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1983 BMW R 100RT Overview
BMW R 100RT is a sport touring motorcycle, displacing 980 cc 59.8 cu in. Power comes from a Boxer Twin 2-Valve engine running OHV Pushrod valve actuation, a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Bore and stroke come in at 94 x 70.6 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 51 kW 70 hp @ 7000 rpm of peak power and 76 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 203 km/h. On the road, the 1983 R 100RT tips the scales at 238 Kg, carries a 24-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 820 mm and spans a 1465 mm wheelbase. The full 1983 BMW R 100RT spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
1983 BMW R 100RT compared with other bikes in the Sport touring category
We checked the recorded figures for the 1983 BMW R 100RT against up to 314 bikes in the Sport touring category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 17 of the other 162 bikes in the Sport touring category have a lower power-to-weight ratio than the 214 W/kg of the R 100RT.
- With 51 kW, the R 100RT has the joint 34th lowest power output of 220 bikes in the Sport touring category, 35% below the category average of 78.8 kW.
- Torque of 76 Nm is lower than that of 217 of the other 313 bikes in the Sport touring category.
- Narrowing the field to the 30 models within five model years of it, the power-to-weight ratio of 214 W/kg is lower than that of 24 of the other 29.
Versus the 1981 model
Compared with the 1981 model, wet weight fell from 260 kg to 238 kg (-22 kg), displacement rose from 979 cc to 980 cc (+1 cc) and top speed increased from 179 km/h to 203 km/h (+24 km/h).
1983 R 100RT - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 51 kW 70 hp @ 7000 rpm and 76 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque on tap, the R 100RT is no slouch for its class.
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Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
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⛽
Large fuel range: A 24-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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🔧
Carburetor fuelling: Expect to spend more time keeping the carbs in tune, especially after long storage periods or a change in altitude.
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🛑
Drum rear brake: Rear braking comes from a drum, not a disc - it does the job but won't match the feel or fade resistance of newer equivalents.
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📏
Tall seat height: At 820 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Because the R 100RT relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.
Carburetor maintenance
Carburetors on the R 100RT need periodic attention - pilot jets and float needles are the first parts to gum up after the bike sits, and the first thing to check if idle or throttle response degrades.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2 x Ø260mm discs, 2 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The R 100RT's suspension runs Telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorber at the front. The rear uses Long swinging arm with adjustable strut. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 100RT uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Double sown tubs, dual cradle, the R 100RT's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
238 Kg puts the R 100RT toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
R 100RT - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 1983 BMW R 100RT with its 980 cc 59.8 cu in sport touring, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 43 years old, this sport touring is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 100RT should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the R 100RT's 980 cc 59.8 cu in boxer twin 2-valve like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 9.5:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Carburetor upkeep
Deposits in the carbs are the usual culprit behind poor running on a stored R 100RT - strip and clean the float bowls before the first start. Pilot jets clog first and get overlooked most, so make a point of checking them.
1983 BMW R 100RT - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 1983 BMW R 100RT have?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT uses a Boxer Twin 2-Valve engine with 980 cc 59.8 cu in of displacement. It is air cooled.
What is the top speed of the 1983 BMW R 100RT?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT has a factory-quoted top speed of 203 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 1983 BMW R 100RT weigh?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT weighs 238 Kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 1983 BMW R 100RT make?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT produces 51 kW 70 hp @ 7000 rpm of power and 76 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1983 BMW R 100RT?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT has a 24-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 400-480 km between stops.
Is the 1983 BMW R 100RT suitable for shorter riders?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT has a seat height of 820 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 1983 BMW R 100RT have?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT uses 2 x Ø260mm discs, 2 piston calipers at the front and Simplex Ø200 mm drum at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 1983 BMW R 100RT use?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT runs 3.25 H-19 front and 4 H-18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 1983 BMW R 100RT have?
The 1983 BMW R 100RT is fitted with a 5 Speed transmission.
