BMW's C1 - Why did it fail so miserably? - General

Ben Cope

27/11/2007 at 12:14

I was thinking about buying a BMW C1; for Winter commuting into the city and to nip around at the weekend. My TL1000s is a pain in the arse around town with its heavy clutch, and the fact that you never get past 2nd gear.

But the C1 has such a poor reputation, bikers seem to hate them, and non-bikers laugh at them, yet, for me, they look like a really safe bet to nip around town in all weathers, carry the shopping and even take a pillion along without them feeling they're destined to die.

So, where did it all go wrong with the C1? Who bought them? If Honda tried to make one, would they fail too? If someone made one with a decent engine, would that get a bit more respect from bikers?

Clarkson hated it. Curious bike, can't work it out.

mr tack

27/11/2007 at 12:16

Do you remember trying to get you're knee down on that bmw in a square in london with the diplomatic protection group watching.

go on,try it on a C1 they need a laugh.

I'm leaving on the five train
Don't ask me when I'm coming back again
I reckon it's only a matter of time
Before the law kick in the door
Mother I'm running out of change,
but I had to phone to let you know

They'll never take me alive....

D.S.

27/11/2007 at 12:19

Admin wrote

I was thinking about buying a BMW C1

Now go and wash out your mouth wd40

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/80/242274738_f177d7f8c7.jpg

Southern Death Racer :burnout:

DefTrap

27/11/2007 at 12:19

It's just too gay. Actually, it's not, gay would mean it was at least funky. This thing is just practical and dull. Doesn't even have the decency to be cheap like a c90.

I could see myself doing inner cidy commuding on a scooter, maybe, a cool scooter. Have to be Italian, a Lambretta or something.

y2blade

27/11/2007 at 12:20

they are so gay,even the gayers dont like'em

HTH

http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10752;417/st/20100529/e/isle+of+man+TT/dt/6/k/b8a2/event.png

Taipan

27/11/2007 at 12:21

Scoots are fab for whizzing round town on/shopping etc. I think the C1 was criticized for being just a tad underpowered and overweight and I think top heavy? The bigger engined one is the one to have apparently. Owners love them though. I nearly bought one once and wish I had. Somebody must like tham as they seem to hold their values well?

http://www.sloganizer.net/en/style7,Taipan.png

choc-ice

27/11/2007 at 12:21

I'd have one if it were a bit more pokey. 200cc engine was as big as they went wasn't it?

Hanuman

27/11/2007 at 12:22

I'll answer, only because I too live in Stamford.

I'd rather nip around town on the back of a fat man called Les who dresses in lingerie.

As a machine it simply didn't really start, so you can't really be seriously asking us were it finished in the race.

Can you?

blah blah blah etc etc......

crosshair

27/11/2007 at 12:22

Wasn't it because they were too top heavy; it made them horrible to ride (and dangerous at low speeds).

However, imagine a Piaggio MP3 with a roof :smoke:

Would be a bit heavy though

27/11/2007 at 12:24

the engine sounds worse than a cheap chinese lawnmower - seriously poor quality.

Piaggio on the other hand are quite good quality.

Diablo rosso

27/11/2007 at 12:25

They're rubbish at low speeds, as the roof causes the bike to go off balance. They wobble all over the place.

I don't think you can get a pillion there, certainly the ones I've seen are one seaters.

MisterJ

27/11/2007 at 12:25

Chazbikes (off Blackriars road) gave me a C1 when they ran out of time fixing my VFR.

It was awful, really hard to activate the stand, slow, you can't filter very easily, everyone laughs at you, feels like you're going to fall over on corners etc etc.

On the plus side, nice and warm and dry, windscreen wiper, leather seat and some even have radios!

I can see how they appeal to some. I'd rather have been riding one last week through the monsoon conditions and the cold mornings.

ratout

27/11/2007 at 12:26

It was to do with people getting in trouble for not wearing helmets IIRC.

swc_ongar

27/11/2007 at 12:26

It failed because it looked strange, was slow, a bit wobbly at low speed, but mostly because it was too bloody expensive!

Actually, you have probably missed the boat anyway, as I hear that some parts are getting very hard to find. If you want wacky, why not go for a tripod MP3?

Or if you want a really good scooter, one of these: www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml;jsessionid=TP2KYS20OVJBVQFIQMGSFGGAVCBQWIV0?xml=/motoring/2007/11/17/nosplit/mfbike17.xml

They come in many varieties from 125 up to 500 (despite what the title of the article says), including a supercharged 125cc.

Reburner

27/11/2007 at 12:28

My personal opinion is that they are just too big. You see a fair few in City car parks and there are a couple that park at my station but they wont park in as tight a spot as you would a regular bike. Also I would guess that about 50% of those I have seen have one or both indicators smashed as they are too wide to filter easily in London.

Oh and it could potentially be that you look a complete nobend if you are driving/riding one

O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth's sleep at all

Finding a retirement home for your father is very much like making love to a beautiful women. It's all about getting your old man lodged - Swiss Toni

God

27/11/2007 at 12:28

Bad timing: Think they were about finished by the time the Kengestion came about.

Bad styling: They are so bad, no one has yet tried to:

a: Chop one
b: Rat one
c: Make a soft top
d: Fighter one

Hope this helps.

Visordown Elefantentreffen 2007
Stella Alpina 2007

Organiser of the Couriers Tour of London
The Other Southern Death Racer VDCR#1450

PE: BMW Off Road Skills, Brecon Beacons.
PE: Eat more cheese.

balbas

27/11/2007 at 12:31

God wrote

Bad timing: Think they were about finished by the time the Kengestion came about.

Bad styling: They are so bad, no one has yet tried to:

a: Chop one
b: Rat one
c: Make a soft top
d: Fighter one

Hope this helps.

Some crazy german has made an off roader out of one though. I've seen a video of it...

I'd have one, it'd be perfect for my commute apart from the tiny engine. If they'd made one with a 400cc motor, then I'd happily use one for my 70 mile a day round trip on motorways and A-roads.

BMW Rockster, CBR 600F & Aprilia Pegaso 650

SG # 266 T.W.A.T # 266 TSSC # 99

Taipan

27/11/2007 at 12:31

Diablo rosso wrote

They're rubbish at low speeds, as the roof causes the bike to go off balance. They wobble all over the place.

I don't think you can get a pillion there, certainly the ones I've seen are one seaters.

Pillion sits behind the rider but "outside". You take the big box thing off.

balbas

27/11/2007 at 12:32

Taipan wrote

Pillion sits behind the rider but "outside". You take the big box thing off.

Facing backwards like a dickie seat? Where do their feet go?

edit:- ah, you added a picture, it all becomes clear.

BMW Rockster, CBR 600F & Aprilia Pegaso 650

SG # 266 T.W.A.T # 266 TSSC # 99

swc_ongar

27/11/2007 at 12:38

Or what about a Benelli Adiva?

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