BMW’s first dip into the ‘modern classic’ pool has been a huge success
Many people considered BMW to be too serious to enter into the frivolous world of retro motorcycles but then surprised everyone with the arrival of the RnineT, a model with not only retro styling, but a retro engine as well. But, that's not all that this model's about; here's everything you need to know about the BMW R nineT.
Many modern classics are replicas of past models - think of the Triumph Bonneville and Kawasaki Z900, to name but two. However, there might have been a BMW R90S in the 1970s but that was BMW’s idea of a sports bike and, as such, the RnineT is not a copy of that bike. BMW saw the model as being a blank canvas for customizers to give the bike its own identity.
While many think that the BMW R nineT name is a throwback to the R90S, it is actually called this to commemorate 90 years since the launch of the first BMW, the R32 in 1923.
BMW had been steadily deleting the air-cooled boxer twin engine from its new bike line-up, replacing it with a liquid-cooled version of the engine to ensure continued emissions regulation compliance. The air-cooled motor had the right look for a retro-styled model, however, so the decision was made to use it for the RnineT. So successful was the new model, that BMW announced it would continue producing the air-cooled engine for a further ten years.
The RnineT range grew to five models: the basic RnineT which featured upside-down forks: the RnineT Pure, which was a stripped-back model: the RnineT Urban GS, which copied the style of the original R80G/S from 1980: the RnineT Racer, which had a cafe racer style, complete with nose fairing: and the RnineT Scrambler, which had nominal off-road ability but looked good with its knobbly tires. As of 2021, all models bar the Racer are still in the catalog.
The engine might be an old design, but BMW is still working to improve it. New cylinder heads were introduced for the 2021 model year to improve combustion, making it cleaner and more efficient and improving torque in the mid-range. Interestingly, peak power dropped by one horsepower to 109 horsepower but that improved torque curve actually makes the bike feel faster. Despite being air-cooled, the engine meets the latest Euro5 emissions regulations.
Twin front discs and a single rear disc, clamped by BMW-branded calipers are nothing out of the ordinary but the braking system is equipped with ABS Pro, which is BMW’s version of lean-sensitive ABS. The RnineT is also fitted with what BMW calls Dynamic Brake Control, which is a system that reduces engine compression braking when decelerating to prevent the rear wheel locking up and skidding.
It’s no god being retro if you have a large full-colour TFT dash spoiling the appearance and the RnineT has a pair of fully retro round analogue clocks - one for the speedo and one for the tach. Both have a digital insert that gives additional information.
When BMW said it saw the RnineT as a blank canvas for customizers, it wasn’t joking. The rear subframe is bolted on and can be easily removed while the wiring harness is divided into two - one part for vehicle functions and the other for engine functions so you can go to town on the bike without disturbing the engine at all. That’s a clever bit of thinking.
The good thing about the latest breed of retro-styled bikes is that there is very little plastic anywhere: nearly everything is metal - either steel or aluminium - and this gives the bikes a really solid, old-school feel. The RnineT is no exception and, when combined with BMW build quality, makes for a bike that will continue to look good for many years, no matter the weather it might be subjected to.
It’s no good making a bike that both looks old and goes as if it’s old as well. The RnineT has a brilliant suspension set-up from Sachs, which gives the bike a fantastic balance between comfort and control. The forks feature full adjustment and the cornering power is remarkable, allowing you to keep corner speeds high. Despite the large cylinders sticking out of the side, ground clearance when cranked over in a corner is not a problem.
The engine has tons of torque from tickover all the way up to the red line and will propel the RnineT to a top speed of 135mph.
There have been no major or minor issues with any part of the BMW RnineT.
The engine in the RnineT is the air-cooled 1170cc boxer twin as used in the R1200 models, such as. the GS and the RT.
All BMW motorcycles are made at their Berlin, Germany factory.
The base RnineT Pure costs $11.595.
There have been no major or minor issues with any part of the BMW RnineT.
The engine in the RnineT is the air-cooled 1170cc boxer twin as used in the R1200 models, such as. the GS and the RT.
All BMW motorcycles are made at their Berlin, Germany factory.
The base RnineT Pure costs $11.595.
Harry has been writing and talking about motorcycles for 15 years, although he's been riding them for 45 years! After a long career in music, he turned his hand to writing and television work, concentrating on his passion for all things petrol-powered. Harry has written for all major publications in South Africa, both print and digital and produced and presented his own TV show called, imaginatively, The Bike Show, for seven years. He held the position of editor of South Africa's largest circulation motorcycling magazine before devoting his time to freelance writing on motoring and motorcycling. Born and raised in England, he has lived in South Africa with his family since 2002. Harry has owned examples of Triumph, Norton, BSA, MV Agusta, Honda, BMW, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Kawasaki and Moto Morini motorcycles. He regrets selling all of them.