BMW C600Sport and C650GT: a new family

Yesterday, several media outlets and blogs from our country had the opportunity to test the new maxi-scooters from BMW in Madrid, motorcycles with which BMW is entering a completely new sector for them, and of which they are very proud, since the result speaks for itself: it is outstanding.

The day opened with Enrique Rodríguez, Press Manager of BMW Group Spain, who quickly wanted to elaborate on what entering this new market meant for his company.

BMW realises that we live in a world of great and, above all, continuous change, that the current concept will soon be outdated, and that new forms of transport are needed. To this end, they have decided to put everything they have learned about motorcycles over many years into service of urban use. Now the winds are changing at BMW: where the goal within the motorcycle industry had always been leisure, it is now a priority for getting around in cities.

He stressed that for the German company this will not be a one-off, but that with these new motorcycles a new family is opening up, which we wish a bright future, since the start has been spectacular. They also dared to name an electric version, which is on its way.

Their maxi-scooters have been designed around clear prior concepts: the average user is 36 years old, people who look for design, prestige and comfort; they are generally people who drive a car and, holding a motorcycle licence, want to make the leap to a vehicle that gives them a good feeling.

The explanation for why they should work? lies in the fact that, according to their calculations and those of many others, twice as many scooters are sold as conventional motorcycles, and in this world of industry, you either get on the train or you get lost in the market.

Following the BMW philosophy, these motorcycles will be positioned at the top of the market chart, where the price will be among the highest, always competitive with its rivals, but their performance will also be, currently sitting one step ahead of the rest.

Setting the introduction aside, let’s look at what these two motorcycles have in common: a twin-cylinder 647 cc engine producing 60 hp at 7,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 6.7 kgm at 6,000 rpm, with an automatic variator, centrifugal clutch and oil-bath chain drive.

Mixed chassis, with a main steel tube structure and an aluminium casting piece that anchors the chassis to the subframe, as well as the swingarm. It is worth noting that the subframe is the only internal difference between both motorcycles, since on the GT it is larger due to the extra capacity under the seat.

Suspension with an inverted front fork and a horizontal rear monoshock. 15-inch wheels that provide stability at high speeds without compromising agility. 270 mm brakes with double-piston floating calipers, with ABS as standard. Both feature central locking operated from the key slot to open the seat and the fuel cap. Finally, the parking brake is engaged when the side stand is deployed; it has its own caliper acting on the rear wheel.

Now that we know where these motorcycles come from and where they are going, it’s time to ride them. To start, we went from Jarama to Plaza Castilla, where the real start of the route would take us through Torrelaguna, Patones and up to the Atazar Dam, where we switched vehicles, descending through El Berrueco back to the Madrid circuit. But how the motorcycles behave is another story…

Photos | BMW, Alejandro Batán (Plusmoto.com)