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BMW takes the wraps off its self-balancing motorcycle

The model is one of a series of concepts from the BMW Group, which envisage what transport will look like in 30 years.

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The German auto maker on Tuesday unveiled its Motorrad Vision Next 100, a sleek, self-balancing prototype the company released as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations. “Your bike is The Great Escape”. This Steve McQueen vision is apparently at the heart of the Vision Next 100’s design. The Vision Next 100 visor display would do the same thing, and at certain driver aid levels it would even intervene to steer the bike in the event the rider wouldn’t get through the corner safely.

Yep, BMW’s bike of the future is equipped with self-balancing tech that will aid the rider when needed while preventing a spill both on the road and when coming to a stop. While you’re riding, the balancing system helps set the bike up for every turn, giving it very agile handling but still providing reassuring stability for the benefit of less experienced riders. However, the automaker did suggest that the concept was a “coherent future scenario” for its biking brand.

The vehicle will come with “Digital Companion” technology which will alert and help riders in potentially risky situations, and a “Visor” with a HUD which uses augmented reality to display important information to its rider. Looking further down opens the map view showing the rider’s chosen route. BMW said they want to reconnect riders with the intimacy of riding. The exception being when alerts are required. The concept motorcycle can automatically balance itself when stationary and also while being ridden. The lightweight material cools or heats the rider.

Redesigned side cases were also installed on the K 1600 B which now come with slimmer covers and deeper cargo space. The concept motorcycle’s black frame is inspired from the BMW R32, the first motorcycle manufactured by the company. Riding the Motorrad Vision Next 100 would truly be a transformative experience.

Its sleek “flexframe” lacks the joints of today’s motorcycles. Low speeds only require a slight input, while high speeds require more to change course. This is meant to prevent over-steer and corrections. Instead the frame appears as a single, integrated whole. The front wheel is shielded with a large metallic reflector that optimizes the bike’s aerodynamics. Also, it can display emergency warnings so the rider will be able to respond accordingly. Turning the Motorrad Vision Next 100’s handlebars actually modifies the frame orientation to provide steering input.

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The BMW Motorrad design team sees a future world in which digital elements are more common than are analog. More and more of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. Other standard features include xenon headlights, ABS Pro, heated grips and seat, cruise control and the Multi-Controller dial on the left hand grip.

BMW's Vision Next 100 motorcycle won't fall down