1981 BMW R 100 RS

1981 BMW R 100 RS sits near the top of BMW's airhead lineup as the flagship sport tourer, the bike that proved a boxer twin could carry a full fairing and still cover ground fast. This is a motorcycle built for long-distance riding at speed rather than backroad thrashing — the fairing (one of the first full fairings developed with wind tunnel work) keeps highway fatigue down, and the shaft drive means you're not babysitting a chain on a weekend Alpine crossing. It rewards a rider who plans routes in hundreds of kilometers, not tens, and who values mechanical simplicity over outright agility. The 1981 model carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year — buyers comparing it to a 1980 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences. Today's buyer is usually someone who rode airheads in their youth or wants a usable classic for club rides and touring rallies rather than static display. Collector interest is moderate, so values respond directly to originality and how well the fairing and paint have survived four decades of European weather.