This class of motorcycle, such as the scrambler, was born at the beginning of the second half of the 20th century. Its first representatives were a purely city bike, lightweight and maneuverable, but at the same time adapted for movement on poor asphalt due to weight reduction and modernization of suspensions. The Bavarians from BMW decided to go back to the roots and rolled out the R Nine T motorcycle to the public. However, it can rather be called a neo-scrambler, since it is a modern adaptation of the classics. By the way, it was the scramblers that served as the prototypes for the dual-purpose motorcycles that later became widespread, but they were never intended for off-road driving. The BMW R Nine T is no exception; its element is asphalt. Preferably a good one. It is more reminiscent of a stylish urban dandy with a retro touch than those motorcycles that were called scramblers in the 60s of the last century. However, this is by no means a drawback - the Bavarians managed to weave together old style and new technologies.
In recent years, the hallmark of BMW two-wheeled vehicles has been their technical excellence. The designers seem to be trying to cram all the achievements of modern science into their creations and turn the motorcycle into a kind of monster stuffed with electronics. And, it should be noted, not all fans of the brand approve of this path - many of them complain about the excessive complexity of the design. Few people smile at the thought of being stuck somewhere a couple of thousand kilometers from home if some minor sensor fails, and the on-board computer of the motorcycle categorically declares, “That’s it, kaput, take me to the dealer.” Therefore, this model has become a kind of nod to fans of the “old school BMW” - maximum unique style, minimum technological innovation. Looking ahead, let's say that the model turned out to be, at a minimum, very interesting, and earned good customer reviews, despite the objectively high price.
Technical specifications BMW R Nine T
BMW designers never looked for the easy way out. This bike was no exception, despite the fact that there really isn’t much electronics in it. They placed a 2-cylinder air-oil-cooled boxer engine in a space frame consisting of 4 sections . The same engine was installed, for example, on the R 1200 GS model until it acquired liquid cooling as a result of modernization. The decision to make one of the parts of the frame removable looks interesting - its dismantling allows you to convert the BMW R Nine T motorcycle into a single-seater, if for some, style is more important than practicality and the ability to take a passenger on board.
The engine produces 110 hp. and 119 Nm of torque - this is more than enough for jump-out-of-the-seat acceleration. The motorcycle really doesn’t lack in dynamics - it picks up speed very quickly, accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds , which is comparable to the results of liter sportbikes. The gearbox has 6 stages , and the driveshaft transmits torque to the rear wheel. The BMW R Nine Ti fork was inherited from its brother, the BMW S1000 RR sportbike - an inverted “telescope” with 46 mm feathers . The Paralever pendulum, which has already proven itself on other R-series models, was installed at the rear, although it was placed on the left rather than on the right.
All modifications, regardless of configuration, are equipped with an ABS system . The brakes are also borrowed from the R-series - two 320 mm discs at the front with 4-piston radial calipers and a 265 mm disc with a 2-piston caliper at the rear . The motorcycle actually stops very abruptly, so the decision to equip it with ABS was definitely the right one, no matter what those who oppose the presence of this system on motorcycles may say. The maximum speed of the BMW R Nine T is 225 km/h , but the rider will begin to be noticeably blown off the seat long before reaching it. The gas tank holds 18 liters , and fuel consumption is about 5.5 liters at a speed of 110 km/h .
Competitors.
Triumph Thruxton
For many years now, the Triumph Thruxton has exemplified the pure essence of motorcycles with its simple café racer stance and smooth power delivery. Now the Track Racer Kit carries the charm of timeless design. This kit brings out the café racer charm of the Thruxton R and includes a headlight shroud, low clip-on handlebar, rear mudguard, compact taillight, Vance & Hines muffler, knurled handlebar grips and a leather tank clamp. The heart of the motorcycle is a 1200 cm3 two-cylinder engine producing 96 hp and 111.2 Nm of torque. The Triumph Thruxton R motorcycle boasts a whole range of electronic gadgets: electronic throttle control, switchable ABS, traction control and three riding modes. The pilot adopts a sporty stance thanks to the clip-on handlebars and high footpegs. The front suspension of the Thruxton 1200 R is represented by Showa inverted telescopic forks with tubes with a diameter of 43 mm. And at the rear there is a fully adjustable Öhlins shock absorber with a remote reservoir. The braking system is a 310 mm Brembo disc at the front and a 220 mm disc from the same manufacturer at the rear.
