BMW has revealed one of the classiest versions yet of its retro R nineT model, with the new R nineT /5.

The boxer celebrates 50 years of the German company’s classic /5 series, as well as five decades of motorcycle production at the Berlin Spandau plant.

Launched in 1969, the original R 50/5, R 60/5 and R 75/5 formed an all-new series of bike, retaining BMW’s traditional boxer twin engine layout but utilising a new chassis and motor. Engine capacities ranged from 498cc, through to 749cc (the model name designating the engine size) and the range saw modern new technology, such as telescopic forks and electric starters, introduced in a four year life span.

While essentially a spec and paint job over a standard £12,415 R nineT, the modern day anniversary R nineT /5 looks the business with its period smoke blue paint, double coachlines and spoked wheels.

It’s got a boxer engine, electric start and telescopic forks, of course, but beyond that the R nineT demonstrates the journey that motorcycles have been on in the last 50 years, as much as anything else. Back in 1969, it would have been hard to imagine a motorcycle with heated handlebar grips, let alone ABS and traction control, but all of these items are standard on the 2019 /5’s otherwise quite basic spec sheet.

Essentially the R nineT /5 is a full on styling exercise with plenty of neat touches, like the pinstriped fuel tank with kneepads, lashings of chrome and loads of nods to the ancestors with touches like the embossed seat, silver coloured forks and engine, and the old school fork gaiters.

No word yet on the price, or when it will be in showrooms, but on looks alone the new BMW R nineT /5 looks well placed to take on the established modern classics, like the Moto Guzzi V7 and Triumph Bonneville range.