The BMW Lo Rider - sporty, purist roadster study with an
individually variable design.
Purist, powerful, unfaired and reduced to the absolute
essentials - these few words provide an incomplete description of the BMW Lo
Rider, the new concept study by BMW Motorrad. At first sight, the focus would
seem to be on the creation of a roadster with a muscular appearance, openly
displayed technology and powerful flat twin engine for pure emotion and maximum
motorcycling fun. But behind all this is in fact a completely new custom
The bike's low weight, the powerful and high-torque flat twin
engine and high-quality chassis technology give it a high level of sporty riding
dynamics, while the lowered chassis and the relaxed yet active seating position
with the broad handlebars are more of a loan from cruisers and naked bikes.
The concept is such that, for the first time, the customer can
be involved in the design of the BMW Lo Rider to an extent which goes beyond
what has previously been possible to date. Numerous options including different
exhaust systems, seats, headlamp units and paint finish variations allow for a
level of customisation which is far greater than the familiar individualisation
by means of special equipment features and accessories. This means that the
entire character of the vehicle can be adapted to the customer's individual
taste: the customer can take full pleasure in assembling a machine just as he
wants it - from a cool cruiser to an aggressive muscle bike.
An overview of the conceptual highlights.
Combines current technology with modern and classic stylistic
elements.
Design elements can be individually combined by the customer.
• Raised or lowered exhaust system, as preferred.
Seat for one or two as preferred, or aluminium perch seat.
Headlamp unit in classic shape or in streetfighter style, as
preferred.
Fuel tank with or without aluminium trim, as preferred.
Four paint finishes for the fuel tank.
Three paint finishes for the engine casing.
Front and rear wheel wings finished either in black or chrome,
as preferred.
The idea in detail.
Leading the way with concept studies - a BMW Motorrad tradition.
BMW Motorrad has a tradition of coming up with new ways and
ideas when it comes to motorcycling. Fascinating studies and designs have been
produced in the past using ideas which then found their way into serial
production.
But studies by BMW Motorrad are about more than just trying to
develop a motorcycle which has not existed in a given form before. In addition
to functions and quality, BMW developers focus on the emotional component -the
connection between man and motorcycle. The guiding principle is that a
motorcycle should not just function perfectly but should also appeal to all the
riders' senses simultaneously, arouse an emotional response in him and fill him
with enthusiasm at every moment - when stationary and when moving, as a whole
and in its detail. In short: it has to light the fire.
Emotion through interaction - individualisation made-to-measure.
With the BMW Lo Rider study presented at the EICMA in Milan, BMW
Motorrad is not just demonstrating a continuation of this policy but is in fact
taking a significant step forward in focusing on the interaction between man and
motorcycle. The idea is that for the first time, the customer should be
interactively involved in the design of his BMW - going far beyond the familiar
adding of special equipment features and accessories. The customer is to be
given the opportunity to be much more deeply involved in the design of the Lo
Rider from the outset, creating a customised, made-to-measure machine based
around the principal components such as engine and chassis.
Classic meets modern - a combination of stylistic elements from
different eras.
The study Lo Rider does not fit into any of the classic
motorcycle segments -and it is not supposed to. It combines the latest technical
attributes of high performance sports motorcycles with the traditional, classic
principles of motorcycle construction. State-of-the-art chassis components from
sports motorcycle construction such as the powerful upside-down fork, 6-piston
brake calipers with real bite and wide 17-inch tyres are combined with
style-defining elements of motorcycle construction from the fifties and sixties.
For example, with the exhaust system in a more traditional lower position in
side pipe style creates a classic roadster or cool cruiser look, while a raised
exhaust system is reminiscent of legendary racing machines or typical scrambler
models of days gone by. Together with a range of variously designed seat
concepts, also based on styles of the fifties and sixties, as well as differing
paint finish versions, the BMW Lo Rider offers the motorcycle fan a wealth of
possibilities by means of which to interpret the roadster theme in a highly
individual way according to his own personal taste founded on a single basic
motorcycle. In fact the Lo Rider gives the creativity of its rider almost
completely free rein.
