I have a 1994 K1100LT that had been stored for 10 years before she came into my ownership. A change of all fluids, filters etc along with some new fuel, connect the new battery and pushed the starter button and after a couple of tries away it went purring like a kitten. That was 7 years ago and after moving to live i Tunisia in 2021 we returned later in the year to the UK to collect the K11 and given travel restrictions in place we had to travel from Yorkshire to Genoa in 3 days to catch the ferry over to Tunisia. This was done 2 up fully loaded and using motorways all the way through France and into Italy and she never missed a beat. She now lives in the sunshine and is still purring along like the day she came of the production line.
I can attest to getting on in years part I have had my '85 model over 20 years and I do have to hit the gym to stay strong enough for garage maneuvers, out on the road no problem. I don't see a day when I would ever sell it.
The BMW K bikes have legendary reliability, futuristic styling that still look great today! I am the original owner of a 1994 K1100RS and the bike still looks and rides like new! People are blown away when I tell them the bike is 30 years old 😂
Buffeting at speed is considerably reduced if you adjust the little deflector at the top of the windshield. Slacken the two screws and tilt it forward slightly to deflect airflow over rider's head. In the video you have the deflector closed up against the screen which will not deflect the air over your head - hence buffeting. The difference is quite noticeable just by moving this small piece of plastic, it's part of the clever design of the K-series.
Loved the video and am considering buying one for daily use. My only worr is parts availability. Where could one get parts if anything was to go wrong?
Great video and very well explained! Thank you for all the effort put into it! :) I have a K1100 myself and I both love it and hate it at times. One thing I don't understand is why people don't like the indicators. They just make so much sense to me and are so much easier to use than having to toggle a switch with your thumb. I'm upset not more bikes come with it :))
Another good video Robert, these k100 bmw's are a good sturdy, reliable work horse of a machine, I guess that's why a lot of police forces all over the world including the UK, had these for years, look forward to the next episode.
Ive had both a K75 and K100 (the 75 is the gem) and I truly believe these are the most robust and predictable bikes I've ever owned. You can feel the quality to the core, one of the last bikes built to a standard not to a price. Very linear acceleration though, not something for speed demons.
I have one of the first batch of the K100 ,1983 chassis 00000499 It was one, if not the first one sold retail in the UK. I have had it from new and now it is too heavy for me . I offered it to Sammy miller museum but they do not have room for it.
Strangely and unusually a nice bike. Looks like a solid workhorse. I do like the more recent BMW bikes. I suppose that's why the police use them. Good video and enjoyed the ride.
I'm not a mechanic, just familiar with things, but I think, if you jerk the back wheel and there is a knock, you discovered a faulty wheel bearing, not a faulty drive shaft. And in the drive shaft housing there is oil, not grease.
Those K100’s for the track looked absolutely amazing. Really a treat. What was the name of the shop, please? Way better than these sad examples of a homebrewed caf’racer.
I had 1 of these. I had cooling problems with it: coolant in the oil. HG i thought. Wrong! Turned out that this bike has an oilpump and coolant pump on the SAME AXEL. There's a seal between the 2 pump chambers and that had failed. I fixed it and after that it was all good. Is it a good tourer? I say no. Because the K100 generates lots of vibrations thru the foot pegs AND handle bars. Very tiring. Stock seat is a bit meh. I think the K75 was/is the better bike because that has a balance shaft to combat vibrations from the 3cyl. All the early R airheads and K bikes tend to smoke a bit on cold startup. That is inherent to the design of horizontal cylinders. Oil runs down the cyl walls and accumulates below on the bores. On cold startup it burns off that oil. Not really an issue. Just keep checking the oil level.
![[Ep 18] So You Wanna Build a BMW K-bike - Sharing A Few Things I Learned](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Rx4w80pcg2o/mqdefault.jpg)
![[Ep 18] So You Wanna Build a BMW K-bike - Sharing A Few Things I Learned](/img/tr.png)
I have a 1994 K1100LT that had been stored for 10 years before she came into my ownership. A change of all fluids, filters etc along with some new fuel, connect the new battery and pushed the starter button and after a couple of tries away it went purring like a kitten. That was 7 years ago and after moving to live i Tunisia in 2021 we returned later in the year to the UK to collect the K11 and given travel restrictions in place we had to travel from Yorkshire to Genoa in 3 days to catch the ferry over to Tunisia. This was done 2 up fully loaded and using motorways all the way through France and into Italy and she never missed a beat. She now lives in the sunshine and is still purring along like the day she came of the production line.
Fortunately, I have the most indestructible of all BMWs, a 1986 K 75 s. And I'm happy about every well-made flying brick video.
Thanks for that.
I can attest to getting on in years part I have had my '85 model over 20 years and I do have to hit the gym to stay strong enough for garage maneuvers, out on the road no problem. I don't see a day when I would ever sell it.
