Would you ride a BMW…scooter?
Feb 29th, 2012 by CityBiker1
From a design perspective, large engine scooters are the natural evolution of cruisers: comfortable for long distance rides, sharp handling and performance (better than what most cruisers offer), plenty of storage capacity… ”But still – it’s a scooter!” people complain. Well, if you’re one of the masses (practical city bikers) who were born with a good ole’ American bias against scooters, I think BMW is gunning for YOU. We saw the mock ups since 2010, and they’re set to start selling in the U.S. in a few months, but they’re already on the road overseas. The same folks made a video of some on-board footage – check it out after the jump.
BMW plans to offer two models, the “BMW C650GT” and the “C600 Sport.” They’re the same scooter, frame and suspension but with slightly sportier (higher seat, lower bars) ergonomics for the “Sport” model… The center dashboard and controls don’t look nearly as high tech (or distracting) as the mock up sent to the motorcycle show last year – but still plenty useful with a motorcycle style dash and bar mounted GPS display.
So for you cruiser riders out there – would you consider making the switch? How about as a second bike?
Related posts:
I think you’re way off on what these are for. Cruisers aren’t great city bikes, but these things are perfect for that. These are for motorcyclists in general who want maximum practicality with great (if not superb) performance. The same is true of the existing scooters in the 400-650 range, for that matter. No splash from the road, decent wind protection, plenty of storage and about as easy to drive as a two-wheeler gets. Big scooters are awesome and they handle beautifully too – all that weight very low in the frame equals really nice feel even in twisties.
Lots of bikers are anti-scooter based on preconceived notions or looks; the old-school scooters have the engine mounted on the swingarm and have predictably dire performance and comfort, but at what point does a motorcycle become a scooter – is it when you shape the frame on it so as to be able to make it somewhat step-through and low enough to fit a ton of protective plastic on it?
If it handles like a motorcycle, performs like a motorcycle and looks like a scooter, it’s not really your traditional scooter anymore. Aprilia just launched an 850… scooter.
BMW…scooter….! How amazing! I am impressed to see the wonderful BMW scooters. I think this will be the exciting and special like their cars. I am eager enough to buy one of it. Thanks mate for the wonderful sharing. Keep it up.