The BMW we’ll be riding in 30 years

The seat unit, upper frame, front wheel cover and wings are all made from carbon to save weight. The bike also doesn’t feature a centre stand, in fact it will be unnecessary.

“It will be so safe that you cannot fall over,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President, BMW Group Design.

How? Intelligent assistance systems intervene to avoid critical situations and a self-balancing mechanism enhances safety by regulating banking angles for inexperienced riders and increasing dynamics for more experienced ones.

A visor but no helmet

No need for an instrument panel but that’s the least concerning when you see a motorcyclist with no helmet, right? If the BMW is not crashable then there’s no requirement for a lid. Instead, data is shown to the rider via the pair of ‘data glasses’ that shows relevant data in one of four designated display areas and are controlled by the rider’s eye movements.

Looking up or down changes the content that appears, and looking straight ahead switches the information off completely. Information is only projected onto the visor on request, or to alert the rider to the fact that action is needed. Suggested lines and hazard warning are overruled by the machine if it thinks the rider is not going to react quickly enough. It also offers support for novice riders to enhance riding skills.

Maybe BMW have yet to test the Vision Next 100 in British winter climates but I for one will be wearing at least a buff with those specs.

No leathers either?

The motorcycle suit is digitally connected and integrates with the bike and riding climate, warming or cooling the rider depending on the conditions. At higher speeds, the neck section inflates to provide extra support and BMW claims safety features are “superfluous” thanks to the bike’s intelligent assistance systems. In-built sensors monitor the wearer’s pulse rate and body temperature and adjusts itself accordingly. The suit even delivers navigation instructions via the vibrating elements in the arms and legs, and alerts the rider when the banking angle is becoming critical!

Is this the future of motorcycling? Quite possibly. Who are we to argue with a powerhouse manufacturer that looks to be enjoying its sixth successive year of sales growth with an aim of 200,000 sales for the year 2020. For us, the mere mortals who have to write about, ride and enjoy the fruits of their labour, it’s an interesting look into how a manufacturer visualises how the next generation will transport itself from A to B in 30 years’ time – advancements in robotics, technology, safety and engineering is fascinating enough and the more mechanical age will, one day, be a thing of the past. Does it excite you or scare you?

We’ll aim to bring you the first riding impressions…in the year 2045.