BMW has had its eye on the 'big scooter' market for a while, and the Germans decided that scooter-mad Milan was the perfect place to launch a new generation of bikes. And for a first stab at the 'big scooter' market, BMW seems to have hit the nail on the head.
The C600 Sport and C650 GT both use the same automatic 647cc parallel-twin engine (why not call them both 650?) which makes 60bhp with 49lb ft of torque, however, the GT is aimed more at the 'luggage-heavy' commuter, while the Sport is sleeker.
Both bikes have 40mm inverted forks with ABS and a rigid tubular steel frame for improved handling. A neat feature on the Sport is BMW's 'Flexcase', which is a flap under the seat that lowers to increase the luggage capacity and allow a second helmet to be fitted. Cleverly, when this flap is down the bike can't be ridden away, meaning you can't get the flap jammed in the rear wheel.
The GT has a more relaxed riding position with a back rest, a taller electric screen and increased 60-litre luggage space thanks to two solidly mounted panniers.
Why have BMW decided to make a scooter? The cynical may say that they are looking at off-setting the company's overall emissions with low-polluting vehicles. But if that means more gas guzzlers, we at PH are all for it!
But to be honest, the 'big scooter' market is growing thanks to city congestion and anything with a BMW badge will almost certainly appeal to the discerning commuter.