BMW R100CS / opinions?

[derek murray]

A 1981 BMW R100CS has come up for sale close to me that I'm going to have a look at. It's a one owner bike with 98K km, all original, and includes BMW panniers and snowflake wheels. I've never owned an airhead before, but I've always lusted for one.

Is there anything special I should be looking or listening for? A google search of the CS model does not yield much of information - compared to the S, RS and RT. Any thoughts, words of wisdom, and encouragement is appreciated.


... it looks like this (random internet image)

[Scott Douglas]

If it's that color I say go for it.
I'd love to have one, but the driver's around here are too dangerous.

[Yorkie]

I owned a R75/5 with 90K miles on it and my Dad had the R100RT with about 70K miles on it. Those old airheads are fantastically over engineered. Its on old bike but its an old BMW so its a solid design backed by years of development. If this was a Triumph or a Norton I would say beware.

[speeder]

All of the various body configuration airheads are the same, mechanically. So there is nothing to know about a CS specifically but it’s a great version. Condition is everything, maybe have a specialist check it out if possible. Standard advice for anything w wheels and an engine.

[SamC.]

I owned an 81 R100CS back in the mid-late 80's. Black, snowflake wheels and the "bullet fairing", rode it all over southern Cal, Palm Springs, out & back into the desert many times. Rock solid at speed and wonderfully reliable. The sound of the Boxer engine is intoxicating, not unlike the air-cool 911... I sold it after some amount of time and replaced it with a BMW K100RS - a rocket ship by comparison, but not nearly as enjoyable. Buy it, ride carefully and enjoy!