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news BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100
TO CELEBRATE THEIR CENTENARY year, the BMW Group has looked to the future instead of the past and has developed a series of Vision Vehicles believed to address human mobility needs of about three decades from the present. Their solutions are based on the assumption that mobility will become increasingly multifaceted and connected. Following the BMW, MINI and
Rolls-Royce Vision Vehicles, in Octo- ber the BMW Group the company revealed their vision for motorcy- cling: the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100. Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at
BMW Motorrad, outlined the core principles of the Vision Vehicle: “The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 embodies the BMW Group’s vision of motorcycling in a connected world— an analogue experience in a digital age. Motorcycling is about escaping from the everyday; the moment you straddle your bike, you are absolutely free, and your bike is the great escape.” The BMW Motorrad VISION
NEXT 100 represents the ultimate riding experience, where the rider is liberated from the need to wear a hel- met and protective clothing and is able to enjoy the pure experience of riding. The design incorporates the most striking visual aspects BMW motorcycles have shared across the ages, including the black frame trian- gle, white lines and classic boxer engine shape, yet the bike is powered by a zero-emissions solution.
The frame triangle – a classic icon reinvented: The black frame triangle of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 is a deliberate reference to the first-ever BMW motorcycle, the R32, made in 1923. On the vision bike, however, it
34 BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2016
has been reinterpreted to form a functional sculpture linking the front and rear wheels with a dynamic sweep. Bearings and joints are nowhere to be seen; instead, the frame appears as a single, integrated whole. Viewed from the side, the frame of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 carries the character of a naked bike with ergo- nomics to match and a seat in the roadster position. The arrangement of surfaces pro- tects the rider from wind and weather as effectively as a full fairing. The surface of the frame is covered in matte black textile, its silky sheen and fine lines highlighting the characteristic forms and representing a contemporary reinterpretation of this clas- sic BMW detail. The BMW logo is opti- mally displayed on the dark frame and is illuminated in the familiar blue and white colors while driving.
Flexframe – frame-assisted steering: The Flexframe of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 appears as a single, inte- grated structure extending from the front to the rear wheel. Being flexible, it allows the bike to be steered without the various joints found on today’s motorcycles, and turning the handlebar adjusts the entire frame to change the direction of travel. Steering input depends on the situation: at standstill, the Flexframe allows a light steering, whereas at higher speeds it remains very rigid.
Powertrain – inspired by the BMW boxer engine: In the middle of the triangle frame sits a style feature and historical reminder: the power unit. Designed in the image of the traditional BMW boxer engine, the zero- emissions drive unit utilizes an outward appearance that changes depending on the circumstances. At rest, the polished alumi- num power unit is compact; it extends out- wards only when the bike is moving to further enhance aerodynamics and protect
the rider from the elements.
Minimalist form, maximum quality of details: The front of the bike is minimalist in design and enhanced with high-quality details, including a large metal reflector which incorporates two vertically positioned, U-shaped elements that make up the day- time running light. The reflector also acts as a wind deflector and working with the small, integrated windshield, helps to opti- mize the air flow around the rider. Body parts including the seat, upper frame cover and wings are made of carbon. Beneath the seat shell, two fine, red, illuminated strips form the rear light and turn signals, sharing styling cues of the rear lights used on cur- rent BMW Motorrad motorcycles. Suspension damping is provided by the
tires using a variable tread that actively adjusts to suit ground conditions and ensure the best possible grip in any situation.
Analogue elements in the digital age: Displays, cables and buttons are missing on the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 except for a red rocker-switch on the right- hand end of the handlebar which serves to lock the throttle grip. Hand levers with their outward-facing joints serve an hom- age to the earlier days of motorcycling.
BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100: "Normally, when we develop a motorcycle, we tend to think five to ten years in advance. On this occasion, we looked much further and found the experience especially excit- ing. I firmly believe the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 sets out a coherent future scenario for the BMW Motorrad brand," Heinrich said. “When designing the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100, the team looked decades into the future where connectivity and digitalization will be all- encompassing and most vehicles will be
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