1992 Bmw K-series on 2040-motos

Priced to sell!

The Original BMW Superbike

BMW’s break with its air-cooled tradition started in 1982 when it introduced the K100, their first inline liquid cooled four cylinder production motorcycle.  In September 1988, after continuous development, the company announced the upgraded, fully faired K1.  While based on the K100, the new K1 was in fact a different animal altogether.  The K1 received the new four-valve cylinder head (BMW’s first-ever 16 valve motor) and an improved Bosch fuel injection system making it, at 100hp, the most powerful production bike that the company had ever built.  The K1 was designed as a high speed autobahn tourer capable of cruising at 100 mph for hours on end.  Early tests on the bike measured performance times of 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 140 mph.  The K1 also received BMW’s new Paralever swingarm (which helped to eliminate the rise and fall from acceleration and deceleration common to shaft-driven motorbikes).  All US bound K1’s were made standard with BMW’s ABS braking system.  In addition, four-piston Brembo calipers on the K1 replaced the K100’s twin units up front along with a thicker rear rotor.  The K1’s frame, while similar to the K100, was also strengthened substantially with larger diameter tubing and slightly revised geometry along with a longer wheelbase to improve stability at higher speeds.  In addition, much of the bike’s characteristic high-speed calm was thanks to the K1’s unique bodywork.  The wind-tunnel-tested fairing was measured to have the lowest drag coefficient of any production motorcycle to date. 

Built from 1988 to 1993, only 6,912 K1’s were sold worldwide.  Still , the bike was a marketing success as it helped to shift public perception of BMW from a manufacturer of reliable tourers to a producer of modern high-speed sport bikes.

The BMW K1 was created to be the company’s flagship, a technological tour de force that nobody would confuse with anything that BMW – or any other manufacturer – had ever made before.

"A Very Good Life"

A bone stock, marvelously preserved example, #WB1053502N6365597 was bought new at San Jose BMW on April 25, 1993 (see title and photos from original delivery).  For the next 23 years, the bike was garage kept in Northern California and ridden exclusively by its first and only owner amassing a total of 7,651 miles. In March of this year, the K1 was acquired from its original owner by Pearson Automobile Company in Sunnyvale, CA.  It is, we believe, one of the nicest, lowest mileage examples anywhere. 

Upon acquisition, #WB1053502N6365597 was taken to Airhead Adventure in Redwood City, CA for a complete inspection and service.  The following is taken directly from the letter (on file) from Airhead Adventure owner Greg Hutchinson summarizing the motorcycle’s condition:

“The 1992 BMW K1 has had a very good life.  Someone took care of her. The engine oil and filter needed to be changed but the transmission and rear drive fluids looked like new ... but replaced anyway so all the fluids are at the same baseline. The fork oil needed changing as did the brake fluid.  The air filter, spark plugs, and radiator fluid all showed minimal or no wear so they were not changed. The ABS is in working condition. All the instrumentation also works like new.  The rocker arm gaps for all cylinders were spot on so no adjustment was necessary.  The suspension is BMW stock and still functions as it should. No issues with the electrical components or charging system.  Re: tires, both work very well but are at the beginning of being old and getting hard.  They are functional but plan for replacement in the next year or so.  Overall, the bike functions and looks "like new".  There are some very minor scratches from normal riding but the bike has never tipped over or been abused.”

The new owner of #WB1053502N6365597 will have the opportunity to acquire, show & ride this unique, limited production, collectible motorcycle for a fraction of the price of BMW's current premium K bikes.

Note:  As we are a CA licensed new car dealer, in-person vehicle trade-ins with a clear, clean title are welcome.