I have ridden a lot of older motorcycles and some of the newer 600cc sport bikes but none of the latest hyperfast bikes. I rode the 85 K100 about 125 miles this week end and that thing is a Rocket. It will run all over a 100 MPH in just a heart beat not that I do that often but I just wanted to see what it would do before sanity returned.....

In 1983 when they hit the streets they were the benchmark and still perform well by todays standards but when you compare them to something like a K1300S or a Suzuki Hyabusa they are fairly tame.

They run good enough for this old man

oi !!! nods head ....chris, sounds like your falling in love .......

10-4

They're fast enuf to get you in trouble, slow enuf to enjoy the ride.

They are a hell of a lot slower then most bikes today. The problem I have is that with age the need to retain my licence has increased, and while I've had my days of riding fast I still lack a bit of self control. It's just too tempting to give the throttle a big twist every time I ride a modern bike. I just love the thrill of a fast bike that struggles to keep both wheels on the ground.

Having an older bike imposes a few limits in leiu of self control while still providing enormus enjoyment.

Having said that I remember a K100RS entered in a 6 hour production race in their day. Don't remember it winning though.

Everyone has a their own opinion.

While I bought my '90 K100RS in Jan '11, I've just been riding it since May 1 (Nova Scotia weather has not been good, but no disasters either). I bought this bike because of the enthusiasm of others in this forum. And you all were correct ... this is a terrific bike ... I love it. While it's acceleration is rather slow, it's very easy to ride fast and it's comfortable. It's stable mate is a S1000RR which is a rocket. I really enjoy moving from bike to bike ... they're both great in different ways.

As with some other pleasures it's all in the wrist.




What were you thinking I meant?

I've had a bit of time on 'quick' bikes, my K1200S not the most recent of the lot. Now, when I go for a fast roll with the sportsbikie bunch, and I'm on my 25 year old K100RS, I just sit right behind 'em in the bends and then catch up again at the end of the long straights. As Reg Pridmore says, smoothness on most any BMW will get you to the finishing line in the front pack. The old K doesn't mind its neck wrung on occasion.

only had my 1992 k100rs a couple of months, but after 40 odd jap bikes,all of which you can't get parts for, the BMW is a refreshing change. she was bought after reading the posts on this forum, and the passion that that every one shares for this bikes is quite infectious. fast enough for me, and the winding country roads ,here in wiltshire, england. the fact that they have such a following world wide is well deserved. love it to bits.

Well put scotty, that is just how I feel, the bikes are sure footed on long motorway hauls and most enjoyable blatting down the country lanes .

BIG D

I'm just back from a four day trip round Ireland and while I would agree that the K is not the fastest thing on two wheels, I had a ball on it.
Many of the roads we used were lots of bends with shortish straights. Combined with with mainly bike friendly motorists, we had great fun.
My riding companions were on an 1150 and 1200 GS, 1150R, a VFR800 and they all had a new found respect for the brick at the end of our trip. Said they were amazed how it went round the bends and was quicker than they had expected.
Like TWB says, wring its neck and keep your lines smooth. Very satisfying.
Had a brilliant trip. Will post a new thread with a few photos.

sweet john ....theres something to be said for group riding ...thanks for flying the kbike flag ...

Re the comment above about the 6 hour race, that was here in NZ, in 1984, entered by Lindsay Williamson and John Britten, who of course went on to produce the Britten racing bikes. They came 10th overall, from memory they were the first non Japanese bike home.

I had a nice afternoon ride to my brothers acreage in the bush yesterday arvo. The ride home was after dark and as I overtook cars on the M1 motorway at extra-legal speeds I had a thought that the K100RS reminds me of driving my big bro's classic Mercedes Benz 280CE from '74. It's a fuel injected 2.8 six, 4 speed, solidly built, long-legged, nimble steering in the bends, straight line stability, a solid pull from the bottom end when you mash your right boot to the floor, decent enough in corners and it carries a certain panache, a style all its own.



A modern sportsbike and some of the newer super-tourers can walk all over a 25 year old K in certain conditions and with certain riders aboard. But since it's not a race (although, tell that to the idiots on the Motorway), the throb of the engine, the effortlessness required to steer, and the ergonomics of the seat-handlebar-footpeg make it an all day rider with a nice amount of ponies available when you feel the need to cane it towards home or over the horizon. A bit like the Merc. Yep, that's what it's like for me.

I see that excellent taste in vehicles runs in the family TBW. That 280 looks mint!

OG

Ta, OG. That's a stock photo pinched from the internet and looks like my bro's MB but for the lighter shade of red and the headlights and his sweet-looking custom wheels. It is a sweet car to drive and does remind me of riding the K. He's selling it and I want it sooooo badly.. Might just have to try and keep it in the fambly.

Wow, mate you should definitely keep that in the family! I've wanted one of those old CE's for some time now. They are a sweet, functional classic!

OG

This is a K100 that was campaigned in NZ some years back. There are heaps of stories of K's successfully (and not so) being raced round the world.



There's this story posted here last year, too. http://k100rt.aforumfree.com/t752-how-to-humiliate-club-racers-on-a-k100#3531

http://findallvideo.com/bmw-k75-turbo-intercooled-megasquirt-on-dyno/id/4034662948

A short video clip of a homebuilt-special turbo K75 on the dyno.

Oh man, time to put the mouse down and walk away from the computer, lol! Lately, I've been thinking a striped street fighter track bike would be a great project, and I don't even have my first project finished!!

OG

I recall Bill Biber racing one here in NZ. Anybody recall that bike or have a picture?

Pjjms, that's the rider of the white bike above which I posted and which another forum member posted here some time ago.

Here's the link: http://k100rt.aforumfree.com/t1364-came-across-this#7937

The Bill Biber bike still exists, it is( or was 5 years ago anyway, and is probably still there) sitting at the back of a motorcycle parts wholesalers warehouse in wellington. It now belongs to Andrew Lawrence, a BMW rider since forever, I remember him riding a R50? or something like that to school back in the '70's when i was a younger fella.

hmmm ill have to find them next visit to welli town ......such a classic .... any idea of the wholesaler robin ?