1987 K100rs K100rs special edition differences

[JulianR]

Can anyone explain the difference between the K100rs and the K100rs "special edition" ?
are the specs any different, is it  just the paint scheme, or what??

I have a chance to buy a "winter" project 87 K100rs , seller says its a special edition (all black)..
would like to know if it's a more "rare" edition or if parts will be different.

Thanks in advance.
Post or PM is fine.
Cheers,
Julian R

[frankenduck]

Only RS SE I've ever heard of is the 88/89 with the blue/white paint job.  It's all cosmetic, no special parts that I know of.

I wish this option were still available:

[Laitch]

I wish this option were still available:

She's available, but she still has 12 years to go before she collects Social Security. Be patient.

The Special was made one model year only, as frankenduck indicates; 1987 wasn't it. Get the last seven digits from the serial number and run it through the VIN checker at realoem.

[frankenduck]

She's available, but she still has 12 years to go before she collects Social Security. Be patient.

The Special was made one model year only, as frankenduck indicates; 1987 wasn't it. Get the last seven digits from the serial number and run it through the VIN checker at realoem.

Just to nitpick: BMW sold the blue/white RS-SE for TWO model years, 88 and 89.

[Laitch]

Just to nitpick: BMW sold the blue/white RS-SE for TWO model years, 88 and 89.

Do you mean the years from fall of '87 through '88 and fall of '88 through '89?

[JulianR]

Thanks for all the prompt replies.
 The unique two tone paint looks good (model too), but  if
thats the only difference, I'll have to think a bit more  about
taking on a 100k+ mile 87 K100 (non-op for 5 yrs) as a project.
(its not the miles, its the years of sittling that worries me)

[koapono]

If you're looking for an early model K 100RS check out my offer in the for sale section.
The ad was posted in Apr, 2021.
I have an 85 (high mileage) maniacally maintained (mechanical not cosmetics) which still runs "as new".
It isn't in show-room condition, has the veneer of age, no dents or body damage.
I would not hesitate to hop on and ride anywhere, any distance.
Enough spares, some new others from an insurance buy, to build another bike.

I'd be happy to provide any info and/or pics you'd like to see.

I can also work out a delivery, be an excuse to visit sister in the Wellington area.

I'm selling because garage has gotten too small and I ride the LT more often than not.

drop a line if you've an interest

[frankenduck]

Do you mean the years from fall of '87 through '88 and fall of '88 through '89?

I'm referring to the model year. The year that shows up on the title. Not the production date.

Sometimes the model year is the same as the production year, sometimes not.

Examples:

My model year 86 K75C was built in 4/86

My model year 93 K1100LT was built in 10/92

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Thanks for all the prompt replies.
 The unique two tone paint looks good (model too), but  if
thats the only difference, I'll have to think a bit more  about
taking on a 100k+ mile 87 K100 (non-op for 5 yrs) as a project.
(its not the miles, its the years of sittling that worries me)

My last project was the resto of a K100RS SE barn find that had been sitting for at least 15 years.  If the price is right, it's not that hard(or costly) to bring one of these things back.  There are lots of parts available from bike breakers and cafe hackers.  Even new parts can still be had from BMW, which is one of the few companies that supports their old machines.

Many here have brought bikes back from the dead, and there probably isn't a problem that someone hasn't seen and fixed.  There's a lot of support and satisfaction in getting one of these beasts back on the road. 

[Laitch]

I'm referring to the model year. The year that shows up on the title. Not the production date. Sometimes the model year is the same as the production year, sometimes not.

I agree and your K1100 supports my timelines. Anyway, have you had under your shade tree or ever seen a OEM black Special Edition?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

While the K100RS Special Edition was available in '88 and '89 in blue and white, there was a special K100RS in '84 in black.  It had the designation "Style". 

[frankenduck]

While the K100RS Special Edition was available in '88 and '89 in blue and white, there was a special K100RS in '84 in black.  It had the designation "Style".

It's 1984 so that's pre-1985 US introduction. I wonder what was different aside from the RS decal.

From what I know the 88/89 SE had:

WHITE/BLUE PAINT SCHEME

WHITE WHEELS (I've seen an 88 SE with matching blue pinstripes on the rims but don't know if that's OEM)

WHITE GEN II SIDE CASES

ABS and TAIL RACK (I'm pretty sure that that those were part of the SE package)

WINSCREEN - It MIGHT have been the first RS with a black windscreen but I'm just guessing on that.

[frankenduck]

I agree and your K1100 supports my timelines. Anyway, have you had under your shade tree or ever seen a OEM black Special Edition?

Nope.

From what I've seen for >US< bikes:

85 model year K100s were built in late 84
86-88 model year bikes were built early in the same year
89-94 model year bikes were built late in the prior year
I haven't seen a lot of 95s but my 95 K75 standard was built in 2/95

BM Bikes has VIN info here: http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/enginechassis.htm

[The Mighty Gryphon]

It's 1984 so that's pre-1985 US introduction. I wonder what was different aside from the RS decal.

