Page 36 - Riding On Autumn 2023

Road Test on

a 1988 BMW K100RT

The BMW K100 was officially launched in 1983 and marked a a good shed) with a tank full of what I suspect was E10 fuel
change in direction for the company. Initial plans were to phase had done a lot of damage. A new fuel pump, filter, level sender
out the older twin cylinder air cooled ‘Boxer’ styled engine for and fuel regulator plus various new hoses, seals plus cleaned
this more modern 4 cylinder liquid cooled concept, something injectors were required before the old German dragon finally
the public didn’t accept. Instead, the ‘Flying Brick’ as it became breathed fire once again.
known, plotted a path alongside its more venerable sibling.
The ‘Flying Brick’ went through various updates and finished Now, for a bike that is 34 years old, it carries quite a bit of
production in that form in 2005. The good thing about German technology onboard. Electronic fuel injection, electronic ignition,
engineering is the attention to manufacturing and metallurgy bulb monitoring system and electronic speedo (hmmn, that’s
detail, which equates to these motors being able to reach not so good). Later in 1988 they also added ABS. All this stuff
300,000 ks without a major overhaul (regular maintenance is is great when it’s working but it can be downright painful
key though). to diagnose faults if something goes wrong (especially at
roadside). That said, when everything is going right, you have a
I owned a 1994 K1100LT ex-Police bike for six and a half years bike that can mix it with other far more modern steeds.
and clocked up over 100,000 kilometres during that time. My
time with the ‘K’ taught me that the bike was quite an amazing The handling is still quite inspiring and the twin cam engine
‘all-rounder’. It could be a long distance two up tourer or an produces more than enough horses to see you touching
excellent handling scratcher (luggage removed of course) and 200kph. BMW’s idea of flipping the 4 cylinder engine on its side
then be called upon to do daily commuter work. Early versions lowers the centre of gravity and improves the bike’s handling.
of the K1100LT now qualify for historic plate registration and One advantage of this layout is the ability to dismantle the
good examples can still be found, you just have to do your engine while it sits in the frame. A smooth five speed gearbox
homework and be patient. driving through a nice clean shaft system to the rear wheel,
complete with very efficient disk brakes all round, provides
I decided a couple of years back that I wanted a bike to put you with a very comfortable and, for the most part, reliable
on historic plates and participate with an increasing number motorcycle. Good maintenance schedules and keeping an eye
of my friends going to various vintage and classic bike rallies. on some of the model’s foibles (the drive shaft can fail due to
My better half (probably tired of my fond musings about my lack of lubrication) can give you many years of uninterrupted
previous ‘K’) pointed out a very low kilometre 1988 BMW motorcycling.
K100RT over in Tamworth NSW. A few phone calls followed by a
visit to inspect where we agreed on some dollars, and I was the Here in NSW we have an excellent historic registration system.
owner of my second ‘Beemer’. It took a little time to accept the It basically allows you to ride the bike once a week not
non standard paint scheme, even more so the incorrect spelling counting Club/Branch sanctioned rides. You still need some
on the fairing (German studies at school). comprehensive insurance but the registration and CTP costs are
very minimal. As we age and our bodies tend to become less
Had I looked into the fuel tank during that inspection, I may agile, we often put aside motorcycling for more comfortable
well have walked away from the bike. Two years stationary (in means of transport, and, because of the cost of registrations we
also look at letting our bike riding days become fond memories.
It makes sense to consider why you’d pay up to $1000 per year
for a bike to sit in the shed and only get ridden once a month
or so. Then there’s that pesky Ulysses Club membership which
probably also gets the chop.

Well, why not use your U.C. membership to allow you a
motorcycle befitting your own vintage, still attend the monthly
Branch ride and enjoy the friendships you’ve built up over the
decades?
You’ll have to check the rules for your own State, but, I’m sure
you’ll see the benefits. There are a lot of great bikes coming
into the historic registration category so get searching.
May Your Lid Never Skid, Ian Parks #11735

RIDING ON 36