BMW R nine T – road test 2014

Café racer yes, but very tasty to drive!

di Matteo Pozzi 16 July 2014

Photo BMW R nine T - Road test 2014

The R nine T, or more simply ninety, was not created to replace the model from which it derives, the R1200R, but to celebrate the house's 90th anniversary. In more detail, as Andrea Buzzoni, director of BMW Motorrad Italia, says, it is not a developed model like the rest of the range, but was born from the private passion of two designers who built "in their garage" a motorcycle that was then liked so much that it was industrialized and produced. It is not a limited series, although today it is impossible to find one, because the production is booked for months. It fits into a new segment for BMW Motorrad, that of Café Racer, which is interpreted in a unique way. On the one hand, the essential nature of this genre is 100% respected, because the nine T is much more stripped down than the R1200R, and even without the front telelever, replaced by a plus traditional fork, a beautiful up side down, on the other hand we are faced with a much more interesting product than most of the competitors in this segment, as far as driving is concerned. It's not just a bar bike, with which to be seen and admired, and with which to take a quiet stroll. The 110 horsepower of the "old" air/oil-cooled boxer, combined with a short ratio (that of the GS), make it above all a little game to have fun with, and a lot too. Beautiful and concrete in short, and progenitor of a new genre of motorcycle for BMW Motorrad. It is also rumored that, given the notable success achieved, some solutions will also be adopted on the new R 1200 R, whose debut is now imminent. The big news, in addition to the transition to the new air/water engine that debuted on the renewed GS last year, and from 2014 also on the RT, could concern the telelever, which could be set aside in favor of a traditional fork, a real revolution own!

Aesthetics and finishes:
rating:

One of the most beautiful bikes we have had the pleasure of testing and photographing!

