BMW K1 1991 Used

Through the need to meet proposed EU legislation on emissions regulation, BMW had started to develop an alternate technology to its traditional flat-twin engines with the introduction of the 1,000 cc BMW K100 from 1983 to 1992. Led by Josef Fritzenwenger and Stefan Pacher, the team developed a design prototype based on a liquid-cooled Peugeot ar engine. In the base design of the K100, the engine was laid on its side in line with the motorcycle frame, known as a longitudinal four, with the crankshaft on the right hand side of the motorcycle, with the cylinders, pistons, camshafts, injectors and spark plugs on the left hand side. This arrangement keeps the centre of gravity relatively low, which benefits handling.

The K100 was still a cruiser/tourer design in bias, and BMW marketing wanted a sports oriented tourer to appeal to a more youth oriented 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 (lids made by Zanussi ZCP (Zanussi Componenti Plastica)). The resultant drag coefficient was 0.34 with the rider prone, the lowest of any production motorcycle in 1988.

Adding to the "different to traditional BMW" nature of the bike, the colour scheme of bright red or blue with yellow graphics and highlighting was bold, and hence seen as so different to normal BMW, bizarre.^[1]

By the time the K1 was launched, it was quick but not fast. The result of the addition of the aerodynamic bodywork and general upgrading of engineering and components added to the weight, which as a result came in as heavy for a sports bike at 234 kg (516 lb). Combined with the extended wheelbase which created a 22-foot (6.7 m) turning circle, it made the bike an economical and comfortable sports tourer. But the engine was not powerful enough against the weight to make the bike quick accelerating, and hence sports-competitive.

• Specifications
• Bodywork
• Seat height : 78
• Length (cm/in) : 223/87.7
• Width (cm/in): 87.4/34.4
• Wheelbase (cm/in) : 156/61.6
• Ground clearance (cm/in) : 87/34.4
• Weight: kg/lb : 234
• Mechanics.
• Displacement : 987 cc
• Valve gear : 16
• Fuel system : Bosch injection
• Gearbox : 5-speed manual
• Transmission : shaft drive
• Front tyre : 120/70-17
• Rear tyre : 160/60-18
• Maximum power : 100 hp at 8000 rpm
• Maximum torque : 100 Nm at 6750
• Maximum speed : 235 km/h (146 mph)