BMW R nineT: unique Heritage style and charm, strictly air engine [ROAD TEST]

BMW R nineT – In 2012 we witnessed the death of the almost 90-year-old air boxer, who left the field to a completely new, liquid-cooled engine. Not even time to give him a funeral before he was resurrected in the frame and in the beautiful shapes of a completely new motorbike, the first of what would become the Heritage range of the Elica company, now made up of five models, with the progenitor which the flagship remains, flanked by Pure (the cheapest with its 13.500 euros), Racer (the most extreme in terms of look and driving position), Urban G/S (which mimics the G/S of the 80s and which debuted together with the transition to Euro 4 for the standard nineT) and scrambler (the second daughter with the gusset and a more affordable price of 14.200 euros).

To the malicious, it almost seemed like an "intelligent" marketing operation, to empty the warehouses of the old 1200s left unsold. In reality it was something completely different, as demonstrated by the fact that about 5 years have passed and the R nineT has become a very popular motorcycle (or rather a range of models), an important part of the German company's price list. Loved for its retro look, it was perhaps the first series café racer to also offer such high driving pleasure, as well as being appreciated for the great aesthetic taste given by its shapes and finishes. We discovered it and were struck by it on our first experience in the saddle, about four years ago, we'll try to tell it to you again, to discover other details and nuances of the nineT's character.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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The unique style of the original nineT

Few tweaks have been introduced in its five years of life, in our case the most obvious one is this optional Blackstorm Metallic/Vintage color (it costs an additional thousand euros), which guarantees the nineT a more aggressive look, thanks to the racing number 21 on a yellow background, handmade on the tank. One of the three available, as an alternative to the standard one. The aluminum tank with brushed sides remains one of the distinctive elements of this fascinating motorcycle, which takes much of its style from past models. The most obvious reference is to the R32 of 1923, not surprisingly the first to mount the same advanced engine that we find on the nineT, which skilfully mixes history and modernity. The front end is in fact a splendid example of current technology, with a sporty up side down fork (it is the only one of the five sisters to adopt it), double disc and radial calipers. The rest is all very minimal, as expected of a cafe racer.

We find a small and configurable single-seater tail (the passenger subframe and also the footrests with relative supports can be removed), a multitude of options for customizing the motorbike, a detail that is anything but secondary and a fundamental element in the development of a model that makes the possible its customization is one of its distinctive features. You can even modify the electrical system, just to give you an idea. In addition to this, the nineT has an innate elegance, which derives from an appearance that we could define as "purist". Like those who have chosen solutions for her that still require craftsmanship in some of her workmanship, such as that of the tank, flanked by the air intake on the right side, with the "nineT" logo on brushed aluminium. It plays with color contrasts, even if there is no chrome and the frame is glossy black, but the metallic blackstorm parts are flanked by details in aluminum and metal left with a natural effect. This is the case of the element that joins the frame and the rear subframe, or the frames of the two circular instruments and the front light, as well as the heads of the air boxer, central not only in the concept that the nineT wants to express, but also in its look .

Engine and performance:

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The heart of the project, the soul of a motorbike that offers a unique experience

We usually talk about a motorcycle engine for its performance, its character and its numbers. Here they are certainly important and offer an exhilarating riding experience, as we will see, but the engine is the heart of the whole project, to the point of defining the name of this bike. NineT precisely, like the 90 years of life of the twin-cylinder boxer, born in 1923 with the R32, which is honored in the style and choice of the "air" engine, even if in reality the cooling is by air/oil, like the presence of the small radiator confirms this. A history that has seen constant evolution, with an important "step" in 1996, the year of the transition to distribution from two to four valves per cylinder. Then, as we mentioned in the introduction of this test, in 2012 BMW decided to revolutionize its most important engine, the heart of the best-selling models, GS in the lead. The exhaust and transmission on the new boxer are placed on opposite sides to the old one, to avoid the hassle of the muffler terminal on the side of the bike, but above all there is the introduction of the radiator for liquid cooling. A few years later further modifications will arrive, including a heavier crankshaft to increase inertia and soften the all too angry character of the water boxer, while today, in these very weeks, the 1250 with variable timing makes its debut, which we were able to tell you about the test of the new R 1250 GS. An engine, among other things, ready for Euro 5. So, during the press presentation of the new "GS" we asked for clarification on the future of the "old" air-powered 1200, which in 2016 was updated to comply with the stringent Euro 4 standards We have been assured that it will survive this obstacle too. How we will see it in the next two years, then who knows, in 2023 it will be one hundred years of history of the twin-cylinder boxer and we will have to celebrate together with the ten of the nineT!

However, let's take a step back to 2013 and the birth of this model, which celebrated 90 years of the air boxer, giving it a second (or yet another) youth. There are many reasons why, perhaps not even whoever had the idea would have thought of the success of this model, which could have been just a concept, or a limited series, whereas instead it ended up becoming an important piece of the entire BMW range. Just think that, demonstrating the success exceeding expectations, in the test four years ago one of the defects reported was the long waiting period to get one! The idea is almost obvious, a motorcycle with a classic look, combined with an equally classic engine, without the large water radiator, but with only the small oil cooling element. For the occasion he was given a more aggressive delivery, thanks to the different intake line and the new exhaust, as well as a different calibration of the control unit. The nineT was born in 2013 in compliance with Euro 3 standards and was then updated in 2016 for Euro 4 standards.

