Seems that the original failed because the concept doesn't actually solve a fundamental issue: It doesn't protect the rider from the elements; one of the biggest drawbacks to riding a motorcycle. It needs side panels and windows to be more like a two-wheeled car and less like an awkward scooter.

What happens when the rider dumps it on its side? With the seat beat, you'd be securely fastened to the bike as you slide along the pavement... this doesn't sound as if it would be any safer than rolling away from the bike!

Note that the "roll bar" also wraps around the shoulder and the front faring extends in front of the knee. I would assume that the idea is that they would prevent a belted-in driver from contacting the pavement at all. As for whether or not it would actually work... well, this is the much vaunted "German engineering" we always hear about, maybe they know something we don't. Either way, its an ugly scooter and it wouldn't do me any good in the cold north anyway. Call me when you make an affordable all-weather electric car

"you can't deny that combined with the roll bar, they're safer than your average bike."

I certainly can, and *do* deny it. When you lay down the bike, you can kick yourself away from several hundred pounds of tumbling iron. If you're belted to it, like this scooter would have you do, one arm and a leg are going to be under the bike, and that "roll cage" doesn't do jack to prevent crushing or dragging injuries.

Plus which, what is that silly broad doing on a scooter without long sleeves, preferably leather, and heavy jeans or leather chaps? This whole concept was obviously designed by someone who has never ridden a motorcycle, and doesn't know anyone who's had to lay one down.

I agree with Anonymous utterly and completely. Though I have never actually ridden motorcycle before, it's only common sense that anyone who rolls (if we use flight dynamics, which honestly can apply to any moving vehicle, rolling is from left to right along the axis of forward and backward motion, whereas this bike protects from PITCH) while strapped into this will be charlie foxtrotted in a heartbeat. Also, the vast majority of motorcycle accidents occur not from pitching but from rolling, which as Anonymous and I said will severely injure you while on this bike.

I personally find this to be a much better alternative: http://flytheroad.com/ Yes, it's a hybrid instead of an all-electric, but it's certainly much safer and more interesting than BMW's deathtrap.

Hey, I saw this scooter design in dragoball when i was a kid they stole it from the japs LOL

Ditto to the above. This is most certainly NOT a safer way to ride!

Felipe, funny that you use something similar to my favorite sayings: Charlie Foxtrot Uniform, and Alpha Foxtrot Uniform. And those Persu hybrids are wicked cool, but have beenaround for several years (I think they were under a different name in the past), and yet are still in the "pre-register" stage, it seems. Just like the Tango... There's an alternative to this vehicle that is purchase-able, but it's $80K USD. I don't have the link anymore, but it starts off as a four-wheel vehicle with two of the wheels popping up once you're over 25mph. THAT would be safe, cool to drive, and protect from the elements...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmw_C1

Heh, the C1 has been around for years here in Old Europe. It's a weird but feasible design.

What they are doing now at BMW is a redesign of the old model, fitting it with an electric engine.

I don't know, being strapped into the scooter when it falls and riding along seems a lot better than skidding along the pavement with little to no protection other than a helmet. It's not like anybody who would buy and ride this thing would be wearing much more than regular clothes when riding, I really doubt that your average scooter rider will invest in a set of leathers so that they can slide along the pavement without losing all of their skin in the process. Going by the logic presented here it would be better to not wear your seat belt and just let yourself be ejected from the car so you don't get the full impact of hitting another car.

NO! You do NOT strap yourself to a scooter! It doesn't work that way! When one of those crashes, you're supposed to leap off it so it doesn't crush you!!

I have been riding a C1-200 for years, and it is best piece of machinery I have ever owned. It is far safer than my larger GS 1200 BMW, and you do not get wet at above 15mph. It is incredibly comfortable, nippy and economical and I am a total convert. It really is the perfect commuter venhicle. If the concept is so poor, than ask yourself why second hand prices for C1's are so high. I can think of no bike that drops in value so slowly, and I have been riding big bikes for over 40 years. I for one will purchase an electric version.

Content was great and easy to follow. The presentation is good,Very impressive. Good layout that is not cluttered, with a good color scheme. Thanks heaps for all the relevant and helpful information!

There's no way to ride a second person on the back = design fail.