| Make
|
BMW
Motorrad |
| Model |
Concept 6 |
| Concept
year |
2009 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
straight-six |
|
The Concept 6 is powered by an inline
six-cylinder engine |
 |
|
For many years BMW motorcycles were synonymous with the
works 'quirky' and 'ugly'. But for the past few years
BMW's bike designers have reversed this trend. And now
BMW bikes, while still retaining the refreshing quirkiness
of the past, are full of style.
The Concept 6 carries on this trend. But this futuristic
cafe racer style machine is not just a rolling sculpture.
Housed within the lightweight alloy frame is an inline
six-cylinder engine.
While unusual, straight-six engines are not new in the
motorcycle world. However this configuration has never
really caught on for either production models or racing
machines.
Depending on the way the engine was fitted, six cylinders
in-line inevitably made the engine either very long or
very wide, creating disadvantages in terms of the running
gear, weight distribution, and the centre of gravity.
A further drawback was much higher engine weight usually
setting off the benefits of extra engine power.
The BMW Concept 6 gets around these problems by using
a compact unit which is roughly 10 cm (4 inches) slimmer
than previous inline 6 cylinder engines.
The reduction in width is achieved in particular by the
slightly over-square bore: stroke ratio with relatively
long stroke and very small gaps between cylinders. To
achieve this very compact configuration with minimum width,
the electrical ancillaries and their drive components
are positioned behind the crankshaft in the open space
above the transmission.
The engine's weight has been kept down through use of
lightweight components both inside and outside. Important
components in this context being the two hollow-drilled
camshafts and the very light connecting rods.
The engine of the BMW Concept 6 is tilted to the front
by 55 degrees (like the straight four in the K 1300) to
lower the center of gravity and help balance the weight
distribution. A further advantage is that the tilted engine
provides extra space for the aerodynamically positioned
intake manifold directly above the engine and allows ideal
configuration of the frame profiles following the flow
of power.
The suspension of the BMW Motorrad Concept 6 is built
around a light-alloy bridge frame as well as Duolever
and lightweight Paralever arms holding and guiding the
wheels front and rear. Seventeen-inch HP forged wheels
as well as the extra-large brake system with its six-piston
fixed calipers emphasize the sporting look of the new
machine and its high level of technology.
The first production bike to receive the BMW straight-six
engine will be a luxurious touring bike which will expand
the K-Series lineup.
Similar and related vehicles:
BMW C1
BMW IMME 1200
BMW Wahnsinn
BMW D1200R
BMW LO Rider
Source: BMW Motorrad |
|
