THE FUTURE
BMW boldly go where no bike builder has gone before. Phil West teleports to LA, USA to have a look
MOTORCYCLES IN THE future will be so uncrashable we won’t require helmets or protective clothing. Performance will adapt to rider skill, and they’ll feature ‘active’ tyre and chassis technology that instantly adapts to conditions. Or so say BMW. However daft that sounds, having seen a demo of the prototype – which stands up by itself due to sophisticated gyroscopes – we have to admit at least some of that could come true. BMW showed their futuristic machine, which they concede is mostly a mockup, at a star-spangled corporate event in LA attended by the world’s press. Intended to explore where BMW’S engineers think bike design might go over the next century, the ‘Vision Next 100’ is the fourth machine the German company have unveiled this year as part of their 100th anniversary celebrations, following futuristic BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce cars. The electric twowheeler was ridden on stage before remaining upright, static and unsupported for about 15 seconds to demonstrate the ability of its gyroscopes. It’s the work of BMW design chief Edgar Heinrich. He and his team are those responsible for designing the latest R1200GS. He told Bike that combining the gyro system with sophisticated electronics would enable the machine ‘to act with foresight and protect the rider at all times.’ He continued: ‘As a result there’s no need for protective clothing or even a helmet. There’s no way the bike can topple over.’ But that‘s just the start, Heinrich said. Apart from its ‘uncrashable’ gyro system, other radical features include tyres with a ‘versatile‘ profile that changes according to conditions. Its ‘Flexi-frame’ has active, adaptive geometry, and the zero-emission electric motor can change shape (with boxer-style finned protrusions) according to requirements.
‘It’s easy to mock the oversize wheels and idea nd of no protective riding gear. But admit it, it’s cool’