Get to know about the BMW' first scooter

BMW, one of the German automotive giants, besides making various kinds of premium cars, also is known manufactures the topnotch motorcycles and scooters.

In the scooter segment, to date, BMW has marketed its newest BMW C650 GT scooter model. And you can see these BMW's big scooters have made its debut at the 2019 EICMA held in Milan some time ago.

The BMW R10 scooter never put into the production line and replaced by BMW Isetta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

Meanwhile, if the automotive enthusiasts are given a question about the first scooter produced by BMW. Most of them will answer that the BMW C1 model which was produced from 2000 to 2002 is the first scooter made by this German manufacturer. That's not the right answer.

And the correct answer is the BMW R10 which was made in the 1950s. Yes, actually this German manufacturer had been started the scooter segment business nearly 67 years ago, were at that time (in 1953-1954) they made 2 unit scooters later known as BMW R10. Although only as a prototype, but is noted as the starting point of the German manufacturer in the scooter segment.

The BMW C1 was not the first BMW-made scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

It seems, at the time BMW was also tempted by the success stories of Italian scooter manufacturers such as Piaggio and Innocenti. So they decided to follow in the footsteps of those two Italian manufacturers to dive into the scooter segment.
Unfortunately, the BMW R10 did not succeed in becoming the company's commercial product. The German automotive giant did not give a chance to these scooter-typed vehicles to appear widely in the world, and that might be the reason why it was forgotten then.😢

In the time, this BMW R10 scooter came with a design that is directed to a shape that slightly different than its German or Italian-made rival scooters that existed at that time such as Vespa, Lambretta or Heinkel, etc.

The BMW R10 had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

Unlike the successful Vespas of that era, the BMW R10 scooter prototype had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. So that the R10 has a prominent front fender made it look a bit like a cyclops version of Snoopy from Charles Schultz’s 'Peanuts' comic strip, elongated rear body, and seats for 2 people.

The 1st prototype of 1953 BMW R10 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine and 198cc on the 2nd one produced in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XoVize)

The first prototype produced in 1953 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine capable of producing about 8hp while the second one made in 1954 was equipped with a 198cc producing about 10 hp.

Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954, but................. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O0BwqE)

Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954. But the scooter didn't put into the production line due to the company's financial situation was not favorable. At that time, BMW was more interested in four-wheeled vehicle products that were believed to bring new solutions for urban transportation at the time. 

The BMW Isetta 300 then put into the production line replaced the BMW R10 scooter in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32UIu4I)

So be the BMW Isetta, a microcar model which is then put into the production line to replace the BMW R10 scooter. And the results are also not disappointing with total sales of over 160,000 units of the BMW Isetta. So it made proof of the microcars were the company's right choice in the time. Now, there are just two of these wonderful R10 scooters in existence – both safely kept in the BMW Group Classic collection in Munich.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BMW MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE | BLOG.MOTORCYCLE | CYBERMOTORCYCLE]

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