge! The feel of the ride, the smell of the leaded gas, the FORTE' SOUND, often times I would use AVIATION FUEL! It was only $3.00 per gallon. In the USA Redge Pridmore won a super bike race on specially prepped R90S.

Enjoyable video and the article about the Castrol 6 hour race was a cracking read, thanks on both counts ! 🇬🇧

Me and my father are into vintage bmw's the r50's r69s's i never ridden an r100 but I've ridden an R65 and it's a lot of fun, o can only imagine what the R100 would feel, the R65 is a lot of fun but with the extra power of the R100 it should be a blast ❤❤❤

I'm a huge fan of the 1970's BMW's ... and the RS here is nearly identical to one of mine. Brilliant bikes!

Excellent video, good camera work. Thanks for the useful comparison.

Fond memories of my R1000RS Motorsport, best motorcycle I ever had. TRL 231S, hope you´re still rolling.

In a week I'm trailering my '77R100/7 to South Dakota from Detroit and picking up a '77R100RS REALLY looking forward to the next 30 years of riding! (I'm 62,)

Oh my, I had a Commando MkllA 1974 back in the late seventees and did a lot of European travel. I suffered with a sharp pain in my back after many miles so decided to swap to the BMW. I went for the RT for the sake of my wife (the pillion) and my back, it was great regarding comfort but, oh how I wish I had chosen the RS.

Amazing how feelable you made these bikes 👍!

Me and my girlfriend, my R 100 RS, + full luggage, we went every where in Europe, 100 mph for hours on highways, no problem. Like on a rail in turns... Miss it.

Stunning scenery! Whereabouts was this.. I know it was somewhere NSW, but?

Nice comparison/review video and it looks like a fabulous area to ride! Those drone shots of the trees! 😂 I think to get the shot you're after, you need a 360 camera ...or a willing mate by the roadside!

I got a real twinge of nostalgia watching this. In 2017 I flew to Philadelphia and bought a 1974 R60/6. I rode the bike all the way to San Francisco through the Ozarks, the Mid West, Vagas, Death Valley and all the sights in between. Early BMWs are a perfect choice for relaxed touring, I swear my face ached from smiling all the time. The bike never missed a beat over 4800 miles. it was ‘pinking’ a bit going through the mountains but that was probably due to regular gas. There is no other bike from that era I would trust on a trip like that. When I got back to the UK I bought a 79 R100RS which is superb but somehow lacks the simple charm of the earlier bikes.

The season up here in Canada should restart come end of March. In the meantime, what a treat to ride with you guys in Australia, no less.

Standard mufflers are always the best. Less noise is GOLD. What does it matter having THREE hp more but making 3 dB more noise. It's twice as much.

I like the route and the scenery too. I rode a friend's R100RS back in the day and it felt great especially with the downforce fairing. As for technology, now I have the Forza 750 with Traction Control I have been surprised how often it cuts in....

I like my NC but love my 85 R80. I've owned it since new and nothing beats the sound of an airhead purring along at 4,000 rpm. Oh, um.....gloves please. ATGATT :)

I think you nailed it with your conclusion.

I'll take the R100RS with the jacking up and down on acceleration and deceleration. It's probably the best sport touring bike ever made.

That was a nice review of two extreme worlds. Thanks for that moment 👍

I had an '81 R100RT for years. You've got a real Beemer there. Great bike.

I bought the Gold R100RS in 1979. At the time the most expensive production road bike, I believe. I think it was about £2250 new from the BMW dealer in slough. I wish I had kept it. It was a joy to ride and fast, especially two up. It was a wheelie monster too. Fun times.

Always love your calm relaxing videos, and a nice comparison of old and new. Just wish I could have been there riding in the sunshine instead of heading off to work in the cold and blustery of Lincolnshire. Oh well, soon be spring again. 😐

Nice film. Envious of your climate. Rode to London and back from North Wales last week and nearly froze to death. That was on a BMW R1200R - no fairing although I do have a nice screen from MadStad Engineering of Florida. It's a tribute to BMW that their bikes from the 1980s remain so rideable and enjoyable today. Nice breakfast - heart attack on a plate!