Whatever context we were in, the nine T was the center of attention. At the traffic lights the drivers of the cars looked at her curiously, demonstrating that she is not only liked by the most passionate motorcyclists. On the San Marco pass you could hear her coming from afar, thanks to an exhaust with a unique sound, and during our stops we were always surrounded by some admirer, who often immortalized her in some photo of her. What amazed us most was the attention she received during an event Café Racer contest where, to take some photos, we had taken her and where she was theoretically an intruder. A production motorcycle that ends up looking good even when parked among one-of-a-kind pieces, made with creative and scenic solutions, some almost works of art. So fascinating to the point that, had we counted the seconds in which the gaze stopped on the single bike, she would certainly have been among the best, if not even the overall winner. Joking during the presentations of the motorcycles taking part in the competition, where the modifications and history of each vehicle were described, we thought about presenting it too, it would have been easy: "this is a BMW R nine T, a motorcycle created for the 90th anniversary of home, to get it you need to go to a dealer and write a check." Said like this, poetry seems to disappear, but this is precisely the peculiarity that distinguishes it, a series motorcycle, which can be purchased like any other, with the charm of a special. However, we need to take a step back. The process that leads to the birth of a new model must take into account many aspects, obviously starting from aesthetics, but having to reconcile it with many other needs, which are no less important. Thus it is difficult for a motorbike to be as essential and pure as the nine T, which was created with different purposes than any other model. People like it very much, it is indisputably demonstrated also by the success in sales. It owes its look to two designers who designed it and handcrafted, inspired by the custom world it is above all a Café Racer, a genre that has enjoyed great success in recent years. As we had the opportunity to show you during a contest organized in Milan a few days ago on this very theme, they are normally unique pieces resulting from the artisanal work of motorcyclists driven by the passion and taste of creating something exclusive and personal. Given the success achieved, the manufacturers also wanted to satisfy a wider clientele, for example the V7 series from Moto Guzzi, or the Classic models from Triumph, with Thruxton in the lead. The occasion for BMW Motorrad's debut in this market segment was represented by the motorcycle to celebrate its 90th anniversary, but few would have imagined that a motorcycle like this would be born. She is clean and simple, based on the choice of boxer engine in the “old” version, not to save money, but because a model celebrating an important history, like that of BMW Motorrad, must have a bit of retro flavor, the idea was even that of conceptually recall the R32 of 1923. Then on an aesthetic level the absence of water radiators is a big advantage. The small oil cooler is much easier to place without ruining the look. The other central elements are the front end and the tank. The choice of the latter is one of the best that could have been made. Only an expert eye can understand its economic value. It is in fact one piece hand welded, made of aluminum and with prohibitive costs for any industrialized motorcycle. Anyone, however, can appreciate the charm of an aspect that defines the philosophy of the nine T more than any other detail. It has a retro and artisanal flavour, with thecombination of the black painted section with brushed aluminum parts. Rubber knee pads are an accessory, practically mandatory if you want to protect the tank from scratches, as well as an element that contributes to the design of the motorbike. The front end is a surprise. Celebrate 90 years of BMW with a motorcycle that gives up the telelever it was at least against the trend. With hindsight it was a good choice, but certainly a strong one. There muscular upside-down fork, combined with powerful Brembo radial calipers, even if only aesthetically it is that of the "bad" of the house, the S 1000 RR. However, the internal hydraulics change and the adjustments disappear. On the other hand, the nine T had to be essential, and the needs and taste of the individual owner can be satisfied with customizations, which will make each example a unique piece, as is the philosophy of a motorbike like this. Also the plate on the dinghy it is a distinctive sign, created following the style of historical BMW models. The circles could only be spoked, with the paralever and the cardan at the rear which leave the beautiful black hub on which the spokes are fixed in plain sight on the opposite side. Always from a customizing perspective, the rear can theoretically accommodate a 200 tyre, where it is possible to approve it. From the tank onwards the bike is as essential as you could wish for. The pigtail can become even lighter in design, thanks to solutions that radically change its appearance. The original exhaust, with double low muffler, can be replaced by Akrapovic, combinable with tubes that position it raised or lowered. Then everything revolves around the choice of single-seater or two-seater configuration. His own motorbike it is a two-seater, but the rear saddle and the frame that supports it are removable. If removing the subframe (passenger footrests included) is in itself a very simple operation, just remove 8 screwsHowever, removing the tail with its license plate holder is prohibited by law, at least in some states of the European community. In fact, it would not be allowed to use it in attractive “truncated tail” configuration, not even with the aid of a lateral license plate holder attached to the swingarm, unless there is a modification to the approval. Alternatively, you can choose to configure it like the tested example, with aluminum seat cover (optional for around 200 euros), and without the subframe and passenger footrests. Even in this the bike was developed to leave room for enthusiasts and preparers, for modifications and customizations. Single-seater homologation aside, the electrical system itself has been completely revised. Modern motorcycles now adopt the same CAN BUS technology, used for years in the automotive sector. Basically all the data travels on the same circuit, and it is enough to interrupt it at one point, simply to replace the original headlight with an aftermarket one, to put the vehicle out of business. The nine T features a specific electrical system, with the engine wiring separated from the rest. This makes any changes easier to make.

Engine and performance:
rating:

The classic air/oil boxer, which here however becomes nastier

The choice of engine was anything but trivial. In a transition phase, in which the new 1.200 boxer with air/water cooling is replacing the old air/oil on all models, it was curious to see the parallel debut of the new RT and the R nine T, with opposite solutions. The logic of respect for tradition prevailed, as well as technical evaluations such as the one linked to the annoying presence of the water radiators, which would have ruined the cleanliness of the lines of the motorbike. Basically it is the same one still mounted on the R1200R, which should give way to the new model in a few months. With the occasion it was revised in the electronics, in the exhaust and in the ratios. If normally everything is done to have a sweet and fluid delivery, in this case all the changes go in exactly the opposite direction. Even from the engine we wanted to bring out a harder and purer nature. So the ratios are shorter, taken from the maxi enduro GS, the sound becomes decidedly more aggressive, even with the standard exhaust, e electronics make it grumpier. Just to give you an idea, with the bike stopped, it bends noticeably to the right with each stroke of the accelerator, like their ancestors from decades ago. Then, when braking, if you downshift decisively, it is not difficult to cause some small locking of the rear wheel, symptomatic of the absence of the anti-slipper, but also of a deliberately old style behavior. Power and torque remain unchanged, with 110 HP at 7.500 rpm and 119 Nm at 6.000. The charm of the boxer, however, is at its best here. Has a sound that borders on perfection, especially with Akrapovic mounted on the specimen under test, It crackles on release which is a beauty, encouraging a few more decisive climbs than necessary, with a nice burst of gas to do the double. It pushes up to under 2.000 rpm, like no other engine is capable of doing. You could easily do without most of the gear changes, given the elasticity it is capable of. Even just using it in the narrow range from 2 to 4-5 thousand rpm is already able to allow you to maintain a more than sustained pace on a mixed route. If you rev it higher and make excessive use of the gearbox it is only for the sake of making it sing. The clutch and gearbox are also appreciated. The first and second gear shifts are so smooth that sometimes you end up looking at the instruments to try to confirm that the gear has actually been engaged. If we see the disappearance of the air boxer in the coming months, it couldn't have been given a better swansong.

