BMW Concept Ninety: Past Style, Modern Performance

"The BMW Concept Ninety resurrects this spirit of the emotionally charged superbike", says BMW of this new concept bike built by Roland Sands. Could it point the way for a future production model?

"This is a modern reiteration of the traditional essence of the motorcycle: the harmonious unison of man and machine," continues BMW. "It's a sporty boxer with a battery of sophisticated details. Its basic proportions clearly take their cue from the forebear that inspired this concept: the fairing, tank, seat and tail instantly signal its family bond with the BMW R 90 S. The BMW 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 of the BMW Concept Ninety is also a nod to the legendary Daytona Orange paintwork of the BMW R 90 S."

"Today BMW motorcycles stand for perfection and function. That is what we have worked hard to achieve and something we are very proud of," explains Ola Stenegard, BMW Motorrad's head of design. "But we want more than that. With the BMW Concept Ninety we want to show how reduced and pure an emotional BMW motorcycle can be."

"The BMW Concept Ninety delivers a very sporty interpretation of the front fairing. But whereas halogen was technically cutting-edge in the BMW R 90 S era, contemporary LED elements light up the face of the BMW Concept Ninety, honouring its ancestor with a round headlamp design. Seamlessly mounted behind it, the dynamically shaped tank ensures an optimal connection between rider and machine. Further along, the tank and seat melt harmoniously into each other. A steadily ascending line from the handlebars to the tail creates a slight wedge shape, lending the BMW Concept Ninety an almost ready to attack stance when viewed from the side – like a sprinter about to explode into action. Below the bodywork sits the air-cooled flat-twin boxer engine. Entirely in black with contrast cut details this section of the bike symbolises concerted power, precision and performance. The mechanics and technology as a whole are purposely rendered visible and reflect a keen attention to detail."

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