aluminum tank colored in hot pink shines through BMW motorrad’s R20 motorcycle

BMW motorrad brings out its R20 concept motorcycle

At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2024, BMW didn’t only bring its concept car ‘Skytop.’ It also brought its sibling, the BMW Motorrad’s R20 concept motorcycle and its aluminum tank dressed in hot pink from the 70s. Between May 24th and 26th, 2024, visitors to the annual event saw this bright shade stand out from its other components. After adjusting to the hot pink, viewers take in the motorcycle’s details: cylinder head covers, belt cover, and air intake funnels, all made of polished and anodized aluminum. These elements complement the Paralever strut, footrest system, and ISR brake calipers finished in gunmetal.

BMW Motorrad’s R20 concept motorcycle beside BMW’s Skytop concept car | images courtesy of BMW

The air-oil-cooled Big Boxer engine is the centerpiece

While the hot-pink aluminum tank catches attention, the centerpiece of the BMW Motorrad R20 concept motorcycle comes from its air-oil-cooled Big Boxer engine. When viewers look at the ride from the side, the open intake, throttle bodies, and cylinders spring into view, followed by the open exhaust system and the tailpipes in megaphone design, which can produce the typical Big Boxer engine rev. The oil pipes are partially hidden, thanks to the new cylinder head covers, a new belt cover, and a new oil cooler that BMW Motorrad developed.

for the BMW Motorrad R20 concept motorcycle, the aluminum tank is colored hot pink

A concept motorcycle with a 3D-printed aluminum ring

The motorcycle’s seat is upholstered with quilted black Alcantara and fine-grain leather, while the taillight is integrated into the single seat. For the LED headlight, BMW Motorrad uses a 3D-printed aluminum ring with daytime running light to create the look of a ring light. It appears to float since it is not attached directly to the front but within an inlet of the aluminum ring. A black double-loop main frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel tubes forms the backbone of the completely redeveloped chassis. The rear wheel has a classic 17-inch disc wheel with a wide 200/55 tire, while the front wheel has a more modern 17-inch spoke wheel with a narrower 120/70 tire.

the cylinder head covers, belt covers, and air intake funnels are made of polished and anodized aluminum

The suspension of the BMW Motorrad R20 concept motorcycle uses adjustable components from Öhlins at both the front and back, and the BMW Paralever, a system that reduces shaft drive reaction, is used in a new two-part design by combining a steel swingarm with a lighter aluminum Paralever strut. The exposed driveshaft, a signature feature of the BMW R18 motorbike, is included here but shortened to fit the R20’s design.

The concept motorcycle has a steering angle of 62.5 degrees and a wheelbase of 1,550 mm, which can affect handling and stability, and the brakes have six pistons in front and four in the back to provide good stopping power. The exhaust system has two pipes and is designed to sound good and complement the overall design, too. As of publishing the story, the BMW Motorrad R20 is a concept motorcycle.

BMW Motorrad’s R20 concept motorcycle at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2024