Source: MotorcyclistOnline.com
BMW Motorrad debuted a head-turning concept bike at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the R 20, packing a Big Boxer engine, bespoke chassis, and “Hotter Than Pink” color treatment.The BMW R 20 has undeniable presence. (BMW/)“The R 20 concept is a bold interpretation of the BMW Motorrad DNA,” said Alexander Buckan, head of design BMW Motorrad, in a company press release. “It combines modern technical elements with a classic roadster design. Its oversized proportions and minimalistic aesthetic make it an unmistakable character.”The 2,000cc Big Boxer engine is the star of the show, complete with new cylinder head covers, a new oil cooler, and a new belt cover. BMW designers created the bike around this mill, designing a completely new black double-loop frame with chrome-molybdenum steel tubes. An exposed drive shaft is reminiscent of the R 18 (read or watch our editorial during the 2021 BMW R 18 Classic MC Commute Review and 2021 BMW R 18 Cruiser MC Commute Reviews), and Öhlins suspension kit soaks up the bumps front and rear. It’s equipped with radially mounted ISR brake calipers at the front and rear, and features a 2-into-2 exhaust design that’s crafted to accentuate the aesthetic flow of the machine.The Hotter Than Pink tank pays homage to colors of the ’70s. (BMW/)The Hotter Than Pink tank is a nod to colors of the ‘70s, while the polished anodized aluminum on the head covers, belt covers, intake funnels, and elsewhere is intended to coordinate seamlessly with the black and pink that dominates the rest of the bike. It’s got LED lighting throughout.LED lighting is equipped throughout. (BMW/)Ultimately this exercise is all about emphasizing BMW’s latest mechanical advancements with the stripped-down design aesthetic emblematic of many of BMW’s most iconic roadster models.“The BMW R 20 concept is a mechanical masterpiece,” explained Markus Flasch, head of BMW Motorrad. “The Big Boxer is its center. Distinctly BMW Motorrad.”The highlight of the R 20 is the 2,000cc Big Boxer engine. (BMW/)Black and polished anodized aluminum complement the pink on this eye-catching machine. (BMW/)BMW uses Öhlins suspension kit front and rear on the R 20. (BMW/)Early stages in the construction of the concept. BMW designed the entire chassis around the Big Boxer engine. (BMW/)Designers test the geometry of the R 20. (BMW/)
