BMW R nineT, R nineT Pure and R nineT Racer, three new features for the Heritage family [ROAD TEST]

BMW R nineT – BMW Motorrad presented three new products from the Heritage world range in Sicily: the Updated R nineT, R nineT Pure , R nineT Racer. Motivated by the positive feedback, BMW Motorrad expands the "nineT family", launching the new Racer and Pure, two motorcycles that complete the Heritage world of BMW Motorrad, in two new and fascinating variants: the Roadster model reduced to the essentials and the classic motorcycle sports car with partial fairing. In both cases, these are concepts that made their mark at the end of the 1960s and 1970s and which still arouse wonderful memories in many motorcycling fans today.

The first, the nineT Racer has a decisive and unmistakable style that allows you to relive the era of the legendary Superbikes. This motorbike, with its retro style and design clearly inspired by the racing bikes of the 70s, is equipped with innovative technology with the usual BMW Motorrad quality. In that period, individuality and passion for sport were everything and this spirit can still be relived today. Thanks to the many customization possibilities, the R nineT Racer knows no limits to modifications. An example is the high-quality machined aluminum components, available among the original BMW accessories.

The elongated lines extend across the entire profile, conveying the thrill of speed. The half-fairing, the tank and the saddle make it very slim. The step is long and footrests mounted in a raised position define the sporty sitting position. The white bodywork contrasts with the dark colored parts of the highly technological lower area. The decoration on the front and tail in BMW Motorsport colors increases the desire to accelerate while the half-fairing and the low position allow you to enjoy high speeds for a long time.

The R nineT Racer is a cutting-edge motorcycle that delivers the unmistakable sound of the opposed cylinder engine both when traveling alone and with a passenger. Always looking for the ideal line.
The powerful boxer engine is the two-cylinder, air/oil-cooled with two camshafts, “four radial valves per cylinder”, and has a central balancer shaft. The displacement of 1170 cc with an engaging power even at low speeds of 81 kW (110 HP). The R nineT Racer is a cutting-edge concept that complies with Euro 4 regulations.ABS as standard andASC (optional) they guarantee maximum safety even when using full power. Furthermore, the 2-into-1 exhaust system in the typical Café Racer design proves that technology doesn't have to hide.

Chassis and riding position

The R nineT Race relies on modular double beam frame, already known from the R nineT Scrambler, composed of three elements such as the front frame, the rear frame and the passenger subframe, the latter of which can be dismantled. The front wheel suspension was entrusted to classic telescopic fork, while the rear suspension is a BMW Paralever which works in combination with a central shock absorber. The five-spoke forged alloy wheels measuring 3,5 x 17" at the front and 5,5 x 17" at the rear, they are fitted with a 120/70 ZR 17 tire at the front and a 180/55 ZR 17 tire at the rear. Safe deceleration at the front is ensured by the four-piston brake calipers with floating caliper brake discs with a diameter of 320 millimeters and ABS. To prevent the rear wheel from slipping when the road surface is slippery, theoptional ASC (Automatic Stability Control). For those who wish to further accentuate the classic image, theoptional spoked wheels, as on the example in these photos. Crouched behind the high-impact half-fairing, the pilot feels all the power of the boxer engine, with its unmistakable roar. Because it's nothing new: it takes character to maintain the trajectory. The moderate offset protects your wrists on the road as well as in life. Upon request, it is possible to install the custom saddle which lowers the seating position from 805 mm to 795 mm. A beneficial effect on the back during long journeys, particularly at speeds above 90 km/h, is given by the padding on the rider's seat, slightly raised at the back.

The R nineT Pure It has a typical roadster design, with a circular headlight, chrome ring, painted housing and new circular speedometer. The proportions are established by the three-part tubular frame together with the new hydraulic fork with a classic look. The R nineT Pure allows you to realize your dream of a custom motorcycle, in perfect accordance with your ideas and style, which you can always count on with all the quality that characterizes BMW Motorrad products. The support element consists of the opposed-cylinder engine, eager to roar, with a 320 mm double disc front brake, 4-piston fixed calipers, while for the rear one we find a single disc, 265 mm diameter, 2-piston caliper. The steel tank (this is one of the differences that allows for a lower price than the "standard" one with aluminum tank and expensive double finish workmanship) and the typical minimal tail, complete a profile full of style and elegance for a dynamic and safe appearance of himself, enriched by 5-spoke light alloy wheels. An extremely essential design which has nothing nostalgic about it, but on the contrary offers various possibilities for customization.

