MOBILITY/MOTORCYCLES: BMW Motorrad presents the BMW R20 concept on Lake Como
Against the picturesque backdrop of the Villa d’Este on Lake Como, BMW Motorrad unveils its latest design masterpiece: the BMW R20 concept.
This motorbike celebrates the highest level of craftsmanship and presents itself as the epitome of expressive and cool design, refined down to the last detail.
As part of the renowned Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which is famous for its elegance and historical significance for exceptional vehicles, BMW Motorrad is staging the legendary air-oil-cooled Big Boxer engine as a central sculptural element.
Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad, describes the concept as follows: ‘The BMW R20 concept is a mechanical masterpiece. At the centre is the Big Boxer. Unmistakably BMW Motorrad.’
Authentic, high-class, cool
The BMW R20 concept is a motorbike that impresses with a powerful appearance in a casual gentleman’s style and fulfils typical BMW Motorrad attributes: classic design and excellent engineering paired with inspiring mechanics.
Around the Big Boxer engine as the epicentre of great riding pleasure, the expressive tank presents itself like a sculpture, the rear is reduced to the essentials to emphasise the clear lines and power of the motorbike.
The chassis has been completely redeveloped and forms the backbone with a black double-loop main frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel tubes. The BMW R20 concept combines tradition and modernity with a black 17×6.25 inch disc wheel at the rear fitted with a 200/55 tyre and a 17’ spoked wheel with black spokes and a 120/70 tyre at the front. The tried-and-tested BMW Paralever has been designed in a new two-arm version, with the swingarm made of chrome-molybdenum steel and the Paralever strut made of aluminium. The kinematics are designed in such a way that the drive torque is fully balanced. The two rear axle wheel carriers milled from solid aluminium are another high-quality detail. The exposed cardan shaft – the visual highlight of the familiar R18 models – was taken from the R18 concept and shortened for integration into the roadster architecture. The suspension elements are fully adjustable Öhlins Blackline components at the front and rear. The basic vehicle geometry has a steering head angle of 62.5° and a wheelbase of
1,550 mm. Braking is taken care of by radially bolted brake callipers from ISR on the front and rear axles – with six pistons per calliper at the front and four at the rear. The 2-in-2 exhaust system provides the right sound character and rounds off the design perfectly.
As a big boxer roadster, the BMW R20 concept sets new standards in the world of motorbikes and confirms BMW Motorrad’s commitment to the finest engineering skills and a pure passion for motorcycling.
Living Big Boxer Culture
The centrepiece of the BMW R20 concept continues to be the air-oil-cooled big boxer engine, now with a displacement of 2,000 cc. New cylinder head covers, a new belt cover and a new oil cooler were developed for the concept bike, also to enable the oil lines to be partially concealed.
The side view is a particular highlight: the eye follows the path of the air as it flows through the open intake funnels into the throttle valves and the cylinders, before escaping from the open exhaust system and the megaphone-style tailpipes, producing the typical big boxer sound.
Bold in Style
The aluminium tank has been given a new design and has a progressive colour scheme in the colour ‘hotter than pink’ colour from the 1970s. The BMW R20 concept is rounded off in terms of colour by the cylinder head covers, belt cover and air intake fins made of polished and anodised aluminium as well as the Parale strut, the footrest system and the ISR brake callipers in gunmetal.
The rear light has been perfectly integrated into the individual seat upholstered in quilted black Alcantara and fine-grain leather and emphasises the dynamic roadster appearance with its compact rear end. The modern LED headlights take the form of a 3D-printed aluminium ring with integrated daytime running lights. The main headlamp floats visually in the centre of this daytime running light ring.
Each of these details contributes to the unique character of the concept bike and emphasises its overall statement: The BMW R20 concept takes big boxer culture to a new level.
‘The R20 concept is a bold interpretation of the BMW Motorrad DNA,’ says Alexander Buckan, Head of Design BMW Motorrad. ‘It combines modern technical elements with classic roadster design. The oversized proportions and minimalist aesthetics make it an unmistakable character.
Disclaimer.
The vehicles shown may have been modified and equipped with accessories from third-party suppliers and/or in-house components that are neither manufactured, distributed nor tested by BMW. BMW accepts no liability for the modifications (including the installation, properties and use of the accessories shown). ATTENTION: The driving characteristics may be impaired by the modification of standard vehicles (including the installation and use of third-party and own components)! Driving our vehicles in modified condition is at your own risk.
BRAND: BMW MOTORRAD/BMW GROUP
virtualdesignmagazine Michael Hiller