BMW R Nine T modifications
- Standard . Everything written above applies to it.
- Scrambler . Alloy wheels with a larger radius instead of spoked ones, a different seat, a simplified instrument panel, a smaller gas tank by 1 liter. Conventional brake calipers are also installed at the front instead of radial ones, and the fork was replaced with a regular 43-mm “telescope”. The exhaust pipes also received a new design, and the torque decreased slightly - by 3 Nm.
- Pure . Completely similar to the Scrambler, but the wheel diameter matches that of the BMW R Nine T, and the exhaust is made according to the “2-in-1” principle. There are also no protective corrugations on the fork.
- Racer . Similar to the previous one, but differs in original coloring, instrument panel from the standard model, clip-ons instead of a steering wheel and the presence of a front fairing. The appearance of this modification imitates racing motorcycles of the 60s of the last century.
Back to the future: test drive the BMW R nineT Racer
The plastic world has won - a modern motorcycle is more like Tetris, requiring less and less skills, replacing skills with a suitable mode, which not everyone likes. My generation, like the older generation, who remembers motorcycles capable of accelerating far beyond two hundred one-on-one with a pilot, does not always warmly accept new items. And even if he accepts it, he still begins to yearn for the good old days. It was for us that BMW released the R nineT, as an ironclad exception to the plastic rules.
I wonder if fashion is dragging motorcycle manufacturers along with it, or is it manufacturers dragging fashion along with it? Since its introduction, the R nineT has become a bestseller and fits perfectly into the trend of hipster cars, while remaining absolutely honest and thoroughbred, unlike many other motorcycles created for those who like to smear smoothies on their beards, and not ride. The success of the niche device, created contrary to all the laws of evolution, turned out to be such that this year, on its basis, a nostalgic “sport” with a fairing, retro-enduro and several other modifications appeared, differing in design elements.
The complete line of “air” BMWs: Urban G/S, Racer, Scrambler, Pure and the original R nIneT. Photo – BMW Motorrad
Each of them can go crazy, and one of them will be discussed below, but first, let's remember the story. 20 years ago, the Germans already had a desire to create an iron motorcycle, which resulted in the appearance of a cruiser built on an opposed platform and named R1200C. A motorcycle that had a lot of chrome and polished aluminum, but, on the contrary, a minimum of plastic, and all this on the “correct” spoked wheels!
In those days it was difficult to call him beautiful, but by today's standards, the appearance of the German neoclassicist is harmonious. And thanks to the telelever lever and the “frameless” design used by the Bavarians at that time, the motorcycle turned out to be very original and, unlike many others, did not copy the Harley style, but took it as a starting point, completely rethinking it in further development.
The R1200C motorcycle is BMW's first attempt in modern history to create an “iron motorcycle”
And, apparently, the special motorcycle turned out to be too special - the device did not gain much popularity either in the basic version or in the almost annual special versions that rained down: Avantgarde, Independent, Montauk, CL and CLC, even the Troika equipment, equipped with a side trailer and In 2004, the device was discontinued. Then, as now, people expected innovations and new records from BMW, not old-time sofas. This is where the topic of experimentation in the conservative classic segment ended for the Germans; the R1150R remained in production, which in 2006 was replaced by the R1200R - a large roadster with a round headlight.
The device, which remained in production for almost 10 years, was radically updated by 2015. In fact, the “R” index was assigned to a completely new motorcycle, built around the next generation of liquid-cooled boxer, which became the ideological successor to the “old” R1200R and featured a much more modern design. But fans of the latest old-school motorcycle in the BMW lineup were offered something completely different.
Modern BMW R1200R with a new engine and plenty of electronics
The motorcycle, which appeared in 2015, was a real revelation. Just imagine - the café racer design, boxer air, spoked wheels, the finishing is the realm of polished aluminum, the frame pipes are clearly visible, but most importantly - the place of the Telelever, beloved by the Bavarians, has been taken by a traditional inverted “telescope”! Apparently, remembering past mistakes, the Bavarians decided not to cross a hedgehog with a snake and built a real classic, without any “neo” prefixes, which is worth the nameplate with the frame number, riveted to the steering column just like on my grandfather’s “Ural”, God forgive me.
