mi - The BMW K1 is a motorcycle that was designed by BMW as a high-speed sports-tourer, designed to change the motorcycle media and buying public's mind of BMW as only a manufacturer of flat-twin tourers.
Based on the previously introduced BMW K100, the K1 was designed for comfortable high-speed autobahn cruising at speeds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h). 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, that included a single sided Paralever swingarm, design to stop shaft drive induced pitch and dive under heavy acceleration and braking,the first use of this on a K-series bike.
Although expensive and either loved or hated, and with some of its early technology either working in use or not—the enclosure created excess heat, while the long wheelbase created a 22 ft (6.7 m) turning circle—the short production run created the result that the motorcycling press and public never had the same view of BMW motorcycles again.
The K1 differed from the K100 in engineering terms, being designed for high speed and hence with many components either replaced or upgraded.
Engineering
Retaining the K100’s engines dimensions of 67 × 70 mm (2.6 × 2.8 in), the K1 was BMW's first 16-valve engine,sing four valves per cylinder, with the camshafts acting directly on the bucket tappets. Other improvements over the K100 included higher compression pistons, lighter conrods and a 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) lighter crankshaft.This combined with digital Motronic engine management system resulted in a 10 hp (7.5 kW) gain over the K100, producing 100 hp (75 kW) at the crankshaft at 8,000 rpm;and increased torque of 74 lb·ft (100 N·m) versus the K100’s 64 lb·ft (87 N·m).
The stronger tubular steel chassis was mounted on wide 17-inch (430 mm) FPS front wheels, 18s in the back, with low profile radial tyres. The rear suspension was a Bilstein shock absorber acting on a single-sided Paralever swingarm, which pushed the wheelbase out to 1,565 mm (61.6 in). On the front were twin 41.7 mm (1.64 in) Marzocchi forks.The brakes were four-pot Brembo over two-pot on the K100, with a pair of 305 mm (12.0 in) drilled discs.An Anti-lock braking system was optional in all markets except North America, where it was standard.