Twenty-five years ago, BMW released their roofed scooter, the C1 (pictured above in Williams colours).
Having a roof on the C1 meant you didn’t legally need to ride with a helmet. Unsurprisingly, the four-stroke 125cc BMW C1 was unconventional back in the early 2000s. A quarter of a century later, it still makes me have a second look if I see one on the road.
No doubt this latest offering from the German giants will be as controversial and polarise opinions when it arrives.
No helmet required
Well, BMW Motorrad have done it again, they’ve just unveiled their Vision CE at the 2025 IAA Mobility Motorshow. Unlike its predecessor, this one doesn’t have a full roof canopy and isn’t powered (as you’d expect) by petrol. But, you can still ride this without the need for a helmet, although that point is likely to be a contentious one – just like the C1.
According to the press release for this new concept in future mobility, the Vision CE’s composite metal tube, known as ‘The cage’, along with an appropriate seat design and seat belt, ensures you can enjoy a safe and emotional riding experience without the need for a helmet or the usual protective clothing.
The height of the open cage gives the Vision CE a light and airy appearance, and the scooter also has an extended wheelbase to give it a ‘stretched’ stance. Finished in matt white paintwork, with contrasting black and coated aluminium the scooter looks futuristic and striking.
Self-balancing
One essential aspect of the technology behind this model is its ability to self-balance while stationary, despite having only a pair of wheels, like a conventional scooter.
Electric motor
Powered by an electric motor (no details or power figures available yet) the Vision CE should sit nicely alongside the existing BMW CE 04 and CE 02 scooters in the BMW electric range.
No prices or release date have been announced as yet but expect more details in November at EICMA…
