BMW R nineT Scrambler, lots of substance to not just be fashionable [ROAD TEST]

Photoshoot: ENGINEER

BMW R nineT Scrambler – the R nineT is a motorbike outside the box, created to celebrate 90 years of BMW Motorrad, which perhaps not even in the ideas of those who wanted it seemed capable of having the success that it has instead been able to achieve. Over 23.000 copies sold, despite a not too low price, with a list price of almost 16.000 euros, are a result that has convinced without any doubt and which now leads the German brand to double its offer in what is being consolidated as a new segment, called Heritage , which effectively becomes the sixth piece, after Adventure, Raodster, Sport, Tour and Urban Mobility. BMW takes the step with one of the most fashionable variants at the moment, given that the term Scrambler is definitely back on the agenda for the manufacturers' marketing, given the interest it is encountering in recent seasons.

The Scramblers were born and had their greatest success between the 60s and 70s. A simple concept, created to satisfy the need to do a bit of off road riding with motorcycles created for the road. Knobby wheels, high exhaust and small modifications which, in practice, gave an attractive appearance to this mixing (precisely "scramble" in English) characteristics of two different genres, so that it ended up being a fashion linked to aesthetics, rather than a real need for off-road use. In the following decades, however, scramblers seemed to have fallen into oblivion, then timidly they began to reappear on the motorcycle scene. Now, without hiding it, Ducati's return to this segment has given a big boost to the phenomenon and almost no one is denied a model in their price lists. What is certain is that BMW makes its entrance in its own way and in great style, because the competitors have charm and offer a discreet driving pleasure, but the nineT is a motorbike with very different qualities, both for its stage presence, but above all for the great taste that he can transmit from the handlebars in his hands. Among our fellow testers we recall some rare conflicting opinions, but the thing that makes the advantages of the R nineT most evident is the fact that more than one has purchased an example. If those who test motorbikes for work choose one, this is a very important clue. The Scrambler variant therefore starts from a very interesting base, from which it differs not only for its characteristic elements, such as high exhaust and 19" front wheel, but also for choices that some, at the time of its presentation at Eicma 2015 , appeared "poor", necessary to offer the Scrambler at 14.000 euros (almost 2.000 less). When the bike stopped we also had some doubts, but just a few kilometers were enough to make us fall in love with her. Let's try to explain why in our test.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

Don't call it the cheap nineT, it's the most essential and purist interpretation

Unfortunately for her, coming second leads to the disadvantage of being negatively compared. If she had been introduced first, no one would have raised any objections, also because the BMW Scrambler in person is a bike that will take your breath away, beautiful and present like few others, with the charm of that air/oil boxer that is in danger of extinction (by now the R1200 range has effectively closed the transition to the new engine with partially liquid cooling). However, since it arrived after the "standard" R nineT, we removed half a star from the Scrambler in our aesthetic opinion, even if we would have given it the full result with our eyes closed. Halfway through, however, you can't help but notice some differences that make her lose a part, even if minimal, of her sister's stage presence. The Scrambler gives up in fact to spoked rims (you can still have them as optional adding 400 euros), to the upside down fork, But especially to an aluminum tank, whose two-tone finish highlights the craftsmanship of the "Roadster", decidedly unique for a production motorcycle.

It is now made of sheet steel, with a single color, although it definitely remains a valuable object in look and embellished by the combination with the natural aluminum of the intake air duct, with the engraved R nineT writing. Here too, as for the spoked rims, you can optionally have the aluminum tank (1.000 or 1.100 euros depending on the welding finish). On the other hand, the Scrambler has a swim 19" wheel and the valuable solution of Akrapovic high exhaust, as well as a engine that passes the Euro 4 directives (in this we make a small note on the petrol vapor recovery canister, partly visible near the rear shock absorber, while in other cases it is better hidden). However, be careful not to make a mistake in your approach, thinking about the differences between the two nineTs, weighing them a "so many per kilo" (or rather per euro). The Scrambler doesn't want to be, as someone said at his presentation and continues to believe, the slightly cheaper alternative (14 thousand euros still remains a lot), of the "real" nineT. Even before you get on the saddle it's clear that it is more essential and for purists. The Scrambler is a second representation of what anyone could do with their nineT, starting from one of the two currently on the price list (in this the only real constraint is represented by the 19 or 17" wheel on the front, both for the different approval than for the frame dimensions).

