From 1983 to 1985, BMW won back-to-back Dakar rallies with its R80G/S adventure bike. The BMW Motorrad Concept Lac Rose pays tribute to those winning machines while capitalizing on the popularity of the R nine T among customizers today.
Named after the rose-colored Retba salt lake near the finish line when the Dakar rallies were literally run from Paris to Dakar, the Lac Rose is described by BMW as "a cool and laid-back roadster with a few typical off-road features which allow you to leave the street and follow a dirt track into the unknown." In other words, this bike is just enough dirt worthy to explore some backroads without getting it into trouble.
The nod to the bike's G/S influence on this R nine T custom comes mostly in the form of the windshield, mudguard, oil cooler protector, oversized tank, headlamp and seat. Longer suspension travel, wire spoke wheels and big studded tires give it some additional dirt cred.
There's no word on whether BMW will be turning this concept into a production bike any time soon, or how much the company invested in it. The R nine T scrambler is probably as close as you'll get.
BMW is introducing the Lac Rose at the Wheels and Waves show that takes place today through June 12 at Biarritz, France. Now in its fifth year, the show has become a popular European venue for introducing custom motorcycle builds.
Source: BMW