BMW C1

From left to right: C1 200 "Executive", C1 200 "Family Friend", C1 125 base, C1 125 "Executive"

The C1 was originally available from May 2000 with a 125, and in 2001, a 200 designation. The "125" has a 124 cc capacity four valve, four-stroke, water-cooled, fuel injected engine producing 15 brake horsepower (11 kW); the "200" has a 176 cubic centimetres (10.7 cu in) engine producing 18 brake horsepower (13 kW). Both engines were manufactured by Rotax and include a CVT gearbox. The C1 weighed approximately 185 kilograms (408 lb) with a 40/60 front/rear weight distribution.

The space behind the rider and outside the "cage" has any of three interchangeable uses: a large, lockable external storage box; a luggage rack; or a pillion seat

The C1 is arguably underpowered: an MCN review of the 125 model said, "The BMW C1's 125cc engine is an unremarkable four-stroke single producing a respectable 15bhp. But it’s a heavy motorcycle at 185kg – all the 1000cc sports bikes weigh less".[3]

Model versions BMW C1 125: Base model with 125cc engine. BMW C1 200: Base model with 176 cc engine. BMW C1 125 Family Friend: extra luggage attachment kit and large storage compartment. BMW C1 200 Family Friend: extra luggage attachment kit and large storage compartment. BMW C1 125 Executive: As Family Friend plus reading light and mobile phone holder. BMW C1 200 Executive: As Family Friend plus reading light and mobile phone holder. BMW C1 200 Williams: As Executive plus special paint.

0-31 mph on the C1 125 is 5.9 seconds and the C1 200 is 3.9 seconds. Fuel consumption for the C1 125 at a constant 56mph is 2.9 litre/100km and on the C1 200 is 3.2 litres/100 km.[4]. Top speed of the C1 125 is 103 km/h (64 mph) and of the C1 200 is 112.0 km/h (69.6 mph).

C1 "Family Friend" with storage box

Black BMW C1 Executive scooter parked on a pedestrian area in a city street

BMW's intention with the C1 was to appeal to car drivers in crowded city streets. The idea was to offer the convenience of a scooter or motorbike but without many of the associated dangers or hassles. The C1's most innovative design feature was its emphasis on safety. However, being secured by a seat belt could make slow speed handling and manoeuvring rather tricky until experience is acquired.

BMW added passive safety and car-like crash testing to the scooter. It claimed that in a head-on collision, the C1 offered a standard of accident protection comparable to a European compact car. That was the prime marketing strategy to convert car buyers; the C1 was claimed to be so safe that the rider did not need to wear a helmet to ride it. This was achieved by using two shoulder-height roll bars, a crumple zone around the front wheel and an aluminium roll cage creating a car-like safety cell. It also had twin seatbelts reminiscent of an aviation style four-point harness to keep the rider in place.

Many countries deemed the use of seatbelts in conjunction with wearing a helmet to be unsafe. The added strain on the riders neck from the added weight of the helmet could cause significant injury to the restrained rider even in a low speed head-on collision.[5] Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Israel and Spain authorities were quick to allow an exception to the helmet law for the C1. However, poor C1 sales in the United Kingdom may in part be attributable to the British government's refusal of BMW's request to change helmet regulations for C1 riders.[5][6] Another country that requires C1 riders to wear a helmet is Sweden, although wearing the seat-belts is voluntary. However both seat belts must be secured for the vehicle to move.

It is a shame that the UK government is slow to foresee change when other countries have grasped the idea of a convenient, environmentally sound and safe solution to urban personal transport. With pressure for manufacturers to develop innovative transport solutions which benefit the environment I hope that legislators will become more receptive to our approach.

— Kevin Gaskell, Managing Director of BMW (GB)

After selling 10,614 units in 2001, BMW only sold 2,000 units in 2002, and ceased production of the C1 in October 2002. It was never made available in the United States.

BMW-supplied accessory options included:

• Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
• 'Fun Audio System' (music system, volume linked to speed)
• Interior reading light
• BMW Immobilizer alarm system
• Lockable glove box with power socket
• Sunroof (as opposed to the standard 'hard top')
• Heated grips and/or seat
• Headlights tilt angle adjustment (for different payloads)
• Windscreen wiper with washer fluid.

In 2009 BMW used the same layout for the C1-E, an electric scooter concept vehicle that it developed as part of the European safety project eSUM ("European Safer Urban Motorcycling").[7] The C1-E uses components supplied by electric scooter manufacturer Vectrix and is powered by a lithium-ion battery.

• Cabin motorcycle