It seems that all of the major motorcycle brands have made progress towards EVs. BMW Motorrad is no newcomer to electric two-wheelers, of course. The company is known for the BMW C Evolution electric maxi scooter, which comes with a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).
And now the company is getting even more serious about electric two-wheelers. At BMW’s NextGen event in Munich, Germany, the company revealed its latest electric motorcycle concept, known as the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster.
The Vision DC Roadster is one of 25 electric automobiles BMW previously announced for 2025, which are now preponed by two years to 2023. Most of the 25 models, including this motorcycle, will be fully electric.
Vision DC Roadster concept takes the iconic design of the company’s two-cylinder boxer engine and puts a battery inside.
It is a wild-looking motorcycle, low-slung with an aggressive stance and with battery packs sticking out of it on both sides. The longitudinally oriented battery has two side elements that protrude with cooling ribs, harking back to the boxer engine of the 1923 BMW R32. Under the battery, there is a cylinder-shaped electric motor that is directly connected to the drive shaft.
The elements actually flare in and out if the bike is moving or stationary to cool the batteries. To reduce the weight, the bike itself is built using aluminum and carbon fiber. In addition, BMW says that components on the Vision DC are also meant to convey a sense of lightness so as to emphasize driving dynamics.
Besides, the LED lighting system echoes the light design on current BMW motorcycles. The electric bike also appears to run a striking Duolever fork.
Additionally, dual brake levers can be seen on the handlebars instead of a single lever and rear foot brake, which are more common on most motorcycle designs. The unique gear-less and clutch-less operation of electric motorcycles allows for dual hand brake levers – a feature becoming more common across the electric motorcycle industry.
“The Vision Bike shows how we’re able to retain the identity and iconic appearance of BMW Motorrad in distinctive form while at the same time presenting an exciting new type of riding pleasure,” explains Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design BMW Motorrad.
“After all, anyone who’s ever tried it out in practice knows very well that riding on two wheels is just as exciting when it’s electrically powered! The high level of torque right at set-off makes for breathtaking acceleration. This almost brutal power delivery creates a whole new experience of dynamic performance. And the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster puts a face to this experience.”
BMW also unveiled protective companion riding gear with integrated lighting and connectivity aspects. Hopefully, this bike will make its way into showrooms in the near future. A BMW motorcycle with electric torque is an intriguing proposition that we’ve far too long for.