We don't usually cover motorcycles here on ZerCustoms but the BMW Lo Rider concept is just too awesome to pass. The BMW Lo Rider will be premiered at the EICMA in Milan and seems to be roadster with a muscular appearance, but the company says it's a completely new custom concept.
The BMW Lo Rider offers the possibility for the design elements to be individually combined by the customer. The customer can raise or lower exhaust system of the BMW Lo Rider as preferred and can opt for a seat for one, two or an aluminum perch seat.
The customer can also customize BMW Lo Rider concept's headlamp unit, fuel tank and Front and rear wheel wings.
BMW Press Release:
Leading the way with concept studies – a BMW Motorrad tradition. BMW Motorrad has a tradition of coming up with new ways and ideas when it comes to motorcycling. Fascinating studies and designs have been produced in the past using ideas which then found their way into serial production. But studies by BMW Motorrad are about more than just trying to develop a motorcycle which has not existed in a given form before. In addition to functions and quality, BMW developers focus on the
emotional component – the connection between man and motorcycle. The guiding principle is that a motorcycle should not just function perfectly but should also appeal to all the riders’ senses simultaneously, arouse an emotional response in him and fi ll him with enthusiasm at every moment – when stationary and when moving, as a whole and in its detail. In short: it has to light the fire.
Emotion through interaction – individualisation made-to-measure.
With the BMW Lo Rider study presented at the
EICMA in Milan, BMW Motorrad is not just demonstrating a continuation of this policy but is in fact taking a signifi cant step forward in focusing on the interaction between man and motorcycle. The idea is that for the fi rst time, the customer should be interactively involved in the design of his BMW – going far beyond the familiar adding of special equipment features and accessories. The customer is to be given the opportunity to be much more deeply involved in the design of the Lo Rider from the outset, creating a customised, made-to-measure machine based around the principal components such as engine and chassis.
Classic meets modern – a combination of stylistic elements from different eras.
The study Lo Rider does not fi t into any of the classic motorcycle segments – and it is not supposed to. It combines the latest technical attributes of high performance sports motorcycles with the traditional, classic principles of motorcycle construction. State-of-the-art chassis components from sports motorcycle construction such as the powerful upside-down fork, 6-piston brake calipers with real bite and wide 17-inch tyres are combined with styledefi ning elements of motorcycle construction from the fi fties and sixties. For example, with the exhaust system in a more traditional lower position in side pipe style creates a classic roadster or cool cruiser
look, while a raised exhaust system is reminiscent of legendary racing machines or typical scrambler models of days gone by. Together with a range of variously designed seat concepts, also based on styles of the fi fties and sixties, as well as differing paint fi nish versions, the BMW Lo Rider offers the motorcycle fan a wealth of possibilities by means of which to interpret the roadster theme in a highly individual way according to his own personal taste founded on a single basic motorcycle. In fact the Lo Rider gives the creativity of its rider almost completely free rein.
Chassis and engine – state-of-the-art technology based on classic principles.
The mixture of classic and modern stylistic elements of motorcycle construction combined with state-of-the-art technology is what gives the Lo Rider its defi ning look from all angles. A torsionally stiff space frame of sophisticated architecture openly displays the bike’s technology and together with the upside-down telescopic fork at the front and Paralever rear-wheel swing arm provides the modern basis in terms of chassis technology – just as it is to be found in some current models of the BMW Boxer series. What
is more, the chassis of the Lo Rider has been lowered as compared to conventional roadsters.
In terms of tyre dimensions, the 17-inch wheels represent the current state of
the art for sports motorcycles, though with their chrome wire spokes, black
hubs and steel rims they ingeniously echo the characteristic stylistic elements
and fl air of a past era. By contrast, contemporary technology and a high level
of riding dynamics is provided by elements such as the high performance dual
brake disk with powerful 6-piston calipers, together with wave brake discs
borrowed from motor racing at the front and the single disc brake at the rear.
In terms of its engine, the Lo Rider also relies on technology which is both
contemporary and full of character – the legendary, highly responsive BMW
fl at twin “Boxer” engine. For 85 years, the construction principle of this
engine has stood for unmistakable, authentic design, a full torque curve and
unique sound and power. In its current version with an output of over 100 bhp,
overhead camshafts, electronic fuel injection and exhaust gas purifi cation, the
powerful response of this dynamic and distinctive 2-cylinder is simply perfect
for the BMW Lo Rider.
The customer as designer – individual designs and paint fi nishes.
The concept study Lo Rider is mainly focused on the two essential
component groups of a motorcycle, the engine and the chassis. Any
superfl uous decoration is omitted. Instead, variable components such as the
exhaust system, seat, headlamp unit and paint fi nishes determine the
bike’s outward appearance, at the same time defi ning its conceptual style.
The combination of these classic and modern components is entirely subject
to the personal taste of the customer. For example, he can initially express
the dominating character of the BMW Lo Rider through the placement of the
exhaust system, creating either a sporty style or opting for a more roadsterlike
look by having it lowered.
A very sporty effect is created by the classic perch seat made of aluminium
sheet metal, while the simple single seat reduced to the absolute minimum
will appeal to purist motorcycle fans. The single seat can also be optionally
extended to include a pillion passenger module.
The specifi cation laid down for the development team led by David Robb,
Head of Design Development at BMW Motorrad, was that all the conceivable
combination options of these components should produce different end
results but that the bike should always retain a rounded, coherent character
in itself. Whether with a raised or lowered exhaust system, with sporty perch
seat or seat bench for one or two people: the Lo Rider comes over differently
every time but always makes an impression.
The same applies to the selection options in creating the front section of the
Lo Rider. With their aggressive, modern design, the vertically arranged dual
headlamps give it a touch of the streetfi ghter, while the classic, semicircular
headlamp provides an echo of past times. Once again, the same principle
applies: however different the styles thus created might be, they always have
a consistent emotional appeal for the rider.
Further possibilities for individual design are available to the customer in the
choice of paint fi nish. There are four different colours available for the fuel
tank, and with the three different paint fi nishes for the engine casing this
allows the customer to create a very distinctive, personal look, defi ning the
character of the Lo Rider as anything from refi ned to sporty. These always
harmonise perfectly with the deliberately classic, high-quality aluminium parts
such as fuel tank trim, seat holder and wing struts. Different styles can also
be created with the front and rear wings which are available either in black or
chrome fi nish.
Finally, another element which harmonises perfectly with the overall concept
of the Lo Rider is the individually adaptable range of rider equipment. This
includes classic leather jackets, protector jeans, boots, gloves and authentic
jet and integral helmets. This ensures that not only the appearance of the Lo
Rider is perfect but that the rider has just the right look, too.