Chassis and engine - state-of-the-art technology based on
classic principles.
The mixture of classic and modern stylistic elements of
motorcycle construction combined with state-of-the-art technology is what gives
the Lo Rider its defining look from all angles. A torsionally stiff space frame
of sophisticated architecture openly displays the bike's technology and together
with the upside-down telescopic fork at the front and Paralever rear-wheel swing
arm provides the modern basis in terms of chassis technology - just as it is to
be found in some current models of the BMW Boxer series. What is more, the
chassis of the Lo Rider has been lowered as compared to conventional roadsters.
In terms of tyre dimensions, the 17-inch wheels represent the
current state of the art for sports motorcycles, though with their chrome wire
spokes, black hubs and steel rims they ingeniously echo the characteristic
stylistic elements and flair of a past era. By contrast, contemporary technology
and a high level of riding dynamics is provided by elements such as the high
performance dual brake disk with powerful 6-piston calipers, together with wave
brake discs borrowed from motor racing at the front and the single disc brake at
the rear.
In terms of its engine, the Lo Rider also relies on technology
which is both contemporary and full of character - the legendary, highly
responsive BMW flat twin "Boxer" engine. For 85 years, the construction
principle of this engine has stood for unmistakable, authentic design, a full
torque curve and unique sound and power. In its current version with an output
of over 100 bhp, overhead camshafts, electronic fuel injection and exhaust gas
purification, the powerful response of this dynamic and distinctive 2-cylinder
is simply perfect for the BMW Lo Rider.
The customer as designer - individual designs and paint
finishes.
The concept study Lo Rider is mainly focused on the two
essential component groups of a motorcycle, the engine and the chassis. Any
superfluous decoration is omitted. Instead, variable components such as the
exhaust system, seat, headlamp unit and paint finishes determine the bike's
outward appearance, at the same time defining its conceptual style.
The combination of these classic and modern components is
entirely subject to the personal taste of the customer. For example, he can
initially express the dominating character of the BMW Lo Rider through the
placement of the exhaust system, creating either a sporty style or opting for a
more roadsterlike look by having it lowered.
A very sporty effect is created by the classic perch seat made
of aluminium sheet metal, while the simple single seat reduced to the absolute
minimum will appeal to purist motorcycle fans. The single seat can also be
optionally extended to include a pillion passenger module.
The specification laid down for the development team led by
David Robb, Head of Design Development at BMW Motorrad, was that all the
conceivable combination options of these components should produce different end
results but that the bike should always retain a rounded, coherent character in
itself. Whether with a raised or lowered exhaust system, with sporty perch seat
or seat bench for one or two people: the Lo Rider comes over differently every
time but always makes an impression.
The same applies to the selection options in creating the front
section of the Lo Rider. With their aggressive, modern design, the vertically
arranged dual headlamps give it a touch of the streetfighter, while the classic,
semicircular headlamp provides an echo of past times. Once again, the same
principle applies: however different the styles thus created might be, they
always have a consistent emotional appeal for the rider.
Further possibilities for individual design are available to the
customer in the choice of paint finish. There are four different colours
available for the fuel tank, and with the three different paint finishes for the
engine casing this allows the customer to create a very distinctive, personal
look, defining the character of the Lo Rider as anything from refined to sporty.
These always harmonise perfectly with the deliberately classic, high-quality
aluminium parts such as fuel tank trim, seat holder and wing struts. Different
styles can also be created with the front and rear wings which are available
either in black or chrome finish.
Finally, another element which harmonises perfectly with the
overall concept of the Lo Rider is the individually adaptable range of rider
equipment. This includes classic leather jackets, protector jeans, boots, gloves
and authentic jet and integral helmets. This ensures that not only the
appearance of the Lo Rider is perfect but that the rider has just the right
look, too.
Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated.