-Powered by a 2,000cc Boxer engine
-Has Ohlins Blackline suspension
-Might make it to production
BMW has taken the wraps off the new R20 Concept motorcycle. It previews what could be BMW’s new Boxer engined street motorcycle and going by the way the R20 Concept looks, it will be a rather unique sight on the roads.
BMW R20 Concept: The engine
The R20 Concept’s engine is what grabs attention the moment you lay your eyes on it. BMW has taken the mighty R18’s, 1,800cc Boxer engine and bumped up the cubic capacity to 2,000cc. This makes the R20 Concept’s air and oil-cooled engine the biggest Boxer to have ever been produced by the German manufacturer. This engine also features new cylinder head covers, new belt cover and a new oil-cooler.
BMW is tight-lipped about the R20’s engine specifications but we can expect it to produce over 100hp and 160Nm.
BMW R20 Concept: The chassis and design
The BMW R20 Concept’s design is a lovely mix of form and function. It almost seems like the bike was built around the giant engine. BMW has used a double-loop main frame to form the backbone of the motorcycle. It is suspended by fully adjustable Ohlins Blackline suspension at the front and rear. BMW’s famed paralever system is also seen here, comprising two arms. The upper half of the swingarm is made of chrome-molybdenum steel while the Paralever strut is crafted using aluminium.
In comparison to the R18’s raked out front and long wheelbase, the R20 Concept is the opposite. It has a 62.5 degree steering head angle and a much shorter, 1,550mm wheelbase. It rides on a 17-inch wire spoke wheel at the front with a 120/70 tyre, and a 17-inch black disc wheel shod with a 200/55 section tyre at the rear. Braking is take care of by twin discs at the front with six-piston callipers and a single disc at the rear with a four pot setup.
The bodywork on the bike is minimal but there’s great attention to detail. Like the shape of the fuel tank and its “hotter than pink” colour as BMW calls it. The floating seat with the integrated tail lights seems to extend from the back of the fuel tank and this detail has been neatly executed as well. At the front, the headlight cluster comprises a 3D printed aluminium ring with an integrated DRL. It shows the level of detail on the bike.
In all, the R20 Concept looks distinct and striking especially with its big Boxer engine sticking out of the frame.
BMW R20 Concept: Will it go into production?
Traditionally, BMW tends to put its ‘Concept’ bikes into production and this might be the case with the R20 Concept. Currently the BMW R Nine T is the company’s Boxer engine street bike and we could see a production R20 roadster in a couple of years from now.
