1981 BMW R100RT Cold Start and Ride 4K

[@RHP9898]

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

[@Marques_239]

Let's not be that harsh, it really depends on what you consider overkill :)

[@Dieselschlucker1312]

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.

[@robwhite461]

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.

[@JamEWalsh]

I've always loved the look of this motorcycle, fairing and all. Surprised to hear people think it's ugly.

[@jiriberger2052]

Krásná motorka.Já vlastním R850R.

[@glenlohane-adayinthelife7361]

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

[@mopedinthemalverns6661]

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.

[@Chris-qy6cs]

Ahhhhh 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.

[@SpringVinMoto]

Great story. Glad you still have the bike. That’s the way it sounds it was a nice warm tone. Get the bike out and get it going ✊

[@Okke-j2n]

​@@SpringVinMoto hi..it is so perfettamente at the idle. How many miles has this AMAZING bike? i mean, with the original engine, if you have done upgrade

[@SpringVinMoto]

@@Okke-j2n All original but the paint I believe. Thanks, getting it to idle right was tough.

[@Okke-j2n]

@@SpringVinMoto ah ok..and how many kms?

[@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.

[@malcolmmathers2690]

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

[@cspark9186]

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

[@dujuanjohnson5025]

Are they better than oilheads?

[@cspark9186]

@dujuanjohnson5025 well, I've never actually riden an oilhead. I've had my R60/5 for 52 years and just love it.

[@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.

[@richardcormier4561]

Wow what a beautiful classic bike

[@neilbeacham1244]

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

[@SpringVinMoto]

Thanks. They are out there and it should be easy to find a good one

[@USSEntrprise]

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

[@SpringVinMoto]

They don't all shift like that?

[@ericmiller9132]

Sadly, no. BMW's were getting better by that point, but not perfect. The smoke green 1981 RT that has spent its entire life with our family loves to hit false neutrals going into 3rd and 4th gear. And you don't shift up to find the gear the gear you are looking for, but back down slightly. Little annoying at times, but otherwise an excellent motorcycle.

[@montyzumazoom1337]

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.

[@norberthaase1697]

Ja,diese riesige Scheibe ist schon sehr speziell.Muss man mögen.Ist auch nicht mein Ding.

[@moyolenovo3914]

Beauty.

[@markoderlink8820]

This bike must stay original !!!

[@kurtbezoenik7372]

Have the same one, great bike

[@jpkillibrew1638]

Love the bike thanks for sharing

[@stevedavid6207]

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

[@SpringVinMoto]

Thanks. Central Illinois

[@ericc365]

How does one shift an airhead transmission?

[@ericmiller9132]

@ericc365 our family owned R100RT likes to be revved out, especially shifting into 3rd and 4th gear. Low rpm shifts tend to hit false neutrals, with it overshooting 3rd and 4th, and you have to tap the lever back down to get it into said 3rd or 4th gear.

[@briangtester2536]

great sound thank you!

[@kurtbezoenik7372]

I have a 83, great bike

[@dadmadforgot4050]

Something very endearing about these old beemers

[@davidjordan9441]

Dream bike. 👌

[@norberthaase1697]

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

[@danpintal1215]

Your windshield is pretty tall. is it difficult to see if the rent when it rains?

[@SpringVinMoto]

I never got to ride it in the rain

[@ericc365]

Is the generator light on because the idle is too low?

[@SpringVinMoto]

Maybe, from what I have encountered they all seem to do that

[@ValerieprimcessAmanda]

I've never rode a BMW motorcycle. I did see one of these for sale today and wondered what the are like

[@SpringVinMoto]

Buy it. I you don't like it just sell it. BMW market is strong. Check NADA for value

[@abdallam6099]

are those storage boxes in the front ?

[@SpringVinMoto]

Yes

[@mikenelson7280]

I have a 1982 I love it, I’m just wondering why are you drive it like a red headed step Rent-A-Car you don’t need all those RPMs to enjoy a beautiful day. The cruise is beautiful in between 3000 and 4000 RPM enjoy the bike, don’t drive it like you stole it

[@SpringVinMoto]

Ha Ha! Love it!

[@lisaheidtmann7118]

naw...perfect shift points!!!

[@ericmiller9132]

@mikenelson7280 our R100RT finds neutral a lot when its not revved out on upshifts, overshooting 3rd and 4th gear mostly when performing low rpm upshifts.

[@kellyjohna]

What a beauty. I just bought one with 19k on her. Not quite at that level but it's supposed to be an 83 ? Exactly the same color though. Wheels need some cleaning, any suggestions? Wow I watched the whole thing, bravo and encore on this excellent video ! You sure that aint a 1983 ?

[@SpringVinMoto]

Thanks! Those wheels can be hard to get clean. Try Purple Power and maybe some car wheel cleaner with iron remover but be careful that it's safe on bare metal

[@fatherdougalmcguire9129]

do the fuel taps always have to be turned off when bike not n use

[@SpringVinMoto]

Not really. It is good practice to turn them off. I personally don't trust float valve in the carbs.

[@DH-tp9ns]

I would assume this bike was sold, yes?

[@SpringVinMoto]

Yes, shortly after this video was made

[@klocknerdeutz]

Is that the oil pressure light showing at a low idle? Is that normal for this bike? Beautiful machine!

[@SpringVinMoto]

Thanks. Yes, typical with air heads.

[@stevecolwill9761]

I think you’ll find it’s the generator light. If it were the oil pressure light that would be a major cause for concern.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

@@stevecolwill9761 it is the generator light.

[@davidkean1487]

Oil pressure light is yellow.

[@michaellandis2144]

What kind of motor oil do you use?

[@norberthaase1697]

Ich bin zwar nicht angesprochen,aber da ich diese Maschinen seit über 40 Jahren fahre: 20-50 mineralisch.

[@gregor471]

😇

[@ednaconceicao4338]

linda

[@mitsospouliezos6289]

IF YOU ARE NERVUS GO TO A DOCTOR !!!!! THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE NOT A DONKEY !!!!!

[@SpringVinMoto]

Not sure what you mean but no doctor can help nervousness like a motorcycle can. Thanks