BMW K100 (1983-1984) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1983, the German motorcycle maker took a big step into modern times by releasing an in-line four-cylinder engine generation of motorcycles, as the BMW K100 presented in Paris.

Working in the development department at BMW Motorrad, the engineer Josef Fritzenwenger proposed installing a four-cylinder in-line engine lying lengthways in a bridge frame with straight tubes.

The drive train, which included the engine, gearbox, and swingarm with the integrated cardan shaft, resulted in a unit that BMW called the "Compact Drive System." The torque-oriented design gave the model a relaxed driving style and was never tuned for top performance.

In its class, the 1983 BMW K100 was the most economical and efficient motorcycle due to the most modern characteristics of a curve-controlled ignition and an electronic injection system available on the market.

The power characteristics of the model were set by a 987cc four-cylinder in-line engine with a power output of 90 hp at 8,000 rpm and 84 Nm (62 lb-ft) of torque available at 8,250 rpm that sent the bike to a top speed of 215 kph (132 mph).

From the production line, the bike packed standard features such as a Monolever rear suspension, a front telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorbers, a dual seat, black engine accents, a nose-fairing, cast-aluminum wheels, an analog instrumentation panel, and brake discs with Brembo calipers.