BMW R5 Motorrad Hommage

BMW goes Hommage mad at Villa d'Este with a bike alongside the 2002

While PH is predominantly a sanctuary for those who adore vehicles with four wheels, the odd two-wheeled machine does make it to these pages. Usually the really fast ones, because speed matters.

Get us to Italy!

But, on occasion, a bike can feature just because it's a magnificent piece of design. Here is one those machines, called the BMW Motorrad R5 Hommage. It has been shown at Villa d'Este alongside the 2002 Hommage - a pretty good show for BMW then - and it had to feature. Even with PH2 man Jon away. So apologies if there are any bike related clangers...

Like the 2002, this draws heavily on BMW's previous machines. The original R5 was launched in 1936, drawing on contemporary sports bike design and engineering. It made 25hp and was capable of more than 80mph, making it pretty rapid for a 500cc bike back then.

Interestingly, this Hommage bike uses a rebuilt version of an original engine that was damaged in a race. Using the expertise of Ronny and Benny Noren, it's now supercharged "to achieve a contemporary accurate level" of power and also features a new stainless steel exhaust; billet aluminium features give it some show concept glam.

The 30s look pretty good from here

BMW describes the look as "a modern interpretation of historical details", citing the custom made suspension fork, brake and clutch levers to look like reversed levers and the original colour scheme of black with white pinstripes. See also the frame and the fuel tank, designed to echo "the elegant drop shape of the original". Of course these things are subject to interpretation, but it looks pretty incredible to a non-bike eye from here!

Like all the Hommage concepts, this is a one-off that BMW will keep. But given the current popularity for retro bikes, could BMW be persuaded to resurrect a legend from the back catalogue?