BMW Motorcycle to Test Technology
of the Future
As part of research activities on future regulation
systems, a motorcycle test vehicle has been created under the umbrella
of BMW Group research and technology.
This vehicle has a very high engine output and
lightweight construction technology and is designed to test highly
dynamic processes in engine and driving dynamics management under
extreme conditions.
BMW Head of Development Prof. Burkhard Göschel said that
the choice of a motorcycle to study fundamental technological
developments was due to the very interesting challenges relating to the
special driving dynamics of motorcycles and their tilted riding
position.
"The dynamics of powerful motorcycles operating at the
physical limits are among the most complex phenomena in the field at the
current time", Prof. Burkhard Göschel said. "For our engineers this is a highly sophisticated and
at the same time fascinating task."
Additional considerations are the special motorcycle
requirements in terms of lightweight construction and aerodynamics,
which are also to be subjected to research at threshold level. The
Director of BMW Motorrad, Dr. Herbert Diess, sees in these BMW research
activities valuable impulses for serial development.
He also emphasizes:
"Regulation systems for longitudinal dynamics such as drive-slip control
will be introduced for powerful motorcycles in serial production in the
years to come. In addition to ABS they will form part of an
integrated concept to increase active safety."
Engine management of the high-performance engine and the
entire engine electronics system including hardware and software will
form a key focus of the project. By conducting in-house
development such as this, engineers benefit from the expertise derived
from Formula 1 and BMW's technology leadership in the field of
electronics.
Dr. Diess explains: "The close networking of all
research and development activities with the BMW Group is a competitive
advantage and a key element of the strategic orientation of our entire
motorcycle development operation".
The motorcycle has only been ridden on BMW's own test
circuits to date. However, in the foreseeable future it will also
be tested on other closed-off circuits.
Functional tests under the widest possible range of
realistic conditions provide the best feedback on the interplay between
engine, chassis and electronic components. The comparative data
thus obtained serves to provide a comprehensive assessment of the
capabilities of this technology research vehicle and of the development
status of the components in question.
