Vinduro Boxer: BMW R100RS “Sixdays”

Rind Performance’s ISDE-inspired BMW scrambler… 

The International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) — known until 1981 as the International Six Days Trial (ISDT) — has been held annually since 1913, testing national teams of the world’s best off-road riders in what’s come to be known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling.”

In 1964, Steve McQueen famously competed on the first US national team organized by the legendary John Penton, and today, the ISDE attracts teams from more than 30 countries, with riders covering upwards of 1250 miles over six days while carrying out their own motorcycle repairs.

Recently we heard from our friend Robin Ludwig of Germany’s Rind Performance, who’s put most of his bike-building efforts into machines built for the tarmac: cafe racers, supermotos, and street trackers, which complement his stable of hot hatches, coupes, and saloons.

However, Robin found himself wanting something he could ride for longer distances and more varied terrain. The result is his newly completed 1982 BMW R100RS “Sixdays” scrambler, inspired by the vintage enduros of the ISDE:

“Since I’ve already built a lot of café racers, I wanted to build something else that was more comfortable, which you can also ride in everyday life, but still draw a few looks ????.”

The BMW boxer twin “Airhead” platform may seem ungainly for the bogs and woods of the Six Days competition, but BMW themselves fielded a factory team in 1979:

“The goal of the Bavarians was to bring their 800cc BMW GS 80 down to a battle weight of 150 kg (330 lb.), to avoid hopelessly overextending a rider physically. They then achieved a good 135 kg (298 lb.) and are proud that this stringent weight reduction, hardly believed possible, can be the basis for success in the ‘elephant’ class.” –Speed Track Tales

For his part, Robin didn’t need his 1000cc R100RS quite that light — just one that could be ridden comfortably on a daily basis or on longer trips, where a variety of road surfaces and terrain would be no problem.

Highlights include a homemade rear subframe and real leather saddle, an R50/5 fuel tank that fits very well with the lines of the bike, and a high-pipe 2:1 exhaust similar to the kind seen on some of the BMW Six Days enduro machines.

The bike is higher than stock with flat track-style handlebars, giving the pilot a commanding yet comfortable riding position, while the 1000cc engine — with the same external dimensions as the smaller displacement flat twins — makes cruising a breeze. Says Robin:

“It’s a bike that you can do a lot things on and travel longer distances comfortably compared to a café racer.”

Amen to that. Below, we talk to Robin for more details on his BMW “Sixdays” scrambler.

“Sixdays” R100RS: Builder Interview

• Tell us about the bike…

This bike has been completely restored and rebuilt in the style of the International Six Days Enduros. Here it was important to gain a lot of ground clearance, height and also lose all unnecessary things. The result: a lighter and more agile motorcycle that has no problems even in the most difficult terrain.

Since I’ve already built a lot of café racers, I wanted to build something else that was more comfortable, which you can also ride in everyday life, but still draw a few looks ????.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?

1982 BMW R100RS “Sixdays.“

• Why was this bike built?

I made it for me because I have already built a lot racers, so I wanted something different and comfortable. I was inspired by the older Six Days enduros — light and simple motorcycles. It’s a bike that you can do a lot things on and travel longer distances comfortably compared to a cafe racer.

• Can you list the custom work done to the bike?

• Homemade rear frame
• Wild leather seat
• Highpipe exhaust 2-into-1
• Continental off-road tires
• R50/5 fuel tank
• Flat tracker handlebar

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride the R100RS Sixdays?

It rides very comfortably with a slightly higher seating position than the original, and the sound is also very nice with the two-in-one system.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

In my opinion, the exhaust turned out very nicely and rounds off the whole Six Days Enduro theme. ✌️

Follow the Builder

• Robin Ludwig: @mr.ludolf
• Rind Performance: @rindperformance

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