K1: BMW NA Classic
1989 BMW K1 #6365053

987cc A31 Inline Four 100 hp @ 8,000 rpm
570 lbs.
Marrakesh Red/Broom Yellow
BMW NA Classic
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
In 1988, BMW took aerodynamic efficiency to its zenith with the K1, whose all-enveloping, downforce-producing bodywork was based on the “Racer” concept drawn by Karl-Heinz Abe in 1984. The impact-absorbing bodywork gave the K1 a drag coefficient of just 0.335 when a Cd of 0.4-0.5 was the norm. The K1 got BMW’s first motorcycle engine with a four-valve cylinder head, Bosch Digital Motor Electronics, and a closed-loop, three-way catalytic converter. The bike seen here was part of BMW of North America’s press fleet before it went on display at the BMW Manufacturing Zentrum.