BRAVE NEW WORLD—BMW VISION NEXT 100
B
MW concluded its interna-
tional rollout of new and con-
ceptual vehicles in Los Angeles
last week. Amid mind-blowing
concepts from the BMW stable—
BMW, Rolls Royce and Mini—the
Motorrad (motorcycle) division
received perhaps the biggest
slice of attention. The reveal of
the VISION NEXT 100 (alluding
to the next 100 years) astounded
with a presentation steeped in
science fiction yet grounded in a
striking sense of reality and pos-
sibility for two wheels. The Ger-
man manufacturer—renowned
for its progressive pursuit of
technology—presented the VI-
SION NEXT 100 as a glimpse
into the future of motorcycling.
And futuristic, it is.
The VISION NEXT 100 is
so far-thinking that it does not
even classify as a concept
bike (which usually pertains to
vehicles that will see the light of
day within a few years). Instead,
the composite flex frame tech-
nology of the VISION, which is
wrapped around a boxer-influ-
enced, zero-emission electric
motor, is reaching further, to
about 30 years. In reality, the
VISION is a dynamic platform for
BMW to put forth the bold idea
that in the future motorcycles will
be rendered so safe by virtue
of technological advancements
that safety gear, even a helmet,
can be done away with. To press
home this point the presentation
included something unheard of
IN
THE
WIND
P20
Is the future of
motorcycling? BMW
envisions crash-less
motorcycles, eliminating
the need for rider
protection, including
helmets.
