BMW K1 - 1993

The BMW K1 has always been my ultimate dream machine. I own a black metallic one, with a light grey buddyseat. The lateral silver K1-stickers were added afterwards. As a true K1-fanatic, I can't look at my machine without being impressed. This thing is SO beautiful... no other bike comes close to it. No other bike ever stole my heart the way the K1 did. I have mine for about 10 years now, and I'm still not ready to sell it. Although I'm not riding it very much for the moment, I just might regret selling it!
I just LOVE the looks of this bike. It doesn't even sound like a K-bike. I don't recommand riding this thing when you're nervous or angry...
Fact: it's definitely not a ladies bike! But what the heck: I can live with it!

10 years after the last K1 was built, most people (even BMW-fanatics!) don't know that BMW ever built this experimental, futuristic sports bike. Only die-hard (and older) BMW-riders do. Sad but true... but it's no surprise. You don't often get to see one on the road.

The K1 is no lightweight bike, but compared to similar (sports/touring) bikes, it's not that heavy either. You'd better watch out where you park the bike, 'cause this baby is fairly difficult to handle when the engine is not running. You need a lot of space for a U-turn, due to the fairing design. You can't have it all...
And that's also the biggest inconvenience I can find. Being on the road with this bike (especially when you're a woman) requires strategy. I always pick my parking spot very carefully, so no one can park his f***ing car in front of my bike!

Riding a motorcycle when it's hot outside is not as much fun as it should be. The engine heat creeps up the legs and becomes very annoying after a while. But the K1 is not the only bike that gets uncomfortable in hot weather. Other bikes with fairings (or without!) suffer from the same problem. That's the second inconvenience. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons to ride it.

When I discovered the K1100LT, I soon learnt that the K1 was more difficult to handle than the K1100. These two bikes have a lot in common, but... they have a totally different road behaviour. So I covered the K1 up and let it rest for a year. Then I couldn't stand it anymore, just looking at it and not be able to ride it! So now I have it insured again.
:-)))