1989 BMW K1
Estimate: $9000 - $12000

JA!

The BMW K1 was a motorcycle designed by BMW as a high-speed sports tourer. It was also intended to change the motorcycle media and buying public’s view of what BMW was capable of. Based on the previously introduced BMW K100 (refer Lot23), the K1 was designed for comfortable high-speed autobahn cruising at speeds of 240kph. The radical aerodynamic design was a seven piece, glass-fibre structure, creating a world-class leading drag coefficient of 0.38. It was mated with a stiffened chassis, which included a single sided, Paralever swing-arm, designed to stop shaft-drive-induced pitch and dive under heavy acceleration and braking, this was the first use of this on a K-series bike. Although this machine was expensive and either loved or hated, the short production run created the result that the motorcycling press and public never had the same view of BMW motorcycles again. Offering BMW’s first 16-valve engine, using four valves per cylinder, the K1 offered other improvements over the K100 including higher compression pistons, lighter con-rods and a crankshaft that was lighter by 1.3 kg. This combined with a digital Motronic engine management system resulted in a 10hp gain over the K100, producing a clean 100hp. Note low mileage.

Image and text courtesy Webbs Auction House NZ
BMW 1970-1989