As we have recently learned, thanks to the colleagues at Cycle World, the German brand has filed the registration of several applications for the commercial name bmw r20. This means that the naked with the largest boxer ever assembled could become a reality sooner than we expected.
That is why today we review the path taken to get here, and we put the future model and everything we can expect from it in context.
BMW R20: Key aspects of the model
Since BMW Motorrad showed us the first concept of the future BMW R20 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2024, there are many rumors surrounding the model and its possible production. A few weeks before, Markus Flasch, current director of BMW Motorrad, had made a publication on his Instagram profile showing the rear axle of what could be the future naked version of the well-known R 18, most likely with an appearance similar to the current to the R 12 nineT.
That was just the appetizer of what was to come. Officially presented at the famous Italian exhibition, Flasch himself commented: “The BMW R20 is a mechanical masterpiece with the Big Boxer at its core. An unmistakably BMW Motorrad element.” After its launch, the brand already made the first registration applications in Germany and has now done the same in other countries, including the USA.
Now everything indicates that the BMW R20 could already be in the early stages of development and would be equipped, among others, with the 2,000 cc air- and oil-cooled Big Boxer engine. Although a registrable model requires some aspects that were not shown in the initial concept, the latter is not far from what could end up becoming the BMW R20 in its final version.
As Cycle World points out, a rear fender, license plate holder or a set of mirrors would have to be fitted. Beyond these small details, it wouldn’t be bad to end up using the Paralever system that was used to shape the initial concept.
This has been upgraded to a two-link variant, incorporating a chrome-molybdenum steel swingarm and an aluminum Paralever strut, while the rear axle mounts are machined from aluminum and the exposed driveshaft, inspired by the R18 , are masterfully integrated into the structure of the roadster.
It is not very clear when the long-awaited BMW R20 could arrive at the brand’s official dealerships. It is very likely that a reasonable amount of time will pass until the German firm takes the step, although the average time is usually around a year. That is, from the moment they present the first concept until they launch the final version of the model.
We will have to wait for future news on the subject.
