R 100 RT

1988 BMW R 100 RT Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by BMW for the sport touring motorcycle segment, the 1988 BMW R 100 RT relies on a 979 cc (59.7 cu in) air-cooled two cylinder boxer, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 60 HP (43.8 kW) at 6,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 61.3 HP per liter, the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the R 100 RT measures 238 kg (525 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.25 HP/kg (3.97 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 820 mm (32.3 in) seat height — resulting in a taller command-style riding posture suited to medium-to-tall inseams, combined with a 1,465 mm (57.7 in) wheelbase engineered for balanced agility and highway composure. The 22-liter (5.8 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 168 km/h (104 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's BMW archive, this model family spans 15 indexed model years from 1978 to 1996, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.