BMW has revealed the final concept vehicle to mark its centenary year, and this time it’s a motorcycle - albeit not any old motorcycle.
One of the innovative features of the BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100, which was unveiled in Santa Monica, California, is that it can’t fall over. The zero emissions bike (BMW doesn't say if it's electric) is intended to preview how two-wheeled transportation might look in the next 30 or so years, offering what BMW describes as "an analogue experience in a digital age".
Unlike a conventional motorbike, the Vision Next 100 doesn’t use suspension (damping is taken care of by the tyres), but instead mounts the wheels and frame as one "Flexframe" unit. Move the handlebar, therefore, and it’s not the front wheel that turns, but the entire frame. In addition, there is a stabalisation system to ensure that it never topples over, although BMW doesn't explain how this works.
“Normally, when we develop a motorcycle, we tend to think 5 to 10 years in advance. On this occasion, we looked much further ahead," said Edgar Heinrich, the design director of BMW's motorcycle division.
Try as you may, you'll never ever have an accident when riding this bike. According to the company, it has active assistance systems that "enhance stability and safety by automatically balancing the motorcycle, both out on the road and when stationary". In simpler words, it does the hard work of balancing for you.
The company says "riders will benefit from additional guidance in all riding situations and from a bike that will never tip over". Isn't it amazing?
Unfortunately, it's a one off. But you can see it in action here.
