Bmw K1...

[Schlivitz]

Those 20 y/o electronics are getting hard to come by. As much as I like the K1, I would always be concerned about keeping it on the road long term.

[A. T. T-W]

Originally Posted by Schlivitz

Those 20 y/o electronics are getting hard to come by.

Such as?

[TUCKERS]

I live in Los Angeles and ride a lot. I have NEVER seen a K1 on the road in the last 12 years.

Rallies, yes. Showrooms yes. Being ridden...no.

I really like how they look and will probably buy one if the money is right and the opportunity arises.

They are sure to be collectible if that is your motive.

[A. T. T-W]

Originally Posted by TUCKERS

I live in Los Angeles and ride a lot. I have NEVER seen a K1 on the road in the last 12 years.

Rallies, yes. Showrooms yes. Being ridden...no.

I really like how they look and will probably buy one if the money is right and the opportunity arises.

They are sure to be collectible if that is your motive.

When I owned my first one, over twenty years ago now, I never saw more than one other on the road. Since then I think that I've seen two (actually in use). There used to be an advertising blurb "Seeing one is rare, owning one is rarer" - seems to have been the most truthful advertising ever.

Looks are subjective. I would never call it pretty, not even handsome but I do like it even though it's difficult to say why.

Values will climb faster than any other K-Brick if for no other reason than rarity.

Mine will get regular use, mileage is less important than cosmetic condition IMO as putting a tatty one right is more expensive than sorting it mechanically.

Apart from the main, upper fairing, the rest are made from very thin plastics (apparently to keep the weight down a bit). If over tightened, the fairing screws can cause the plastic to fracture easily. This led to them being known in some markets as "yoghurt pots":







Most of the plastics are still available new but no longer in anything other than primer. Likewise, most of the graphics are available. There's a lot of plastic to re-paint if it needs it.

Of the colour schemes, many people didn't like the blue/yellow & red/yellow when they were a current model and BMW responded by bringing out the more muted blue/silver, black/silver and black without graphics (I'm not sure what category the Dakar Yellow one falls into though).

Now, however, the original schemes seem to be more sought-after. It looks as though people now understand that unusual styling demands unusual colour schemes.

There's a more pragmatic reason for choosing the original colour schemes as a prospective owner; the yellow transmission is far easier to keep looking good (as long as it isn't chipped):



Whereas the bare aluminium version soon becomes tarnished and requires a lot of graft to clean up:



It can be sorted though:









Rear wheels seem to suffer most, mainly from owners or tyre-fitters who try to squeeze the wheel past the final drive without dismantling the necessary bits to clear the ABS ring:



Finding a touch-up is nigh-on impossible but a little, imagination, time and enamel model paints can approximate the colour:



It will do until I can find a rough second-hand wheel and then see if I can find a powder-coat company who can match the original.

The K1 will never reach the values of some "classic" bikes but I think that before long it will reward the effort to find and keep a good one.

[bmwloco]

I have been "in" to BMWs for a long time. Got my first one in '85 and haven't looked back. Even worked selling them for a time, and sold a lot of them. K1's were on the floor at the time.

Leftover K1's that is. They were a hard sell. No real luggage options - always a question from BMW riders. Also the bodywork, gauges, stickers... all ONLY for the K1.

By that time, the K1100RS was available. Faster, shared parts with the range. Not the K1. It's a rare bird all right, and god love ya' if you need to repair bodywork, luggage or gauge repair.

Rare? Yes. Desirable? To some. Will they ever be as desirable and worth a small fortune? Doubtful.

Ride 'em. Use 'em. Strip one and make a hooligan bike out of it. It's a motorcycle, after all

[ricochetrider]

Great stories have come up here!

I've never been one to understand the notion of a "collector's" bike... Unless the collector wants to RIDE said bike. To buy one for an "investment"? Ludicrous, IMO- UNLESS it's something like a Brough Superior, or maybe a Vincent... an early 20th century bike of any sort- Something of that ilk, that's going to cost you up'ards of 100K out of the gate. Either way, all motorcycles were made to be RIDDEN. Unless you own a museum, then your bikes should be ridden, too. Heck even if you DO own a museum, you should ride them (Thanks Dale Walksler!).


The K1 was just one more example showing the future is (was?) now. Forward thinking in terms of design, at the very least! The K bikes, in general, were looked at as BMW's bastardization of the "brand", yet slowly have gained their "street creds"- which are richly deserved IMO. My first BMW was an 88 K100RS.
To the OP- Buy a K1 IF you will, but RIDE it FIRST, then, IF YOU LIKE IT, buy it to RIDE it. You'll be sure to turn every head with the thing. An "investment"? Yeah maybe- an investment in your own love for motorcycles and in FUN.

To those guys who posted pix of their K1s and the places they have ridden them to- THANKS!

[Grayghost66]

Originally Posted by A. T. T-W

When I owned my first one, over twenty years ago now, I never saw more than one other on the road. Since then I think that I've seen two (actually in use). There used to be an advertising blurb "Seeing one is rare, owning one is rarer" - seems to have been the most truthful advertising ever.

Looks are subjective. I would never call it pretty, not even handsome but I do like it even though it's difficult to say why.

Values will climb faster than any other K-Brick if for no other reason than rarity.

Mine will get regular use, mileage is less important than cosmetic condition IMO as putting a tatty one right is more expensive than sorting it mechanically.

