BMW C1

BMW C1

BMW C1 "Family Friend" model
Manufacturer	Bertone
Parent company	BMW
Production	2000–2002
Class	Scooter

The BMW C1 is an enclosed scooter manufactured by Bertone for BMW. Compared to a conventional scooter, the C1 offered extra safety features and protection from the elements. The rider would sit in a car-type seat (with a four-point seat-belt) and adopt a feet-forward posture. Introduced in 2000, it was available throughout Europe, but sales were disappointing and the C1 was discontinued in 2002. In 2009 the C1-E electric version was presented as a concept.

The C1 was available in two versions, a 125 and a 200. The "125" has a 124 cc capacity four valve, four-stroke, water-cooled, fuel injected engine producing 15 brake horsepower (11 kW); the "200" has a 176 cubic centimetres (10.7 cu in) engine producing 18 brake horsepower (13 kW). Both engines were manufactured by Rotax and include a CVT gearbox. The C1 weighed approximately 185 kilograms (408 lb) with a 40/60 front/rear weight distribution.

The space behind the rider and outside the "cage" has any of three interchangeable uses: a large, lockable external storage box; a luggage rack; or a pillion seat

The C1 is arguably underpowered: an MCN review of the 125 model said, "The BMW C1's 125cc engine is an unremarkable four-stroke single producing a respectable 15bhp. But it’s a heavy motorcycle at 185kg – all the 1000cc sports bikes weigh less".

BMW's intention with the C1 was to appeal to car drivers in crowded city streets. The idea was to offer the convenience of a scooter or motorbike but without many of the associated dangers or hassles. The C1's most innovative design feature was its emphasis on safety. However, being secured by a seat belt could make slow speed handling and manoeuvring rather tricky until experience is acquired.

BMW added passive safety and car-like crash testing to the scooter. It claimed that in a head-on collision, the C1 offered a standard of accident protection comparable to a European compact car. That was the prime marketing strategy to convert car buyers; the C1 was claimed to be so safe that the rider did not need to wear a helmet to ride it. This was achieved by using two shoulder-height roll bars, a crumple zone around the front wheel and an aluminium roll cage creating a car-like safety cell. It also had twin seatbelts reminiscent of an aviation style four-point harness to keep the rider in place.