BMW unveil "Concept Roadster"

While the Concept Ninety looked to the past, the Concept Roadster is definitely inspired by the future. Designed and built in-house by BMW, features on the streetfighter-styled concept include a boxer twin engine, single-sided swingarm, and lightweight tubular space frame.

While the horizontal twin normally sits low in the frame, the Concept Roadster places it almost at the motorcycle's visual mid-point. Compact proportions, with a low front and high rear, give the concept a pronounced "nose forward" stance and wedge-shaped silhouette.

Split colouring separates the light seating and plastics area from the dark engine area below. BMW says the dark bottom section moves the BMW Concept Roadster visually closer to the road surface, emphasising a road-oriented riding experience.

The headlamp, while not really visible in the attached images, presents what BMW Motorrad calls a modern, dynamic interpretation of the classic circular headlamp. Matted LED light banks shape the distinctive "face" and keep the headlamp mask flat and very light-looking from the side. Tucked behind the headlamp is a reduced instrument panel.

Styling of the fuel tank, seat and radiator is very organic, certainly moreso than BMW's current production models. A cover made of matted stainless steel adds a high-end accentuation at the centre of the fuel tank.In addition to being styled for appearance, the sculptural fuel tank, in Sparkling Light White, also provides an ergonomically perfect knee grip for optimum handling.

The minimalist rear section is a self-supporting unit, fashioned from a single piece of aluminium and left in a gloss milled finish. The deliberately visible milling marks create a rough, almost industrial look which contrasts with the painted and anodised surfaces.

The integrated single seat borrows visual elements from motor racing and features a Neon Yellow accent in the lower area of the perforated Alcantara leather seat cushion. Additional colour accents in Neon Yellow are on the valve covers and on the cooling ribs inside the air inlets of the side trim.

The load-bearing tubular space frame is finished in Sparkling Racing Blue, which along with the typical BMW Motorrad white on the fuel tank, presents a characteristic yet contemporary interpretation of the BMW Motorrad logo.

As well as the seat, milled aluminium is also used for the lateral air intakes, which have been styles in the form of the "gills" on the BMW S 1000 RR, as well as the valve covers. On the latter, three-dimensional shaping lends a forward orientation to the fuel tank surfaces, giving the boxer engine "a highly athletic look", according to BMW. Protection pads on the valve covers, inspired by the knee sliders of race leathers, suggest the BMW Concept Roadster can be taken round bends at an extreme angle.

The "future-oriented" engine spoiler performs an aerodynamic function and also incorporates the entire front exhaust silencer. A short, steep tailpipe is another visual highlight, while the fork tubes, rear shock absorber and brakes are set apart by their anodized finish.

"The BMW Concept Roadster shows that as far as BMW is concerned, motorcycling is about far more than just perfect function. This concept bike is a symbol of how modern and emotional a boxer-powered BMW roadster can be," explains Edgar Heinrich, Head of BMW Motorrad Design.

How close the styling elements of the Concept Roadster will be to future BMW production motorcycles remains to be seen.