BMW Concept 6 Unveiled

[Tar Snake]

I'd buy a new BMW motorcycle tomorrow if they had the same warranty as their cars  

One of my coworkers was pretty smart, he bought an R1 and the dealership offered a maintenance package that he paid for up front. The dealer hopes of course you tire quickly of your new toy and don't ride much.

He commutes about 60-70 miles per day on his bike  

They've admitted they're losing money on him, but they are honoring the agreement.

That sounds similar to BMW's scheduled maintenance is included in the price deal they offer on the cars.

[DFH]

There's no way you can cast an engine block with that many holes in it!

Oh wait, someone used that line already. I think they were talking about the ford flathead V8...

I dunno on this, I mean...other than increasing total displacement (which I don't see as an issue we've already got 2 liter v-twins...) is there a real benefit to an inline 6 as a motorcycle engine?

Why not a v6, or a boxer 6, or, really crazy, a W 6?

I'm not sure that the extra width over an inline 4 of that displacement is worth the ? benefit.

Inline 6 has perfect balance = smooth, plus modern packaging and water cooling reduce width. design can be based on current k1300 architecture.
V6 either 90 deg or narrow angle = never smooth even with balance shafts
W6.. Packaging & smoothness
Flat 6 perfect balance = smooth but the major competitor already has that engine format and the boxer 6 suffers the same issues of width that BMW struggle to solve in the flat twins.

DFH

[shah269]

I wove you!  

[jsh1120]

Would think that a boxer six would make more sense, especially in view of BMW's heritage. Oh, wait... Same problem as the first generation K bike... Honda already did that.

Actually, I'm impressed. But I suspect that the Concept6 is nothing more than a platform for showing off an engine that will be surrounded by tupperware when it goes to production as a replacement for the aged K1200LT.

[ww73]

gee, way to think ahead.  how about a concept electric bike?

[eng943]

Nice improvement for the LT. I'd like to see them knock a little weight off the next version also.

[Mookie]

The inline 6 is one of the most perfect engine designs of all time.  I think the 2000 cc displacement is going in the wrong direction though.  I'd rather see small displacement sixes that are narrower, weigh less and rev to the moon  

[twist]

Should've just put a small turbo on the K1200.  Less weight than 2 extra cylinders, and more efficient too.

[spitfiremk21]

I read an interview with the director a few years ago in which he stated that he wanted BMW motorcycles to have the same reputation as their auto division.

Well now that's just what we need...bikes that are way too expensive to buy and way too expensive to repair.

[falconati]

Well now that's just what we need...bikes that are way too expensive to buy and way too expensive to repair.

My thoughts exactly.