Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

~ RIDING IMPRESSION 1993BMWKll00LT By Kit Palmer T he long-awaited 1l00cc luxury tour- er from BMW is finally here. Imported from Germany as a 1993 model, the KllOOLT is BMW's first honest-to-goodness touring bike designed to go head-to-head against the Japanese luxury touring motorcycles, like the' class standard Honda Gold Wing, and Yamaha Venture Royale and Kawasaki Concourse. Although BMW had offered the twovalve-per-cylinder, loo0cc KlOOLT from 1987 to 1991, it just wasn't quite in the same league as the Japanese heavyweight tourers like the six-cylinder, 1500cc Gold Wing. But with the introduction of the all-new 16-valve KllooLT, that has all changed. In order to compete heads-up against the Japanese touring machines, BMW realized the need for a bigger powerplant, hence the all-new 1l00cc engine. Well, almost all new. The fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, fourstroke, in-line, four-cylinder motor, is BMW's first over-l000cc production engine, which is, admittedly, basically the same engine found in the BMW Kl Supersport model, which debuted in 1990. The majn difference is that the KllooLT's engine is bored out to 1093cc displacement, as compared to the Kl's 987ec, in order to achieve more torque ·n tea ouxu 16 and power at low rpm. The reason being that touring bikes are often ridden twoup and fully loaded. BMW claims that by increasing displacement and utilizing its Digital Motor Electronics, which allows precise control of both fuel delivery and engine ignition, in the engine's fuel management system, they have increased horsepower from 82 at BOOO rpm (KI00LI) to 95 at 7500 rpm, and torque has increased from 63.7 lb-ft. at 6000 rpm, to 72.3 lb-ft. at 6250 rpm. Peak horsepower is 100 at 7750 rpm; peak torque 77.3 lb-ft. @ 5500 rpm. BMW claims that the new overall tbrque figure is 21 % more torque at fewer rpm than its KlOOLT predecessor. Perhaps the most unique feature of the KII00LT is the first use of a fully controlled three-way catalytic converter on a motorcycle. Even though BMW motorcycles currently meet all emission control regulations worldwide without catalytic converters, BMW got a head start on the environmental protection campaign when it announced the development of the first fully controlled three-way catalytic converter for motorcycles at the 1988 Cologne International Motorcycle Show in Germany. Production motorcycles equipped with the catalytic converters first reached the European market in 1991 and now KllooLT is the first U.S. model to be so equipped. The system has three primary components: the catalyst itself, located inside the exhaust system, a Lambdasensor (or oxygen sensor) to measure the oxygen content of the exhaust gases, and the Digital Motor Electronics. The system is termed three-way because it controls all three exhaust emissions: hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen. Power is transferred to the rear The KllOOLT is BMW's answer to the Honda Gold Wing. Lightweight, good handling, ABS and an adjustable windscreen are just some of the features that the KllOOLT has to offer. wheel via a five-speed transmission and BMW's Para laver single-sided sWingarm/shaft-drive all-in-one system. The Paralaver design was first introduced on the on/off-road RI0OGS, then fitted to the K-Series BMWs. Top gear is slightly taller to allow a more relaxed running of the engine at cruising speeds, as compared to the Kl00LT. -' The rear single shock is now made by Showa and is gas-filled with progressive spring action, five preload settings and adjustable rebound damping. The BMW-made fork has new springs. , Stopping power is handled. by a double floating disc up front and a single disc in the back. The front binders have four-piston calipers, the rear twin pis- _ tons. BMW's electronically controlled anti-lock braking system (ABS) is fitted as standard equipment on the KllOOLT. On some of their other models, ABS is offered only as an option. The wheels for the KllOOLT share the Kl three-spoke configuration, although the wheels and tires are proportioned to suit the load and comfort requirements of a luxury tourer. Both front (2.50 x 18 inch) and rear (3.00 x 17 inch) cast alloy wheels come fitted with VR tubeless radial tires. The tires on the KllOOLT we tested had Metzelers but will most likely be fitted with Pirellis in the U.S., accordingtoBMW. Although the fairing looks similar to previous BMW models, it's actually quite different. First of all, the entire fairing has been moved 1.2 inches forward to prOVide much needed additional knee room for taller riders, and the lowers have been redesigned for better leg protection. One of the neatest feature of the new KllOOLT is the electrically adjustable windscreen. Activated by a pushbutton, the windscreen can be moved up and down 2.95 inches and tilted up to 24degrees, by sliding and swivelling on two adjustment rails. Also, the instrument panel is now mounted to the frame instead of the handlebars, for better protection from vibration. ' The KllOOLT's sound system, installed in the fairing, is an AM/FM stereo cassette radio with fairing-mounted, weather-protected speakers and remote handlebar adjustment of key functions. It's the same sound system featured on the KlOOLT. The topcase and side luggage bags are all-new. The topcase has a capacity large enough to store a helmet with room left over, and it also has a passenger backrest padding and compartments to install aftermarket speakers. Both the topcase and luggage bags have new, easier-to-operate locking systems, designed to be operated with one hand and at night. All the bags are detachable. The KllOOLT still features many of the amenities of the KlOOLT, such as a one-key locking system for all locks, cylinder protection bars, coolant temperature and fuel gauges, map reading

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