BMW Motorrad to launch a cruiser motorcycle in 2020 powered by all-new boxer engine

Aditya Chatterjee Updated: April 17, 2019, 03:13 PM IST

German two-wheeler brand, BMW Motorrad has made it official that a series production motorcycle for the cruiser segment will be launched in 2020. And this will be powered by an all-new boxer engine. The premium motorcycle manufacturer recently showcased (well..almost) its new boxer engine in the Revival Birdcage that has been built by the US American Revival Cycles. It was unveiled at the exclusive Revival Party on eve of the annually held Handbuilt Show in Austin/Texas.

"This was our first time to build a frame with titanium, that alone was already a significant challenge," stated Alan Stulberg, head of Revival Cycles. Additionally, every single other part on the bike such as handlebars, footrests, shift lever, seat and unique carbon suspension components have been individually crafted. The company mentions Alan Stulberg's team was inspired by Ernst Hennes' record-setting machines from the late 1920s and early 1930s. It took them around six months to develop the motorcycle. "We had already dreamed about this bike for years and in December 2018, we received the engine and could finally get to work," says Alan Stulberg.

BMW Motorrad states there has already been a lot of speculation about the large-capacity prototype engine on location of the unveiling. Both, the exterior geometry as well as the visible elements such as the push rods running in chrome-plated protection ducts are reminiscent of the BMW Motorrad boxer engines that were built in the 1960s. Just that the cubic capacity is now much larger now and modern air-oil cooling is used.

This is not the first time a concept has been developed around the new boxer engine. In December 2018, the Japanese motorcycle customiser, Custom Works Zon presented the Departed at the Hot Rod Custom Show in Yokohama, Japan. It won the Best of Show Motorcycle which was seen as the more prestigious award in the Hot Rod Custom Show in 2018.

While BMW Motorrad has not revealed any details on the numbers that this engine will churn or any details about its displacement, it is being said that the company might be developing a 1,800cc-2,000cc engine that will power a cruiser, and challenge the prolonged dominance of Indian Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson, both of which have a large cruiser motorcycle portfolio.