Discovered a nice little snippet while watching a BMW RideAndTalk video podcast. Given the current model R1250RT and K1600 series BMW motorcycles still have a hybrid analogue/digital dashboard display, it’s inevitable and this is proof there’s a new, larger BMW TFT display on the way.
The pictures below, courtesy of BMW, are a glimpse into the new improved version of the BMW Motorrad TFT dash. It is a larger screen than the current generation of TFT dashboards, which as you can imagine, will require a fair amount of redesigning to the RT/K cockpit areas.
As can be seen it appears to incorporate a fully functional SatNav capability albeit driven by the BMW Motorrad Connected App on your smartphone. Basically, you would input your destination into the App and this in turn would be displayed in a map view on the TFT dashboard. This is a much more functional and reassuring Navigation aid unlike the current system where you are presented with simplified text and arrows, rather than the map view.
The TFT satellite navigation (SatNav) functionality will be operated by the handlebar BMW multi-controller. Touch screen functionality may not be offered, depending upon road safety constraints and global design regulations. However, it is anticipated that the TFT SatNav should offer most if not all of the functionality of the BMW Navigator VI unit.
Potentially, this added capability and advancements in the BMW Motorrad Connected App could render a stand alone SatNav like the BMW Navigator VI obsolete.