BMW R 100RT Spec Evolution
The BMW R 100RT was produced across 13 model years (1979-1996). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
1979 |
1981 |
1983 |
1984 |
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
| Max Power |
51 kW / 70 hp @ 7000 rpm |
51 kW / 70 hp @ 7000 rpm |
51 kW 70 hp @ 7000 rpm |
51 kW 70 hp @ 7000 rpm |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Wet Weight |
234 kg / 515 lbs |
234 kg / 515 lbs |
238 Kg / 525 lbs |
238 Kg / 525 lbs |
238.0 kg / 524.7 lbs |
238.0 kg / 524.7 lbs |
238.0 kg / 524.7 lbs |
238.0 kg / 524.7 lbs |
238.0 kg / 524.7 lbs |
- |
- |
- |
236.0 kg / 520.3 lbs |
| Engine Type |
- |
Two cylinder boxer |
Boxer Twin 2-Valve |
- |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
| Top Speed |
203 km/h / 126 mph |
203 km/h / 126 mph |
203 km/h / 126 mph |
203 km/h / 126 mph |
168.0 km/h / 104.4 mph |
168.0 km/h / 104.4 mph |
168.0 km/h / 104.4 mph |
168.0 km/h / 104.4 mph |
168.0 km/h / 104.4 mph |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Seat Height |
820 mm / 32.3 in |
820 mm / 32.3 in |
820 mm / 32.3 in |
820 mm / 32.3 in |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
807 mm / 31.8 in. |
807 mm / 31.8 in. |
807 mm / 31.8 in. |
850 mm / 33.5 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons |
22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons |
22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons |
22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons |
22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons |
22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons |
22.00 litres / 5.81 gallons |
- |
- |
| Stroke |
- |
4 |
70.6 mm |
- |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Displacement (ci) |
- |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.8 cu-in |
- |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.74 cubic inches |
59.80 cubic inches |
Key Specifications
Engine
Boxer Twin 2-Valve
Power
51 kW 70 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque
76 Nm / 7.7 kgf-m / 56 ft-lb @ 6000 rpm
Top Speed
203 km/h / 126 mph
Fuel Capacity
24 Litres / 6.3 US gal
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Full 1983 BMW R 100RT Specifications
Year
1982 - 83
Make
BMW
Model
R 100RT
Make Model
BMW R 100RT
Seat Height
820 mm / 32.3 in
Wheelbase
1465 mm / 57.67 in
Ground Clearance
165 mm / 6.49 in
Height
1465 mm / 57.67 in
Length
2110 mm / 87 in
Width
746 mm / 29.37 in
Fuel Capacity
24 Litres / 6.3 US gal
Wet Weight
238 Kg / 525 lbs
Displacement (cc)
980 cc
Displacement (ci)
59.8 cu-in
Engine Type
Boxer Twin 2-Valve
Fuel Control
OHV Pushrod
Bore x Stroke (mm)
94.0 x 70.6 mm
Bore x Stroke (in,)
3.70 x 2.78 in
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer
Fuel Control
OHV
Stroke
70.6 mm
Displacement (ci)
59.74 cubic inches
Bore x Stroke (in,)
3.7 x 2.8 inches
Displacement (cc)
979.00 cc
Bore x Stroke (mm)
94.0 x 70.6 mm
Displacement
980 cc 59.8 cu in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 2 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke
94 x 70.6 mm
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Cooling System
Air cooled
Fuel Consumption
5.1 L/100 km / 19.6 km/l / 46 US mpg
Fuel Induction
2 x Constant depression carburettors, Bing 94/40/105 - 94/40/106
Ignition
Battery ignition
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Valve System
2
Battery Capacity
Bosch 0.6 hp (from 1978: 0.7 Kw)
Clutch
Dry single plate, with diaphragm spring
Final Drive
Shaft
Final Drive Gear Ratio (Bevel/Crown Teeth)
11 / 32 teeth or 10 / 32 teeth
Gear Ratios
1st 3.38 / 2nd 2.43 / 3rd 1.93 / 4th 1.67 / 5th 1.50
Gearbox
5-speed
Transmission / Drive
5 Speed
Frame Type
Double sown tubs, dual cradle
Suspension - Front
Telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorber.
Suspension - Rear
Long swinging arm with adjustable strut.
Wheel Travel - Front
200 mm / 7.8 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
125 mm / 4.9 in
Alternator
Bosch 12V/240 W
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
260 mm
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
10.2 in
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
200 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
7.9 in
Brakes - Front
2 x Ø260mm discs, 2 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Simplex Ø200 mm drum
Tyres - Front
3.25 H-19
Tyres - Rear
4.00 H-18
Wheel Ratio - Rear
1:2.91 or 1:3.00
Wheels - Front
1.85 B 19
Wheels - Rear
2.75 C 18
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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