The BMW C1 Story
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Cities continue to jam up with more and more traffic, with many city centres taxing cars or banning them all together. Car manufacturers have produced different types of small city cars that have lower emissions and can fit into tight parking spots, and small EVs can get around some of those restrictions cities have imposed on cars. BMW, who’s been making motorcycles since 1920, decided to take a different tack. They proposed a motorcycle that offered protection against the elements while the rider, or should that be a driver?, didn’t need to wear a crash helmet. Just how did they persuade governments that this was safe, and what became of BMW’s experiment into urban commuting vehicles?
Music: All The Fixings - Zachariah Hickman from the TH-cam Audio Library.
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Greetings from Germany, many of those Police C1s are still in service today.
Rotax engine!
Poor mechanics
I couldn't even imagine they would catch a criminal who ran off lol.
@@hoonaticbloggs5402 no
@@G58 those rotax engines were truly terrible. I don't know anyone who didn't burn the valves out.
I still have mine. Basically an excellent solution for getting around in the city. The topcase was huge, you could carry a water crate in it. Without the topcase mounted a codriver was allowed to sit there wearing a helmet. No need to point out how stupid that was looking. Because of the high center of gravity it could become tricky to maneuver it slowly. The big problem selling it was that BMW motorcycle dealers didn't want it because their arrogant customers immediately hated it and BMW car dealers didn't want it because they had no clue, only knew their 4-wheeled vehicles. Also having it serviced at BMW was as expensive as a VW Golf. And that rotex engine had timing chain problems just like todays VWs (lengthening).
I must ask how this compares to just having decent water-proofs on a normal scooter/motorcycle?
@@SirNarax 10xbetter. Better vision (windshield wipers), better protection, but most importantly, 1000 better safety. No fatalities over 15 year period.
@@Ellinillard I have become aware since seeing this video that there is a considerably safety advantage to enclosed bikes like this. But I was more referring to it as a cost effective measure. These are pretty expensive. Effective yes but expensive. Pros and cons. I have become tempted by them from time to time but cost and availability is poor here.
@@SirNarax right : at launch it sold for nearly 5000€ : despite BMW brand name, far too expensive, and the engine wasn’t a BMW. Rotax has nothing to be ashamed of, it is a very popular manufacturer of light airplanes engines along with Lycomjng, but not a prestigious name in car and bikes engines. Used ones still sell in France fit 6-7000€ ! Demonstrates how loyal users are, they-y’ re having spare parts tooled specially since bmw does not supply spare parts since 2015.
I want mc with roof 2 pers
I own one. The steering is wierd but it’s like an S class on two wheels! I love it.
Oh yes, I drove one of these (C200 business edition) for about 2 years. Weird, cluncky, geeky, top weight. Fell over 1 time, if it went there was no stopping it. The engine was really underpowered. Paris was one of those cities where you could/can see them very often.
I saw a good number of them in Seoul, South Korea back in 2002-2004. Specially around Itaewon.
True, it's so heavy if it tilts a bit too much when still, one leg isn't enough to keep it up.
I keep reading that it's underpowered, I own the 125cc version and it feels on par with many scooters I see ride around and have no issues to pull in front of cars.
Maybe it comes from a motorcycle point of view? It's definitely much quicker and nimbler than my car!
I had 200cc and now 125cc and the difference is only from 20 to 50km/h that you feel that 200 version is faster, but both have the same top speed 110km/h. 200 version have really a 175cc engine
Saw them all over Frankfurt 2000-01
'Sales were *slow*, and only 7 were made in the initial run.'
Now that's what I call slow.
I owned a C1 200 Executive. Loved the thing, especially after I was sideswiped by an old lady that pushed me through the intersection, After the C1 slid off the bonnet... I didn't get a scratch, no helmet either. Now if I had been riding my K1200RS.... :| The rear draft was rectified with a rear plexiglass sheild. Couple of reasons for failing; Car dealers didn't want to sell it, should have been sold via the Motorcycle dealer network to begin with, not after it had failed in the car dealerships... Too expensive, WAY to many options, colours and permutations made it expensive. I miss the thing, I should look for a good used one :)
What a memory, I had one from work 15 years ago, it was so slow but extremely cool.
An American producer, new to European shores, bought one in my old studio in London around the time they came out. I think it took him about 2 weeks to drop it and break his arm. Poor chap was proper embarrassed.
