BMW K 1300 GT - Manual (Page 76)

BMW
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Information
10/2008
Page 76
K 100 (1983–1990).
The K 100 launched in 1983 – exactly six decades after the launch of the very
fi rst BMW motorcycle with its Boxer engine – is BMW’s fi rst production model
with a four-cylinder power unit. But instead of following the usual Japanese
concept with the straight-four engine fi tted crosswise, BMW once again takes
a new and unusual approach: Featuring liquid-cooling and not air-cooling
like most other production motorcycles, the four-cylinder power unit is fi tted
fl at in longitudinal direction as a load-bearing element in the tubular steel
spaceframe, with the transmission of power from the gearbox to the rear
wheel remaining in a technology so typical and well-proven at BMW: through
a drive shaft.
The K 100 is one of the fi rst production motorcycles in the world to feature
fuel injection (Bosch LE-Jetronic) supplying the fuel/air mixture to the 987-cc
four-cylinder with two valve-operated cup tappets per cylinder.
Two other innovations in the production of BMW series machines are the
two overhead camshafts as well as the Monolever single-swing arm on these
dynamic 1000-cc models.
BMW’s fi rst-ever four-cylinder is upgraded in 1987, a free-standing headlight
taking the place of the former headlight/instrument unit, a black-painted
engine and painted rims as well as a dynamically style fuel tank/seat
combination marking the most important differences.
As before, engine output is 90 hp at 8,000 rpm.
K 100 RS (1983–1989).
Introducing the K 100 RS, BMW adds a sports model to the existing range
with the same engine and suspension technology, but now featuring a
carefully designed aerodynamic fairing. The handlebar fi tted lower down
provides a more sporting seat position, the fairing carefully developed in the
wind tunnel, together with its adjustable wind defl ector and the direction
indicators integrated in the rear mirrors, combining a sporting look for high
speeds with all the grand touring comfort so typical of a BMW.
4.2 The Two-Valve Models as of 1983.