Less is always more in the bike world and BMW is celebrating 90 years of motorcycle production with an homage to the R 90 S, in an abbreviated form. The original R 90S is 40 years old this year and still remains an eye-catching (if beefy) model, a long way from black bikes with white stripes, pipes and slippers and tweed jackets with elbow patches.
BMW Group is presenting the Concept Ninety at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013. In partnership with custom bike company Roland Sands Design, the BMW Motorrad design team has come up with an exclusive homage to the old R 90 S. Former motorcycle racer Roland Sands and his team are well known in the custom bike scene, though that scene is more often noteworthy for producing unrideable results - like the 2000 Ducati Hailwood M900E. Not this time, we hope. More like Ducati's Paul Smart 1000, which was entirely usable.
Back in 1973, BMW unveiled its flagship model in the “Stroke Six” range to the global public. Boasting a top speed of 124 mph, it was one of the fastest production bikes of its day and enjoyed solid racing success. With its factory fairing, sporty tail and striking Daytona Orange paintwork, it endowed the BMW R 90 S with an unmistakable identity. Today the erstwhile trendsetter is one of BMW’s design icons. “The BMW R 90 S hails from an era in which bikers were regarded as outlaws,” comments Edgar Heinrich, Head of BMW Motorrad Design. “There was something rebellious about it.”
The BMW Concept Ninety resurrects this spirit of the original superbike, paring down the inspiration of the earlier model into a contemporary Bobber guise. “Today BMW motorcycles stand for perfection and function.," says Ola Stenegard, Head of Vehicle Design BMW Motorrad. “With the BMW Concept Ninety we want to show how reduced and pure a BMW motorcycle can be.”
The Concept Ninety takes has a battery of sophisticated details. Its basic proportions take their cue from the original R 90 S, if it had spent quite a bit of time at the Betty Ford Clinic. The Concept Ninety also picks up on the demarcation of the bike’s proportions that was a hallmark of the time. The upper ergonomic and aerodynamic bodywork is visually separated from the black engine and chassis. The bodywork is hand crafted from aluminium. Its brushed areas can be seen in the tinted areas of the front fairing and tank, as well as at the tail. The rich orange shade is also a nod to the original Daytona Orange paintwork.
Whereas halogen was technically cutting-edge in the R 90 S era, contemporary LED elements light up the face of the Concept Ninety, honouring its ancestor with a round headlamp design. Mounted behind it, the dynamically shaped tank connects rider and machine. Further back, the tank and seat melt harmoniously into each other. A steadily ascending line from the handlebars to the tail creates a slight wedge shape. Below the bodywork sits the air-cooled flat-twin boxer engine. Entirely in black with contrast cut details this symbolises concerted power, precision and performance.
When we have more mechanical details we'll share them with you, and let you know how it rides after we get to swing a leg over it.––Paul Duchene
