1988 BMW R 100 RS

The 1988 BMW R 100 RS sits near the top of BMW's airhead-era touring lineup, the fully-faired flagship built for riders who wanted to cover serious distance without switching brands or bike types. This is a bike that rewards steady-state cruising over back-road thrashing: the boxer twin delivers its power low and smooth, the shaft drive means no chain maintenance on long trips, and that factory fairing (a genuine first for production motorcycles when it debuted) keeps highway fatigue at bay far better than anything else from this era. Ownership means learning to live with a bike that's mechanically simple by modern standards but demands patience with its shifting and clutch feel. The 1988 model carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year — buyers comparing it to a 1987 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences. Buyers tend to be experienced riders in their 40s and up, often BMW loyalists moving from an older airhead or stepping down from a modern touring rig they've grown tired of maintaining. Collector interest remains moderate, with clean, low-mileage examples of the 1988 BMW R 100 RS holding value better than average.