| MODEL | BMW R 1100GS 1996 |
| Year | 1996 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 1085 cc / 66.2 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 99 x 70.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3:1 |
| Cooling System | Air/oil-cooled |
| Max Power | 59 kW / 80 hp @ 6750 rpm |
| Max Torque | 97 Nm / 71 lb-ft @ 5250 rpm |
| Ignition | Electronic MA 2.2, controlled by Bosch Motronic |
| Induction | Bosch Motronic 2.2 fuel injection with fuel cut-off on overrun |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | 180 mm dry single plate with diaphragm spring |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Three-piece (front and rear sections with load-bearing engine) |
| Front Suspension | BMW Telelever, single gas-filled shock with progressive coil spring, 5-step preload adjustment, 190 mm / 7.5 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | BMW Paralever single-sided swingarm, single gas-filled shock with coil spring, handwheel preload and rebound damping adjustment, 200 mm / 7.9 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 297 mm discs, 3 piston calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Single 250 mm disc, 3 piston caliper |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2189 mm / 86.2 in |
| Overall Width | 920 mm / 36.2 in |
| Overall Height | 1366 mm / 53.8 in |
| Seat Height | 840 - 860 mm / 33.0 - 33.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 1509 mm / 59.4 in |
| Ground Clearance | 200 mm / 7.9 in |
| Dry Weight | 225 kg / 496 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 240 kg / 529 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 110/80 R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 150/70 R17 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 6.1 L/100 km / 16.4 km/l |
| Top Speed | 201.6 km/h / 125.3 mph |
The 1996 R 1100 GS continued unchanged in specification. Testers criticised its price, clunky five-speed gearbox and modest top-end power, but rated its torque, suspension, brakes and durability highly, making it the default choice for riders planning very long trips.
