BMW appears to be preparing a significant expansion of its heavyweight motorcycle lineup, following the May 2024 reveal of their R20 Concept. Recent trademark filings suggest this could lead to more than just a single model.
The manufacturer has begun securing international rights to the "R20" nameplate, with the first trademark application filed in Germany shortly after the concept's unveiling. What's notable is the removal of the space in "R20" compared to the current "R 18" designation and the concept bike's "R 20" name.
The current R18 range features a 1803cc boxer twin engine - one of the largest production motorcycle engines available today, surpassed only by select premium cruisers and Triumph's 2.5-liter Rocket 3. The existing lineup includes the R18 Classic, R18 Roctane, R18 B, and R18 Transcontinental models.
From a manufacturing perspective, transitioning the entire R18 range to a larger R20 specification could streamline production by eliminating the need to produce two different large-capacity engines for the premium market segment.
BMW's track record with concept motorcycles is worth noting. When the company uses the word "Concept" in a show bike's name, it typically results in a production model that closely mirrors the concept within a few years. Recent examples include:
- Concept Link → CE 04
- Concept 9Cento → F 900 XR
- Concept 101 → K 1600 B
- Concept R 18 → Production R 18
The R20 Concept revealed in May 2024 showcased a stripped-back roadster design based on an enlarged version of the R18's boxer motor. If BMW follows their usual pattern, we could expect a production version to maintain similar styling cues.
As we await official announcements from BMW regarding the R20 lineup, these trademark filings and the concept bike's debut provide strong indicators of the manufacturer's future direction in the premium motorcycle segment.
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