BMW Motorrad reprises old design with Vision CE

At the Munich motorshow, BMW Motorrad is displaying its Vision CE. It is an electric bike for urban centres and can be ridden helmet free! The firm says it offers riders “an increased sense of freedom and a casual, carefree riding experience”. And they add it is a fresh take on commuting.

The company already sells the CE 04, a radical looking electric scooter. It is part scooter, part motorcycle, and fully electric. This is really quick to 50km/h (2.0sec), dragging off most cars with ease. 

They followed up in 2024 with the BMW CE 02, which is about half as big and half as expensive. Still electric mind you. 

But it is the C1 scooter that the Vision CE reprises. Back in 2000, the company released its scooter with a body shell attached, meaning no helmet or protective clothing was needed to ride it. The BMW Motorrad Vision CE builds on this design philosophy, dispensing with the roof but sticking with a metal ‘cage’ enclosure, and a safety belt for the rider. So again, the increased safety means no need for protective riding gear. Though you might like to include a rain jacket just in case.

The cage’s reduced height and open design and a long wheelbase give the Vision CE a stretched, dynamic and lightweight look. Coated aluminium adds a pleasing technical touch, as do white and contrasting black elements. Finishing it is a matt seat bench with integrated lettering, and neon red accents for the graphics.

And as for its real party trick – this can balance itself when stationary. 

Underneath it all is the CE-04 powertrain, its motor good for 31kW and 62Nm. An 8.5kWh battery means a range of 130km. It can easily maintain 100km/h on the motorway. However, range will be less.

Whether or not it makes it into production depends, we’d have thought, on show reaction.