- All-electric naked concept reveals the design language of future BMW motorcycles
- Carbon fibre and aluminium components used to keep the weight under check
- Uses a conventional shaft drive for final transmission
BMW Motorrad has a rich heritage of building great motorcycles that have significant importance to motorcycling history. With the world moving towards electrification for powering two-wheelers, the German bike maker has revealed a concept motorcycle, christened ‘Vision DC Roadster’, showcasing the future direction of BMW motorcycles.
Now, the iconic 2-cylinder boxer engine has been the key element of identification for BMW Motorrad motorcycles. This dates back the year 1923 when the company had manufactured its first motorcycle, the R32, featuring a flat-twin boxer engine. In order to keep with this identity, the designers at BMW have come up with an interesting design concept that confidently replaces the boxer-twin with an electric motor and battery without disrupting the distinctive form.
In a conventional motorcycle, the motor is its centrepiece and the size is directly proportional to the capacity of the engine. However, in the case of the electric motorcycle, it is the battery which takes up majority space while the actual electric motor that propels the vehicle is relatively compact. That being said, the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster continues to follow the iconic appearance of the boxer while successfully fulfilling the requirements of an electric vehicle.
To achieve this BMW has installed the battery pack vertically in a longitudinal manner. In place of the boxer-twins, two side elements protruding with cooling ribs and integrated ventilators take care of cooling. These cooling elements are located in the direction of the air stream directing the air inside. Notably, the cooling elements move slightly forward, indicating the vehicle is ready to go. As for the electric motor, it is located underneath the battery pack. The output shaft of the motor is directly coupled to the rear wheel via a universal drive shaft.
Considering the weight of the battery and the electric motor which added to the overall weight of the motorcycle, the Vision DC Roadster has been put together using an aluminium milled frame along with other carbon fibre and aluminium components to shed weight.
For cycle parts, the Vision DC Roadster comes equipped with a Duolever fork for the front and a linked monoshock at the rear to take care of suspension duties. The concept motorcycle rides on specially designed Metzeler tyres with highly reflective elements on the sidewall to ensure maximum visibility from the side in the night.
The crouched riding stance of the concept motorcycle evokes a sense of agility and the ideology of a sporty roadster. The handlebars are placed low while the single-piece tubular structure which starts in place of the fuel tank extends towards the tail section which forming the futuristic seat design. The design is completed with uniquely designed U-shaped LED headlamp followed by vertically opposed C-shaped LED elements of the tail lamp.
Lastly, BMW has also designed a functional two-piece suit for the rider that is instantly not recognisable as protective clothing. Instead, the outfit mimics casual clothing with a large jacket with large graphics in iridescent colouring and the casually styled black trousers combining fashion sense with new functionalities.
The BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster provides a vision into the future of electric motorcycles to come from the German bike maker while firmly maintaining the company’s deep-rooted design tradition.
