OK so this won’t be to everyone’s taste but no denying BMW were thinking ahead when they designed the K1. Here we have an example from 1990 in Red and Yellow, you’ll be noticed! The design of the K100 that BMW used to produce was a cruiser/tourer design and BMW marketing wanted a sports orientated tourer to appeal to a more youth orientated market perception, and compete with the Japanese factories. BMW was committed to the manufacturer imposed 100 bhp (75 kW) limit for motorcycles sold in Germany, so decided that to address both issues it needed to turn to aerodynamics to solve the problem.
In 1984 at the Cologne Motor Show, BMW design created the aerodynamic “Racer” mockup, based on a standard K100 chassis. At the 1988 Cologne show, the production K1 used the same large and all enveloping two-piece front mud guard mated closely to a seven-piece main fairing, that included two small panniers. The resultant drag coefficient was 0.34 with the rider prone, the lowest of any production motorcycle in 1988.
Lowered since new and includes all replaced OEM components, new progressive front springs, newly rebuilt master cylinders with new pads front and rear. New paint, tank badges, windshield, AGM battery, front tire, coolant hoses, fuel lines, smog hoses, fuel cap gaskets, front wheel bearings. New powdercoat on all black small parts, custom engineered, chromed front bearing dirt shield, other small parts also chromed. K&N, fresh synthetic oil w/new BMW filter, new fuel filter. Matching BMW, new in box saddlebags and tank bag currently being used.
I bought this bike in 1991 with 770 miles on it. With a few other bikes and sports cars in my stable, the milage on this bike has been kept low. This bike is a daily rider so milage is increasing.
You can find the eBay Listing here
They are certainly unusual bikes but like so many BMW’s seem to again high mileages with little effort. You want to be noticed at bike night then this might just be the bike for you. After all there are loads of lowered ‘busas out there!
AS
It wouldn’t be so bad if they’d just done something different with that ugly front fender.
I’m lovin’ it!
I rode one for 13 years. Still have some body parts and gas tank. Out front most every ride. Ripped out two drive shafts. Had to go to the K1200s when it arrived in 2005.
i have an unused yellow K1. chassis says its one of the last 13 built, ultima colours, but was imported into South Africa by BMW. It still has original factory mileage on clock 999987 which gave the dealer 13kms to prep the bike for delivery. Abybody interested?
alister
been looking for one for a while ,if keen to sell.email some photos