BMW revealed its R5 Hommage concept bike at the Villa d’Este concourse over the weekend – taking inspiration from its legendary 1936 R5 model and adding a modern twist.
Unlike normal concept bikes, the R5 Hommage is based not around modern parts but an original 500cc boxer twin from the 1930s. It’s been fitted with a purpose-made supercharger, harking back to the record bikes and racers of the era and helping increase the stock 24bhp to something a little more suitable today.
At a glance, it would be easy to believe that the frame was also from an R5, but in fact it’s a one-off tubular steel design that mimics the hardtail look of the original but manages to incorporate a rear Ohlins monoshock operated by a linkage. Compared to the original, the forks are stretched out at a custom bike angle and there are disc brakes rather than drums at both ends
The original engine was salvaged from a crash-damaged race bike, and has been given a host of specially-made parts, mainly machined from billet aluminium.
In previous years, the BMW concepts revealed at Villa d’Este have quickly been turned into production models. They have included the Concept Ninety, which was a preview of the R nineT. There was also the Concept Roadster that gave an early look at the latest R1200R nearly a year before it was unveiled. Last year the firm showed the Concept 101, which was a lightly disguised version of a forthcoming ‘bagger’ based on the K1600 engine and frame.
It doesn’t seem so likely that the R5 Hommage will reach production quite so easily. BMW has made several ‘Hommage’ concept cars over the years, all harking back to earlier models, and none have reached production. With its 1930s engine and hand-made frame and bodywork there’s little that the R5 Hommage can lend to a production machine. At best, its hardtail-style frame and stretched forks could be a hint at a new generation of custom cruisers from the firm. But don’t hold your breath
