The new innovative design of motorcycles have caught my attention this year. Being a motorcycle enthusiast myself this stood out to me even though it isn’t a bike I find personally very visually as appealing as other styles of bike. Even though I thought it would be appropriate to review this new product, despite never having driven one myself.
BMW’s best seller in the two wheel category. The 2013 model has presented itself to be an entirely new beast, modifications to the design now make what was a successfully good bike a new experience to riders.
The designers aimed to make the motorbike more efficient without sacrificing comfort, aesthetics and usability. The new engine is now more horizontally compact from wheel to wheel. This allowed the increase in the length of the back wheel’s swing arm while maintaining the distance between the wheels as of previous models, this translates to a better rear suspension and a smoother ride.
Improvement on breaks, now more sensitive and adaptable, allowing the driver more flexibility while riding as well as a smarter machine when in emergency break situations in various terrains.
The new model offers a flexible engine allowing a change of speed of 5-70mph in third gear. Also now the motor uses a more efficient water cooling system. The new system is more precise with the cooling, meaning that the system cools only the warmer parts, allowing a more compact radiator for a bike of this size. As well as the new liquid cooling system another major change to the engine layout was made, now there is a downward intake of gas to the engine at its top and and the exhaust system has been moved from the side to the bottom of the engine, overall increasing efficiency and upping the horsepower.
As a Smaller change, the windshield is now more height adjustable, allowing some customization from bike to bike depending on driver aesthetic or ergonomic needs and wants. The transmission is integrated to the engine, a new technology advance to make smoother transitions from each gear. The drive shaft was moved from the right side to the left side of the bike to fit with other component modifications.
Overall in terms of innovation this bike scores a 10/10. To make a more illustrative comparison I will compare it to a similar sized bike I’d buy for myself. The Harley 883, it has barely advanced in technology in the last several years, keeping the same inefficient, loud and wasteful design that has failed to keep up with technology.
The most significant innovative product I’ve had the privilege to see in the past month.
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