The engine is the same used by the R nineT Racer. Both new BMW Heritage models are equipped with the 1.170 cc, 110 HP, air/oil-cooled boxer engine approved Euro 4, combined with a six-speed gearbox. In both models the classic design of the motorbike is also taken up in theexhaust system, stainless steel with tailpipe mounted on the left. Thanks to the standard ABS and the optional ASC you can transfer this power and ride in complete safety thanks to the careful verification of the latter system for stability control on mass-produced motorcycles. Once again BMW is at the forefront of introducing active safety technologies for motorcycles, further strengthening the dominant position achieved over the last 15 years in the field of active safety. All R nineTs, including the Pure, can be equipped and modified to your liking to reflect your style and way of living in complete freedom. Thanks to the relatively low seat, the bike is suitable for riders of different sizes. Furthermore, with the lowering option that can be ordered ex factory, the height of the R nineT Pure can be further reduced. Thanks to maximum comfort and optimal support, you can ride in the best roadster style, with unmistakable safety and look.

"You are what you drive“, this is a concept that the R nineT Pure reflects, giving space to personal tastes and creativity. The passenger frame can be dismantled, as in the R nineT. If you want to stand out, original BMW Motorrad accessories and options allow you to further customize your bike. The steel tank can be replaced with an aluminum one, with or without a milled welding profile. Or you can choose high-quality spoked rims, for a classic and stylish profile. New, finely crafted components for post-assembly are also available.

We arrive at the last, but not least BMW R nineT: the new "standard".

From the beginning the R nineT has combined classic motorcycle design with modern technology and fine craftsmanship; the attention to detail in the R nineT was reflected, for example, in the aluminum tank with brushed sides, but also in numerous other components. This character of a manufactured product is also expressed by the new R nineT, equipped with numerous optimization measures.
Even in its new edition, the R nineT stands out relaxed elegance and the proportions of classic BMW Roadster model. The mix of classic and modern elements of motorcycle engineering, complemented by high-quality surfaces, underlines the refined image of the R nineT from all perspectives. The combined instrumentation of the first R nineT, consisting of two circular instruments with speedometer and rev counter indications, was already perfectly integrated into the classic style: now, the new design with two separate instrument seats ensures an even more convincing image.

The new edition of the R nineT has not changed its classic character enhanced by the blackstorm paint and offers numerous details that will excite enthusiasts: for example the 18 liter aluminum tank with brushed sides with the utmost care, the aluminum cover on the right, above the intake air duct, with the printed R nineT writing and many other details. The R nineT features the powerful air/oil-cooled boxer engine with 1 cm170 displacement and 3 kW (81 HP) of power, combined with a six-speed gearbox. The classic line is reflected in the design of the stainless steel exhaust systems with double exhaust pipe mounted on the left. The front wheel suspension was entrusted to a sophisticated one upside down fork which has now been created as a fully adjustable component. Furthermore, to increase driving precision, directionality and neutral cornering behaviour, for the new edition of the R nineT it was chassis geometry optimized. The R nineT mounts now spoked wheels measuring 3,5 x 17 inches and 5,5 x 17 inches respectively, with tires measuring 120/70 ZR 17 at the front and 180/55 ZR 17 at the rear. As before, constant deceleration, regulated by ABS, is provided by four-piston monobloc brake calipers with floating brake discs. For the first time, two individual paint finishes with a manufacturing character are offered as options ex works for the R nineT. BMW Motorrad thus expands its customizing offering to the field of painting.

Our test

It was the scene of our road test the beautiful Sicily, starting from the Targa Florio Museum, one of the most famous races ever, carried out on Sicilian roads and in particular these are narrow and tortuous, a detail that makes the test of the nineT perfect, in the Pure and Racer variants, as well as the new standard version. However, this motorbike, in its various declinations, is vintage only in terms of aesthetics and spirit, the rest is modern technique and technology. Let's start immediately with the Racer from the Heritage style of the 70s. There driving position is very loaded forward, rear footrests and head under the fairing. The engine, the old boxer that wrote the history of BMW is fluid and extremely elastic, guarantees excellent ride comfort and smooth power delivery at all speeds, with a great ability to pick up from low levels.

During acceleration the BMW R nineT Racer maintains a solid stance, it does not sit down and does not widen the trajectory, like all motorbikes it must be driven with the body. The chassis shows excellent directionality, does not experience any particular inertia when changing direction quick and always appears reactive and sincere; the same cannot be said in the hairpin bends, since first gear is more demanding, especially during the most difficult braking situations, when a large part of the load is transferred to the front axle, under the action of the valid Brembo system. When braking you never find yourself with the fork towards the bottom of the race, it always sinks progressively, even on the most violent braking sections. The brakes are profitable and very modular, at the front you only need a single finger to obtain powerful braking, while the rear has a slightly more spongy control. Finally, it should be noted that vibrations on the footrests and half-handlebars are contained, even at high speeds.

