BMW unveils a high-speed electric bicycle and electric motorcycle

BMW debuted two new electric motorcycles at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany, with intriguing specifications for their respective categories. Both have identical performance figures, resulting in a high-speed electric bicycle and a low-speed electric motorbike.

BMW’s two models were technically unveiled by separate divisions. BMW debuted the i Vision AMBY, a high-speed electric bicycle.

BMW Motorrad, the company’s motorbike subsidiary, presented the Vision AMBY. That single letter ”i” makes a tremendous difference. The I Vision AMBY is technically classified as an electric bicycle, however, it shares very little with its e-bike counterparts. The frame employs suspension components similar to those seen on other high-end bicycles, as well as what looks to be a Gates carbon belt drive, but the electronics appear to be wholly unique.

With a more powerful engine and a massive 2,000 Wh battery, it can reach even faster speeds in its highest setting. With such a large battery, BMW claims a range of up to 300 km (186 miles) in its lowest power mode.

Riders can choose between the European legal 25 km/h (15.5 mph) speed, a second speed-pedelec mode that reaches 45 km/h (28 mph), and a new high-speed-pedelec mode that reaches 60 km/h using an accompanying smartphone app (37 mph). BMW also proposed that such speeds be changeable in real-time based on geofencing, which means you might be automatically slowed while entering the city centre, then unleashed to your top speed upon exiting onto a broader route.

But don’t get too excited; you’ll need to register the bike and obtain a special license plate before you can ride it on public roads in anything other than the slowest mode.

This is also not a disguised electric motorcycle. Those pedals aren’t just for show; they’re also needed to power the motor. Riders will have to cycle consistently without a hand throttle to achieve and sustain the bike’s high speeds. When travelling at 60 km/h, the range rating reduces considerably to just 75 km (47 miles) (37 mph).

The highest speed mode, on the other hand, does not fall under any of the current legal classifications for electric bicycles.

Other notable design elements include LED light bars built into the handlebars and seat post, as well as an angular frame with a sharply tucked seating position.

The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY electric motorcycle, on the other hand, appears to be a considerably more leisurely ride. Instead of pedals, the Vision AMBY replaces them with more realistic motorcycle-style footpegs.

Surprisingly, the Vision AMBY e-wheeler has the same top speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), which is quite modest when compared to other competitors in the light electric motorbike class. Its lightweight design will pit it against small electric trail bikes like the Sur Ron Light Bee, though BMW’s likely street-legal design will give it a substantial advantage over off-road-only competitors.

BMW Motorrad hasn’t revealed any specifics regarding the motorcycle version of the AMBY concept line’s motor or battery arrangement, but it will almost certainly have at least as much capacity as the 2,000 Wh setup in the high-speed electric bicycle version. In contrast to the road-oriented BMW i Vision AMBY, the motorbike counterpart appears to be primarily built for off-road riding. Wider tires and a more robust suspension setup appear trail-ready, but a license plate mount indicates that road riding is still in the cards.