K 100 RT

1985 BMW K 100 RT Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in BMW's touring motorcycle lineup, the 1985 BMW K 100 RT utilizes a 987 cc (60.2 cu in) liquid-cooled in-line four, four-stroke layout. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 90 HP (65.7 kW) at 8,000 rpm while maximum torque reaches 86 Nm (63.4 lb-ft) at 6,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 91.2 HP per liter and a 2,000 rpm working window between peak torque (6,000 rpm) and peak power (8,000 rpm), the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the K 100 RT measures 272 kg (600 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.33 HP/kg (3.02 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 800 mm (31.5 in) seat height — offering a neutral standover height that accommodates most average-inseam riders without sacrificing cornering clearance, combined with a 1,565 mm (61.6 in) wheelbase engineered for planted straight-line stability. The 22-liter (5.8 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 4.3 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 512 km (318 miles) between fill-ups, while factory top speed is listed at 220 km/h (137 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's BMW archive, this model family spans 5 indexed model years from 1984 to 1988, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.