But this is only one component of success, the second is the possibility of customization, which the Germans built into the motorcycle and actively promoted in every possible way. Even the uncontested black color in which the motorcycle was initially sold emphasized that it was not so much a motorcycle as a custom blank, a blank canvas on which you can create whatever you want. And off we go: in 2016, the “Scrambler” saw the light of day, and this year, 2017, a whole galaxy of “NineT” models with different wheels and tails were rolled out onto the market.
A handsome R nineT Racer surrounded by gridgirls in the paddock of the Moscow Raceway. Photo – Dmitry Osipov
We got the R nineT Racer for testing. This, in my opinion, is the brightest and coolest representative of the entire family: a semi-fairing in the style of sport bikes of the 70s, a “cafe” tail with a plastic “chastity hump”, clip-ons instead of a steering wheel and a pair of tidy glasses in the fashion of past years - an icon! And the white color with branded graphics, again, designed in a nostalgic style, emphasizes the oldness. Well, what else is needed for complete happiness?!
The dashboard is made in classic double glasses, fonts, colors - everything is on point
In fact, there is one more thing - a telescopic fork. And not inverted, but traditional, with “glasses” at the bottom. The height of archaism, knocking tears out of true motorcycle fans. By the way, at the end of the 30s, BMW became one of the first motorcycle brands, and a little later, by the end of the 80s, it was the first to abandon it en masse, introducing “teleever” and “parallelogram”.
Instead of the usual telelever for BMW, the R nineT uses a classic telescopic fork
The R nineT Racer fork has no adjustments and, importantly, is noticeably inferior to its inverted counterparts in terms of torsional rigidity. Together with the rest of the motorcycle chassis elements, which are not loose, but not too rigid, the new-old sportbike barely lives under you, especially at the entrance to a turn, when you drop a couple of gears down at once. And this is the main difference between the new product and the “just” R nineT, which behaved the same way, with the only difference being that at the entrance to the turn its chassis played around a more elastic fork.
This is not a drawback, no, just another feature, precisely calibrated on German scales, just like the clip-ons instead of the steering wheel and the driver’s footpegs raised up and noticeably pushed back, adding a sporty stance. By the way, the footpegs are also raised properly - I’m not used to the fetal position behind the wheel, but on the contrary, I’m used to touching the gearbox pedal in turns. Why not raise it? Yes, because if you keep the penny paw intact, it won’t take long to reach the asphalt with the cylinder, and this is a risk of dropping the motorcycle or damaging the valve cover, completely different money in any case.
The heart of the new product is a time-tested two-cylinder boxer with air-oil cooling
But even with the pots sticking out to the sides, the device has plenty of sporting potential, in the hands of a professional, the R nineT easily outruns dummies on “liters”, and the maximum speed, which for our test subject is slightly over 200, is enough not to get bored during kilometer straight Moscow Race Way. And at the end of it, the brakes give no cause for concern, the potential of which is sufficient for effective braking from any speed, and for those who are especially timid, traditionally for BMW, the device is equipped with anti-lock.
The footpegs hit the asphalt quite early in the turn, however, this is the best indicator of the cylinder approaching the asphalt
However, the main feature of the motorcycle is not even the design, but the engine and transmission. This is the old 1200 cc air-cooled boxer, which was once found across the entire BMW model range, but is now left in production only for the nineT family. The engine, without exaggeration, is legendary, reliable and torquey. Of course, he loses to the new generation, but, it seems to me, he has much more soul. And what a sound! The sound of a helicopter, no less, and also seasoned with light vibrations with a gyroscopic moment, slightly pushing the motorcycle to the right as it picks up speed.
The new device is good precisely because of its imperfections, leave the technology to the schoolchildren! Photo – Dmitry Osipov
As for the transmission, the gearshift lever is distinguished by the traditional BMW long stroke and sensitivity to mis-shifts: if you missed a gear, didn’t bring the paw up - hello false “neutral”, for example, between “fourth” and “fifth”, it will be difficult to change from a Japanese motorcycle. To me, the owner of an ancient BMW, the gearbox algorithm seems painfully familiar and even familiar, and there are no problems with switching, house slippers, no matter what.
The R NineT Racer has a rare combination of interior and exterior aesthetics, traditional but not old
The same applies to the clutch - after Japanese “wet” multi-disc mechanisms, the left lever may seem a little tight, and you will have to get used to its operation, but it is still far from the on/off algorithm. As for the cardan hidden inside the cantilever pendulum, it will only be unusual to feel a slight play at start-up; there will be no problems while driving, and the much longer service life and service intervals, relative to the chain drive, will generally be a gift for those who like to turn the nuts only in in the context of installing new baubles.
