BMW’s first attempt at a modern sport bike, the K1 featured distinctive bodywork that in hindsight, seems like what a kid would imagine bikes would look like in 2050. In addition to its remarkable looks, the bodywork led to a drag coefficient of .38 – the lowest ever seen on a production bike at the time. The K1 was completely unexpected from BMW, and it’s still incredibly unique to this day.
Despite weighing over 600 pounds, the aerodynamic bodywork enables this 95 hp bike to top 140mph. It was the first implementation of BMW’s Paralever suspension system, their second-generation rear driveshaft technology, which reduced the shaft-jacking occasionally present on the first generation K’s. Unfortunately, there were some flaws. The two biggest ones were an absolutely abysmal turning radius, and a serious buildup of heat due to the size of the plastic fairings. Some riders reported nearly having their thighs burned when the cooling fans would turn on at stoplights. Flaws or not, the bike definitely brought plenty of attention to BMW, and cemented public opinion that BMW was capable of building more than boxer-engined touring bikes. Think of it as the great-grandfather of the S1000RR, and an incredible styling experiment.
This specific K1 has 55,750 miles (the original motor was recalled at 25,000 miles) and is claimed to have all the accessories that were available when the bike was new – thought from what I can tell it only has part of the rear soft luggage. Still, getting any of that luggage is rare – and the built-in warning sign is cool:
Find this K1 for sale in Oxnard, California here on Craigslist for $5,500.