MachinesBMW R100RS at 50: the bike that taught motorcycles to wear a fairing
The BMW R100RS was the first production motorcycle with a wind-tunnel full fairing. Its designer hated fairings. Fifty years on, this is how the sport tourer was born.
Wheel
Vintage motorcycles, classic racing and the people who rode themNo. 01October 2026
- Shaped by the wind, signed by Hans MuthBMW R100RS at 50: the bike that taught motorcycles to wear a fairing
- A trail bike, his dad and the first DakarDakar 1979: how Cyril Neveu and a Yamaha XT500 beat the cars to win the first one
- 180 mph in the draft, then the brakesKevin Schwantz, Hockenheim 1991: the late-braking pass that defined number 34
Off-Road
Dakar 1990: Edi Orioli and the Cagiva Elefant that ended Honda's reign in the desert
Cagiva spent five years chasing the Dakar with Ducati twins. At Dakar 1990, Edi Orioli and the Cagiva Elefant finally ended Honda's four-year run, and a stage into Agadez decided it.
Read the storyIn this issue
Legends, machines and the stories that never made the brochures.
Machines
RacingWil Hartog, 1977 Dutch TT: the White Giant who beat Barry Sheene at home
At the 1977 Dutch TT, privateer Wil Hartog started tenth on a wet Assen grid and became the first Dutchman to win a 500cc Grand Prix, 5.9 seconds ahead of Barry Sheene.
MachinesTriumph Bonneville T120: the British twin born on Utah's salt flats
Named after Johnny Allen’s 214 mph land speed record at Bonneville, the 1959 T120 introduced twin-carburettor performance, creating the quintessential British cafe racer.
RacingMike Hailwood, 1967 Dutch TT: three Grands Prix in a single day
At the 1967 Dutch TT, Mike Hailwood won the 350cc, 250cc and 500cc Grands Prix on works Hondas: 57 laps of Assen in one day. The 500cc title he wanted most still slipped away.
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