BMW: Bavaria bike sprints with electricity 🎥
ZISCH SUMM How do you rescue the classic design features of a boxer BMW for electromobility, an era in which protruding cylinder heads are irrelevant and dynamics can be experienced in a more exhilarating way? The high torque of the BMW Vision DC Roadster ensures breathtaking acceleration. BMW Motorrad provided a possible answer to this with the Vision DC [...]
The high torque of the BMW Vision DC Roadster ensures breathtaking acceleration.
BMW Motorrad has provided a possible answer to this with the Vision DC Roadster, an extremely stylish electric naked bike that is intended to transport its rider spectacularly into the next era of transportation. Where a boxer engine toiled for more than 90 years, the DC Roadster features a vertically installed, longitudinally oriented energy storage unit. For cooling, two elements with cooling fins and integrated fans are positioned at the sides in the airstream.
Brute power delivery and dynamics
The implied triangular frame of the DC Roadster quotes a typical feature of earlier BMW motorcycles. The E-Roadster even picks up on their characteristic white lines. It fluoresces in the dark. The Metzeler tires also have fluorescent elements in the sidewalls. This is intended to increase visibility from the side - and serves the show effect, both when stationary and when driving.
Original press release: "Anyone who has ever tried it knows how exciting electric driving on two wheels is. The high torque right from the start ensures breathtaking acceleration. This almost brute power delivery creates a completely new experience of dynamism."
Extremely low-set headlights
The entire front of the bike appears to be lowered. The weight rests on a central Duolever fork. The headlight sits extremely low and is only remotely reminiscent of what is used as a light source today. Above the U-shaped LED daytime running light, two compact LED lenses on each side provide low and high beam. The striking light signature is intended to make the concept vehicle immediately recognizable as a BMW Motorrad by day and night.
Futuristic design of the frame
From all angles, it is all about lightness. Elements such as the seat or the cooling system appear to float around the energy storage unit. The compact electric motor itself barely makes an appearance. The futuristic frame is also elegantly understated. Milled grooves in the longitudinal direction and openings reduce the perceived volume. High-tech materials such as carbon and aluminum stand for minimal weight and lend the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster a technical aesthetic.
LiveWire from Harley-Davidson at the start
BMW Motorrad should not take too much time with this: With the new SR/F, US market leader Zero Motorcycles already has a promising electric naked bike on the road. With a maximum torque of 190 Nm, the Zero in Ducati monster look mercilessly irons out its competitors in terms of torque. Harley-Davidson is also waiting in the wings: The LiveWire ride presentation will take place in July. The E-Harley will be on the market by the start of the 2020 season at the latest.
