In 1999, when BMW presented the R 1150 model, a lot of people asked why the R 1100 RS was the first representative of the four-valve Boxer generation and wasn’t also the first to receive a revised engine with a 1130cc displacement and more power.
The whole point was not to relaunch the R 1100 RS as an 1150 model, because there was a higher-powered sports tourer in the range since 1998. The bike was intended as a successor to the R 1100 RS with a greater orientation towards sport.
The 2000 BMW R 1150 RS had at its core a 1130cc flat-twin engine with an output power of 95 hp at 7,250 rpm and 98 Nm (72 lb-ft) of torque at 5,500 rpm. With a curb weight of 246 kg (542 lbs) and a six-speed manual transmission, the model was pushed to a top speed of 215 kph (134 mph).
It rolled from the manufacturing plant with standard features such as a dual seat, a rear luggage rack, passenger grab handles, die-cast aluminum wheels, a half-fairing with a windscreen, a digital and analog instrument cluster, dual front disc brakes coupled to a single disc on the rear, and a BMW Motorrad Telelever front suspension mated to a BMW Motorrad Paralever in the rear.