Post Listing Update: The BIN was lowered to $36,000, but it still got no interest on eBay.
3 decades ago, Krauser was known as the world’s largest manufacturer of detachable luggage for motorcycles, especially for BMWs and Goldwings. Mike Krauser, president of his namesake company, wanted to design a top of the line road bike. The result was an entirely new concept in frame design, and the BMW Krauser MKM1000. Weighing “just” 496 pounds wet, the MKM was lighter than all of its competition, like the Ducati Super Sport and the Moto Guzzi Le Mans. Krauser was a big fan of BMW – he considered them to be the total package at the time in terms of quality, simplicity, and durability. So the base of his $14,000 supersport was the R100S of the time.
Only 100 were built over two years, but the bike was an instant classic due to it’s distinctive style and 70 horsepower – the most powerful stock airhead produced at the time. This extra power was due to optional proprietary Krauser 4 valve heads, that unfortunately weren’t very reliable. Want to learn more? BeemerGarages hosts a great period review from Motorcyclist of the BMW Krauser MKM 1000 back in 1980.
This specific Krauser MKM1000 does not have the proprietary heads, and is number 61 of 100. If it matters to you, it was owned by Malcolm Forbes, and the seller claims it comes with the factory-optional dual seat so that Liz Taylor could sit on the back. It has just 3,800 miles, and comes with the original Krauser rear stand, Build Book, and paperwork from Forbes magazine. Early in 2014, a unnamed classic bike magazine will be featuring this bike in an article. We may never understand why having Malcom Forbes’ ass on the seat in the past makes this bike more valuable, but it’s definitely in excellent condition.
We’ve previously featured another MKM1000, but it was in Australia. Find this Krauser MKM 1000 for sale a bit closer to home for Americans in Burgess, Virginia with a BIN price of $40,000 here on eBay.