BMW Scooters?

[pcsof8]

Does anybody out there know of any plans of BMW producing a scooter, ie. "Honda Reflex" type scooter, in the near future? With fuel so expensive the scooter craze is on and I think BMW could produce a wonderful metro type scooter. Just wondering?

[PAULBACH]

Such a ride was available in Europe for awhile but is no longer produced.

Check out this link (http://www.bmwworld.com/models/concepts/c1.htm)

[flash412]

Here (http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=15oiw03f.e1b7dgv&x=1&y=n831uj) is a link to a brief album of BMW scooters that I shot in Seoul in 2003. They offered the C-1, the Dink (400cc) and the Grand Dink.

[fauster]

Here's a picture of one I found in Taipei last year.

http://fauster.smugmug.com/photos/36630645-M.jpg

[pcsof8]

BMW really needs to think about importing some of those scooters to the USA. They would sell like hot cakes!

[dlearl476]

BMW really needs to think about importing some of those scooters to the USA. They would sell like hot cakes!


Actually, BMW doesn't make them anymore because they didn't sell like hotcakes. They didn't even sell like coldcakes, anywhere.

[pcsof8]

That was then, this is now. I have a feeling if they made a scooter without all that canopy "stuff" it would do good here. Have you noticed all the scooters on the roads here now?

[Motorman]

Why should they? Who would want to spend $10k for a German made Vespa?

[flash412]

Have you noticed all the scooters on the roads here now?Uh... no. Define "here."

[GeneT]

Such a ride was available in Europe for awhile but is no longer produced.

Check out this link (http://www.bmwworld.com/models/concepts/c1.htm)


If one would want to buy a new one I can tell you where you can do this.

:dance

[pcsof8]

Why should they? Who would want to spend $10k for a German made Vespa?


LOL, now you hit pay dirt with that one! Ya got a point there.

[TheSlashFiveTourer]

Does anybody out there know of any plans of BMW producing a scooter. . . I think BMW could produce a wonderful metro type scooter.
Such a ride was available in Europe for awhile but is no longer produced.
They offered the C-1, the Dink (400cc) and the Grand Dink.
I have a feeling if they made a scooter without all that canopy "stuff" it would do good here.
`
Local yokel, former Hawg pilot who never let’s us forget it, was in Europe a while back and took photos of the BMW scooters in Rome one night. Said they were neat machines and he’d sure like to try one. Told us he was wearing an old Harley jacket that night. The Italian scooter drivers took a look and gave him a pass. ` ` ` ` ` ` ` He. .was. .steamed!

Day later, buddy came across a couple of Italian police bikes sitting in a square in Naples with not a cop in sight. Said he was tempted to sit on one until he realized someone might see him actually sitting on a BMW - even over in Europe. Something about his ‘long-standing reputation’ as a HD driver. (Geez!!) ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` Neat little machine for running down to the mall, though.~

[FredRydr]

Actually, BMW doesn't make them anymore because they didn't sell like hotcakes. They didn't even sell like coldcakes, anywhere.
BMW even tried with the 200cc C-2, but that failed, too.

Like an Edsel, it'd be cool to have one. Last year, I found one in Florida on eBay, and there is one in the museum at Bob's BMW, so there are at least two that made it into North America.

Fred

[The_Veg]

Possibly three- I saw one at Lima last year, but I have no idea if it was one of the ones Fred mantioned.

[pcsof8]

My wife has a Honda Reflex 200cc, and really loves the thing. The Reflex gets 70 mpg and she rides it to work daily 22 miles one way. She keeps looking for BMW to make a really good scooter.

[ultracyclist]

Ok, I am jumping in...
what determines a really good scooter? Why do you think Americans will buy a "really good German scooter" at a price we know will be higher than the Japanese scooters?

btw, my wife wants the 49cc Honda scooter. Why? Because it is cheap and perfect for her daily migrations to the book stores, knitting shops, and eateries to meet her friends. Her current ride is a fuel efficient MINI (not the s), that uses premium fuel at about $3.45/gal in the Milwaukee area.

[Motorman]

She doesn't plan on riding that thing in traffic does she????? If she does, do you care about her riding it?

[pcsof8]

I second that Motorman, did you say 49cc? Dear God man.
My wife would buy a BMW over a Honda because of brand loyalty.

[Mar]

If you want a C1 type scooter at a better price, try the Diamo Velux. Neat little scooter and you can have the top or not. It's retractable.

http://www.ls-motorsports.com/

[ultracyclist]

I was not commenting on brand loyalty, nor quality of scooters.
My point was that the average American looking for alternative transportation is price point driven.

The Japanese have established cheap, reliable, quality, transportation with their cars. Their scooters have followed suit.

Yes, the BMW cars and motorcycles are a cut above the rest. We pay for that, too.

Btw, I thank that Diamo is a clever idea, and I have a feeling that we will be seeing many variations of that theme in the next couple of years.

[Mar]

I received this email from Tim House:

I saw your post on the BMW scooter. If you ever want to see one, and find out how much better it is than those Diamo Velux things, come down to NW Arkansas. Also, would you mind posting on that thread to see the BMW C1 owner's C1ub http://www.c1ownersc1ub.co.uk/ (registration is free, but paying a membership fee opens additional sections for viewing) if they would like more information on the C1. Especially if they have one in the US. I talked to the guy that was at Lima last year, (his was wrecked shortly after the rally), and I have talked with Bob from Bob's BMW, and I am making it a personnel mission to get together with the other C1 owners in the US. We all need to have help with our machines.

I didn't know there was a C1 club. Makes sense, though... especially across the pond. I saw a C1 at Daytona Bike Week a couple years ago, and didn't someone post a photo of a C1 in a Vermont rally photo gallery (see the national rally section)?

There are a few in this country, probably from creative import techniques. :evil

[pcsof8]

Thanks for all the info, I'm buying a round of beers for all you guys. Let's a have a cold one! :drink