I have just bought a 1978 R60/7, and compared to my 2021 G310R, the steering feels quite heavy, partly accounted for by the narrower handlebars. I find that I need to counter steer much more consciously than I do on the 310, but when I do it corners beautifully. I’d also agree that you really do need to heave on the front brake lever to get it to slow down quickly.

I owned an R100 RS too...very nice and very efficient bike on the road compared to japaneses 80s ones....I've been very happy with this bike...

7:50 Legend has it the BMW team put in small measured blocks of dry ice in the front suspension which melted and become nitrogen gas, and thus effectively upping the spring rate, increasing front end stiffness, and holding the front end up giving improved ground clearance for cornering. And of course the gas would disappear when the forks were dismantled for scrutineering. A book could be, and should be, written on the battle of wits between teams and the scrutineers of this period.

Have an 88 RS now as well as an F800ST. The ST was in the shop so had to ride the RS for the first time in months. I'd forgotten how nice is actually is. More a gentleman's cruiser. It's far more protective and you aren't buffeted by the winds. I also had an 82 RS and quite often rode my best friends R90S. To me my 88RS is way better handling than the R90S. My 88 front brakes stops the bike really well. Not quite as good as the ST but not far behind either. On a personal note I've always loved the blue and silver combo and almost got a 92 with that color scheme, but would never take by bottom fairing off. Was it perhaps too hot? PS: agree on the GS. It's too big and heavy also.

Just so gorgeous compared to later and modern BMs....................

Fantastic Bikes really enjoyed the video I have a 2004 R1150RT fantastic bike

I love that BMW 100RS I will have to find me one of those!! Great video!

Thanks for the comparison. The newest Beemer I have ridden (and owned) is the 1100 oilhead. I am sure there is much to like about the 2020 GS but I am with you. I will take the RS! It is a special feeling to flog the hell out of the old airheads on ordinary public roads.

Mr. Stuff- Your conclusions are the same as mine. I own both a 2019 R1250GS and a 1981 R100RS, and while the new bike is a marvel (probably the best motorcycle I've owned) yet I have more fun on the old Airhead RS.

Lovely review, superb roads. I was glad to see gloves appear somewhere along the way, please regardless of heat and humidity always wear gloves. Don’t mean to preach, just looking out for fellow boxer riders. I’m fortunate to have a 1981RS and a 1250GS, what can I add, well for pride of ownership it’s the R100RS every day of the week, mine has Brembo’s front and rear so better braking than the one you rode , but still not quite to modern standards. Whilst the old girl rarely ever lets me down I’m not confident to take her on a long tour despite great Krauser panniers, back in the 80’s she took me all over Europe. The riding position is also a bit cramped for me now as I get older and my joints haven’t aged as well as the RS! So that’s where the GS wins out, reliability ( at least now whilst new and under warranty) and ergonomics for my long legs, sure there’ s also more power, lots, but that’s not so relevant. However if the admiration of fellow bikers has any relevance then the R100RS is by far the more eye-catching, it hasn’t always been so, 20 years ago it was just an “old bike” to most people, now it’s a classic . Thanks again for a most enjoyable review.

Love my 78 RS w S fairing. During the great tyre drought of the Covid times my 2018 R1200GS RallyeX was out of action waiting for new sneakers so tour of the snowies and GDR was undertaken on the old girl. Dirt sections were undertaken as it was part of original plan. She ate it up though centre stand lost a pin and had to be bungied up. They are both top of their field. What the R100 lacks in off road confidence she more than makes up for in style and design when on the open road. They are a fine pair in the garage both vying for my attention.

Great video christ that was a fair scoff you had there lol 👍

Love it…I have an 1981 R100RS that I don't think I'll ever part with!

I owned 1979 RS during 1985 - 1988. Now I have GS 1250 2019.

I've got a '90 monolever 100rs and '07 GS - both are brilliant bikes. Appearance it's the rs for me - very distinctive.

Thx for your video, mate. Got the R 1200 R Classic (2014) and the R 100 GS (1989). Drove the R 100 RS one day. Found it behaves to sporty and a bit stressful to drive. No comparison to my relaxed bikes. It was a sport bike of its time. BMW brakes of these days are realy a menace to society 😊😅

That R100 made the loveliest sound, what exhaust system?

