The BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 is an Urban Electric Bike for Gen Z

Peon Maface · September 1, 2021

BMW debuted a new electric two-wheeler concept it hopes to be an urban commuter for today’s youth. Specifically, the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 is designed for people 16 and over who are more familiar with smart technology than motorcycles. Think more Instagram than fuel injection and more TikTok than torque curves.

Gen Z marketing aside, the Concept CE 02 looks more like a motorcycle than the CE 04 electric scooter, but BMW wants to make it clear it’s still not a “classic motorcycle”.

“At first glance, there is little about the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 that is typically BMW Motorrad – it’s something completely new. We want to strive for something novel and be pioneers – which is what we’ve proven ourselves capable of with various projects in the past,” says Edgar Heinrich, BMW Motorrad’s head of design. “The Concept CE 02 features new proportions and modern forms of single-track mobility in an urban environment. In addition, we wanted to achieve a level of design innovation that we have not had before at this level. Straightforward use was important, but above all the emotional component was crucial, as well as riding fun.”

The proportions immediately brings to mind the Grom, but look closer and you’ll see details that out-quirk Honda’s little minibike. For one, the CE 02 does not come with fixed footrests. With no gears, there’s no need for a shifter, and both front and rear brakes are controlled by hand levers. Instead, there is a metal bracket below the battery pack where you can mount pegs or, as BMW suggests on the concept photos, attach a skateboard to act as footrests.

I can already feel our readers eyes roll as I typed that, but the idea does have a practical benefit. The design lets riders customize their own riding posture, whether it’s farther back on the long, flat seat with the feet forward like a cruiser, or leaning forward with the footrests in a sportier riding position.

The Concept CE 02 is powered by an electric motor with a claimed output of 11 hp. According to BMW, the motor is enough to propel the CE 02’s claimed 264-pound weight up to a maximum speed of 56 mph. BMW didn’t provide details about the battery, except to claim the CE 02 has a range of 56 miles.

The motor is mounted below the seat, with a belt drive spinning the rear wheel. The suspension system is comprised of a beefy-looking fork and a single rear shock mounted directly to a single-sided swingarm. A two-piston front caliper and single-piston rear caliper grip the rotors on the 15-inch disc wheels.

The front of the seat rises up in a hump, creating a small storage area above the frame. Two elastic bands at the front of the seat can be used to hold other small items.

Other features include a four-LED headlight, rear LED lighting integrated into the tail, a small color screen, and a low 28.7-inch seat height.

Will the Concept CE 02 ever go into production? My initial thought would be “no”, but I thought the same when BMW first introduced the Concept CE 04, and the electric scooter is now scheduled to arrive in dealerships in early 2022. That said, it’s worth noting the Concept CE 02 is only being shown on BMW’s websites in select countries: 23 of 36 European nations BMW does business in, only Malaysia in Asia and Pacific regions, and for North and South America, only Canada.