Photo Gallery: BMW's Retro-Futurist Lo Rider Concept
Wednesday November 5, 2008
It's not very often that a manufacturer strays from their traditional brand DNA and pulls a left-field sucker punch, but BMW have just unveiled a jack-in-the-box surprise on the order of Harley-Davidson's mind-bending purchase of MV Agusta: the Lo Rider Concept. Based on the premise of extreme customization and parts interchangeability, the Lo Rider can be configured with high or low exhaust pipes, single or dual seats with a "perch" option, and a myriad potential combos-- some of which are illustrated in this chart.
What's so cool about this concept is that it blends everything from café racer to scrambler to dirt tracker styling cues, and opens up the possibility for jigsaw puzzle-like tweaking. At its heart is the venerable 1,200cc boxer engine plucked from the current lineup, lending an air of reality to the concept that was just unveiled at Milan's EICMA show.
BMW says they're gauging consumer reactions before committing to production, so if you've got something to say about the Lo Rider after checking out our BMW Lo Rider Concept Photo Gallery, say it with a comment.
Photo © BMW
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Comments
Why does the bike have Queensland Australia number plates, was in test ridden in Australia first
U-G-L-Y, it ain’t got no alibi, it’s ugly…Yeah, Yeah, its ugly!
Seriously though, is this the best they can throw down at EICMA? I would have rather seen a newer R1200S (maybe a 1250 or 1300?). As for the “Lo Rider,” looks like someone in the bimmer design group owns a Confederate Hellcat (more than just a passing similarity)…
And what’s with manufacturers releasing these “race ready” dirt-track cruisers? Yeah, right, the first thing I want to do on my $18,000 BMW is take it to a dirt track. At least Harley’s XR1200 looks good…
Remember the short lived R1200C? Ugliest cruiser ever produced, and was a terrible ride too from what I’ve heard and read.
This would have the same date I expect.
the same “fate”
I think it’s a great looking bike…but then I thought my Rockster was a awsome looking bike and I currently think my ‘08 R1200GS is a visual work of art….and not everyone agrees with me on either issue!
Hmmmm….. looks like a Confederate!
I thought the R1200C was a great riding bike and a great looking bike. It fit the bill for shorter riders which were so long ignored by BMW. I would have preferred that they did constant improvements on the R1200C rather than coming out with this.
Meanwhile, I am still hanging onto my 1991 K100LT.
LOVE THE BIKE!!!
I WANT ONE REAL BAD!!!
Basen… Do you know where can I get more info on it? Seriously, I loved it! And being a BMW…
Any, or have you heard anything about production? Price?
Thanks
LO RIDER: THE BEST BIKE EVER DESIGNED!!!!
BMW demonstrates their greatness designing a new style of custom, absolutely different than Harley Davidson.
We can say “The Lo Rider style”.
The real future of custom is allowing the customer purchasing a personally designed bike, as much as possible. BMW is placed at the head with that idea.
Great Bike, concept is uncontroversial, but very late,
Michael(R1150R)
Great bike, priced right I would buy it. No other bike of this type looks that good and even if everyone else on the block had one, which they won’t, it won’t be the exact same bike. BMW, I don’t care if you lie to me but estimate a base price so I can start saving or start looking elsewhere.