I'm not surprised. They really needed special training for non-experienced motorcyclists. A friend of mine who was a professional motorcycle trainer, developed his own very effective system.
I bought one of these in the UK and shipped it to NZ when I migrated there. Luckily there was a BMW bike shop run by a C1 enthusiast. I used it for 3 years before selling it on when I left. I loved it, despite all the unkind words from 'bikers.
Had my C1 125 executive since 2009 & couldn't part with it ..... I found riding it fine & never had any issues with stability.
Been driving one for 20 years : saved my life on 2 occasions where I was rammed from the back by distracted car drivers, driving between 50-60kmh, I was standing still at a stoplight they hadn’t seen. With any regular bike/scooter, I’d be dead. Had to sell because of CO2regulations, still miss it, have yet to see anything comparable.
You’re right about fiercely loyal fans : in the garage where I had mine maintained until 2021, most customers had owned their C1s over 15 years and many had clocked over 120 00 Kim’s on it, before having to change the engine. I the meantime I have to admit maintenance did’nt come cheap.
Magnificent video! I've seen a few of these, but I never gave them much thought... Like many people I just assumed it was a motorcycle with extra weather protection. I had no idea of the hidden safety features.
Seems like a neat idea, but for 7000 Euros, you can buy a very decent second hand car.
But that ending with what sounded like a rotary phone ringing was just a charm.
With a box to store ya bits?
My wife would like a word with you.
I worked at Lehman brothers early 2000’s at bank street Canary Whalf .. loads of colleagues of mine had these .. they were everywhere in 2004
I was never aware of this...but I want one!
I never expected you to do a motorcycle story, but I’m impressed!
Being a biker myself.
Honda C90 story next? 😎
I'm not that into motorbikes, but this one caught my interest. Probably not any more coming any time soon!
@@BigCar2 Awww, and I was hopeful ! What about the Yamaha Tricity like trikes that can be ridden on a car licence ? :-D
I had completely forgot that thing existed until I was reminded by this video.
I remember when i was i kid we had one of those in color black with a beige seat i think this was one of the rare bikes that sold in asia
You can still buy Adivas with rooves in Taiwan. There is an Adiva dealership just up the road from my home in Taipei, but they are expensive.
I think it is better that we get the hear the sounds of the cars during the clips. Definitely keep that.
The footage doesn’t usually have this, but if I have it I will.
@@BigCar2 Cool.
Your videos are simply awesome & the narration/material perfect. Although for this specific video I want to mention that BMW doesn't always mean quality. The GS 1200 model had a ton of issues. There are more examples to mention of course. I wish you'll post the history of Vespa Cosa one day. It was a revolutionary Vespa for its time and there is a very interesting history about it. Thank you once again!
Yeah, there was a bit of sarcasm there. BMW was charging a premium because they thought people would pay more for BMW quality. I wasn’t saying if they had quality or not!
Wow this is the most fascinating weird covered scooter thing I think I'll ever watch.
Best review of C1 on TH-cam 👌🏼
👏👏👏👏👏. Thanks for the blooper extra. Nice and original. 🎼🌪️☘️
Love the design even if it’s impractical! Ahead of its time, maybe 3-wheels would have been easier to sell in! I don’t have a driving license valid for motorcycles and they are quite expensive to get!
Great video again! Best greets from Cologne
We got 1 in 2002 I guess and it worked - as cheap leasing bike with a coupon for getting BMW C1 clothes worth 500€ you could choose. But that was limited to C1 labeled clothes only, not the motor bike ones.
We got one - to get the clothes and have fun in spring summer and autumn cause winter was a time to avoid.
I saw the Williams variant of the C1 being used by the drivers of the Williams F1 team (that time sponsored and powered by BMW) in a magazine when they're doing a tour of the Monaco circuit.
I owned one. It was top heavy and appeared not too great in wind (which is an issue in Ireland), and the stand was quite fragile. Yet a 200 with the luggage holder was a useful mode of transport with fine fuel economy.
I agree. I own one currently and up to 6 Bft is the max with the additional side wind screens. Fuel economy on the 200 for me is 1 litre for 28 kilometers. Mostly highway.
What a fascinating vehicle!
