Imagine a bike that converts from a solo sports bike to a two-up tourer with luggage in a matter of seconds using strong magnets.
Now BMW Motorrad has done just that with their Concept 9cento, pronounced ‘nove cento’, which means 900 in Italian.
The mid-sized sports tourer features magnetic clip-on luggage that also extends the seat from solo to dual.
BMW’s popular R nineT was their first bike developed with a solo-to-dual-seat conversion, but it uses mechanical latches.
Rather than fiddly mechanical attachments, the 9cento uses a powerful electromagnet that easily attaches the luggage to the lower section of the rear carrier.
Heaven forbid the magnet loses current and drops your luggage and pillion on the ground!
The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento to be revealed at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.9cento details
The German manufacturer unveiled the 9cento at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como in Italy.
BMW has not released any tech specs, but the bike appears to be powered by their new 850cc parallel twin.
Other highlights are a lightweight carbon fibre triangular frame, aluminium panels, long travel suspension and two symmetrical LED headlights and twin LED taillights that feature the BMW Motorrad motif.
BMW Motorrad Head of Design Edgar Heinrich says the bike brings together sports, adventure and touring as an allrounder.
“It doesn’t always have to be about ‘bolder, bigger, brighter’ nowadays: this concept bike focuses on achieving a sense of balance,” he says.
The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento to be revealed at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.3D printed protectors
BMW Motorrad also unveiled leather and Kevlar jackets to complement the 9cento.
They feature shoulder protectors integrated into the jacket using 3D printing.
The company recently won an award for the carbon fibre swingarm in their HP4 Race made cheaply using 3D printing techniques.
BMW HP4 RACE swingarm