Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

eNEW;BIKES 1991 BMWs ~ Riding impression:B Wl00R MK 8 When the BMWs come m arching in o O'l O'l ot only did the press view the new BMWs in Louisiana, they also got the opportunity to ride the 1991 KlOORS through the heart of the South - from New Orleans to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and back, racking up a little more than 600 miles during the two-day trip. . The BMWs were filled with optional quick-detach, hard-case luggage bags and full-size soft tank bags. Anything needed for the two-day trip, including a complete change of clothes, wet weather riding gear, etc., packed' easily into the spacious compartments. Those unfamiliar with BMWs, are initially set back by the German manufacturer's unique p lacement of the turn indicator switches and cancel button, which are all independent of N ...... The GSlOO Paris-Dakar is the biggest dual purpose bike available in the U.S. It features numerous changes over last year's model and sells $7990. However, you'll probably do it only once, because the pain really makes you grit your teeth and you'll quickly adopt a new riding style to prevent smacking your kneecap a second time. Speaking of the fairing, the rather small and narrow wind screen does a respectable job of keeping wind blast from pounding against your chest and helmet, which also helps reduce fatigue on long rides. PIus , the rearview mirror!blinker combination also acts as wind protection for the rider's hands. As far as engine performance, the KlOORS isn't exactly a rocketship, but, then again, it wasn't designed to be one, although it is significantly . quicker than previous models. Instead, the '91 sideways-mounted in-line four , motor delivers smooth and predictable power as you click the . KIOORS through its five gears, yet it has a sufficient surge of power in the upper ... end of the rev range to overtake slower vehicles with ease. a: Although the KIOORS wasn't ,. designed as a full-fledged sport bike, =: it can whip through the switchbacks e- and accelerate from turn to turn with respect when asked to do so. But the ::. BMW is more a t h om e fl owing th rough the corners at a moderate, but relaxed pace. The five-speed tra ns mission performed as smooth as silk. A slight nudge o n th e sh ift lever , co mbined with a light pull on th e cl utch lever, easil y found the n ext cog, ei ther upshifting or downshifting. As an added bonus, finding neutral while stopped at a n intersection is super easy. Simply put, the brakes on th e KIOORS are awesome. One finger and a light touch on the front brake lever, and little assistance from the rear brake, slows down the Beemer in a hurry. The KIOORS that we rode was filled with ABS, but we never actually used it in an emergency situation, only when we purposefully tried locking either wheel. We could see how the ABS could be extremely beneficial, especially on loose or wet ground. . The KIOORS 's suspension left a little to be desired. When traveling over a series of bumps, the rear shock seemed under damped, primarily on the rebound side. There were a few occasions where we got blown out of the seat over rough ground and the front end shook a little bit, but it didn't get to the point of making us scared, just a little uneasy, perhaps. Some suspension fine tuning should eliminate the problem. After spending two days and cruising more than 600 miles on the KIOORS, the one thing that stuck out _ in our minds the most was how fresh we felt after the ride. No aching backs , no cramped legs, no sore shoulders and no numb butts, The BMW is so comfortable we never felt the dire need to climb off of it, even after a long stint in the saddle. In our opinion, that's saying a lot. If you're used to riding Japanese street bikes, swinging' a leg over the BMW KIOORS is like taking a breath of fresh air. It's not that the Japanese build bad motorcycles, it's just that the KIOORS, as well as the rest of the BMW lineup, is so different. The $11,590 ($12,590 wi ABS) KlOORSlooks unique and stylish, and performs unlike any Japanese street bike we've ridden. This is one motorcycle we could live with .for a long, long time. g a Compared to its Paris-Dakar brother, the GSlOO has a smaller gas tank, a passenger seat, weighs a few pounds less and has a $1000smaller price tag. each other, unlike the Japanese motorcycles on the road, which incorporate all of these buttons into one switch. This BMW system takes some getting used to and might not be the most practical of designs, but it 's well worth it if you like having something different, or non-Japanese. As far as comfort, the KlOORS is a couch on two wheels. The handlebars are easily reachable, so yo u don't have to lean forward very much, which results in a less tiresome straight-upand-down riding position -. There's hardly any strain on the rider's forearms a nd lower back, and the seat is wide and just firm enough to keep the . rider's butt from turning numb. Slight vibration can be felt through the handlebar and into the rider's hands and fingers. But at certain rpms, when cruising around 60-65 mph, vibrations is nonexistent. All in all, vibra tio n is there but not terribly bothersome. For riders pushing six-feet in height, you will eventually bash one of your kneecaps, like we did, against the rounded corn er. of the fairing, where it runs down alongside the gas tank.

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