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BMW R 1100RS 75th Anniversary

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Make Model

BMW R 1100RS 75th Anniversary

Year

1998

Engine

Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder

Capacity

1085 cc / 66.2 cu in

Bore x Stroke 99 x 70.5 mm
Cooling System Air/Oil cooled
Compression Ratio 10.7:1
Lubrication Wet sump

Induction

Fuel injection

Ignition 

Electronic ignition MA 2.2 Bosch Motronic 

Alternator 12 V 700 W
Spark Plug Bosch, FR6 DDC
Starting Electric

Max Power

67.1 kW / 90 hp @ 7250 rpm

Max Power Rear Tyre

60.4 kW / 81 hp @ 6900 rpm

Max Torque

95 Nm / 9.7 kgf-m / 69 lb-ft.@ 5500 rpm

Clutch Dry, single plate

Transmission 

5 Speed

Final Drive Shaft
Gear Ratio 1st 4.16 / 2nd 2.91 / 3rd 2.13 / 4th 1.74 / 5th 1.45:1
Rear Wheel Ratio 1:2.81
Frame Steel, backbone frame

Front Suspension

Telelever with central spring strut & linear-rate coil spring. Twin-tube gas-filled shock

Front Wheel Travel 120 mm / 4.7 in

Rear Suspension

Paralever swingarm & shaft drive, single-tube gas-filled shock, variable rebound setting

Rear Wheel Travel 125 mm / 4.9 in

Front Brakes

2 x ∅305mm discs, 4 piston calipers

Rear Brakes

Single ∅276mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Front Tyre

120/70-17

Rear Tyre

160/60-18
Dimensions Length  2175 mm / 85.6 in
Width       920 mm / 36.2 in
Height    1286 mm / 50.6 in
Wheelbase 1485 mm / 58.5 in
Seat Height

780 mm / 30.7 in

Ground Clearance 153 mm / 6.2 in
Dry Weight 239 kg / 526 lbs

Wet Weight

268 kg / 590.8 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

22 Litres / US 5.8 gal

Consumption Average

6.0 L/100 km / 16.6 km/l / 39.0 US mpg

Braking 60 km/h- 0

13.5 m / 44.3 ft

Braking 100 km/h - 0

40.0 m / 131 ft

Standing ¼ Mile  

12.1 sec / 177.5 km/h / 110.3 mph

Top Speed

218.7 km/h / 135.9 mph
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R 1100 RS "75"

The 75th Anniversary models stand out from their regular counterparts by their special colour schemes, body lines and stylish "75 anniversary" details. They are also equipped with a wider range of fittings and equipment as standard.

BMW have a reputation for building top quality touring motorcycles rather than high performance superbikes, but in recent years they have managed to bridge the gap between the two concepts. Arguably the most eye-catching of this new breed is the  R1100RS.   The R1100RS is a unique departure for BMW. Since the 1930s they have been building horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder machines with two valves per cylinder actuated by push-rods.

But with the R1100RS the 'Boxer' engine (as it is commonly known) has joined the latter half of the 20th Century. It is still air cooled, but the number of valves per cylinder has been doubled to four, and their camshafts are now actuated by a series of belts driven from the crankshaft.  The old Bing carburettors, always a distinctive feature of the two-valve Boxer, have also been replaced - the R1100RS is the first Boxer to feature electronic fuel-injection.   But if all that is a major departure, the innovative 'Telelever' front suspension system of the R1100RS is a quantum leap into the next century for the German marque. Just as Yamaha has looked at alternative front suspension and steering systems for motorcycles, BMW has also taken the brave step of introducing their own solution to the problem.

 And that problem is that ideally the steering and suspension systems for a motorcycle's front end should be separate and independent from each other. Traditional telescopic forks flex, the steering geometry of the machine is altered when the front brake is being used, and often much of the fork's movement is taken up with braking, leaving little to deal with bumps in the road.  Yamaha's solution to the problem is the hub-centre-steered GTS 1000, but BMW have taken a lower-key approach.

They still use a pair of telescopic forks on the R1100RS, but they deal with the steering only. The suspension is handled by a single shock absorber bolted to the headstock and actuated by a wishbone-shaped bracket that joins the forks to the chassis. In effect the forks are merely sliders that join the front wheel to the headstock, while the wishbone actuates the shock absorber. Thus the suspension and steering are separated, creating an anti-dive effect when the front brake is applied.  This system is much simpler than that used by the Yamaha GTS 1000, but is no less effective. Indeed the consensus of opinion is that the BMW Telelever system is actually more effective than that of the Yamaha. Certainly the R1100RS gives more feedback to the rider, and retains the traditional look of telescopic forks - an important consideration for the normally conservative BMW buyer. 

But there's more to the R1100RS than an all-new Boxer engine and a 'funny' front end. BMW designed this bike to be a superlative sport-tourer, so comfort and the ability to cover ground effortlessly are also essential. To this end BMW have equipped the R1100RS with a host of user-friendly features that include adjustable scat height, handlebars and windscreen to enable the owner to tailor the bike to his own requirements. Hard luggage as an optional extra which, allied to a five-gallon fuel tank and a frugal 45mpg fuel consumption, means the R1100RS can cover well over 200 miles to a tank of fuel and pack a decent amount of luggage for the two-wheeled tourist.  Weighing in at 5261b, the BMW needs good brakes, so the R1100RS has a pair of 305mm discs at the front gripped by four-piston calipers. BMW's excellent anti-lock braking system is also fitted, making this a very safe and well-braked machine. With the engine putting out 95bhp the R1100RS is capable of topping 135mph, but it is its ability to cruise all day at three-figure speeds that is its forte. 

What BMW have done is build a thoroughly modern motorcycle that should appeal to the traditionalist buyer in search of something a little different. It's not the fastest machine on the roads, but it is supremely capable, and - the Bavarian hallmark - resolutely unorthodox.

Source of review: Fast Bikes by Roland Brown