Thank you for this video. Where is this AMAZING route?

Pretty good mate . I have owned three airheads and I love 'em . The new stuff is just too expensive to maintain for an old codger like me . If BMW started a rerun of the old 100 RS I'd buy one in a heartbeat . I went on a run through the Sahara with my BMW 650 Dakar along with a gaggle of BMW 1200s , when we went of road my bike was great and easy to handle , the others hired dirtbikes as their lumbering monsters were uncontrollable on the sand .

Yep, thats why I tour on my R100S

I love your video.

I was contemplating buying an R100 a quite ago. But, ended up getting an FJR..... Only a little different😀

I agree with you on all points.

In Ireland, that breakfast would be called the 'full Irish breakfast' - obviously leading to a 'full' customer! Similar breakfasts in our neighbours are called full English and full Scottish breakfasts. I don't like to eat too much before a motorbike ride - happier to graze during the day - I suspect you do something similar...

I seem to remember those flywheels, til late 80s, was 10 kg. around 1980 changed to 5 kg. less clunky gear change.

Brilliant and enjoyable look at the old BMW RS. I always wanted an "RT" as a kid. Unfortunately by the time I was big enough and ugly enough to be able to buy one I was also way, WAAAY to tall to fit on one 😭. In the UK back in the day many big BMW owners also had an MZ250 in the garage for the 4 months of the year that the roads are awash with salt. Doubt that would have been an issue in Oz 👍. Does Norm have a CX500 hidden away in his garage? Now that would definitely take me back to the best bike I had ever owned until I bought the NC750X obviously (despite the lack of a shaft).

I have a '95 RT Classic . I really don't have any desire to own a modern BMW . Just looking at the close-ups of that GS leaves me cold , and as you point out , the power is unusable on public roads . I could never love that two-wheeled computer

What's it like holding a self stick riding the 100RS? I was rather an RT fan in period, as a ploder.

Could do with some dropguard brackets around the cilinders. Like the newer bike has.

I enjoyed this, thanks!

Good video. My favorite is NC750XD, jajaja

100 RS: superb bike. Surprised you didn't burn a clutch after such a breakfast though :-)

Bmw build a competent bike, good but not great in class. I had an R100RT similar to that RS but with a slightly larger fairing. It was more fun than new ones because it had character. Easy to home maintain too. The modern GS is a bit dull really. I have the R1200 RS which is more engaging to ride but lacks that X factor. It’s fast, it handles well and is finished well but it’s heavy and costly to maintain, due to high dealer prices. Sensors have failed on mine and quality of engine paint is poor. The semi active suspension isn’t as good as my basic set up on my suzuki VStrom 650 which is more fun to ride. The main issue with modern bmw’s though is their ridiculous cost. I bought second hand but still had to pay silly money. I do like the RS. It’s pretty refined and sure footed plus can tour with luggage as well as ride the twisties well. I just don’t love it the way other bikes appealed to me. It takes a long time to bond with new boxers but when you do there’s nothing else that will do.

Like comparing a biplane and the space shuttle.

And the bars are very narrow!I have had a K100rs and a r 100gs

My done up 82 RT only get sketch above 170kph in corners but otherwise so smooth cruising my passengers nod off. The r60 is more a tractor.

My '75 R90S was quicker than my 2009 1200GS, last of the oilers. Those Delortos were pure power. My 79 R100S with Bings was the slowest of the 3.

My oilhead r1150r had nothing on it except for fuel injectors. Never had anything. Then there is my r1200st lets say if your canbus gets glitched youre in a world of suprise, and its as simple as using the non canbus Bmw accu optimizer

It looks funny without the lower fairing/belly pan.

r100rs the best looking touring

No gloves?

🍎🍊

👍🍺

Nice video. But what about wearing gloves ?

I’d recommend gloves

'it goes around corners by just thinking about the corner'...jesus really?

‘78 RS - no need to ever buy another motorcycle…

You should allways wear gloves

i like the road you driving

the 79 is a motorcycle. The 2020 is an appliance that costs a fortune to buy and service at the dealer

BMW R100, S, RS, RT were the last great bikes BMW made since 80's they've just produced crap.

79 is better bike i dont like the new one older year better it is for me