Classic & Vintage BMW Motorcycles

This is a small selection of what I consider to be the best choice of classic BMW motorcycles that can be owned, used and still command a worthwhile price in good or restored condition.

The three Classic BMW Motorcycles I have chosen here, all have in my opinion each set a benchmark in BMW's motorcycle progression. These are all standard BMW classic motorcycles, that could be bought straight from the showroom. They all are very easy to ride, live with having a good supply of spares and could be used as everyday transport.The hardest part would be finding good examples of these bmw motorcycles for sale.

I expect that my choice of bikes will spark some debate and lots of you will have your favourite classic BMW motorcycles and disagree with me, so I look forward to reading any comments

The BMW R90S would be in my opinion, would have to be the ultimate classic BMW motorcycle to own. Launched in 1973 the R90S had a 67hp, 898cc overhead valve, flat opposed twin and was the ultimate 1970's BMW sports bike and also the best of the classic old style boxer twins. The R90S was also a major surprise to everyone, having a very hot engine for a BMW, with pumper slide 38 Dell'Orto carburettors, it had a surprising turn of speed of a 130 mph and even won production races.

Way before their time, all BMW R90's came with beautiful two-tone paintwork, that has never been copied since. IT had very sleek styling, which was very unusual for a BMW of that era, and a small cockpit fairing for rider protection. Sadly production of the BMW R90S only ran for three years from 1973 to 1976, which would make this one of the best classic BMW motorcycles to own.

The BMW R100RS was a 70hp 980cc overhead valve, opposed twin and quickly became a motorcycling legend and one of the best super tourers in the world. The secret to the BMW R100RS success was all down to its wind tunnel designed full fairing, unheard off for a production motorcycle which gave almost full weather protection and legendary high speed stability.

The fairing design used on the R100 RS was so good, that riders were throwing away the fairings off the new BMW K-series and replacing them with ones off the BMW R100RS. The BMW R100RS was in fact so good and in such demand that after it had been replaced by the BMW K-series, BMW were forced by consumer pressure to re-introduce it!

The early R100RS with the heavier flywheels are the best and fastest of the BMW classics but the lighter flywheel versions would in my opinion be the easiest to ride and live with. If your very lucky you may find one of the mono-lever rear suspension versions with the very last production models of the R100RS.

Released in 1980, the BMW R80GS was a 50hp, 797cc overhead valve opposed twin, which again took everyone by surprise. Nobody could get to grips with or even comprehend the idea of an 800cc dual sport/dirt bike.

BMW took the R80GS, and promptly went out and proved its worth,and silencing all the critics by winning the Paris Dakar, which the it then proceeded to win again several more times. Of course by then the BMW R80GS had became the motorcycle of choice for anyone planning huge overland trips.

With the R80GS  BMW also pioneered the concept that even a big bike could have single sided suspension. Undergoing huge developments over the years, the later R80GS models got progressively better and better. In 1986 the BMW R80GS grew into the 60hp 980 cc BMW R100GS, although for me the original R80GS has to be the classic BMW motorcycle to have.