Does anybody know if BMW is teasing with this Lo-Rider thing, or are they contemplating building it?
Autoblog posted another headline about it, with some variation renderings... dual, single, or cowled single seats, high or low pipes, toaster or non-toaster tanks, round or stacked headlights, red painted engines... all sorts of things.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/bmw-shows-off-a-slew-of-custom-lo-rider-renderings/
Autoblog Gallery
This seems like a bit of a throwback to more basic motorcycling, which I think is very good, in addition to their more sophisticated models. (these aren't a replacement for a R12S... I still hope to see a replacement for it...)
No telelever, certainly no duolever, but rather USD forks and radial brakes... A less-triangulated aft subframe, and minimalist seat support, but still basic hex-head and paralever-evo driveline... (although I kinda wonder about re-adding the Telelever front end from an R1200R, or something...)
I dunno about the rendered spokey wheels, and thick tires... but I can see how people would like it. I would fit a couple of aftermarket, or at least R12S wheels and sportier tires... but this has almost a purer vibe than even a Speed Triple, or a Duc Monster.
I can totally see something like this replacing my Honda Hawk GT. I got interested in motorcycles by helping a college room-mate wrench on an early 70s R50/5 black toaster-tank... I can definitely see the family resemblance here.
I hope BMW builds and sells these bikes, especially at a more affordable price than the more well equipped boxers and in-lines.