From what I know the 88/89 SE had:

WHITE/BLUE PAINT SCHEME

WHITE WHEELS (I've seen an 88 SE with matching blue pinstripes on the rims but don't know if that's OEM)

WHITE GEN II SIDE CASES

ABS and TAIL RACK (I'm pretty sure that that those were part of the SE package)

WINSCREEN - It MIGHT have been the first RS with a black windscreen but I'm just guessing on that.

My '89(or is it '88) RS has the blue pinstripes on white wheels.  Didn't come with a seat or cases, so I can't say if the seat was blue or the cases PearlMutt.  I installed a stock bench seat in black, and an iconic 22 liter top case in lieu of tragkorbs.  Am seriously thinking of removing the tragkorb Z-rails and just going with the top case.  Personally, the white cases don't really do it for me.  In the unlikely event I add side cases, they will be black.  Probably, bedliner.

[frankenduck]

My '89(or is it '88) RS has the blue pinstripes on white wheels.  Didn't come with a seat or cases, so I can't say if the seat was blue or the cases PearlMutt.  I installed a stock bench seat in black, and an iconic 22 liter top case in lieu of tragkorbs.  Am seriously thinking of removing the tragkorb Z-rails and just going with the top case.  Personally, the white cases don't really do it for me.  In the unlikely event I add side cases, they will be black.  Probably, bedliner.

Oops. I forgot about the blue seat.  My buddy's 88 has that.

I'm with you on the side cases. I don't like painted ones. I prefer black. I got rid of the green ones for my K1100LT and fortunately my other Ks all have black

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Absolutely, black it must be!  Black cases don't screw up the lines of the bodywork. 

[JulianR]

All,
Again, thanks for all the input and clarifications. Here's the CL link to the bike I'm considering. the owner, whom I've spoken to has had the bike
a long time (big plus) and put over 80K miles on it (bigger plus) currently just over 100K miles. been sitting and hasn't run regularly in 3-4 years or so.

I'm still on the fence on weather to buy it as my winter project.  The 93 K75rs I saved a few years back was a lot of work - and I def. would not have got it done and running if not for this forum.  Full disclosure , I'm a Honda guy at heart and really looking for a GL1000 project., but this one seems to deserve a second life.


https://lakecity.craigslist.org/mcy/d/lake-city-1987-bmw-k100rs/7415997389.html

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Gee, that bike doesn't look too bad.  It's a lot cleaner than a lot of bikes that have only been put away for the winter.  Generally, it looks like it was pretty well taken care of.  The garage in the photos gives me a warm feeling as well.  I would guess the seller takes care of his stuff.

Cosmetics look okay, no tears visible in the seat or obvious drop damage.  Nice thing about black is that IMO it's probably the easiest color to match and repair.  Looks to me like a battery, tires and a fluid change will get it back running on the road. 

Does the seller have the battery covers and gauges?  The coil cover is missing, too.  The speedo needs some gears.  For as long as it has been idle, the injectors and rear master cylinder might need some attention as well.  For 11-1200 bucks it doesn't look that bad.  I'm guessing that for a month of screwing around and $500-600 you could have a pretty nice high miles K bike.  Assuming the seller has the missing parts, it shouldn't be very hard to get the stuff you need.

Based on the miles, I'd see if I could get it for $1100.  Knock off another hundred if the seller doesn't have the battery covers.  Unless there's a hacker looking to build a cafe bike, you are the only potential buyer on the radar.

[rbm]

Nice looking from the pictures.  The start button broken. The clock is buggered  which might signal other problems inside the OEM cluster.

[frankenduck]

Based on the miles, I'd see if I could get it for $1100.

$750 is max I'd go on a 100K bike that hasn't run in 8 years. But that's just me.

THE most critical thing on an old K bike is gas tank leaks. What I do is run my fingers behind the left and right low points to feel for bubbling/loose paint.



Also take the gas cap off to see if the fuel level sender is rusted out and check the interior of  the tank.

Drive shaft splines: If the seller won't let you inspect them (not that they're obligated to) then that's another risk at 100K.

And no matter what, 8+ year old tires will need to be replaced.

JM.02

[stokester]

Are these cases I have are for one of the SE versions?

[frankenduck]

Are these cases I have are for one of the SE versions?

There were a few times that BMW offered pinstriping on Ks.  I don't know if it was done in Der Fatherland or done by BMW NA (North America.)  I don't know if the pinhstriped early Ks were designated as SEs.

One of the pinstriped Ks was a white K100RS with blue/red pinstripes. I think that's what your bags go with.

I think the K1100s with pinstripes were all designated as SE bikes though because they were decked out with heated grips, a top case with backrest speakers and some other stuiff.

[Laitch]

Are these cases I have are for one of the SE versions?

This is a 1987 K100RS Motorsport Edition from the UK.

[frankenduck]

This is a 1987 K100RS Motorsport Edition from the UK.

BINGO!  That's the one.