A ‘super-NineT’ with a two-litre engine: the air-cooled BMW R20 goes into production

It has now been just over two years: Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW Motorrad, rode the ‘Concept R20’ onto the stage at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The ‘Concept’ designation made it clear that the motorcycle on display would not be a production model. However, the Bavarian manufacturer wanted to show customers what they could expect if they were to fit their ‘Big Boxer’ engine into a motorcycle that was quintessentially BMW. More typical, at least, than the ‘R18’ cruiser family. What was presented on Lake Como was spectacular: unpretentious, classic and lovingly designed, minimalist yet powerful – as if the original R NineT had been fitted with the large Boxer engine. It soon became clear that the Concept R20 would be followed by a production version, and CEO Flasch also publicly emphasised his support for the project on several occasions.

The Heritage Roadster is now clearing the final hurdles before production begins, with a view to making a launch possible before the end of this year. Prototypes are currently undergoing test rides in Bavaria and the south of France, and one thing in particular stands out: just how little the production R20 will differ from the concept study. The headlight is also based on the concept, although the daytime running light design has been adapted. The Bavarian designers have left the silhouette of the showpiece virtually untouched. The design of the fuel tank, the single seat and the handlebars has been adopted almost exactly from the concept, and with it, its ergonomics. Although early development bikes have been spotted with a twin seat, it is likely that this will only be available as an option, if at all. The R20’s rear subframe could easily be swapped out using the bolted construction visible in the photos, just as was the case with the R NineT.

Bald als Serienbike erhältlich: Die mächtige BMW R20

Foto: BMHoehne

The heart of the motorbike lies beneath: the ‘Big Boxer’, which has been increased by around 100 cubic centimetres per cylinder – a engine that already boasts plenty of displacement within the cruiser family and now reaches the two litres that give the R20 its name. True to the model but modified from the concept is the under-floor exhaust system. To be road-legal, it must pass the standard exhaust and noise emission tests; it is discreetly installed beneath the engine and terminates in one exhaust outlet on each side. Technical specifications beyond the engine capacity are not yet available. However, the rated power is likely to be in the low three-figure range; after all, the base engine in the R18 already delivers 91 PS. The true strength of the twin-cylinder engine, however, has always been its torque. The boxer engine in the R18 delivers 163 Nm to the cardan shaft; the R20’s powertrain is likely to take this up a notch. It is housed in a steel double-loop tubular frame that has been only slightly modified, the same type used in the cruiser models. The BMW Paralever has been implemented in a new two-arm variant, with the slightly modified swingarm made of chrome-molybdenum steel and the Paralever strut made of aluminium. The driveshaft is also openly displayed on the right-hand side in the production model – this is already the case with the R18, on which the bike is based. The bracket for the number plate holder is attached to the swingarm; the integrated rear lights replace the two-part rear light of the showpiece. The tyres have also been further developed: the prototypes are fitted with Michelin Road 6 tyres.

Development of the R20 is apparently almost complete; that much can already be seen from the photos available. Only the matt black paintwork still hints that this is still a prototype. Whether BMW will opt for the concept’s ‘Hot Pink’ colour in the production model remains to be seen – we’ll probably only find out at the official launch. However, it is clear that the developers still need to fine-tune the bike’s details. No official date has yet been announced for the production version’s public debut, but the most likely event is EICMA in Milan in November.