RS vs RT & the "Bumblebee"

[jgp1854]

Members

In the process of searching for that "right" airhead, looking at the R100RS and the R100RT (mono) and would like your opinions on ride/ergonomics of the RS vs the RT.

In addition, the "Bumblebee" GS - R100GS is also being considered, if you can offer your views/opinions on it I would appreciate it.

thanks

73516

[Justin B.]

I had a '95 RT for a number of years (wish I still had it...) and it would definitely be the way to go if you like riding in a relaxed sitting position.  If you don't mind being hunched over, and like a sportier feel, then the RS will fill the bill.

[nhmaf]

I still kick myself for selling my 1988 R100RT - it was very comfortable to ride.  While it didn't make you feel "sporty", it could pretty much do whatever the RS could do, except it was a bit heavier and slightly slower on the top end - mostly all due to the larger&heavier fairing.

I haven't owned an RS but have ridden a few - they certainly make you feel "sporty" but I gotta think that the more forward leaning position may get more tiresome with that efficient RS fairing keeping all the wind from blowing on your chest, helping to keep the weight off your wrists.

I'd personally prefer a R100GS over the current production R1200GS or older R1150GS Adventure bikes - they just seem waaaay to huge and heavy to want to muscle through loose sand and dirt, and if one tipped over in such conditions one would have quite a time righting one of those beasts - the R100GS is more "practical" as an occasional off road bike, in my opinion.  But, the paralever swingarm design on those had some issues - I think mostly resolved or resolvable by now with rebuild kits.  Of all the models in your list, the R100GS Bumble bee models tend to hold their value the best, while the R100RT hold value the least - if that is of any concern to you.

[jgp1854]

Members

Thanks for your input.  It is greatly valued.

73516

[wilcom]

The RS fairing is the most beautiful thing BMW ever designed.

The RT........not so much


Joe Wilkerson

[Justin B.]

The RS fairing is the most beautiful thing BMW ever designed.

The RT........not so much


Joe Wilkerson

I will respectfully agree to disagree with you on that point.  I think they are both outstanding fairings (aesthetic wise) and depending on your needs you can't go wrong with either.

[wilcom]

I will respectfully agree to disagree with you on that point.

Ugliness is in the eyes of the beholder............

Design wise (RS fairing excluded) I always thought BMW and Nash designers slept together.

I love my airheads for the engineering and utilitarian factors. If styling was one of my criteria,I think my cylinders would be pointing in some other direction.    LOL

[Justin B.]

BMW Engineers really lived the "Form follows function" philosophy until the Airheads went away and now I think it's all "Form over function"...  :-/  I remember when BMW used to crow about how the next years models managed to shave off a couple of pounds and now my R1150RTP weighs in an about 700 lb!!

[tvrla]

Justin - I don't think it's just BMW that created what you're lamenting. I believe it's the buying public also that wants safety interlocks and all sorts of automatic devices, not realizing or caring that each adds complexity and weight. And each new model has to be different, better, more powerful, more gizmos... otherwise they won't sell. They're caught up in the rapids of modern society and the marketing environment. It doesn't matter that this year is the perfect bike - next year's model has to be 'improved'. It doesn't matter you've already got twice the power you'll ever use, it'll have more!

[Justin B.]

You're probably right, spokes, too bad the marketing department always wins!  The '95 Airhead RT I had was so close to being the perfect commuter I still kick myself for replacing it with the R1150RTP...  If they would have fuel injected it...

[tvrla]

 If they would have fuel injected it...

 LOL

[Boxer_Bolshie]

This thread and the comparisons to BMW past and post reminds me of some of the most coveted (pedal) bicycles ever made.  

Bridgestone Cycles (USA) lead by designer Grant Peterson (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Petersen) back in the 80s and 90s produced some of the most beautifully made and functional bicycles of the time and in which they are still considered brilliantly made and relative to modern needs.  However, Bridgestone (JP) wanted to mainstream ("Walmartize") their bikes because of popular public buying habits (racing and fashion).  Peterson on the other hand refused to sell out and thus was fired.  Of course not long afterwards Bridgestone stopped making bikes in the US and Japan but Grant is now the genius behind Rivendell Bicycles (www.rivbike.com) and he continues to build beautifully simple yet functional bicycles.



Of course there are many frame builders who now believe similarly to Grant but he lead the way.

[Ed Miller]

The second hand store in Falls City had a Bridgestone a while back.  Nice looking bike but it was too small for me.

I like Rivendell.  I was drooling over a Hunqapiller, but ended up with my Salsa Fargo instead.  

[Boxer_Bolshie]

I have several other bikes but have three Surlys (not including the two I built up for my wife and son) which I ride mostly and which take the "middle" of the road approach to modern vs traditional bicycle design.  Also owned by the same company who makes Salsa.