We think aboutunique and essential element that replaces the "standard" instrumentation (consisting of a circular tachometer and speedometer with a multifunction display in the middle). It is emblematic of the different approach between the two nineTs. In fact, the Scrambler sacrifices a large part of its data on the altar of looks. It must be admitted that, aesthetically, the result is better and more in tune with the appearance of the bike, even if a way could have been found to keep part of the information, given that not only the consumption, the level of tank (there is only the reserve warning light) or the gear engaged, but also the rev counter. The Scrambler is therefore deliberately more essential, one can only object that in some details this rhymes with economical, as for the less noble choices for the materials used for the tank, the front mudguard (here it is in plastic), or for the brake calipers which they lose the radial attacks (the entire front end is less aggressive). However, the fundamental traits of a motorcycle that remain intact It focuses a lot on aesthetics and the possibility of customizing it. We remind you that it is one of the few with separate engine wiring, so as to make it easier to modify the motorbike with modifications which also affect the electrical system, while the rear subframe can be dismantled for the single-seater conversion.

The choice to increase the size of the front wheel to 19" also partially modifies the dimensions of the frame, as we will see in detail, but in fact changes little from an aesthetic point of view. As for the history and origins that the designers wanted to underline, with the nineT they went back to the stylistic key of the R32 of 1923, the Scrambler version finds instead an ancestor in the R68 presented in 1951 at the Frankfurt Motor Show with a particular set-up with high exhaust. It was then a concept borrowed from competitions, from the motorcycle of the legendary Georg "Schorsch" Meier. As for the off road vocation inherent in the term scrambler, this nineT can also be had, without any additional cost, with the Metzeller Karoo 3 knobbies, both for aesthetic taste and for practical purposes.

Engine and performance:

rating:  

The air/oil boxerone is very tasty, also thanks to the beautiful voice with the Akrapovic

The flavor of the nineT tradition is inherent in the choice to adopt the "old" 1.200 air/oil, while the other models were switching to the new boxer with mixed liquid cooling. A sort of swan song of one of the engines most dear to the purists of the Propeller House. Wise interventions have given it a stronger character, while maintaining the power of 110 horsepower unchanged. Of all the R1200s we had driven, the nineT was without a doubt the most engaging and fun to drive, even from the point of view of a "geek". More abrupt and grumpy, almost as if it wanted to be transgressive, but always regular in its delivery, as well as easy to manage, to the point of sharing the choice to predict the ASC traction control only as an option (350 euros). The example we tested was equipped with it, but we enjoyed the possibility of excluding it, occasionally abusing the clutch lever to lift the front out of corners, in second gear, just enough to play with the handlebars, or for the plastic poses of the lakeside shots you see in this article (not to be done very often, because the large dry clutch disc has historically never liked this treatment and continues to do so). With the Scrambler the 1.170 cc boxer passes Euro 4 directives, thanks to the activated carbon filter and specially remodeled electronics.

The data remains substantially unchanged, with the 110 horsepower that reaches 7.750 (against 7.500) and the torque of 116 Nm (-3) at 6.000 rpm. Imperceptible differences, with a character that remains the same. The pleasure of an approved special, like the nineT, which gives you goosebumps when instead of going to the bar to show it off, you take it for a walk on the right road. It also ends up, as happened to us, that after photographing it, instead of returning to base, in an instant you travel about fifty kilometers and find yourself stopped for petrol, obviously with a smile on your face. The thrust and voice of the boxerone are so beautiful that we often use the gearbox more than necessary to enjoy them, even if the standard Akrapovic on the Scrambler is slightly more "moderate" than the optional one we tried on the Roadster version. The bursts on release are missing, but every tunnel is good for dropping a gear or two and opening the throttle wide open. The delivery is full-bodied right from low revs, the back of the two plate remains epic, while at the top the thrust gradually fades away when you reach the limiter zone, without that sparkle that the new 1.200 manages to have, but it's another movie, because the nineT is beautiful just as it is. Always in comparison with the most recent water/oil engine, the 6 gears of the "old" air / oil has superior and priceless precision and fluidity in the engagements, even when engaging first gear with the bike stopped.

