The Motorcycle Times - December 2019

Page 1

Canada’s

M ost

Re a d

M o to rcyclin g

Community

N ews p ap e r

issue 121

DECEMBER 2019

Sprockets BMW Electric Patent New electric motorcycle patent shows BMW working on radical electric sport bike BMW may be getting closer to unveiling an impressive new electric sportbike that could rival the likes of the Zero SR/F and Energica’s Ego. At least that’s what these recent BMW electric motorcycle patent drawings seem to indicate. The patent drawings from BMW show an electric sport bike with an unconventional design. Unlike most motorcycles, which are built on a standard frame, BMW’s patent drawings show a frameless motorcycle design. Instead, the major structural component is a sealed box containing the batteries and controller. The head tube of the bike is mounted fore of the battery box, while the motor is mounted just below and aft of the box. The swingarm mount appears to be mounted to the motor assembly, which would keep the swingarm pivot and the motor axle as close to each other as possible, simplifying chain or belt tensioning. The design may be novel as far as electric motorcycles are concerned, but it isn’t entirely new to BMW. The BMW C Evolution electric scooter actually adopts a similar design, with a sealed battery box serving as a structural member in lieu of a typical frame. The C Evolution is a five-year-old design at this point, though it has undergone a number of design improvements over the years. BMW has played with far-out electric motorcycle concepts in the past, such as its Vision DC Roadster electric motorcycle concept, though the motorcycle seen in these new patent drawings looks much more like something the company could actually manufacturer — and soon. But until BMW gives us more info, any speculation about the price or production design is simply that — speculation.

M A N U F A C

Mix - 0/35/85/0

T U R E R

FREE take one

N E W S

30%K

Harley-Davidson’s® First Adventure Touring and Streetfighter Models Debut with All-New Revolution® Max Engines Models Beckon a New Era of Middleweight Capability, Performance, and Attitude from Harley-Davidson. Displayed for the first time publicly at EICMA in Milan, Harley-Davidson® is showcasing two all-new middleweight motorcycles, including the release of information surrounding the latest signature Harley-Davidson® V-Twin engine – the Revolution® Max. The powerful allnew 60-degree V-Twin has been designed

New Pan America and Bronx

for a new range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in two different guises – 1250cc in the new Harley-Davidson Pan America™ and 975cc in the Harley-Davidson® Bronx™. Harley-Davidson® first announced expansion into new segments including new middleweight offerings in its More Roads to Harley-Davidson® accelerated plan for growth in July 2018. These exhilarating new models will both launch in late 2020 extending the iconic brand into new market segment. Pan America™ The Harley-Davidson Pan America™

is an all-new advanced adventure touring multi-purpose motorcycle equal parts campfire, wanderlust, and grit. The Pan America™ is a two-wheel multi-tool built to endure, designed to explore, and engineered for the unknown. Bronx™ The new Harley-Davidson® Revolution® Max powertrain is also at the heart of an all new Bronx™. This middleweight streetfighter model rolls with an unapologetic attitude and performance continued on PG. 03 to match.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.