Prior to the S1000RR, BMW had been trying to get into the sport bike market for years with limited success. While they tried many times, they never succeeded in competing with the Japanese bikes. Maybe the most interesting of all these iterations of German sports bikes was the K1.
The K1 was born in a time when BMW was committed to a self-imposed 100 HP limit on motorcycles sold in Germany. As a result, the Bavarian engineers had no other choice but to take a different approach and minimize wind resistance. It wore a seven piece fiberglass fairing that unfortunately created an unwanted buildup of heat. It also weighed more than the competition at 516 pounds dry, but the problems didn’t stop there. It also had a terrible turning radius, the first ABS system on a motorcycle, and an awkward riding position. While this may already seem like the Springtime For Hitler of motorcycles, BMW then did something that defies logic. They painted most of them in ketchup red and mustard yellow. What could have been an engineering triumph turned out to be their biggest sales flop. There were less than 7,000 units made.
For me though, the K1 represents much more than just a failure. For me, the K1 is why I love BMW. The K1 is the Apple Newton of motorcycles. It represents trying new things and failing, but never giving up. I think without the K1, we never would have gotten a number of great motorcycles after. This bike has 25,657 miles and everything is claimed to work. It’s available in Valparaiso, Indiana for $5,995 here on Panjo.