I think the best " covered motorcycle" is the Renault Twizy. Its a small electric thing that keeps the weather out a bit, has a small form factor and can be driven with a car licence without a helmet. I always wondered if the Twizy was set to have a more enclosed expensive brother named the Smart ForOne? :)
Looking at the weather for tomorrow, I kind of wish I had one.
The Honda Elysium looks awesome!
I haven't seen one of these in a while. Amazing, the topics you cover. Who could say? Thank you for the amazing video, as usual.
Glad you enjoyed it!
About 20 years ago I was working for service in Berlin. My Problem was to find parking space near the customers place. You sit dry and it's easy and semilegal to park on the side sidewalks. But the price is rather high and it's odd to ride with a passenger.
Would love to see more of these. Especially in the Indian market.
Drove one and i loved it
I had one. Great idea but very top heavy and the engines were too small. Should have been lighter at the top and have had a 250cc motor.
This is something I almost forget about. Almost
Hello grate video, thank you so much! I really like this BMW idea, I had also a ride once as a passenger at the back seat, very fun. You always felt very safe, it is riding steadily.
i actually saw one of these parked the other day, i never realised how indepth these things are, i just thought it was a scooter with a roof
Pity the *Adiva* was not put into mas production with a bigger range of motors and better advertising campains, as these were more agile and appealing to the eye than the BMW.
The C1 disappearing was of no surprise to me, having been too slow and restrictive for existing 2wheel riders and too heavey and demanding for 2wheel starters.
It’s a shame this path wasn’t explored further. Things like this are a much better idea in cities than even small electric cars, because they are still cars and take up the space of a car. Scooters and bikes would be a much better proposition all round, if only licences weren’t so difficult to acquire and law enforcement could find a way to stop people nicking them.
I saw a few of these and some knockoffs in Paris. Back then I could barely comprehend what advantages these had over a traditional motorcycle like a GS.
Dalnik the remote was the predecessor of Ecomobil from the Czech Republic
There is an interesting ancestor of the C1, the Bi Car of 1957 designed by Sir Alliot Verdon Roe. He built the prototype in his garage in retirement, and there is a great Pathe film on TH-cam of him riding around his garden at the age of 80! Put a roof on it and it’s a C1.
This C1 is the mother of Renault Twizy.
It should make abortion.
@@sjoormen1 😱
Have ridden one....Pointless Vibrating noisy thing.....and Rain comes from all directions.so it does not keep the Rider Dry
There was a Dutch company, ho maid a 3 wheeler, wit to back wheels furmly on the grond, and the front and copit laik a inclost mc. Pretty cool thing. I now Top Gear rested it. You shud do a Story of that. Dont remember the naim
It would be nice if you did a video on probably ‘THE’ most iconic bike of all time and possibly the longest production run of a big motorcycle as well since 1975. And most people think it should be a car anyway. Lol
The HONDA GOLDWING.
50 thousand units for a motorcycle sound like a modest success to me. Pity about the stupidly small wheels though on pot holed roads it was a nightmare,
Always informative
I wish you would do an episode about the iRoad. I thought its combination of 3 wheel stability and full weather resistance made a far more promising candidate for the perfect city commuter vehicle than any of the other options.
I remember seeing one of these
I still see one most days whilst commuting in central London 😎
I think I saw one of these once as a wee lad
More like this please.
The weirder or unusual the better.
I’ve a fun one coming for you in a few weeks!
I really want one because I think it’s awesome
I'd definitely agree that it was ahead of it's time
8:16 In some parts of the UK, the local chavs can't be trusted enough to leave your briefcase unsecured on the back.
10:03 You'd get to work or your business meeting to find your briefcase is no longer on the back.
There looks to be a spate of covered EV three-wheelers coming out Soon(tm)
Like the sound change.
Thanks Jeff
If they made street legal quads I think that would be nicer for covered city versions……
I can't believe they sold 34k of these! One would think more like 3400!
yeah covered scooters are a stupid idea really
Please do Mazda 2/3!
Is there any chance on ever seeing a Trident or Bristol video on Big Car ?
Thanks, well the Tuk Tuks certainly sold millions.
Yes, but those are tricycles, and have far more space for the passengers and cargo.
All these traffick-solutions were/are expensive. Hardly transportation for the masses...
I read somewhere that in the rain, you got seriously wet, and needed a wiper on the Inside of the screen! I've actually got a C1 Waterproof Coat - ironically, its the most waterproof coat I've ever worn!
