Rennie Scaysbrook | May 31, 2018
BMW Debuts Concept 9centro Motorcycle—BMW has used the idyllic surrounds of Lake Como in Italy to debut their new Concept 9Centro sport touring motorcycle at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
BMW Debuts Concept 9centro Motorcycle
What do you think? The Concept 9cento could represent a new shift in sport touring thinking.
BMW has a long and storied history in the sport touring segment (think R 1200 RS/S 1000 XR), and after a few years playing retro with the R nineT line up, the company appears to be heading back to its roots with the Concept 9centro.
The motorcycle uses a parallel-twin motor of undisclosed capacity, but the interesting features stem more from what the bike intends to be, rather than what powers it.
Sport touring bikes are becoming sportier by the year, and the big Beemer is partly to blame for this. The Concept 9centro is a pretty even split between sport and touring, given the proportions and the ability to integrate a luggage that changes the look from canyon carver to mile muncher instantly.
The cases are double-acting units, allowing the rider to pack some light luggage as well as give the passenger more seating room at the back. It is hooked into the rear carrier from above and there is a powerful electromagnet that attaches the luggage securely to the lower section of the rear carrier.
Lighting is taken care of by LEDs all round, which is not that revolutionary, although BMW says, “The headlight is modern in style, featuring two symmetrical lamp elements. Each of the two elements has an iconic LED daytime riding light in the lower section with a flat, dynamic U shape, while two compact LED lenses on each side provide the low and high beam. This creates a hallmark lighting design that makes the concept bike instantly recognizable as a BMW motorcycle.”
The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento presents a concept for the future, yet could be in production sooner than you may think.
“It doesn’t always have to be about ‘bolder, bigger, brighter’ nowadays: this concept bike focuses on achieving a sense of balance,” says Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design BMW Motorrad. “We’ve created a bike that combines the appropriate power with reliable sports touring properties and above all lots of riding fun, so it’s an attractive overall package. It brings together the best of the sports, adventure and touring segments to produce an exciting concept – in a class which has not seen this kind of model from BMW before. The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento is our interpretation of a modern all-rounder for the new mid-range segment.”
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