Even if we have already told you about it, as well as having tried it this year on the nineT Racer, the current engine, with the transition to the new standards, has modified electronics to try to compensate for the other changes, which throttle it a bit in the first portion of the tachometer. Nothing serious, because its sound remains spectacular, like its character and punch right from low revs, typical of this twin-cylinder boxer. You can enjoy it more in the central part, let's say from 2-3 thousand rpm up to below the maximum torque regime, beyond that it gets even longer, but it almost seems less at ease. It is an engine capable of 110 horsepower at 7.750 rpm and 116 Nm of torque at 6.000, whose displacement is 1.170 cc. It is combined with a shaft drive and a gearbox with excellent clutches. The large single-plate clutch is dry, but with a hydraulic control to lighten the load on the lever. Compared to the new 1250, the "old" air boxer is a completely different film and is perfect for this bike. Allowing us an automotive parallel, it is a bit as if Porsche had a version of the 911 in its price list with still the air-cooled engine of the 993. The boxer of the nineT has its own special character and, while remaining fluid and quite soft in delivery, It has those bits of nastiness that make driving more enjoyable. Then the engine braking here is decidedly more present, although never excessive, which is instead gradually disappearing, partly also to increase the efficiency of the new engines. Here the traction control is still optional, although the ASC is convenient for managing the abundant torque of the air boxer and we suggest you add it when configuring your nineT. If you are on private land and want to enjoy some nice wheeling, perhaps even just with the front wheel floating a few centimeters from the ground while you turn the handlebars feeling like a pilot, just press the "ABS" button on the block for a couple of seconds of left…

Ride and handling:

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The most pleasant nineT to drive

The front end of the "standard" nineT, as mentioned, is the only one of the "five sisters" to benefit from an upside down fork, which also has a generous diameter of 46 mm and is combined with a pair of 320 mm brake discs, by radial calipers with 4 pistons. A good braking force, aided by the ABS and which stops a 222 kg motorbike well in running order. In 2016 it gained adjustments for its fork, as well as an optimized chassis geometry, confirming itself more and more as the nineT most suitable for those looking for a more dynamic ride. With a seat height from the ground of just 805 mm (795 with the optional low version), it is very well manageable even when maneuvering in city traffic, but the best of the nineT emerges well on the most tortuous roads, which you seek when moving from urban context.

Like any roadster, aerodynamic protection on the motorway is obviously essentially absent, but it's not a big problem, you can enjoy the sound of the boxer without increasing the speed too much, while exiting the motorway or freeway, you start to find the habitat better for her, among the tight and fast curves, where the boxer pushes generously and the excellent chassis accommodates the ambitions of even a sportier ride. It's not surgical, let's be clear, there are other solutions for that, such as the naked ones with even fifty or more horsepower advantages, but the pleasure of the nineT is precisely that of enjoying a perfect motorbike for walking, perhaps observing a beautiful landscape, but being able to dare when the road tempts you to do so, with a soundtrack that gives you goosebumps and a flavor with nuances that only a good wine, perhaps aged for a long time, can offer.

Price and consumption:

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A product with artisanal and quality finishes, which you pay for

With a price list of 16.400 euros (900 more than it had on its debut, but it has gained fork adjustment and other refinements), the R nineT is certainly not one of the motorcycles with the best price/equipment ratio, but it remains in fact without a direct competitor and at its level in terms of charm, craftsmanship and driving pleasure. To try to fight on equal terms with some competitors, at least in terms of price, five were made, with a range that starts from 13.500 euros for the Pure, rising to 14.200 for the Scrambler, 14.500 thousand for the Racer and 14.600 for Urban G/S.

There are many accessories and configurations that can be chosen for the nineT. Among the first we mention the ASC traction control, a paid option costing 350 euros, while the spoked wheels are standard for the "standard" nineT and are charged on the other four versions. This coloring is instead, as mentioned, one of the three alternatives to the Blackstorm. It costs a thousand euros more, like the Option 719 Pollux metallic/Aluminium, while the Option 1.150 Marsrot metallic matt/ Cosmicblue metallic matt costs 719 euros. Then the Classic and Club Sport packages stand out, both part of the range of accessories and options of the "Option 719 Spezial" family. They allow you to redefine the look of the motorbike, with components and details with fine finishes, which however require you to pay the considerable additional sum of 2.750 euros.

Finally, a note on consumption, with a declared figure of 5.3 liters in the WMTC per 100 km, not far from what we found. Even with very cheerful driving the boxer never drops below 15-16 km/l. Not bad, given that the 18 liter tank guarantees ranges of up to almost 340 km.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Engine output, driving pleasure, style and aesthetics
We do not like it:
Price not low, with Euro 4 it loses something in terms of power delivery at low speeds

BMW R nineT: the Motorionline Report Card

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Matteo Penati collaborated
Tester clothing:
Gloves: Dainese Blackjack
Jacket: Dainese Bryan Leather Jacket
Pants: Dainese Bonneville Regular
Shoes: Dainese Street Rocker D-WP
Helmet: Cast MT II