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This winter I transformed my '87 R100RS (which had become an R100S two years ago) back to an R100RS.
I rode it a few days ago and, as I remember, it takes much longer before you get cold on an RS (it was 4 degrees C).
There was a lot more wind noise than there ever was with the S fairing and earplugs will be in order for long rides.
I thought I would try it again (with K75S bars) and be able to get out earlier in the spring and perhaps ride into the beginning of winter.
The other reason is that an RS is more desireable if I decide to sell it. Perhaps second only to the R90S.
To be honest, other than the weather protection, I prefer it in S clothing. It is qiueter, about 25 pounds lighter, and the S handlebars give more leverage.
Oh well. The always enjoyable, but endless, motorcycle dilemna.

My only point of contention with the RS will be those narrow bars –
An unfortunate necessity imposed by an otherwise excellent fairing.

vanzen@rockerboxer.com wrote:My only point of contention with the RS will be those narrow bars –
An unfortunate necessity imposed by an otherwise excellent fairing.

The K75S bars are slightly wider, but still not as confidence inspiring as the S bars.

Any bars that might successfully be used with the RS fairing
will NEED to be narrow enough to fit within the fairing's limited spatial confines.
I never found the height or reach of the stock RS flat bars to be problematic ...

Even the width was perfectly acceptable – until we went off pavement ...

vanzen@rockerboxer.com wrote:
Even the width was perfectly acceptable – until we went off pavement ...

You need to lay some more bricks Vanzen!

When it comes to the RS', most of the different feelings about it, stem from whether the bike fits your body or not. And I must admit that I loved riding then in the 80s but by the time I finally bought one (In 09) the fairing and I weren't a great fit for one another.

Swapping to K-75 bars helped a lot but they didn't help by knees hitting the fairing, the crummy seat (That I still refer to as "the torture rack".) or the lousy seating position. (The bike really, really needs rear sets.)

Still, at speeds above 80 mph on a cop less road, theres no better ride!

KenHawk wrote:When it comes to the RS', most of the different feelings about it, stem from whether the bike fits your body or not.

That is the title of a book Ken.

So many times I've thought exactly as you have said.

I put my RS on, and ride it.

Dougie, I would think either S or RS mode would be attactive to any future buyer so ride it the way you want.

From what I've seen, RS or S fairings, sold seperately, seem to get a pretty fair dollar in the marketplace.

Keep them both and dress the way you want.

moosehead wrote:Dougie, I would think either S or RS mode would be attactive to any future buyer so ride it the way you want.
From what I've seen, RS or S fairings, sold seperately, seem to get a pretty fair dollar in the marketplace.
Keep them both and dress the way you want.

I think a very healthy R100RS will command a higher price than a similar R100S.

dougie wrote:I think a very healthy R100RS will command a higher price than a similar R100S.

I agree with what you say. I also agree with KenHawk that how well you like a RS depends on how well it fits you. I have an '82 RS, though I fit it poorly. The bike I like the most is my '77 R100S. And the bike I fit the best is my '77 R100/7 with Luftmeister fairing.

I have acquired the parts to make the RS a bit more "Ken friendly". Those parts would be K75S bars, a set of bar backs if I need them, and a taller windshield to take some of the air off my chest. My main problems with my RS is the riding position. At my age and weight I'm not built for what is for me a scrunched up riding position. My second issue is air pressure on my chest. That's the reason for the taller windshield.

So it begs the question, why do I keep the RS? Simply, it is so easy on the eyes! A big part of my airhead enjoyment lies in visual appreciation. And there is something in the RS that to me looks just right. Plus, it makes a great loaner bike when Joan might visit. It seems to fit her very well. In fact she ferried it from Boise, ID to my place in Big Cedar, OK (about 1,860 miles) in two days and one night.

My S bike fits me much better after I did a couple mods on it as well. Putting on a pair of shortened-by-2-inches K&N Superbike bars and a taller windshield made the bike a lot nicer for me. (Yes, I now know about the 7/8" vs 22mm bar diameter problem.) My limiting comfort item now is butt burn. I have a newly painted set of Smoke Red bodywork to go on it now, so it will be nearly as easy on the eyes as my RS-and nearly as comfy as my /7.

The R100/7? Well, it fits me best. And with dual front disks it gives up only a little bit function to the S bike. With it's Krauser bags and Krauser top box, and that ugly-as-sin misnamed Havana Gold paint job, it's not very easy on the eyes. I'm about to get a set of bodywork painted up in Red, hopefully this summer, so hopefully it'll only be as homely as sin.

By now you're probably wondering if I'm headed anywhere with this descriptive partial inventory. I am, kind of. I enjoy all three bikes and my airhead gratification level is higher with them. So there you have it Dougie. My solution for your dilemna, if you have the coins and room, would be to buy yourself an S bike. Though suitable airheads seem to be increasing in scarcity, a second bike will eventually show up--especially if you start looking for one hard! And with it in your stable you have an important asset for that time when your other airhead is down with a problem or when another airhead format will work better for you.

And you'll be able to admire the form and function of your RS in any weather.


Ken