BMW R 1150 RS

When the new R 1150 GS was presented in autumn 1999, rather a lot of people asked why the R 1100 RS was the first representative of the four-valve Boxer generation to also be the first to receive the revised engine with 1130 cc displacement and more power. This is underpinned by the notion that the R 1100 RS should not be recreated as a 1150 Series because a more powerful sports tourer had already been included in the product range with the R 1100 S in 1998. It was intended to be the genuine successor to the R 1100 RS with a more emphatic orientation towards sport. However, this was clearly also the reason why it was not the preferred choice of motorcycle for many riders of the R 1100 RS seeking its successor. The desire for an RS that similarly came with enhanced power was also more strongly expressed at the latest when the R 1150 RT was launched in the model year 2001. Since the time would not have been sufficient for a comprehensive revision of the RS design, BMW ultimately put its weight behind an R 1150 RS in autumn 2001. This took over the 1130 cc engine including the exhaust system from the R 1150 RT and combined it with the familiar fairing from the R 1100 RS. The appearance of the R 1150 RS was given a facelift with new colours and furthermore the machine was only supplied with full fairing. The half-fairing that could be ordered as an alternative with the R 1100 RS was discontinued without being replaced. The machine took on further technical details from the R 1150 RT such as the six-speed gearbox and the revised Evo brake system with 320 mm brake discs. The motorcycle was also provided with the modern BMW Motorrad Integral ABS with brake booster, however only in the partially integral version in contrast to the RT.