A sportbike with spokes? A tribute to old times, witnesses of which have long been occupied by queues at the clinic. Photo – D. Osipov
It’s for them that “Nine Ti” was created, and the “Racer” prefix... Of course, it won’t make you a sport biker, but a fast guy who can show off at the lookout on a Friday evening, confidently beat the sword in a crowd of bearded foresters in the city center, and in the morning Saturday driving the same motorcycle to show excellent times at track days – perhaps. At the same time, NineT is by no means a compromise solution that works lousy in both cases - the device is really good in both guises. However, in order to understand to what extent, first you will have to drive everything else for ten years, so that teenagers in sneakers flying forward from traffic lights under the roar of a burnt-out six-hundred-hour forward flow would cause nothing but a smile. School kids don't understand!
We thank BMW Motorrad for providing the motorcycle and assistance in organizing the filming.
Accreditation and organization of test drives – Denis Sokolov | | +7 (999) 851-49-71
Pros and cons of the BMW R Nine T
Advantages
- Crazy acceleration dynamics. The bike picks up speed breathtakingly quickly.
- Great brakes with ABS .
- Stylish appearance . It is, of course, designed for a certain category of motorcyclists who gravitate toward retro bikes, but one cannot help but admit that the design of the R Nine T really came out great.
- A large number of additional options offered by dealers: heated grips, ESA, several engine operating modes controlled by a button on the remote control, tire pressure sensors, electronically adjustable suspension and much more.
- Subjective ease . The BMW R Nine Ti weighs about 220 kg , but thanks to the boxer engine, which significantly lowers the center of mass, the motorcycle subjectively does not seem heavy at all.
- High quality build and all components. There are no complaints here at all - it's BMW!
Flaws
- High price . Maintaining a motorcycle is also not very cheap, so you should soberly assess your financial capabilities before purchasing.
- Decent fuel consumption . At 130 km/h, according to reviews from BMW R Nine T owners, over a hundred kilometers the bike consumes 6 liters of gasoline or more.
- Lack of wind protection (except for the Racer modification, where, however, it is still not very effective).
- Stiffness . Of course, you have to pay for style, but sporty stiff suspension and an equally hard seat do not add comfort.
- Uncomfortable passenger seat . It seems to be there, but it is of little use - if you go somewhere far away, then after a hundred kilometers the passenger will run away and walk home, just to avoid getting back on.
Similar models
Scramblers are far from the most popular class of motorcycles, so there are practically no production models that could at least be classified in this class. Such bikes are usually made by hand by customizers, and the donors among craftsmen can be very different. However, several motorcycles still perform on the same field with the BMW R Nine T:
- Ducati Scrambler . The only thing it has in common with its Bavarian competitor is its claim to belong to the class of scramblers. It looks no less stylish, but, inferior to the R Nine T in terms of technical characteristics, the Ducati Scrambler costs much less. Although still, of course, a lot.
- Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport . Externally and structurally it is very similar to its younger brother, but in terms of characteristics it can compete with BMW. It costs about the same.
- Triumph Bonneville T120 . English dude, a real dandy. The price tag is not at all humane. In terms of characteristics, it is quite capable of competing with the Bavarian, but structurally the Englishman is much simpler. Maximum of good old hardware, minimum of electronic bells and whistles.
