Celebrating 25th Anniversary of the "K" Bike 83-08

[SHIVA]

It was 25 years ago in 1983 when BMW introduced the ground-breaking new line of 4-cylinder machines called simply the "K."

There is much history and myth around the K line. It's generally understood that the "K" was supposed to replace the Boxer engine in the early '80's. However mainly due to pressure from BMW Boxer owners at that time, BMW retained the "R" engine as they launched the "K" line as the flagship model range with more power and more modern styling. The "K" for the most part became the new host machine for their most up-to-date and cutting-edge technology.

The ABS for example, was first introduced on a K100RS in 1988 MY. The ESA was introduced on the K1200S in 2005 MY. BMW introduced their first 100hp production machine on the K1 and also they used the K line to launch their very first 130hp power plant on the K1200RS in 1997 for 1998 MY.

I hope in 2008, we get to see many "K" motorcycle displays, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the "K," at BMW rallies and events around the world.

I have been riding K bikes since January 1999, when I bought my Graphite K1100RS. Followed by the K1200RS later that year in November.

The very first K bike. K 100 - 1983



K 100 was followed by the K100RS - 2 valve



K100RS - 4 valve



K1 - 4 valve



K1100RS 1993-1997



K1200RS - 1998-2004



K1200S - 2005 - present


Of course in addition to the above leading models for each generation, there have been many Touring, Luxury Touring, Sport Touring, Naked and Grand Touring versions that have come along, including the still popular 3-cylinder K75 range.

Please use this thread to share images or stories of your most favorite "K" motorcycles from the past 25 years.

Congratulations to BMW and all "K" bike lovers around the world. S

[delirious]

Long live the K bike. Looking forward to some great pics.

[Eka]

That very first K from 1983 is just timeless. With a little modification in rear, it could be on sale today. There is some cool retrobikes for example from Ducati and Triumph. That could be one too some day, but now it's too modern still to be retroversion.

K1 - what an earth is that? At least it turns heads. I remember seen that alive years ago, but then it did look good. Maybe it looks good after few decades again.

But as you see, it's getting better all the time. I wonder how cool next K would look like.

[SHIVA]

I agree the K100 without any fairing has a very modern and timeless design. This bike still looks up to date today.



K1 in many ways was futuristic. I remember seeing it back in late 80s... It still holds its own. Frankly, if I were to start collecting bikes I think K1 would be a good candidate.







It looks very different with no graphics:

[SHIVA]

[Eka]

Hey, that black with yellow rims and decals is almost beautiful. Remind me from bumblebee.

[Jamie]

The '83 K100 is indeed timeless.

the K1 revolutionary

the 98 K1200RS impressive and stylish

but

the '05, '06, '07, '08 K1200S is.....................................................................








simply beautiful

Btw the BMW roundel (design) just celebrated 90 years of existence.

It evolved from the first one which incidentally was registered on my birth date (not year)



to the current one



with 4 changes in between

[TRAINER]

Very cool, 25 years eh, nice.... I never even looked at BMW before I first saw the silver/blue K1200RS at a bike show one year. My wife liked the idea of ABS and, well, I liked the looks of the woman showing the bike at the show... The rest is history...

Here's my 2000 K12RS in front of BMWNA here in NJ.

[SHIVA]

Train man, your K12RS was a thing of beauty...

[SHIVA]

Talking about K bike history, which one of you remembers this one?

[TRAINER]

Well, your bike still is a beauty and slowly becoming a classic... Man those pics brings back memories.... Obviously we remember this one!

[Jamie]

No

When did you say this photo was taken

[TRAINER]

March of 2000. This was the ride that Shiva and I met on the way up to the rally.

[SHIVA]

to give you guys the background, that's me as a young lad up front with the only black K bike, since my bike was custom painted. it was the first K12RS only rally that I had organized. The story that I wrote about this rally made the cover of BMW On later on that year. BMW ON is the monthly publication of BMW MOA, which is BMW Motorcycle Owners of America... S

[SHIVA]

Continuing with the K bike anniversary theme... Considering all the touring, sport and naked variations, there have been about 20 different unique K models in the past 25 years.

According to my research these are most if not all the models in the K bike history:

K100

K100RS

K100RT

K100LT

K100RS 4-Valve

K75

K75C

K75S

K75RT

K1

K1100RS

K1100LT

K1200LT

K1200LT -2

K1200GT

K1200GT -2

K1200RS

K1200S

K1200R

K1200R-S

Did I miss anything?

By the way, here's a good link for the overview of these models with images:

http://www.flyingbrick.de/GB/types.html

[gandy]

Still like mne in this colour

[garyh]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.........You've hit on most of my BMW models.
June 84' - finally got the first K delivered to my dealership. The gray (green) K100RS. This was my first BMW after exclusively owning Suzuki's (including the 79 GS1000S - which ironically is back in my stable). What a nice bike the RS was. My wife claims it is still her favorite.
Sold that in 91 and bought the unique Blue/Silver K1. I absolutely LOVED that bike and my wife absolutely HATED it! She claimed it was even more uncomfortable than the GSXR I took her for a ride on (I still don't buy that). Bought a Corbin seat/backrest but still didn't work for her. After a couple of years, traded for a 96 R1100RS-SP. She was ambivelent towards that bike, but the twin just didn't work for me. Seemed too flexible when pushed hard and the drone just put me to sleep. Seems it was an acquired taste that I didn't have. Traded that off as soon as I saw pictures of the 98 K1200RS "taxi-cab". What a great bike and always a head turner! Still not exactly what I fully wanted - lots more HP, lighter weight, crisper handling, better brakes. Then the K1200S came along. Seemed like it would never get here. Finally the first one came in and even though it didn't have ESA, I had to have it. Best bike by far and has met most of my desires. Isn't technology wonderful! HMMM, wonder what the K1000S K46 will be like???????????

[CDP]

Well, your bike still is a beauty and slowly becoming a classic... Man those pics brings back memories.... Obviously we remember this one!

Damn that brings back some memories, I missed that rally but made the next one that year in VT, that's where I met Shiva too. I don't think I ever rode with you (Ken) while I had my KRS, I think I had my GS when I met with you and Bill at V's spaceship wknd.


Great K history post BTW. I had my first K bike in 1994, a used 92 K75C with a windshield. great bike the triple, smooth as silk, lithe, and wasn't much slower than the K100 (few HP's). I still think the 80's K line was decades ahead of it's time.

[SHIVA]

I have done The History of the K Bikes story for the July issue of BMW ON magazine. Please click below to read it.

http://bmw-k.com/k25/Shiva-BMWON-Kbikes7-08.pdf



My "History of the K Bikes" story celebrates the 25th anniversary of the K series BMW motorcycles.

Also, as part of this celebration there is going to be a major K bike concours at the BMW MOA national rally in Gillette, WY. I'm planning to be there and hope to see as many of you as possible at this very special K bike event.

[Eka]

Nice story

[Bad Breath]

Im going to print that on my color laser printer and keep it with my manuals....

[SHIVA]

thanks guys! S

[FreedomRider]

It was I think 1985 when I purchased my graphite silver K100RT. If ever a bike took some day after day miles it was that one. 230,000 miles worth.

[shanclan]

Interesting bit of history on the development of the K engine. Early prototype was based on a Peugeot 104 engine!

http://www.flyingbrick.de/GB/the_k100__2v_.html

[SHIVA]

Please click below to see the multimedia presentation of the History of the K Bikes from the MOA National Rally, in Gillette, WY. (PDF, large file size)

http://bmw-k.com/k25/25yearsofthekbike.pdf