Considering importing a K1, thoughts?

[Euro Spec]

I've been having a blast on my K100 RS 16V in Germany, but it is time to come home to America soon.  My household goods are getting packed up in two weeks, and I recently discovered that it won't be an issue to ship a third motorcycle back with me to the States.  I also found out that K1s aren't too expensive in Germany (they got the lion's share of them between '89-'92).

Input from K1 riders out there is especially appreciated, because the intent is to get some soft bags and use this as a tourer.  Maybe even sell my RS, but I've heard that the K1s can get pretty toasty with all of that bodywork.

I'm going to check out two this weekend, a red/yellow and blue/yellow.  One has 50k kms and the other 88k kms on the clock, and both are listed for a reasonable price.  There is also a third one with only 22k kms on the odometer in Munich that I may check out, but it is a bit more expensive than the other two.
 
Am I in my right mind to make a quick purchase decision on these within the next couple weeks?

[kris]

Sure you are! You gettin' any younger? The worst that happens is you don't like it and sell it back home....go for it!

[Martin]

How often do you get a chance like this, go for it.
Regards Martin.

[tsnap]

Johnny and I will be happy to drain out the old fuel from the "fuel package" when it arrives in the states. Payment will be an original copy of the VHS of "The French connection"



tom

[The Dude]

Am I in my right mind to make a quick purchase decision on these within the next couple weeks?

Go for it.These machines were,are underrated by the biker market( because they're a fickle shallow lot,I suspect.).Supply and demand in the U.S.(massive population) will give you a good return,eventually because they are in fact bloody awesome machines for people who happen to know what awesome really is....which, in this case and previously, is not many.
Good luck.

[Euro Spec]

I guess this is my only chance at this, I have appointments to view the two this weekend and if it's good I'll go for it.  If I get one I'll make sure to post some photos up.  Thanks for the resounding encouragement~

[Euro Spec]

Just bought the red/yellow! The blue one sold yesterday before we could see it.  The bike has some scuffs on one side that will need some touch-up paint but is in otherwise good mechanical condition.  I will post pictures when I pick up the bike next week. 

Took it for a test ride, very interesting machine.  It feels faster than my 4V RS (improved aero I assume), has a more aggressive seating position with the foot controls, a comfier seat than the RS (though that's not saying much), and holy cow you feel like you are sitting on a toaster.  That beast cooks your thighs within minutes of starting up   :mbird  The turning radius was not as bad as I expected, and wow do you get stares on that bike.  You can love or hate the styling, but you sure can't ignore it.  I was on the edge whether to get it or not but my wife LOVES it, I finished the test ride and she told me "we are getting this bike."  She's a one in a million.

Now onto the registration and importation paperwork...

[jakgieger]

 :2thumbup:  Wanted a K1...settled for an rs se .  Just drive in cold weather :hehehe

[The Dude]

Congratulations.
The heat so soon is perplexing.
Designed for high speed cruising,not sitting in traffic,I guess.
All the best.

[Euro Spec]

Got it home tonight!  200km in the pouring rain, no sweat

[The Dude]

Very nice!
You're wife's a keeper too!
All the best.

[Elipten]

Great looking bike.  Please do not cafe it.  I don't think my old knees could ride it long, but it looks fast even standing still.

[The Dude]

Great looking bike.  Please do not cafe it.

These machines are very distinctive.If you happen to be the type that wants to get noticed,this design has all the attributes,for that,already.It also ,apart from my knees too,is reasonably ergonomic,not like the you know what's.
They're "futuristic" high speed mile munchers,rather than the er um lifestylistic Steampunker noisey slowmobiles.
I'd "turn"(from my long standing 75 sport)for one of them, but....oh well,I have the skills to not require a 1000 to keep up.

[beemuker]

those are the coolest bikes ever made. congrats. I think Bruce Wane had one of these

[Martin]

Well done cool machine, please please don't try to turn it into a café or scrambler.
Regards Martin.

[Euro Spec]

Love this beast already and my wife says she needs one too! Don't worry, no cafe build for me, I have a Triumph Thruxton parked behind it so that box is already checked  :yes   I'm going to rack some miles up on it this weekend before it gets boxed up for shipment to America.  Hope my RS doesn't get jealous.

[german996]

Congrats on your purchase, it is a beautiful bike, at some point in life I will get one,,,,,, since I was a kid I loved it....


where in the USA will you be living?


all the best for you and wife

[BAMBAM1039]

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ONE I HAVE A 1990 RED YELLOW FOR SALE opps sorry about caps  32000miles in connecticut  1-203-675-3761

[Euro Spec]

I'm heading to Seattle, looks like we have a good K Bike showing up there so we'll have to put some rides together. 

Another K1 would be great, but my wife needs to gain another 6" before she can actually fit on a K Bike, at 5'0" she just don't fit

[BAMBAM1039]

the parts are still available for the heat blanket system and it works wonders

[Quiltzig]

Do you mind giving us a ballpark figure on what these sell for in Germany nowadays?

The heat can be re-directed with some cunning mods - I had the same issue with my K1100 but only when at slow speeds in town.

[Euro Spec]

Anywhere between 2-6k euro.  I think the most expensive I sae was 6k and it only had 3000 miles on the odometer.