Update 8.5.2014: First posted in December of last year, this unique bike is back on eBay and a few thousand cheaper. Thanks for the heads up Mike! Links updated, -dc
Back in the late 70’s/early 80s, BMW motorcycle’s were not exactly “sportbike” oriented. Enter Mike Krauser, president of Krauser Inc which was at the time the world’s largest manufacturer of detachable luggage for motorcycles. Krauser Inc was especially well known for the luggage they made for BMW motorcycles and Krauser was a big fan of BMW – he considered them to be the total package at the time in terms of quality, simplicity, and durability.
1982 Krauser BMW MKM1000 for sale on eBay
Krauser undertook an effort to design a road machine that would be top of the line and working with designers, the result was an entirely new concept in frame design wrapped around a BMW engine. The end result was sold as the BMW Krauser MKM 1000. Weighing just 496 pounds wet, the MKM was lighter than all of its competition, including the Ducati Super Sport and the Moto Guzzi Le Mans.
Despite a production run of only 100 over only two years, the bike was an instant classic due to it’s distinctive style and 70 horsepower – the most powerful stock airhead that was produced at the time. The extra power was due to optional proprietary Krauser 4 valve heads which unfortunately weren’t very reliable but the high price at the time (14,000 USD) meant that the MKM1000 was usually “a millionaire’s ride” anyway. And according to the seller, that is exactly who the original owner of this bike was, none other than Malcolm Forbes Sr., creator and publisher of Forbes Magazine.
This particular example is said to have only about 3,800 miles on the odometer and included with the bike are the original Krauser rear stand, the original Krauser Build Book for the bike, and also the paperwork from Forbes Magazine.
Lastly, according to the seller this very bike will also be featured in an upcoming classic bike magazine article, to be published early in 2014.
Want to learn more about Krauser? Link to a review is here: http://www.beemergarage.com/documents/mkm11802.pdf
MG
Thanks to everyone who forwarded the unique bike to us and to Marty for the guest article! -dc
It’s worth repeating and clarifying that the Krauser MKM1000 did NOT come stock with four valve heads and resulting 70hp- a quick glance verifies that this example does not have them. How rare is this BMW? There were 13 MKM’s sold in the USA in 1982, the only year BMWNA officially sold them here. They were ALL sold by BMWNA with the 2 valve heads. If any of them had 4 valve heads on them, they were done at the dealer level. That may be a good thing given the known issues with the lifter caps leaking and filling with oil. The frame is what makes this variant special, and the ownership history certainly adds interest- how much value that adds is debatable and subjective.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=malcolm+forbes+motorcycles&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=673&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=3Nq5UpiyHc_82gXQgoD4DQ&ved=0CDQQsAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vb80ABfRoAE_bM%3A%3B5b26H6B87rUQaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi.ebayimg.com%252F00%252Fs%252FMTIwMFgxNjAw%252Fz%252FgAUAAOxyRhBStOR4%252F%2524_1.JPG%253Fset_id%253D880000500F%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmotorcycles.smartcarguide.com%252Fbmw-krauser%3B400%3B300
Picture of the bike is 25 rows down.
Forbes dealership did crappy work. BMW produced high quality, but anything done by the Forbes folks is suspect, so be very cautious.
A dealer in the states is also selling a harley owned by Forbes. Forbes inc owned lots of toys driven and ridden by lots of execs. Doesnt make them priceless.
Hi guys,
This bike looks amazing and in great condition however is it worth the $40,000 the seller is asking for it?
Just because it was owned by forbes dealership does it mean Malcolm forbes actually rode the bike? Even if he did ride it, how much does that add to the bike? He isnt exactly Mick Doohan or valentino rossi is he?
Even if Jennifer Aniston rode it , it’s not worth $40k .But $40k is small change to a sheik, lol.
What if Kim Kardashian rode it, maybe $40K? NOT!
Seller apparently dropped the $40K price that you all are commenting on- it’s now $32,500 or best offer. To me, this is worth $20K max.