Ride and handling:
rating:

No other Café Racer is like it, fun and easy to handle almost like a fun bike

Having her undressed certainly doesn't make her a wimp, the weight in running order is 222 kg, and to look at her still It doesn't look like a bike you can take on a serious ride, a San Marco pass from Milan and back or a few curves around Lake Como. Said in all sincerity, other Café Racers are beautiful to look at, but for a "lean" motorcyclist, riding them forces you to go for a walk with a tad of gas. We end up relegating them to objects to be seen with at the bar, or with which to take a peaceful walk for two. The R nine T, on the other hand, is perhaps more of a spectacle to drive than to look at. It owes it to the engine, but not only that. The chassis is excellent and any reasonable prediction between the curves makes it quick. Even the brakes they are able to allow you to break away hard, more than on a GS, just to make a comparison at BMW. You end up enjoying it and regretting having worn the touring shoe rather than the boot with sliders. She too perhaps lacks the right shoe, because while driving it, her limits seem to be dictated more by tourist tires than by her skills. The tire sizes are the classic ones, with a 180/55 17 at the rear which, if you get carried away, easily leaves some nice black commas on the ground. Needless to say the electronics are limited to ABS only, no traction control, no combined braking. We didn't miss it, the nine T is sincere even in her reactions, is intuitive to drive, even without being a pilot. There fork calibration, which as mentioned has no adjustments, is fortunately quite stiff, much better for driving around bends, perhaps a small flaw in city use. The instrumentation is dedicated, it is complete with everything, including the gear engaged and consumption, but not the fuel level, only the reserve warning light is allowed.

Price and consumption:
rating:

High price, but worth it all

You take a motorbike, strip it down, and sell it for over 2.000 euros more. This might be the thought of someone comparing it to an R1200R. In reality this is not really the case. The price of the R nine T is demanding, there is no point in hiding it, we are talking about over 15.500 euros without accessories, but it is a handcrafted motorbike, just think of the hand-welded tank and the cost of similar processes. We are certain that, in a few years, anyone who wants to part with their nine T will do so while collecting a large part of the money spent. Meanwhile it is today impossible to find one to use in the next few months, we are talking about October as the delivery date for new orders. As Henry Ford would say, you can choose it of any color as long as it is black. In fact, no other choices are currently foreseen. Consumption, in the order of 20 km/l, are certainly an interesting fact, even though it may be one of the least relevant aspects in the choice of this motorbike. Even by roughing it up and using the engine beyond any reasonable level, we were unable to get it to drop below 15 km/l. Autonomy is discreet, thanks to the 17 liter tank, as good as the remaining distance when the reserve light comes on, with the 3 liters providing well over 50 km.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Aesthetically beautiful and with unique artisan details, but driving it is even better than admiring it. The boxer gives his best here, even the braking is top-notch

We do not like it:
Very long delivery times, it's not very comfortable and it's much nicer in the single-seater version

BMW R nine T: the Motorionline Report Card

Motor:
Handling:
Gearbox and transmission:
Braking:
Suspensions:
Guide:
Pilot comfort:
Passenger comfort:
Equipment:
Quality price:
Line:
Consumption: