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Sport Tourers

1983BMW R 100 RS

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19 fields on record

The 1983 BMW R 100 RS is a classic touring motorcycle ideally suited for long-distance riders seeking comfort and reliability. Powered by an air-cooled 979cc boxer engine producing 70 horsepower, it's renowned for its stable handling, shaft drive durability, and iconic fairing design that defined BMW's touring philosophy for decades.

Capacity
979.0 ccm
Engine
Boxer, four-stroke
Gearbox
5-speed
Wet weight
247.0 kg
Seat height
Not on record
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Power
70.0 HP (51.5 kW) @ 7000 RPM
⇄ Compare with another bike + Add to garage All model years
Other years 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested
Speed 52Agility 47Comfort 80Off-road 10Touring 85Road manners 80
Off-road & trail10%
Cornering60%
City riding45%
Daily riding65%
Touring90%
Two-up80%
Track25%
Best for
A quintessential 1980s sport-tourer built to cover long distances in comfort with its full fairing, 22L tank and smooth boxer twin, while still handling brisk sweeping roads.
Built for
Refined, understated and durable. The air-cooled boxer delivers relaxed torque and iconic character; shaft drive adds low-maintenance touring appeal and unmistakable BMW poise.
Not ideal for
Not for off-road use, tight city darting, or riders chasing sportbike acceleration and sharp track agility. The drum rear brake and heft demand respect.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Full specifications

Engine
Capacity
979.0 ccm
Power
70.0 HP (51.5 kW) @ 7000 RPM
Engine type
Boxer, four-stroke
Power/weight ratio
0.2834 HP/kg (wet)
Bore x stroke
94.0 x 70.6 mm
Compression
9.5:1
Cooling system
Air
Valves per cylinder
2
Torque
Not on record - add it
Transmission
Gearbox
5-speed
Transmission type
Manual
Final drive
Shaft
Performance
Top speed
193.0 km/h (119.9 mph)
Dimensions & weight
Wet weight
247.0 kg
Fuel capacity
24.00 litres
Seat height
Not on record - add it
Dry weight
Not on record - add it
Brakes & wheels
Front brakes
Dual disc
Rear brakes
Single disc
Front tyre
3.25-19
Rear tyre
4.00-18

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted
Specification 198019821983198519871989
Capacity 979 cc 979 cc 979 cc 979 cc 979 cc 979 cc
Fuel capacity 24 L 24 L 24 L 24 L 22 L 22 L

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

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Common questions

What is the engine size of the BMW R 100 RS?

The 1983 BMW R 100 RS has a Capacity of 979.0 ccm (59.74 cubic inches).

What engine power does the BMW R 100 RS have?

The 1983 BMW R 100 RS has a Power of 70.0 HP (51.5 kW) @ 7000 RPM.

How many gears does the BMW R 100 RS have?

The 1983 BMW R 100 RS has a Gearbox of 5-speed.

How much does the BMW R 100 RS weigh?

The 1983 BMW R 100 RS has a Wet weight of 247.0 kg (544.5 pounds).

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