Reviews from BMW R Nine T owners
I waited a long time for the nine to appear at dealers, but all the motorcycles were sold out for pre-order even before I came to my senses. As a result, I bought it a year later, in 2015, but the PTS edition costs 2014. The equipment is very bare, without bells and whistles, just as I wanted. The first impression is disappointment. And for this I paid a million? Something is rattling, the stated acceleration to hundreds is somehow not felt, it’s uncomfortable to sit, the ass feels every pebble on the road. I rode it for a week, got used to it, and disappointment gave way to satisfaction with the purchase. The character of the motorcycle is not easy; anyone who expects the comfort of BMW tourers from the BMW R Nine Ti will immediately miss it. This is such a brutal piece of hardware for men with balls. Angry, not very comfortable, with a character for which you love him. Now I’m riding for the fourth season, the mileage is approaching 25 thousand, there were no problems, except for a burnt clutch (replacement under warranty). The bike is really nasty, I wouldn’t recommend it to a beginner. Alexey, Kostroma, BMW R Nine T '2014
I bought a motorcycle with a mileage of 6 thousand at the beginning of the 2022 season, the motorcycle itself is 2015. What I expected is what I got - a cool urban streetfighter in a retro package. It steers with the power of thought, there are no problems with riding between rows or parking, despite the fact that the seating position is high, and I am 166 cm tall. A sharp opening of the gas turns the bike into a teleporter, the brakes are better than those of my former CBR 600 RR. The weight is not felt. It eats a lot, if you spend all your money, the tank is empty in 200 km. In normal mode, the city-highway is enough for about 270-280 kilometers. During the season without breakdowns, I drove another 7 thousand kilometers in addition to the 6 that were already on the odometer. I liked the motorcycle, but after the season I sold it anyway, as I started planning long-distance trips and was looking at the 1300th Pan Europe. Dmitry, St. Petersburg, BMW R Nine T '2015
A very classy bike, the embodiment of fashion and show-off, and well-deserved show-off, and not like on Gold with light bulbs. I looked at Triumphs for a long time, but their reputation for breaking buckets ultimately pushed me to choose BMW. I have never regretted the purchase. I bought the motor from a dealer in Moscow new in 2016 in the maximum configuration available without waiting. The toad choked for a long time, but the desire to buy a new toy won out. I’ll say right away that the bike is not for long-distance riders, after 500-600 km with a backpack on your back, your whole body hurts and you’re tired, but the city is its element. He is afraid of butted gasoline from all sorts of left-field gas stations. The pendants are adjustable over a wide range. There is plenty of motorcycle tuning available from dealers and on European eBay, but it is expensive. I don’t plan to change the motorcycle yet, I want to try something new, but so far there is nothing interesting for me on the market for reasonable money. Ruslan, Moscow, BMW R Nine T '2016
Total
The BMW R Nine T is a motorcycle for everyone. For comparable money you can buy something more modern, sophisticated and, optionally, better suited for long trips. But all these advantages mean nothing in the eyes of a motorcyclist who puts style at the forefront. You don't have to look far for an example. Tell chopper lovers that their Harley-Davidsons were obsolete many decades ago, and at the same time they cost 2-3 times more than the R Nine T - they will only grin and remain unconvinced. It’s the same with the Bavarian scrambler - anyone who wants just such a motorcycle will turn a blind eye to its shortcomings and enjoy its advantages. And believe me, the BMW R Nine T has enough of the latter, but only those who want it will appreciate this bike 100%.
Specifications
| Maximum engine power: | 110 hp at 7500 rpm HP |
| Torque: | 119 Nm at 6000 rpm (116 Nm - from 2015) Nm |
| Working volume: | 1170 cm3 |
| Motor type (cylinder arrangement, number of strokes): | 2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer (Boxer) |
| Number of cylinders: | 2 |
| Number of valves: | |
| Intake type (Injector / Carburetor): | |
| Bore and stroke: | |
| Starting system (Electric starter, kick starter): | |
| Maximum speed in km/h: | 217 km/h |
| Cooling system: | Air-oil |
| Transmission (gearbox): | 6-speed |
| Clutch (Dry / Wet): | |
| Drive unit: | Cardan |
| Frame: | 4-section, engine - load-bearing element |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension (front/rear travel): | |
| Brakes (Front/Rear): | |
| Wheels / Tires / Rubber: | |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions (Length / Width): | |
| Seat height: | |
| Ground clearance: | |
| Curb weight: | |
| Weight: | 222 kg (regular R NineT version); 220 kg (Scrambler/Racer); 219 kg (Pure) kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 18 l. |
| Battery capacity: | |
| Year of release: | |
| Country of Origin: |
Results
One look at the BMW R nineT Racer is enough to understand the inspiration for its creation. Its driving characteristics make it a worthy member of the R nineT family, which is enhanced by the absence of electronic assistance systems. When it comes to styling, this café racer leaves its rivals in the dust. Yes, he is different in matters of style, but his character is absolutely classic. Of course, we would have liked the bike to be equipped with more technical components, but even the existing set completely copes with its tasks.
In the saddle of the BMW R nineT Racer you enjoy the confidence of the boxer engine and the comfortable riding position. This is enough to make you fall in love with the dynamics of the motorcycle without looking back. But with a large selection of custom elements, you can literally customize the character of the bike to suit you.
