Building   BLOCKS

The bike you see before you represents one of the most fundamental shifts in motorcycle design by a single manufacturer ever.

Short of venturing into the world of forced induction two-strokes, BMW could not have opted for a more radically different set-up to that which it had previously championed. And yet the resultant new machine did retain two key features that had traditionally characterised the marque; shaft drive and a low centre of gravity. The new K series Beemers had arrived…

Covered in acres of swooping plastic panel work, ducts and louvres, screen and sculptured seat the bike could almost have come from any of the big Japanese players. Doubtless this is more than mere happenstance; the K’s designers had unquestionably been briefed to ensure the bike had a greater mass market appeal to aid sales. Yes, the earliest K models looked a little more quirky but they were still light years away from the old established boxer engine bike. By the time the fully-faired variants arrived on the scene there was an unmistakable Oriental theme going on but it was only ever superficial. Both on the surface and beneath it, this