The engine: technical details
At the heart of the BMW R20 Concept is the air- and oil-cooled Big Boxer engine with a displacement of 2,000 cc. This engine is based on the 1,800 cc engine of the R18, but has been further enlarged. It is the largest boxer engine that BMW has ever produced. The engine is equipped with new cylinder head covers, a new belt cover and a new oil cooler. Exact performance data has not yet been published, but the engine is expected to deliver over 100 hp and a torque of around 160 Nm.
Frame and chassis: structure and function
The frame of the BMW R20 Concept consists of a double-loop main frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel. A fully adjustable Öhlins Blackline upside-down fork is used for the front suspension, while a likewise fully adjustable Öhlins Blackline shock absorber is fitted at the rear. BMW’s Paralever system is used in a new two-arm variant, with the swingarm made of chrome-molybdenum steel and the Paralever strut made of aluminum. This design is intended to fully compensate for the drive torque.
Wheels and brakes: technical equipment
The BMW R20 Concept has a 17-inch spoked wheel with a 120/70 tire at the front and a 17-inch disc wheel with a 200/55 tire at the rear. The braking system comprises radially bolted ISR brake callipers with six pistons at the front and four pistons at the rear, which ensures effective braking performance.
Design: a combination of tradition and modernity
The design of the BMW R20 Concept combines classic and modern elements. The aluminum tank is painted in the color “hotter than pink”, inspired by the 1970s. The cylinder head covers, the belt cover and the air intake nozzles are made of polished and anodized aluminium. The single seat made of black Alcantara and leather integrates the rear light, which contributes to the clear lines of the motorcycle. The LED main headlight is housed in a 3D-printed aluminum ring with integrated daytime running light.
Future prospects
BMW often brings concept vehicles into series production, and this could also be the case with the R20 Concept. Currently, the R Nine T is the only boxer-engined road bike in BMW’s range, but the R20 could appear as another model in the future.
Summary
The BMW R20 Concept shows how BMW Motorrad can combine traditional and modern elements in a concept vehicle. With its powerful big boxer engine and unique design, the R20 could become part of the BMW motorcycle range in the coming years.
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