In a stunning revelation at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy, BMW Motorrad has unveiled its latest concept motorcycle, the R20.
A Glimpse into the Future
The R20 concept roadster is a blend of retro aesthetics and modern design elements. The aluminum tank, painted in a vibrant “hotter than pink” color, is a fresh design element that adds a pop of color to the motorcycle. The classic circular headlight consists of an LED daytime running light mounted to a 3D-printed aluminum ring, with the main headlight unit floating right in the center.
Powering the Beast
The heart of the R20 is the Big Boxer engine, now even bigger with a displacement of 2,000 cc. This air and oil-cooled engine has been developed with new cylinder head covers and a belt cover. The oil cooler, more discreet than before, now sits just below the headstock instead of the base of the engine. The 2-in-2 exhaust system gives the R20 its distinctive sound.
Chassis and Suspension
The chassis of the R20 has been completely redeveloped, featuring a black double-loop main frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel tubes3. The exposed driveshaft, a feature introduced on the R18 models, returns but with a shorter length to suit the R20 concept’s roadster characteristics.
The R20 concept uses a double-sided Paralever, with a chrome-molybdenum steel swingarm and aluminum Paralever strut. BMW claims the new design balances the drive torque. The fully adjustable Ohlins Blackline suspension components work at the front and rear.
Wheels and Brakes
The R20 features 17-inch wheels, with a wire-spoke front wheel and a 120/70 tire up front, and a 17×6.25 black disc rear wheel with a 200/55 tyre. The front wheel is equipped with dual radial-mount six-piston calipers, while the rear wheel uses a four-piston caliper, all supplied by ISR.
The Road Ahead
While BMW has not yet confirmed a production model, the R20 concept provides a glimpse into the future of the brand’s air-cooled Big Boxer engine. Elements such as the new Paralever and engine updates are likely to come to the R 18 range.
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