BMW C1 due for a revival?

[Mr Gear]

Having seen this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... it occurred to me that there must be many bikers out there who have packed it in after having an accident or a near-miss.

It also hasn't passed me by that BMW C1 prices are absolutely ludicrous. I have put two and two together to come up with five... These bikes are sought after because they are the only bike that offers the comforts of motorcycling (free parking, congestion-busting, cornering fun etc) with the safety of a car (seatbelts, crumple zone, roll-cage etc).

Now, I know the C1 was short on fun even as far as commuter bikes go, but does having a rollcage and seatbelts make it impossible to make a fun and exciting bike? Would any manufacturer ever be able to make such a bike pay if they made it? Are there enough bikers out there asking for extra safety?

[sjtscott]

They are simply one of the cr*pest forms of 2 wheels vehicles in the world and one that appeals to the non biker. There is one here at my office daily.. the engine is the nastiest sounding POS going, sounds like its in pain and irritates all at the same time. Personally I want to take a sledge hammer and end its misery. LOL

[Mr Gear]

sjtscott said:

They are simply one of the cr*pest forms of 2 wheels vehicles in the world and one that appeals to the non biker. There is one here at my office daily.. the engine is the nastiest sounding POS going, sounds like its in pain and irritates all at the same time. Personally I want to take a sledge hammer and end its misery. LOL

I don't disagree with that, but it doesn't really add to this thread.

[Steve Evil]

How much fun would it be to get some more power into one somehow and then get someone like Bikers Nemesis on one at a track day? There was someone on a Suzuki Burgman at my first trackday, luckily he didn't get past me.

[sjtscott]

Mr Gear said:

sjtscott said:

They are simply one of the cr*pest forms of 2 wheels vehicles in the world and one that appeals to the non biker. There is one here at my office daily.. the engine is the nastiest sounding POS going, sounds like its in pain and irritates all at the same time. Personally I want to take a sledge hammer and end its misery. LOL

I don't disagree with that, but it doesn't really add to this thread.

It does - the bit that says it appeal to non bikers, sorry I have no love of the C1 if you couldn't tell. I'll however humour you so in answer to your question at the end of your original post - No, no real biker will want something cloning a C1.. they're for the wannabe bikers who prefer cars.
I believe someone put off biking over safety will not want one of these wannabe bikes instead.

[smack]

I would rather take a bus full of smelly people.

[Fleegle]

Mr Gear said:

Would any manufacturer ever be able to make such a bike pay if they made it? Are there enough bikers out there asking for extra safety?

It raises the question why BMW stopped producing it in the first place. Do you think Mr. Honda would have continued top produce the C90 in the numbers that it did if it didn't pay.

Do bikers ask for extra safety? We already have plenty of kit to choose from to make the survival of an incident that bit higher, but I think those that question safety levels are those that hang their gloves and helmet up and return to the safety of their car.

At the end of the day, people choose motorcycling for the freedom it presents you. The introduction of rollcages by BMW was a gimmick that was destined to fail.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I thought they looked shyte when they came out, the fact thay had a blue and white badge on them as well just made me hate them even more

[smack]

Fleegle said:

Mr Gear said:

Would any manufacturer ever be able to make such a bike pay if they made it? Are there enough bikers out there asking for extra safety?

It raises the question why BMW stopped producing it in the first place. Do you think Mr. Honda would have continued top produce the C90 in the numbers that it did if it didn't pay.

From Wikipedia:

"Many countries deemed the use of seatbelts in conjunction with wearing a helmet to be unsafe. The added strain on the riders neck from the added weight of the helmet could cause significant injury to the restrained rider even in a low speed head-on collision.[3] Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Israel and Spain authorities were quick to allow an exception to the helmet law for the C1. However, poor C1 sales in the United Kingdom may in part be attributable to the British government's refusal of BMW's request to change helmet regulations for C1 riders.[3] Another country that requires C1 riders to wear a helmet is Sweden, although wearing the seat-belts is voluntary.

“ It is a shame that the UK government is slow to foresee change when other countries have grasped the idea of a convenient, environmentally sound and safe solution to urban personal transport. With pressure for manufacturers to develop innovative transport solutions which benefit the environment I hope that legislators will become more receptive to our approach. ”
—Kevin Gaskell, Managing Director of BMW (GB)


After selling 10,614 units in 2001, BMW only sold 2,000 units in 2002, and ceased production of the C1 in October 2002. It was never made available in the USA."

