Massive retro roadster is heading for an imminent unveiling
BMW’s massive R18 cruisers haven’t set the sales charts alight but the company’s idea of bolting an even larger version of the same boxer twin to a much more compact retro roadster model has sparked plenty of interest since it was mooted via the Concept R20 back in 2024.
More than two years on from the concept bike’s unveiling, the production version is now set for an imminent unveiling and BMW has revealed a momentary glimpse of an undisguised version of the bike via a brief teaser video on YouTube and Instagram.
Appearing only for a second or two, the bike is seen in a full side-on, as well as in a few snatched close-ups, but it’s enough to clearly confirm that the production models manages to adopt all the appealing features of the Concept R20, despite being completely reengineered when compared to the show bike.
The engine is, of course, based on the R18’s 1802cc air-cooled boxer twin, and while there’s no official confirmation yet, we’re expecting the new roadster to get an extra 200cc to match the concept bike’s ‘R20’ name. That should push power north of 100hp, even though the real focus will on thundering torque rather than outright power.
The pushrod engine loses the Concept R20’s unique valve covers, instead featuring the same design seen on the R18, albeit with a dull silver finish instead of shiny chrome. Impressively, though, BMW has managed to retain the stubby exhausts of the original concept bike by feeding the headers into a large silencer that’s hidden under the engine.
The production bike’s tubular steel, double cradle frame is similar to the concept’s, but subtly different in the details of its shape. The same applies to the distinctive rear suspension, which features parallel upper and lower swingarms bolted to cast alloy rear hub carriers on each side, with the shaft drive exposed on the righthand side between the parallel linkages. Those castings and the linkages themselves are all slightly redesigned compared to the concept bike, but carry over the same style.
At the front, the Concept R20 used Ohlins forks and massive six-piston brake calipers, and BMW has toned that down with four-pot brakes – carrying BMW branding – and fat USD forks that don’t carry an obvious manufacturer’s label but look similar to the Sachs units used on the S1000R.
The riding position has been changed, too, with footpegs that appear to be several centimetres further back than on the 2024 concept bike, while the bars appear to be a little higher. There’s still a single seat, but the tail light has moved to a swingarm-mounted licence plate bracket instead of being frenched into the rear of the seat unit. Other legal requirements have also appeared, including LED indicators and bar-end-mounted mirrors.
The headlight, briefly seen in closeup on the teaser video, copy’s the original concept’s design, with a ring of running lights floating around a rectangular central lamp. The bike is finished in matte black, including the headlight bezel that was chrome on the concept, and while that could be down to this version being a prototype, it’s finished enough to have a chrome exhaust and to wear the BMW roundel on the tank, suggesting this is going to be one of the official colour options.
Look out for an official unveiling in the coming weeks on the run-up to November’s EICMA show.