Ride and handling:

rating:  

You expect it to be less incisive but instead with the 19 in front it is quicker

The biggest difference, which influences almost all other chassis choices, concerns the switch to a 19" front wheel, in off road style, even if very few of the buyers of the new R nineT Scrambler will actually take it for crossroads on a dirt road (even those who choose the knobby Karoo 3 instead of the Tourance Next, we believe will do so for the look). This modification leads to having different frame dimensions, with the steering head which changes to an opening of 28,5 degrees from 25,5 of the Roadster, resulting in increase in the wheelbase, which rises to 1.522 mm (it is 1.476 on the standard nineT), but with an overall length of the bike that drops to 2.175 (against 2.220). The height of the seat from the ground also increases, from 785 mm to 820, confirming that the 19" front wheel, with the associated changes it imposes, is not the only novelty. The Scrambler loses weight marginally, by 2 kg, and now in total there are 220 in running order, while also the tank loses capacity, going from 18 to 17 litres. Another big change concerns the front end, no longer the aggressive Sachs with large 46 mm upside-down stanchions and radially mounted Brembo calipers, but a traditional Showa with 43 mm diameter stanchions, black rubber bellows with a retro look and less aggressive calipers, even if they are still Brembo 4-pistons, with 320 mm discs. On this front i brakes retain excellent power and modulation, obviously it is present ABS is standard. The suspensions then have specific calibrations, softer and with a travel that rises from 120 to 125 mm at the front, from 120 to 140 at the rear. The tires are from 170/60 behind, again on a 17" rim, but smaller than the 180/55 of the Roadster, while front a 120 / 70 19 replaces a tire of similar size, but 17" in diameter. To close the picture of the differences between the two R nineTs, a higher handlebar with different risers that bring it closer to the arms.

So far we have analyzed the data, which theoretically tells us not much positive, if our aims are those of a little trip in search of fun. The Scrambler looks like it indeed a more purist interpretation of the concept, with less modern and sporty aesthetic and chassis choices. If we wrote about the R nineT that it deserves some attention in the suspension sector to make it more incisive when driving at the limit, We expected at least a small deterioration from the Scrambler. Once we got into the saddle, however, the surprises were sensational and arrived right from the first corners, to the point of winning us over and push us not to turn around to return to the starting point, but to move forward to look for the fastest and most guided sections and see how the new nineT fared. Where theory would say that the 19" wheel on the front should make the Scrambler less quick when changing direction, the different tyre, combined with a narrower rear and the revised chassis, makes the new arrival of the R nineT a simpler and easier bike, especially in the straits, where it seems to be very easy to handle, well beyond what his 220 kg would say, which can only be felt in the long run on the wrists, when the pace increases. The limit drops, at least so the theory tells us, but what is certain is that the Scrambler goes up to that point We like it more than its sister, both for its fluidity and its ability to be guided around curves. We are very curious about comparing it with the R NineT Roadster (which we drove two years ago now) and we will try it soon, perhaps as early as next September. In BMW (and not only) they define them as Heritage, there are now a good number of them, but perhaps only the XSRs derived from the MTs are as fun as the nineT (here is our test of the 700), but they are decidedly much more "low profile" than BMWs, which focus on high-level details and the charm of an engine that has made history.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

14.000 euros for the most essential of the R nineTs, about 2.000 less than its sister

The Scrambler is available only in this color, with matt metallic monolith paint combined with the light brown saddle. Colors aside, you can instead indulge yourself with the accessories, choosing from the list of those already on the price list for the Heritage range, but also from others specific to the Scrambler. We mentioned the spoked rims which in our opinion are a must to complete the look of the Scrambler (400 euros therefore very well spent), but we also find options without additional costs, such as knobby tyres, or more expensive options, for example the tank in aluminum costing 1.000 or 1.100 euros (with smooth welding). There is no shortage of modern details, such as ASC traction control, LED turn signals or comfort-oriented details such as heated grips, a small windshield or a high seat. From a Scrambler perspective, in addition to the tyres, a grille for the front light, engine protection, the fascinating single-seater configuration and the side number plate are also available. The list price is 14.000 euros, for delivery starting from mid-September, while the comparison immediately runs to the other R nineT, which is positioned just below 16.000 (15.950 to be precise). Consumption is substantially unchanged, with a figure declared in the WMTC combined cycle of 5.3 l/100 km.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
More essential aesthetics than the Roadster and of great charm, superlative driving pleasure, praiseworthy engine

We do not like it:
Some details are slightly subdued compared to its sister in the Heritage range

BMW R nineT Scrambler: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Jacket: Segura Jones
Gloves: Segura Gooze
Trousers: Spidi Ronin Pants
Boots: Dainese TRQ-Tour Gore-tex Boots
Helmet: Shark Vancore