Let me share a long standing thought. But first, I bought a very slightly used K 100 RS when it was less than 1 yr old; I hated it! Many years later I 'got a deal' on a K 11 RS and used it for miles, mostly for commuting, and augmented that with a K 75 RT , Istill have that bike and consider it to be my winter bike, largely because of the decent fairing. I am retired now and a few years ago bought a clean, used K 1200 RS, largely based on its looks! Frankly, it does not get used much.
Any way, What can we agree was always the classic K's #1 annoyance, embarrassment ? I would say the damn oil burning! haha, like an old 2 stroke each time you start it after time much on the side stand. Ever wonder why??
Here is my opinion: The R bikes evolved over years and were clearly designed by motorcycle users. The K bike was flawed to start, it was designed by Automobile people! Example' any R bike owner knew that at least some times if the bike were parked on the side stand, it would start with smoke from the left cylinder, the right side never smoked! So some genius says lets make a bike with a car styled engine(fine so far) and lay it so all 4 pots are on the left! What the hell? Imagine if someone (like an R bike rider) reversed the drawings and so the exhaust and head were all on the right side! No smoking on start up, no years of excuses, pinned rings etc that never really solved what could have been prevented on the drawing board.. Oh well.
Next, the early instruments were taken from a 3 series car and put 'out in the weather'. the instruments work ok on a car right? more issues with car thinking, eventually they let the instrument box breath one way with Gore tex.
Excess weight? Look at the knee facing / inner fairing panels on an early K ; made of thick composite like an auto's interior! very HEAVY,
I happen to like my K 12, but it could never be my only bike, I find it too heavy to be 'fun'. I prefer a lighter bike most of the time. like my KTM 990 SMT and 950 ADV. I believe it is the last Beemer to have round analog gauges, a detail I prefer to digital stuff. Pirates Lair sells nice polished aluminum trim rings to go around those BTW. Just my thoughts...
Any way, What can we agree was always the classic K's #1 annoyance, embarrassment ? I would say the damn oil burning! haha, like an old 2 stroke each time you start it after time much on the side stand. Ever wonder why??
Here is my opinion: The R bikes evolved over years and were clearly designed by motorcycle users. The K bike was flawed to start, it was designed by Automobile people! Example' any R bike owner knew that at least some times if the bike were parked on the side stand, it would start with smoke from the left cylinder, the right side never smoked! So some genius says lets make a bike with a car styled engine(fine so far) and lay it so all 4 pots are on the left! What the hell? Imagine if someone (like an R bike rider) reversed the drawings and so the exhaust and head were all on the right side! No smoking on start up, no years of excuses, pinned rings etc that never really solved what could have been prevented on the drawing board.. Oh well.
Next, the early instruments were taken from a 3 series car and put 'out in the weather'. the instruments work ok on a car right? more issues with car thinking, eventually they let the instrument box breath one way with Gore tex.
Excess weight? Look at the knee facing / inner fairing panels on an early K ; made of thick composite like an auto's interior! very HEAVY,
I happen to like my K 12, but it could never be my only bike, I find it too heavy to be 'fun'. I prefer a lighter bike most of the time. like my KTM 990 SMT and 950 ADV. I believe it is the last Beemer to have round analog gauges, a detail I prefer to digital stuff. Pirates Lair sells nice polished aluminum trim rings to go around those BTW. Just my thoughts...