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Written by Jack Rix
Following on from radical MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Vision Next 100" concepts in 2016, the BMW Group has rounded off its quartet of centenary celebrations by reinventing the motorbike. Now, we know that bikes aren"t really our thing here at Top Gear, but trust us on this one - even staunch four-wheel advocates will be salivating at the outrageous tech that Motorrad, BMW"s bike arm, has thrown at its showpiece.Firstly (and most importantly if you value your limbs) it"s impossible to tip over, despite sticking with the traditional layout of two wheels and an engine between your legs. What BMW calls "active assistance systems of the future" automatically balance the motorbike if they detect a topple is imminent although, presumably, the rider can still fall off and watch his bike ride happily into the sunset.When stationary, too, there"s no need for a fiddly side stand just hop off and the bike remains upright. BMW doesn"t go into any more detail than that, but we understand giroscopic sensors, much like you"ll find in a Segway, keeps it standing to attention on two wheels. Speaking of wheels, the tyres are fitted with a "variable tread" system, so no need to swap between slicks and knobblies - the tyres automatically sense the surface and adjust for optimum grip.BMW says it was keen to keep the raw, analogue nature of riding a bike intact, while introducing next-generation powertrain, safety and connectivity tech. So, while cues like the black frame triangle a reference to the very first BMW motorbike, the R32, from 1923 - and sections that protrude outwards from the power unit when the bike sets off (to mimic the classic boxer-twin, despite the powertrain being fully electric) hark back to the good ol" days, here the frame and wheels are a single unit. This Flexframe" allows the bike to steer turn the handlebars and the entire frame articulates to change direction.
Date written: 11 Oct 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 5397
Following on from radical MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Vision Next 100" concepts in 2016, the BMW Group has rounded off its quartet of centenary celebrations by reinventing the motorbike. Now, we know that bikes aren"t really our thing here at Top Gear, but trust us on this one - even staunch four-wheel advocates will be salivating at the outrageous tech that Motorrad, BMW"s bike arm, has thrown at its showpiece.Firstly (and most importantly if you value your limbs) it"s impossible to tip over, despite sticking with the traditional layout of two wheels and an engine between your legs. What BMW calls "active assistance systems of the future" automatically balance the motorbike if they detect a topple is imminent although, presumably, the rider can still fall off and watch his bike ride happily into the sunset.When stationary, too, there"s no need for a fiddly side stand just hop off and the bike remains upright. BMW doesn"t go into any more detail than that, but we understand giroscopic sensors, much like you"ll find in a Segway, keeps it standing to attention on two wheels. Speaking of wheels, the tyres are fitted with a "variable tread" system, so no need to swap between slicks and knobblies - the tyres automatically sense the surface and adjust for optimum grip.BMW says it was keen to keep the raw, analogue nature of riding a bike intact, while introducing next-generation powertrain, safety and connectivity tech. So, while cues like the black frame triangle a reference to the very first BMW motorbike, the R32, from 1923 - and sections that protrude outwards from the power unit when the bike sets off (to mimic the classic boxer-twin, despite the powertrain being fully electric) hark back to the good ol" days, here the frame and wheels are a single unit. This Flexframe" allows the bike to steer turn the handlebars and the entire frame articulates to change direction.
Date written: 11 Oct 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 5397
