The compact drive system was patented 1st February 1979!
The advancements:
16 valves, 1,3kg lighter crank shaft, electronic control unit (ECU)/ Motronic, ABS, Paralever, progressive Marzocchi forks D=41,7mm, 2x 4 piston Brembo brake calipers and 2x floating
disks D=305mm for the front brake, controlled catalytic converter, world class leading aerodynamic for series motorcycles.
The k1 was in part, developed to achieve a market share of the existing sports bikes segment dominated by Yamaha FZR1000, Honda CBR1000F, Kawasaki ZX-7, ZX-10, Suzuki GSX-R 1100, Bimota Dieci, Triumph Daytona 1000, etc.
Development milestones:
September 1983 - First design studies
June, 22nd 1986 - Presentation of the k1 prototype to the board of directors
January 1988 - Release of the changes, the k1 design now close to the final series
23rd March 1988 - official operating permit by Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA)
20th Sep. 1988 - Presentation of the k1 to the public at the IFMA in Cologne
8- 16th May 1989 - Presentation of the k1 to the press in Italy, 50km south east of Rom
29th May 1989 - Sales release
Production figures:
Total of 6921 k1 have been produced between 1988 and 1993
1988: 12 = 0,17% (not sold)
1989: 3574 = 50,64%
1990: 2120 = 30,63%
1991: 763 = 11,02%
1992: 310 = 4,48%
1993: 142 = 2,05%
Approx. 2050 of the k1 have been
sold in Germany
Approx. 670 of the k1 have
been sold to America
Approx. 570 of the k1 have been sold to France
It is rather likely that less than a quarter of the 6921 k1 s remain on the road today.
The result of my brief global survey on Facebook in 2020 was:
Germany - approx. 500
France - approx. 270
Spain - approx. 50
UK - approx. 14
Click the pic above or use: https://www.bmwgroup-classic.com/en/history/historic-modeloverview.html