Production BMW Cruiser will be presented in 2020
BMW have again chosen to showcase their new retro style Boxer engine, rumoured to be around 1800cc, in partnership with a specialist custom motorcycle builder.
The collaborative partner for the “The Revival Birdcage”, is Revival Cycles, a Texas based outfit that have previously made some pretty ‘out there’ designs.
This bike’s purpose in life is essentially to further publicise the new engine and confirm that BMW will enter the cruiser market with OEM models in 2020. It does make quite a statement.
There has already been a lot of speculation about the large-capacity prototype engine that BMW chose to first showcase in another custom build, the “Departed” from custom house Works Zon (Link).
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 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.
The exclusive Revival Party on eve of the annually held Handbuilt Show in Austin/Texas was the occasion chosen to reveal the machine.
Timo Resch
BMW Motorrad Vice President Sales and Marketing
“This is the second fascinating custom bike built around the prototype of the new Big Boxer. We will also be soon showing a BMW developed concept bike featuring this engine.
“BMW will present a series production motorcycle with the Big Boxer for the Cruiser segment in the course of 2020.
“Naturally we want to keep growing. One step we will take to do so, certainly in the US market, is to enter the Cruiser segment.
“BMW Motorrad is consistently pursuing its growth strategy with the clear aim of becoming the number one in the Premium Big Bike Segment.”
The frame of the “Revival Birdcage” is made of titanium and was developed by Revival Cycle.
Alan Stulberg, head of Revival Cycles
“This was our first time to build a frame with titanium, that alone was already a significant challenge.
“Regardless, the frame came together very well in the end and we are very pleased with the result as it accomplished the goal of being nearly transparent.
“We wanted to focus attention on the engine and that is precisely what we achieved with this completely unique frame we designed.
“You can easily view the engine and the drivetrain from all angles.
“In addition, almost every single other part on the bike such as handlebars, footrests, shift lever, seat and unique carbon suspension components were all individually crafted.”
Alan Stulberg’s team was inspired by Ernst Hennes’ record-setting machines from the late 1920s and early 1930s and said that it took 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. I have always been a fan of the boxer engine, but the pure physical size and aesthetic appeal of this prototype really inspired us.”
It will be interesting to see how BMW’s own machine will look, and whether, unlike this show pony, it will have reliable functioning brakes!
