2006FJR
Administrator of Transportation
LINK I almost don't know what to say other than to share the article. 
h34r:
According to Spanish magazine SoloMoto, these 80˚ Rotax v-twins could be used to power the new BMW maxi-scooters rumored to be coming for the 2010 model year. With capacities of 500, 650 and 800cc, the engines will offer a range of power outputs ranging from a European first license tier-friendly 33bhp all the way up to 75bhp for the 800cc, putting it on par with the Gilera GP 800.
Currently used in BRP (which owns Rotax) quads, these engines will require extensive reworking in order to be mounted on the swingarm of a one-wheel-drive scooter instead of in the middle of a 4wd ATV. SoloMoto reports that the modification of the engines to this spec and their delivery to BMW as prototypes is what caused this information to leak out. All three engines are liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-strokes using counter-rotating crankshafts to reduce vibrations. Transmissions will be continuously variable.
Little else is known about the rumored scooters, but speculation tends to run towards them using Paralever front suspension in an effort to link them as strongly as possible with BMW motorcycles.
Maxi-scooters are growing increasingly popular with European commuters and city dwellers, offering them motorcycle-like speed with the ease of use of a scooter and luggage capacity and weather protection that trumps both. People living in congested city centers are increasingly finding that it makes more sense for them to own one of these instead of a car, allowing them to breeze through traffic while still carrying groceries, shopping or similar in the machines’ capacious trunks.
h34r: According to Spanish magazine SoloMoto, these 80˚ Rotax v-twins could be used to power the new BMW maxi-scooters rumored to be coming for the 2010 model year. With capacities of 500, 650 and 800cc, the engines will offer a range of power outputs ranging from a European first license tier-friendly 33bhp all the way up to 75bhp for the 800cc, putting it on par with the Gilera GP 800.
Currently used in BRP (which owns Rotax) quads, these engines will require extensive reworking in order to be mounted on the swingarm of a one-wheel-drive scooter instead of in the middle of a 4wd ATV. SoloMoto reports that the modification of the engines to this spec and their delivery to BMW as prototypes is what caused this information to leak out. All three engines are liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-strokes using counter-rotating crankshafts to reduce vibrations. Transmissions will be continuously variable.
Little else is known about the rumored scooters, but speculation tends to run towards them using Paralever front suspension in an effort to link them as strongly as possible with BMW motorcycles.
Maxi-scooters are growing increasingly popular with European commuters and city dwellers, offering them motorcycle-like speed with the ease of use of a scooter and luggage capacity and weather protection that trumps both. People living in congested city centers are increasingly finding that it makes more sense for them to own one of these instead of a car, allowing them to breeze through traffic while still carrying groceries, shopping or similar in the machines’ capacious trunks.