Apart from the main, upper fairing, the rest are made from very thin plastics (apparently to keep the weight down a bit). If over tightened, the fairing screws can cause the plastic to fracture easily. This led to them being known in some markets as "yoghurt pots":







Most of the plastics are still available new but no longer in anything other than primer. Likewise, most of the graphics are available. There's a lot of plastic to re-paint if it needs it.

Of the colour schemes, many people didn't like the blue/yellow & red/yellow when they were a current model and BMW responded by bringing out the more muted blue/silver, black/silver and black without graphics (I'm not sure what category the Dakar Yellow one falls into though).

Now, however, the original schemes seem to be more sought-after. It looks as though people now understand that unusual styling demands unusual colour schemes.

There's a more pragmatic reason for choosing the original colour schemes as a prospective owner; the yellow transmission is far easier to keep looking good (as long as it isn't chipped):



Whereas the bare aluminium version soon becomes tarnished and requires a lot of graft to clean up:



It can be sorted though:









Rear wheels seem to suffer most, mainly from owners or tyre-fitters who try to squeeze the wheel past the final drive without dismantling the necessary bits to clear the ABS ring:



Finding a touch-up is nigh-on impossible but a little, imagination, time and enamel model paints can approximate the colour:



It will do until I can find a rough second-hand wheel and then see if I can find a powder-coat company who can match the original.

The K1 will never reach the values of some "classic" bikes but I think that before long it will reward the effort to find and keep a good one.

WOW....beautiful clean-up!!!! What is the technique you used to get the bare aluminum so clean?

[A. T. T-W]

Originally Posted by bmwloco

By that time, the K1100RS was available. Faster, shared parts with the range. Not the K1. It's a rare bird all right, and god love ya' if you need to repair bodywork, luggage or gauge repair.

Faster? Both have 100 Bhp, the K1100RS has an extra 104cc producing it's 100 Bhp at 500 rpm lower than the K1.

As for not sharing parts, the K1 shares many parts with the other K-Series, particularly the K100 16-Valve and the K1100. It even shares some parts with the R1100 models.

When it comes to the bodywork, well there's not much commonality between the bodywork of a K1100RS and a K1100LT, a K75S and a K75RT etc., etc.

Gauges? Apart from the faces using yellow graphics (and the faces are inter-changeable), they use the same Motometer. You can even swap the units between the 3 cylinder and four cylinder models. The fuel and temperature gauges are the same ones used throughout the K-Brick range.

Sorry but your attempt to suggest reasons why they may not hold their prices and probably increase in the coming years, would have been better served by just stating that you don't like the looks. It's okay. Those of us who do like them really don't feel threatened by the disapproval of others.

[A. T. T-W]

Originally Posted by Grayghost66

WOW....beautiful clean-up!!!! What is the technique you used to get the bare aluminum so clean?

I use a selection of brass-wire brushes in a slow drill with a light oil (WD40 will do). Steel wire brushes are too aggressive, the oil acts as both a lubricant and to pick-up the dirt.

Then clean the surfaces with a decent detergent. It's oily deposits that mark the casing the worst, get them clean and then protected with a decent polish and they'll stay good for a long time.

[Lornce]

Nice work, ATTW!

Always thought the K1 was an interesting motorcycle. I like that BMW took aerodynamics seriously when they made it. Very purposeful shape.

Destined to become a rare classic!

[bmwrench]

Originally Posted by Lornce

Nice work, ATTW!

Always thought the K1 was an interesting motorcycle. I like that BMW took aerodynamics seriously when they made it. Very purposeful shape.

Destined to become a rare classic!

I get a kick out of pulling the clutch lever or selecting neutral at speed. It feels like the bike will coast forever.

[SQD8R]

BMWs as a rule are desireable only to BMW lovers and the K1 is definitely on that list. Few manufacturered, and rare while not being over-priced today warrant collecting.

I know a few BMWphiles in the area and among their R90S, /5 collection they all have a K1.

I plan on getting one soon, not for its collection worthiness but because I always wanted one and it will do touring easily.

[bmwloco]

Gosh, I must be stupid. To my eyes the K 1 was a styling exercise that failed. If you are 6'5" fine. I would take a K1100 over a K1 any day. Better ergonomics for my 5'10" frame. Perfect for my R100RS too.

I don't think anyone paid retail for a K1. About 20 other more desirable and collectible bikes come to mind.

Whatever blows up your skirt.... Hell, some folks collect Vegas.

[A. T. T-W]

Originally Posted by bmwloco

Gosh, I must be stupid. To my eyes the K 1 was a styling exercise that failed. If you are 6'5" fine. I would take a K1100 over a K1 any day. Better ergonomics for my 5'10" frame. Perfect for my R100RS too.

I don't think anyone paid retail for a K1. About 20 other more desirable and collectible bikes come to mind.

Whatever blows up your skirt.... Hell, some folks collect Vegas.

That's better.

You're nearly there. Just the point about it being a "styling exercise" to correct:

It was an exercise in aerodynamics not styling. The form follows the function, not the other way around. It was conducted because BMW were sticking to the voluntary 100bhp limit and the only way to increase performance was to lower the effects of wind resistance.

The K1 certainly isn't fault free but neither the faults nor the subjective views of people who don't like them will affect their desirability or their value.

Here's a gratuitous photo of mine:



I trust it won't make you throw-up (too much).

[groop]

If this thread has picqued anyone's interest in K1s, RTWDoug just posted one for sale last night in the flea market