k?

[quickdraw]

OK I hate to admit it but at a recient rally I was asked why this series of bikes have the prefix k. I didn't have an answer, can some of the more educated in the group fill in the blanks for me.
:help

[Gilly]

I have heard (but can't verify) that the K is for the German "Compact" (Kompact). The engine being a stressed member of the frame and horizontal mounting, all bolted the the transmission and swingarm is referred to as the "Kompact Drive System".
Gilly

[nh7robmw]

Thanks for posing the question and thanks to Gilly for answering it---I also don't know for sure but that certainly makes sense. :)

I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up before.

[djpeters]

Check out this naming history

http://www.motorcycle.com/events/bmw-product-name-history-86961.html

[Gilly]

I don't see what the writer thinks the K stands for in that article.
I did see a few other sources stating the "Kompact" is the meaning of the letter K. Nothing official though.
Gilly