BMW’s Motorcycle of Tomorrow Is All About the Feels

The BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100 is built from a single “flexframe,” a carbon fiber shell that extends from the front to the rear wheel. The designers call its shape a dynamic sweep, and it does away with old fashioned things like bearings and joints. Turning the handlebars moves the whole frame to change direction, and it can relax and stiffen to change steering effort. “It will allow us to introduce new steering movements that are very far removed from today’s geometries,” says Heinrich.

The BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100 is built from a single "flexframe," a carbon fiber shell that extends from the front to the rear wheel. The designers call its shape a dynamic sweep, and it does away with old fashioned things like bearings and joints. Turning the handlebars moves the whole frame to change direction, and it can relax and stiffen to change steering effort. "It will allow us to introduce new steering movements that are very far removed from today’s geometries," says Heinrich.

The classic BMW boxer engine shape remains, although this bike will have a zero emissions drivetrain, which currently comes with zero further details like horsepower, top speed, or acceleration. And actually, that boxer shape is subject to change. Compact when the bike is stationary, it will extend outwards to enhance aerodynamics and help protect the rider from the elements as she piles on speed.

The classic BMW boxer engine shape remains, although this bike will have a zero emissions drivetrain, which currently comes with zero further details like horsepower, top speed, or acceleration. And actually, that boxer shape is subject to change. Compact when the bike is stationary, it will extend outwards to enhance aerodynamics and help protect the rider from the elements as she piles on speed.

BMW Motorrad is keeping some other classic design elements. The black triangular shape of the frame is a reference to the R32, BMW’s first ever motorcycle in 1923 (it got its start building airplane engines). The white stripe is a throwback too. The company’s logo remains, but glows blue at night.

BMW Motorrad is keeping some other classic design elements. The black triangular shape of the frame is a reference to the R32, BMW’s first ever motorcycle in 1923 (it got its start building airplane engines). The white stripe is a throwback too. The company’s logo remains, but glows blue at night.

“The vision vehicle will act with foresight and is able to protect the rider at any time,” says Heinrich. Driver assistance features will continually monitor the environment, the route, the speed, the angle of lean, and myriad other factors, intervening to ensure the rider can’t crash. Gyroscopes keep the bike upright when stationary, so you can’t even fall when stopped. BMW’s roughly an eternity from actually telling riders to ditch traditional safety gear, but things like traction control, hill start assist, and antilock brakes are already making it harder to kill yourself on two wheels.

"The vision vehicle will act with foresight and is able to protect the rider at any time," says Heinrich. Driver assistance features will continually monitor the environment, the route, the speed, the angle of lean, and myriad other factors, intervening to ensure the rider can’t crash. Gyroscopes keep the bike upright when stationary, so you can’t even fall when stopped. BMW’s roughly an eternity from actually telling riders to ditch traditional safety gear, but things like traction control, hill start assist, and antilock brakes are already making it harder to kill yourself on two wheels.

Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, the bike communicates key data like speed and navigation through a head-up display. That’s why you need the goggles. Most of the time, they display minimal information, just a triangle and two horizontal lines showing banking angle and ideal cornering lines. There’s no reason to interrupt your emotional journey.

Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, the bike communicates key data like speed and navigation through a head-up display. That’s why you need the goggles. Most of the time, they display minimal information, just a triangle and two horizontal lines showing banking angle and ideal cornering lines. There’s no reason to interrupt your emotional journey.

If you do need more info, just glance down to call up a menu of options, then point a finger to make your selection. Glance down further still, and a map pops into view, glowing in blue, positioned where the riders of yore once clipped paper maps onto their tank bags.

If you do need more info, just glance down to call up a menu of options, then point a finger to make your selection. Glance down further still, and a map pops into view, glowing in blue, positioned where the riders of yore once clipped paper maps onto their tank bags.

Unlike other conceptual motorcycles that ferry the rider around with zero input, here the human remains in charge. BMW says driver assistance will enhance the experience for novices, keeping them safe and building their confidence. Experienced riders can push their limits and pick up new skills. “It will allow all riders to get an experience independent of their skills, and lift the ride to a whole new level,” says Heinrich.

Unlike other conceptual motorcycles that ferry the rider around with zero input, here the human remains in charge. BMW says driver assistance will enhance the experience for novices, keeping them safe and building their confidence. Experienced riders can push their limits and pick up new skills. "It will allow all riders to get an experience independent of their skills, and lift the ride to a whole new level," says Heinrich.

Killing the need for heavy leather and kevlar doesn’t mean you can’t dress like a boss. BMW has also designed a lightweight, flexible suit that cools or heats the rider, while enhancing comfort and posture with banded and strengthened areas. If it senses danger, it can vibrate against its wearer’s skin as an alert. The idea is to blend the best parts of the digital and analog worlds. Sure, you could get most of the experience at home, with VR goggles on, sitting in front of a fan—but only if you don’t have anywhere to go.

Killing the need for heavy leather and kevlar doesn’t mean you can’t dress like a boss. BMW has also designed a lightweight, flexible suit that cools or heats the rider, while enhancing comfort and posture with banded and strengthened areas. If it senses danger, it can vibrate against its wearer’s skin as an alert. The idea is to blend the best parts of the digital and analog worlds. Sure, you could get most of the experience at home, with VR goggles on, sitting in front of a fan—but only if you don’t have anywhere to go.