The Best Bet in a Commuting Vehicle? What Do You Think?

[M.D. Holloway]

This thing looks really great. Anybody know about them? It is the BMW C1 Covered Scooter. Here is what I found out at Fuel Economy: 80miles/gal at a cruzing speed of 65 mph:





Motor: Liquid-cooled four-stroke single.
Capacity: 125cc.
Valvegear: DOHC with four overhead valves.
Compression ratio: 13:1.
Power: 11kW @ 9250rpm.
Torque: 12Nm @ 6500rpm.
Induction: Electronic fuel injection with Dell’Orto VA 23mm throttle body.
Ignition: Electronic.
Starting: Electric.
Clutch: Centrifugal automatic.
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission by V-belt.
Suspension: Telelever suspension with single gas-charged hydraulic shock-absorber at front, two hydraulic shock-absorbers adjustable for preload at rear.
Brakes: 220mm disc with twin-piston Brembo floating calliper at front, 210mm disc with single-piston Brembo floating calliper at rear.
Tyres: Front: 120/70-ZR13 tubeless radial. Rear: 140/70 -R12 tubeless radial.
Wheelbase: 1488mm.
Seat height: 701mm.
Dry weight: 185kg.
Fuel capacity: 9.7 litres.

[jyl]

Last I heard, the C1 has been discontinued. It was never imported to the US anyway. Does sound like a cool machine.

[techweenie]

They've been big deal in Paris for a while.

[gaijindabe]

I am old school. 100km per litre.

[M.D. Holloway]

With gas going to $3.50/gal, BMW stepped on their pee pee if they did discontinue it.

[jyl]

In TX, wouldn't A/C be a requirement for comfortable commuting?

[M.D. Holloway]

I drove 3+ years with out it in the Volvo because I was too lazy and cheap to get it fixed. It was tolerable. The open sides and roof combo would actuall help out greatly. I have considered getting a motorcycle but the sun beating down on my dome would cook my brain and a helmut would just drive me crazy. The roll bar and roof make for the driving experience to be a bit safer and cooler.

[pwd72s]

Vespa is making a comeback here in the states...selling like hotcakes. Dunno how popular they'll be in Portland once the rains begin, tho.