After a tortuous and challenging journey, the time has come to change bikes. We get off the nineT Racer and get on the Pure. Here we immediately find ourselves with the torso more raised, the posture is more comfortable and the weights are distributed in a more centralized way. The frame allows you to make the most of the trajectories, it flows well when folding, requires minimal effort and, in maximum safety thanks to the standard ABS, you can tackle even with the throttle closed and open the throttle well in advance when exiting corners. Even at low speeds the steering does not become heavy and the calibration of the suspensions, aimed at comfort, allows for filter road bumps well, thanks also to the 43 mm telescopic fork.
The wide steering angle allows you to turn in very narrow spaces. The boxer with air/oil cooling 110 HP, Euro 4 approved, allows you to open the throttle completely already from 2000 rpm and rises steadily up to 4000, then it becomes more aggressive. Below 4.000 rpm this engine allows you to travel in a relaxing way and at a frenetic pace through the curves of the fascinating Sicilian island.

R nineT or R nineT Pure?

The two versions differ slightly in terms of the main cycling dimensions, the rake of the steering head is 63,2° and the weight is 222 kg for the R nineT, compared to 63,4° and a weight of 219 kg for the nineT Pure. The trail, wheelbase and total length are also different, if only slightly. The nineT has a wheelbase of 1.487 mm with a trail of 107,9 mm and a total length of 2175 mm; the Pure has a wheelbase of 1493 mm, a trail of 105 mm and a total length of 2105 mm.

From a mechanical point of view, however, the two bikes are identical and both are characterized by excellent construction quality, considering their price range. Both engines are easy and fun to start with, especially thanks to the delivery qualities of the air/oil-cooled 4-stroke twin-cylinder boxer, with two camshafts and four radial valves per cylinder. The nineT family is therefore expanding with variants that aim for a different look and details, given that each is a sort of configuration proposal from which to start for your own customization, or to use as it is, according to your own tastes. The major differences between the various models continue to be made Than we the 19 wheel on the front for the Scrambler, which we tried last year (here our article), with consequent revised quotas for cycling, but now also the Racer, which implements a somewhat revolutionized approach, compared to the initial concept of the nineT. The Racer in fact turns out to be clearly different in its look, capable of hitting the heart of many enthusiasts with that truly fascinating half fairing, but on the other hand it is the nineT which is far less comfortable to ride, with a super sports riding position with low clip-on handlebars.

E sales prices?
For the BMW R nineT Racer the price is 14.300 euros, a thousand less for the Pure, while the "standard" R nineT rises to 16.250 euros.

Test clothing:
Jacket Dainese HF D1 Leather Jacket, retail price of approximately 470 euros;
Safety shoes Dainese STREET ROCKER D-WP, retail price of approximately 170 euros;
Glove Dainese BLACKJACK, retail price of approximately 70 euros;
Pants Dainese BONNEVILLE SLIM, retail price of approximately 190 euros;
Back Protector Dainese WAVE D1 G1, retail price of approximately 65 euros;
Helmet LS2 BOBBER RUSTY BLACK retail price of approximately 185 euros;
ALZELA the Goggle mask, an exclusive mask from an Italian brand, an original accessory made with high safety and quality parameters. It can be defined as "techno-fashion": it is worn for sporting activities, even extreme ones, such as skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, parachuting, downhill or cross country, guaranteeing maximum safety and total face and eye protection. Thanks to the shape and look that distinguish it, it can also be shown off during recreational activities such as a walk in the center with your bicycle, riding the trendiest motorbike, playing a game of golf and, why not, behind the wheel of your own convertible. Made in a limited edition with top quality fabrics and microfibre, the mask is certified by the strictest world standards in terms of safety, responding to bullet and cylinder tests, with great quality margins. The double lenses of the ALZELA mask are designed and developed in collaboration with a pool of leading Italian companies in the sector; they are subjected to very high quality treatments such as UV, hydrophobic, anti-scratch and extra anti-fog, just to mention the most important ones. The lenses can be easily replaced (quick release) and are available in three colors (clear, silver, tangerine). Compatible with helmets (motorcycle, riding, skiing, paragliding), it offers a guarantee of excellent comfort even with prescription glasses. Each ALZELA mask is equipped with a small chip inserted in the side band, readable via a Smartphone, which allows its certification and guarantees its authenticity. Available in eight colours, all with a retail price of 199 euros.