The BMW K bikes have legendary reliability, futuristic styling that still look great today! I am the original owner of a 1994 K1100RS and the bike still looks and rides like new! People are blown away when I tell them the bike is 30 years old 😂
Wonderful video. I like the K100 with the Pichler fairing.
Buffeting at speed is considerably reduced if you adjust the little deflector at the top of the windshield. Slacken the two screws and tilt it forward slightly to deflect airflow over rider's head. In the video you have the deflector closed up against the screen which will not deflect the air over your head - hence buffeting. The difference is quite noticeable just by moving this small piece of plastic, it's part of the clever design of the K-series.
Loved the video and am considering buying one for daily use. My only worr is parts availability. Where could one get parts if anything was to go wrong?
At BMW.
EVERYTHING and I mean it, is still available from BMW. In Poland it usually takes three days to get ANY engine part for brick.
Great video and very well explained! Thank you for all the effort put into it! :)
I have a K1100 myself and I both love it and hate it at times. One thing I don't understand is why people don't like the indicators. They just make so much sense to me and are so much easier to use than having to toggle a switch with your thumb. I'm upset not more bikes come with it :))
The K75 triple is even better :)
Another good video Robert, these k100 bmw's are a good sturdy, reliable work horse of a machine, I guess that's why a lot of police forces all over the world including the UK, had these for years, look forward to the next episode.
Jon's friend here great video mate. These bikes are still going for a good price you can get one for about 4.700 k
:o
I’ve just found one for 3k € with 60k kms
I thought it was a bargain, but it spreads to be a steal..
Nice review, now you're ready to try a K75RT. And honestly, once you're used to the indicators, you find the 'normal' style soooo clumsy.
93 K75 here. Solid bike, had to get used to the shifting. The indicators fall naturally in place.
Same here for the indicators. Plus they self cancel. Thing still missing in most of the modern bikes. Damn bean counters.
Ive had both a K75 and K100 (the 75 is the gem) and I truly believe these are the most robust and predictable bikes I've ever owned. You can feel the quality to the core, one of the last bikes built to a standard not to a price. Very linear acceleration though, not something for speed demons.
I have one of the first batch of the K100 ,1983 chassis 00000499 It was one, if not the first one sold retail in the UK. I have had it from new and now it is too heavy for me . I offered it to Sammy miller museum but they do not have room for it.
It could find a new home in my garage with my other well cared for bricks: k100rt, k1100lt and k75c - prob my favourite 😊
I badly need a bike like that, if you can spare it I’d love to get on plane and drive it home
i like these bikes...
that paint job is sick
Strangely and unusually a nice bike. Looks like a solid workhorse. I do like the more recent BMW bikes. I suppose that's why the police use them. Good video and enjoyed the ride.
I'm not a mechanic, just familiar with things, but I think, if you jerk the back wheel and there is a knock, you discovered a faulty wheel bearing, not a faulty drive shaft. And in the drive shaft housing there is oil, not grease.
It had adjustable seat height. 7:23
for those who are not retarted, this is a 1000cc motorcycle
Those K100’s for the track looked absolutely amazing. Really a treat. What was the name of the shop, please? Way better than these sad examples of a homebrewed caf’racer.
Not a fan of the standard styling but love the race and cafe ones! Another great vid Rob :)
I had 1 of these. I had cooling problems with it: coolant in the oil. HG i thought. Wrong! Turned out that this bike has an oilpump and coolant pump on the SAME AXEL. There's a seal between the 2 pump chambers and that had failed. I fixed it and after that it was all good.
Is it a good tourer? I say no. Because the K100 generates lots of vibrations thru the foot pegs AND handle bars. Very tiring. Stock seat is a bit meh.
I think the K75 was/is the better bike because that has a balance shaft to combat vibrations from the 3cyl.
All the early R airheads and K bikes tend to smoke a bit on cold startup. That is inherent to the design of horizontal cylinders. Oil runs down the cyl walls and accumulates below on the bores. On cold startup it burns off that oil. Not really an issue. Just keep checking the oil level.
FYI The turn signals are selfcancelling.
I'm considering a clean 87 for a 2nd bike but the pricing is high enough to be in/near 99-01 best of the 5th gen honda VFR territory...
I didn’t think it was available in a 100cc. Maybe they meant 1000.
That design is timeless. Love my K. I've got a ride video up. Check it out, if you care.
I have an 85 K100...........and a 2003 K1200RS
I heard the K100 was developed from a SAAB engine
No, a Peugeot engine was used for the very first prototypes, but the K100 engine is all it’s own.
Peugeot 104.
I've got a K-75 that rides so much smoother than the K-100, and I'm sorry to say, but that paint job is hideous.
The first error in the title. 100cc…. Ouff.
100cc, eh? (from title) ;)
Can’t be much punch in a BSA A65 then?
Doesn't look like the handlebars are original. Look nothing like mine
Ah I have the 16v abs may be that
RS/RT/LT variants I'd assume.
Had one that got to 350,000
And putting it on its side stand can turn it into….
*1000cc
Please put some gloves on.
Average everything 😁