1979 BMW R 100 RT

1979 BMW R 100 RT sits at the top of BMW's touring lineup for the era, wearing the factory fairing that set the template for long-distance riding on two wheels. This is a bike built for covering serious ground rather than carving canyons — the boxer twin delivers its power low and easy, the shaft drive means no chain maintenance on a rainy roadside, and the fairing and screen actually work at highway speeds, cutting wind blast enough that you arrive at the end of a 400-mile day without feeling wrecked. Handling is stable and unhurried rather than sharp, which suits its mission. The 1979 model carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year — buyers comparing it to a 1978 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences. Owners tend to be riders who've done their time on sportier machines and want something that rewards patience over aggression, often putting real miles on these rather than trailering them to shows. Collector interest in the 1979 BMW R 100 RT remains moderate, with well-documented, mechanically sound examples holding steady appeal among riders who actually use their bikes.