SilverWingisti,

The following Google translation is from today's Scooter-Station.com website:

Inspired by the BMW Concept C, two scooters BMW disembark from 2012
Friday, February 25, 2011



Last fall, BMW introduced its highly acclaimed Concept C, a sporty style Maxiscooter worked, presumably well equipped to challenge the hegemony of the upcoming Yamaha TMAX. In the UK, our British colleagues Visordown.com is today a statement made by the vice-president of BMW Motorrad Hermann Bohrer. This confirms that the German brand will launch two maxiscooters inspired by this famous prototype. These new two-wheelers will be presented this year in Milan and will enter the German line in 2012. Mr. Bohrer has not specified what remains of stylistic choices and technological Concept-C on production models. It has not given any indication as to the motorization of the German anti-TMAX.

Regards,
Peter

I saw the concept bike at the NYC International Motorcycle Show. It was interesting looking. I think much depends on the performance and comfort of the bike though, and the looks were pretty extreme. I think it is highly likely the production model will be a lot more conventional looking, but I guess time will tell...

In my (not all that vast) experience, the cycle-snobs come in all flavors. Over here in the US, it's mostly Harley riders that look down their noses at other bike brands and types, although we get our fair share of Euro-bike snobs.

I just smile and wave. Ride what you like and all that!

Having been in the BMW Club in the UK, I can imagine the snide remarks and sneers when someone turns up at a rally or camping weekend on a BMW scooter.

Meldrew, I think that depends on which section you belong to! I was part of the SW Section for a while (when I actually owned a BM - a 1984 K100) and found most of them to be reasonably open minded, although I seemed to attract my far share of comments - normally along the lines of 'was that you who went steaming past me on the M5??' and my all time favourite 'I dunno, youngsters today......' this comming from a guy of about 80 (he looked it anyway) at the time I think I was about 38 lol!

Times change, so do attitudes, I've still got aquaintances today who won't ride 'Jap Crap' and stick to British machines ridgidly - a very narrow view of things..... A few years ago, I too wouldn't have entertained a scooter and now find myself loving every minute of it, along with my pillion which is a mega bonus to me!

There seems to have been more than a rumour circulating in the UK this week that BMW have confirmed they will be building a super scooter - MCN interviewed the European director of production, albiet won't have some of the inovations that were seen on the bike at its launch, esp those minging tyres lol!

Seems perhaps yet again BMW are ahead of the crowd and have been listening to what riders want, and not what BMW think they need i.e. another 200mph road rocket....

I've read about this. With features like cameras and dual screens replacing rear view mirrors, I'm sure it's priced where no one but Paris Hilton can buy one.

That's a nice looking bike. Will be interested to learn about the technical aspects of it...engine, driveline, etc.

Locally, a lot of police departments are using the BMW r1200rt-p, but are finding that the cost of servicing the bikes is quite high. Several depts are using Harleys, but that is because they're leasing them from the H-D dealers in their towns. A number of other depts are starting to research alternative machines, including the police-model ST1300s and C-14s.

That said to suggest that we can make three assumptions by virtue of the fact that the new bike shown above is carrying the BMW roundel:

1. It will be expensive to buy.
2. It will be expensive to service.
3. Accessories will be expensive.

I still want to see one. Any idea when they are due in the States?

That's very interesting. I have read that the ST1300/PanEuropean has shown some serious wobbles at high speed...I recall that there is something about this in the FAQ section of the ST1300 website. Kept me from looking seriously at the bike.

Harleys are not bad as police bikes for metro/urban use. The traffic enforcement unit here uses them and they are very effective with them, but I would imagine that they'd have to watch overheating problems (in my area, regularly goes over 100 F in the summer and there are stretches 105+). For what it's worth, a traffic cop on a Harley just looks right...or maybe I'm just an old guy who doesn't appreciate the generic look of the modern bikes I acknowledge that the C14, in particular, would probably be a much more efficient and useful police bike.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread. Still want to see the BMW "scooter" and will look to see when it's expected in the States.

they were not keen on the Pan

Indeed they were not!
A group of us used to meet (some still do) for breakfast at the Ace Café in London every Saturday, a place also used by the Met. Police motorcycle cops for their breaks and as a base for the Bikesafe days.
We got to know them very well, all dedicated bikers, and they had stories of 'incidents' which made our hair curl.
BMWs were the favoured bikes for them at the time.