If The All-Electric BMW Vision DC Roadster Is The Future Of The Motorbike Then It’s Going To Be A Helluva Ride

Just as BMW is revealed the Vision M Next Concept electric car, BMW Motorrad also showed off its Vision DC Roadster, an all-electric bike. The Vision DC follows the characteristic design cues of the trademark two-cylinder boxer bikes that have been such a core part of the BMW Motorrad heritage, but this concept explores what a motorcycle of the future might look like were it to be electrically powered instead.

“The boxer engine is the heart of BMW Motorrad—an absolute stalwart of its character,” explains Edgar Heinrich, head of design at BMW Motorrad. But BMW Motorrad stands for visionary zero-emissions vehicle concepts, too. In view of this, one question that arises is: what would happen if we were to replace the boxer engine with an electric motor and the required battery? The Vision Bike shows how we’re able to retain the identity and iconic appearance of BMW Motorrad in distinctive form while at the same time presenting an exciting new type of riding pleasure.”

Don’t ask about performance figures just yet; as for now this is purely a design and styling exercise and BMW has not delved into any technical details. There are cooling ribs protruding into the airstream just like on the original 1923 BMW R32, but this time they are there to help cool the battery pack, and materials like carbon fiber and aluminum help keep the overall weight down. BMW says that the instant torque of the electric motor will create a whole new experience of dynamic performance, but of course they would say that. The Vision DC Roadster Concept may not be making it to showrooms anytime soon, but we sure hope some of the ideas it explores make it into future Motorrad products.

Images courtesy of BMW Motorrad