Your elbows get wet. With an aftermarket kit you can get "windscreen extensions" which helps but reduces top speed by about 10km/h (the 200 will then achieve 110km/u max on the speedo).
I really wouldn't trust it from keeping my face from scraping the asphalt in a crash.
Me too, I'd want to still wear a crash helmet for protection, and also to keep my head warm !
the eco mobile looks like a bike version of the audi r8
Big fan of yours, well researched and interesting tubes. Could you do more motorcycles? Triumph Street triple would be a good start!
Motor cycles aren’t really my thing. I was interested in this as it was an oddity.
Yes yes yes as always loved the chopper episode now this
Seen many in Paris a few years ago.
Same engine is now being used by TVS Ntorq125 in India. Which is the best performance scooter till date.
The BMW had their C1 & what did we have? We had the Peel P50 😊
Sad that it failed !
I notice that they showed a side impact crash where the bike did the "side impacting". I wonder what horrific injuries would be possible where the bike is the "side impactee", given the large open sides and (except for Sweden and the UK) un-helmeted head? One thing which helps keep many motorcyclists alive is their sense of (very real) vulnerability, leading to a defensive riding style. I'm not sure that increasing the perceived level of safety, where little actual improvement has been achieved, is wise. I'm a registered nurse. I'm very familiar with the statistics on motorcycle accidents. I also know that people routinely underestimate the massively destructive forces unleashed even in relatively slow vehicle impacts. I'm sure it would be argued that a C1 is safer than a standard motorcycle. Maybe it is. The fact is that a motorcyclist is 30 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than a passenger in a car. I don't think that the little roof and some seat belts improves those odds very much.
You should make a video on the Chrysler PT Cruiser, I’d say the design was as good as (ironically because they soon merged) the Fiat Multipla but underneath it was a better world car than the mk1 Ford Mondeo or 1980 Escort.
That's been one I've been interested to do, but my mainly British audience doesn't watch videos about cars they're not familiar with. I liked the shape.
@@BigCar2 Thanks for reading my comment, I hope some more suggestions for cars more well known by the British (I’m Irish) will become Big or Little Car episodes.
I guess it shows that people want a traditional scooter, as it's smaller and easier to get around.
You're not going to attract motorheads with it either. They like their cruiser and sports bike.
Greetings from Germany!
The German police were given some of these vehicles free of charge.
Terrible to drive! Especially in the city! Much too high a center of gravity and you mess around. When trucks overtake, you are pulled along by the wind that gets caught behind the windshield. Completely superfluous vehicle.
This was a fantastic bike.
I kinda want one for oddball-points, but I think it doesn't qualify as a scooter so I'd need a motorbike-license for it, which is extensive and costly.
Have had the C650, also a great thing, but just a "me too" bike after the Japaneses have invented the twinpowered maxiscooter.
An interesting story to cover would be the first generation Audi 100, and how it was developed against VW's orders
That’s been on my list. I’ve been gathering info to do the 200 and V8.
I'm bold too.
spero che la storia si cuncluda con l'estinzione di questi veicoli
Don’t think I ever seen one here in Sweden. But i have to wonder wats the point with a sunroof in a vehicle that don’t have any sides?
I actually once saw one in Luleå in the north of Sweden.
AN interesting video might be the story of the AMC Pacer
Maybe. It's been done many times by people in the US though.
The value of these in the UK has stayed bouyant.
Had one of those Bikes as a Model back in the days, cool thing.
Thank you for the video, would you be able to do one about the Italdesign BMW C2? Loved that car in Need for Speed 2, but can´t find much about it.
BMW's aren't really my thing funnily enough, so I'll likely do some other marques in the future.
Only a handful of channels get an automatic thumbs up & this is one...
At least Honda got the engine size right.
Almost a perfect Aussie accent ..lol well done 🇦🇺
A bit ropey, like most of my accents...
When in doubt, go with a Rotax.
With modern technology and a bigger engine it would sell better than the c1. The used prices for c1s are pretty high.
A nice effort by BMW. I like their huge scooters more though
Sorry I’m late, I was stuck in traffic. 👍🏽👍🏽
I suspect that in the 'modern urban environment', most of their projected customer base may feel more than a little vulnerable, being so hopelessly exposed to 'life, the ruffians & everything' : )