BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycleimage courtesy BMW group

 

 

 

in a 90 year celebration of BMW motorrad and 40 years of the BMW R 90 S, the german manufacturer has joined forces with american expert custom bike builder and 250GP national champion road racer roland sands to create the ‘BMW concept ninety’. presented at the concorso d’eleganza villa d’este 2013 in lago como, the concept ninety revisits 1973 – a time when the R 90 S one of the fastest production bikes of its day entered production – resurrecting the spirit of the emotionally charged superbike with a harmonious unison of man and machine. working back and forth from the BMW design headquarters in munich and sands’ workshop in long beach california, the collaborative venture brings to life a full-bred runner with a 900 cc air-cooled flat-twin boxer engine boasting upwards to 115 horsepower. hand crafted from aluminum, the concept ninety weighs just under 190kg, where the upper ergonomic and aerodynamic bodywork is visually separated from the black engine and chassis.

 

 

BMW concept ninety: design interview at villa d’estevideo courtesy BMW group

 

 

finished in daytona orange paintwork similar to the original R 90 S, brushed areas from the custom aluminum craftsmanship can be seen in the tinted areas of the front fairing and tank. contemporary LED elements light up the face of the bike honoring its ancestor with a round headlamp design. additional key highlights include the front cover of the engine the valve covers and exhaust system designed by sands, which are painstakingly milled using a contrast cut process; striking an alluring contrast to the black mechanical components. this technology was also applied to the rims, whose classic design recalls the racing triumphs.

 

‘everything just fits together perfectly,’ says edgar heinrich, head of BMW motorrad design. the BMW concept ninety is sheer enjoyment in every respect – from the development of the idea to the sketching stage to the construction process. but above all when you’re riding it. it’s an absolute riding machine – just like the R 90 S was in its time.’

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

BMW has joined forces with roland sands to create the ‘BMW concept ninety’

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

the concept ninety revisits the 1973 R 90 S, resurrecting a harmonious unison between man and machine

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

the collaborative venture brings to life a full-bred runner with a 900 cc air-cooled flat-twin boxer engine boasting upwards to 115 horsepower

 

 

BMW concept ninety: the storyvideo courtesy BMW group

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

roland sands pushing the concept ninety to its limit at willow park race track in texas

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

contemporary LED elements light up the face of the bike honoring its ancestor with a round headlamp design

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

hand crafted from aluminum, the concept ninety weighs just under 190kg

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

‘everything just fits together perfectly, the BMW concept ninety is sheer enjoyment in every respect’

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

highlights include the front cover of the engine the valve covers and exhaust system designed by sands

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

custom millwork and classic badging from roland sands

 

 

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

brushed areas from the custom aluminum craftsmanship can be seen in the tinted areas of the front fairing and tank

BMW motorrad + roland sands: concept 90 motorcycle at villa d'este

ola stenegard and roland sands at the track on the concept ninety

 

 

1/8
BMW concept 90 motorcycle
 
BMW concept 90 motorcycle
 
BMW concept 90 motorcycle
 
BMW concept 90 motorcycle
 
BMW concept 90 motorcycle
 
BMW concept 90 motorcycle
 
BMW concept 90 motorcycle
 
BMW concept 90 motorcycle