1990 BMW K1

Frame no. WB1053504L6365209

Previewing at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

Launched in 1989, the K1 represented BMW's bold attempt to create a hyper-sports flagship model using its K-Series 980cc four-cylinder engine. The latter had been around since 1983 and for the futuristically styled K1 was up-rated with a 16-valve cylinder head and Bosch electronic fuel injection. For the K1, the K-Series frame was stiffened, the steering geometry altered and BMW's Paralever rear suspension incorporated, while anti-lock brakes were optional. Despite BMW's self-imposed horsepower ceiling of 100bhp, Bike magazine's test K1 recorded a maximum output of 107.9bhp on Motad's dynamometer, which was sufficient to propel the aerodynamically efficient 'Brick' to a top speed of around 150mph. Arguably more important than the headline speed figures was the manner in which this performance was delivered, Bike's tester Phil West being highly impressed by the way in which the wind-tunnel developed fairing made 120mph seem like 60, and at a mere 7,500 revs too. Produced for only four years, the K1 is already one of the more collectible of post-war BMWs, as well as remaining a thoroughly capable sports-tourer.

This BMW K1 has been consigned from a well-known private collection in the NE. The bike that has about 5,000 miles on the odometer was housed in a private Museum type setting along with a stable of historic single-seater race cars. Just like this BMW K1, each bike from that collection represents the best example attainable at the time of purchase and appears as a fine grouping of bikes from the heyday of British and European motorcycle manufacture. Whilst some are suitable for the concours lawn, others are intended to be wound-up and ridden along sweeping country lanes - or on the racetrack!