While the C 650 Sport is geared towards riders with a sporty bent, the C 650 GT sets its sights on those who attach greater importance to comfort and touring capability.
21 Sep 2015 | 5202 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
BMW Motorrad has launched the new C 650 Sport and C 650 GT maxi scooters for sports, touring and urban cruising in Europe. While the C 650 Sport is geared towards riders with a sporty bent, the C 650 GT sets its sights on those who attach greater importance to comfort and touring capability.
With an extensively modified drivetrain, ...
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BMW Motorrad has launched the new C 650 Sport and C 650 GT maxi scooters for sports, touring and urban cruising in Europe. While the C 650 Sport is geared towards riders with a sporty bent, the C 650 GT sets its sights on those who attach greater importance to comfort and touring capability.
With an extensively modified drivetrain, more comfortable suspension settings and a completely revised design for the C 650 Sport, BMW Motorrad says they combine more markedly than before the ride qualities of a motorcycle with the specific agility and comfort offered by the maxi scooter concept.
The two maxi scooters are powered by a 2-cylinder in-line 647cc engine which develops 60bhp at 7,500rpm. A variant is also available with 48bhp) at 7,000rpm. Engine mapping was redefined for use in the new C 650 Sport and C 650 GT with a view to satisfying the requirements of the EU4 pollutant class.
Further, a new CVT transmission set-up in conjunction with new clutch linings enables optimised clutch engagement and a significantly more dynamic set-off response. This was achieved by changing the transmission ratio spread of the CVT as well as by fine-tuning the centrifugal force weights.
The suspension construction continues to use a torsionally stiff hybrid composite structure consisting of a tubular steel bridge frame and a die-cast aluminium unit in the area of the swinging arm bearing.
On the safety front, ABS and ASC are standard equipment on the two maxi scooters. The optimum design of the brake system in conjunction with the standard BMW Motorrad ABS Bosch 9.1MB ensures the very highest level of active riding safety along with ASC (Automatic Stability Control). Additional comfort is also offered by a feature that is a world first for two-wheel vehicles: the first motorcycle rider assistance system Side View Assist (SVA). This new option for the C 650 GT supports the rider when changing lane, for instance, by monitoring the blind spot – especially useful in an urban environment.