BMW R5 Hommage Motorcycle
BMW revives its classic steed, the R5
This year, BMW’s R5 Motorcycle celebrates its 80th anniversary. And to honour the inimitable ride, its makers are offering petrolheads a lean redesign, the R5 Hommage, where simplicity reigns. Edgar Heinrich, Head of BMW’s motorbike design team, gave SLEEK the details.
Why did you redesign the BMW R5?
For us, the R5 is one of the most historically important BMW motorbikes, as it was extremely advanced for its time, both technologically and in terms of design. The bike’s entire technical profile still stands up today. And it has a very distinct aesthetic, pared-down but with harmonious proportions.
What’s special about the R5 Hommage?
The most interesting technical aspect about it is that it’s extremely streamlined. Today it’s very easy to build something highly complex, but difficult to create something simple. I like it when you’re able to see the mechanics of a technical object. The Hommage is a great example of liberated design, freed from all the components that aren’t actually necessary.
BMW R5 Hommage Motorcycle
How have you recast it for today’s world?
The Hommage is a combination of traditional elements and modern components. We took five of the R5’s iconic features and reinterpreted them: the boxer motor, the unmistakable frame, the characteristic rear-axle transmission, the black and pinstripe colour scheme, and the tank-seat composition. If think about a design as a recipe, these were the basic ingredients.
What do customers look for in a contemporary motorbike?
Today we are increasingly seeing customers who consciously go against the whole ‘max power’ mindset. They don’t want a bike with 150 horsepower, but prefer to have a straightforward, emotional experience. Rather than extreme speeds they crave an extreme sense of freedom. There’s a resurgence of people who want this.
BMW R5 Hommage Motorcycle
BMW has a long and distinguished history. What does it mean to you?
It’s important, but until recently we didn’t really make the most of it. It’s a huge treasure trove to delve into. We’ve been systematically drawing from this for a few years now, but with an appropriate degree of dignity and detachment.
The R5 is a work of art in its own right. But as a designer, what do you look for in an artwork?
Three things are crucial for me: the context, the attitude and the aptitude. Art has to be able to communicate through itself. And lastly, as a bike lover, what is your ideal lifestyle? Having motorbikes around the house and living with them – garage living is a dream of mine.
BMW R5 Hommage Motorcycle
Edgar Heinrich, chief designer of BMW Motorcycles
Interview by Sabine von Wegen
Photography by Marcel Nawrath