1981 BMW R100RT Cold Start and Ride 4K

Great running motorcycle that's ready to ride. Recent work includes valve adjustment, rebuilt petcocks, cleaned tank and carbs and new fork seals. Also new pads and rotors front and back, new battery, new windshield and new Metzeler tires that the previous owner had installed. Also include BMW side bags.

I bought it locally from a Doctor who was in the process of moving and didn't want to take it with him. He was frustrated because he couldn't get the seat open to change the battery and he recently had Brian at Hall's install new pads, rotors and tires. He had owned it since the 1990's and at 69,000 miles did an extensive overhaul including rebuilding the top end with new rings and valves. Also at that time upgraded second gear and a new clutch. Unfortunately I can only go on his word as to what was actually done. That being said, the motorcycle runs and rides great!

He also repainted it a House of Colors candy something. It is really pretty. It was originally the smoked dark red. He said it had faded beyond repair. Also the speedometer was replaced around the time of work and now shows around 5600 miles. So this motorcycle has at least 74,000 miles

[RHP]

Best straight forward, no thrills touring motorcycle ever built. All models since are just overkill.

[Dieselschlucker]

Fast so sah meine RT aus. Sie hatte goldene Linien an der vorderen Radabdeckung, am Rand der Tourenverkleidung und am Tank. Sturzbügel und ein Topcase waren montiert. Meiner Meinung nach war das die beste Touren Maschine, die je gebaut wurde.

[keithad]

For anyone who has looked at 80s RT fairings and wondered what the long narrow pieces of plastic are between the fairing and the storage compartment, these were covers for the hole where levers were fitted to deploy the auxiliary driving lights which, if fitted, were inserted where the air intakes are located either side of the head light, the lever swung them out for operation and swing them in if they were not used. They were an optional extra. Only seen one RT with these driving lights and it was on a Youtube vid a few months ago.

[robwhite]

The RT is a very good bike, everyone slags off the fairing saying how ugly and cumbersome it looks, it is a tad hot in summer but modern vented mesh airflow riding gear helps with that.
In shitty stormy rain and fog it’s bloody marvellous, and bugs don’t have a chance. Huge distances on the RT are possible it’s that good. I’ve had mine for 40 years and I’ve always loved it, never stranded me, always got me home and still dose, she even survived getting 80% immersed in a flood. What a bike.

[keithad]

In teh 1980s I owned a green 1981 RT, ow ned it for 8 years, though when I bought a house with my GF first thing sold was the RT. In 2024, kept watching bike sales on the internet til a green 1981 RT came up. bought it, though it runs and rides, I am gradually going over the bike and replacing bits and pieces. Currently machining up new collets for the center stand and have bought new CSK bolts for the collet -M10 hi tensile (12.;9) countersunk bolts. Next is to remove side stand and make it feel new again.

[glenlohane-adayinthelife]

Very civilized. Even when you were cranking her up nicely. I have an r100rs same year. My odometer stopped working just below 100k and I guess I have about 150k on her. I had to redo my pushrod seals not too long ago as it was just getting messy down there and I had blown it off for years. When I looked at the pistons, rings and bore, it was so perfect I did not even change the rings. How incredible. I have been a stickler for oil and filter changes but that is the BMW not me. I brought her to Ireland as she is a keeper and I live here now. My main ride here is a 2004 GSA simply because of the ideal suspension as the rs takes serious bangs on the rough roads here. Year's ago when I lived in NYC I took off the fairing and replaced it with an older 's' fairing with gorgeous bar end mirrors as it was just too hot in traffic. I also changed the fork springs and shocks to Progressives which are harder. I might go lighter at this point. I also did stainless brake lines (in the front only necessary, really). I did keep the fairing and would like to put the old one back on - maybe with an aftermarket larger screen since it's wet here often and I am 6'5. I'd write more but I think it far more prudent to watch your video again. Cheers, Gordon

[mopedinthemalverns]

Beautiful. I had an ex-Police R80RT and loved it so much. It had 100, 000miles on it in the end. Best bike I ever had.

[dullbrass]

Nice!
It sounds like the carbs need a little synchronizing and I would suggest that you rev her up a little less for the first 10 miles.

[malcolmmathers]

r bmw s go on and on and on easy to work on to one of the best motorcycles ever

[Thekrpntr]

I have two airheads, '82S and a '92RT. One for winter and one for summer. Love to see both needles pointing to the right. I live just off the highway and have to get up to speed as soon as I can whenever I go anywhere. No need to baby them.

[Chris-qycs]

what a satisfying noise. Grew up on the back of of a last edition. Not sure if its my head phones or the pipes but i hear a deep rumble that mine does not have. That or could be that its been 6 years id say since i heard mine. Always was a great bike. Did have a cylinder die on us on one of our trips. Dad being the air head man he was got us home on 1 side. Shaved the heads and fixed it. As of current needs a carb rebuild from sitting on the side stand for far to long. Last I recall I'm at 196k for the miles. sounds almost the same. All the rattles and clacks sound just the same. What a great nostalgia peace. Makes me want to work on mine and take her for a run. Thank you for the video.

[fabricechaplin]

I had all the RTs from 1979 and this one is still my favourite, followers beeing "better" but often a tad boring (too perfect) and oversized... can't complain, though, I'm still in love with the RT range !
What a sound, BTW !

[cspark]

These BMW airheads are absolutely gorgeous. Ride an airhead in the country one afternoon and you will understand.

[keithad]

Some trivia, in 1983, an R100RT cost AUD$7.200 new in Australia. I went to buy a new RT in 1983, but when the salesmanager offered me a 1981 R100RTfor AUS$4, 800 with only 1, 800 miles on the odometer, I bought the 1981 model.

Owned it for 8 years but sadly, I sold it when my GF and I bought a house. in the early 1990s. Iast year, I bought another 1981 RT, green. rides nicely but needs some TLC. It is now off the road to fix several minor problems. leaking final drive, noisy clutch thrust bearing, worn center stand pivot, screen needs replacing, paint needs some touch ups, needs new tyres, regulator needs testing - oil cooler to be added, side stand leans over too far, Then, for some road fun. The Great Dividing Range (mountain range), with hundreds of winding bike roads to ride! love cornering on my RT even thought it was designed for touring.

[neilbeacham]

Amazing example of that model, video is shot well shows what the bike is like, I'm interested in buying a bike like this, your video has answered my main questions

[USSEntrprise]

amazing bike! based on how good it looks like it rides, this must be the smoothest shifting airhead in the western hemisphere.

[montyzumazoom]

I rode one once, didn’t like it. The fairing was like pushing a barn door in front of you, plus the engine sound was amplified by the fairing making it a noisy ride.
Much preferred the 100RS. Mind you the RT’s were very popular touring bikes.

[stevedavid]

The guy does know how to with an airhead transmission. 👍 that sure does look like Wisconsin.

[dadmadforgot]

Something very endearing about these old beemers

[norberthaase]

Die Farbe gefällt mir.Diese Sitzbank ist sehr bequem.Der Motor könnte besser eingestellt werden.