[Mr Gear]

smack said:

I would rather take a bus full of smelly people.

I actually wouldn't.

If given a choice between packing in biking altogether and taking a C1, I'd take the C1. That is a dilemma that might be presented to someone who had been involved in a serious biking accident or near-miss. I can't be the only person that sees it that way.

[xspencex]

Mr Gear said:

smack said:

I would rather take a bus full of smelly people.

I actually wouldn't.

If given a choice between packing in biking altogether and taking a C1, I'd take the C1. That is a dilemma that might be presented to someone who had been involved in a serious biking accident or near-miss. I can't be the only person that sees it that way.

+1 I think they're quite cool, a completely different approach to biking granted but it's still two wheel freedom, just a bit safer.

[smack]

xspencex said:

Mr Gear said:

smack said:

I would rather take a bus full of smelly people.

I actually wouldn't.

If given a choice between packing in biking altogether and taking a C1, I'd take the C1. That is a dilemma that might be presented to someone who had been involved in a serious biking accident or near-miss. I can't be the only person that sees it that way.

+1 I think they're quite cool, a completely different approach to biking granted but it's still two wheel freedom, just a bit safer.

Weirdo's, both of you.

[SpinningPlates]

I can see how it could be safer, but I can also see it being added threat too. Not only with the helmet/seatbelt thing mention already but, among other things, it's difficult to get stuck IN a bike normally ennit...

Also I can't see it taking a huge amount of force to cave that rollcage in.
It's a good idea in theory, but needs a lot of refinement before it's ever going to be accepted by 'proper bikers'.

[xspencex]

smack said:

xspencex said:

Mr Gear said:

smack said:

I would rather take a bus full of smelly people.

I actually wouldn't.

If given a choice between packing in biking altogether and taking a C1, I'd take the C1. That is a dilemma that might be presented to someone who had been involved in a serious biking accident or near-miss. I can't be the only person that sees it that way.

+1 I think they're quite cool, a completely different approach to biking granted but it's still two wheel freedom, just a bit safer.

Weirdo's, both of you.

lol, its not that bad is it? I love all bikes for what the do, some are fast, some a right handful, and others maybe slow but its all good fun in the end.

[Fleegle]

SpinningPlates said:

It's a good idea in theory, but needs a lot of refinement before it's ever going to be accepted by 'proper bikers'.

I'd put a bet on hell freezing over first

[SpinningPlates]

Fleegle said:

SpinningPlates said:

It's a good idea in theory, but needs a lot of refinement before it's ever going to be accepted by 'proper bikers'.

I'd put a bet on hell freezing over first

.....?

[srob]

It's been tried before. I give you the Quasar:



The people that have ridden the Quasar rant about the stability of feet forward bikes. In the majority though they seem to be enthused weirdo's (and yes, I know that me calling someone a weirdo for their choice of bike is like the cat calling the monkey hairy arse).

But back to the OP, I actually agree. Not specifically because of the safety issue, more the practicality. If you can keep out of the weather (more than a 'normal' bike) but still filter and carry a briefcase/small bag safely and in the dry I can see the idea appealing to those that buy a scooter purely as a form of transport, which many do.

I suspect that the BMW's big stumbling block was that they thought it would be 'cool' and that people would pay a premium because of that.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

I've always thought they'd serve the winter commute well, but I don't think they'd be too good at filtering through traffic, and I imagine you still get pretty wet?
I think they're a brilliant idea but one which does't really 'work'.

[giant catfish]

Unclear legislation did 'em in here really. Otherwise, if they'd offered some barking engines as well as the lame-dog duffer in the boggo C1 then some loons may have bought them on the weird juxtaposition of safety and mentalism. Arf arf.

[defblade]

srob said:

I give you the Quasar:

There's a part of me that's still an 8 year old boy in the 70's. And it WANTS that bike (and a Bond Bug ).

[hornetrider]

Mr Gear said:

It also hasn't passed me by that BMW C1 prices are absolutely ludicrous.

Is £1250 ridiculous? That's the price of one on biketrader.