The BMW R nineT is a

standard Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object th ...

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

made by

BMW Motorrad BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand of BMW, part of its Corporate and Brand Development division. It has produced motorcycles since 1923, and achieved record sales for the fifth year in succession in 2015. With a total of 136,963 vehicles sold i ...

since 2014. It is a retro styled roadster marketed by BMW to custom builders and enthusiasts as a "blank canvas for customizing". All models have

anti-lock braking system An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking, thereby maintaini ...

s (ABS). Automatic stability control (ASC) is available as an option.

Design elements

The BMW R nineT has several design elements configured to allow the bike to be easily modified, such as separate

engine An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gen ...

and

chassis A chassis (, ; plural ''chassis'' from French châssis ) is the load-bearing framework of an artificial object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is a vehicle frame, the underpart ...

wiring harnesses and minimal bolts attaching the rear subframe, tail lights, and headlight. The R nineT version of the bike has upside-down (USD) telescopic forks rather than BMW's usual

Telelever BMW's motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company commenced manufacturing engines for other companies. BMW's own motorcycles—sold under the BMW Motorrad brand—began in 1923 with the BMW R 32, which was powered by a flat-twin engine (a ...

front suspension. The other versions have conventional telescopic forks. All variations have an air/oil-cooled

oilhead BMW's motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company commenced manufacturing engines for other companies. BMW's own motorcycles—sold under the BMW Motorrad brand—began in 1923 with the BMW R 32, which was powered by a flat-twin engine (a ...

flat twin A flat-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine with the cylinders on opposite sides of the crankshaft. The most common type of flat-twin engine is the boxer-twin engine, where both pistons move inwards and outwards at the same ti ...

(or boxer) engine, which has the inlet manifold at the rear of the cylinders and the exhaust at the front. The oilhead is arguably more suitable for customization as it has a more conventional appearance than the new water-cooled engine. As of 2017 there are five R nineT variations: *R nineT - with upside-down (USD) telescopic forks *R nineT Pure - styled back roadster design *R nineT Urban G/S - similar look and style to the BMW R80G/S with a 19-inch instead of 17-inch front wheel *R nineT Racer S - a

cafe racer A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caf ...

without a passenger seat, with a nose fairing in blue, white and red trim *R nineT Sport - UK-only version with Akrapovic silencer and cafe racer styling *R nineT Scrambler - design features of the scrambler era with large 19-inch front wheel

Reception

In a ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was fo ...

'' review, Roland Brown said the R nineT is "not the bike for impecunious custom builders, but a retro roadster that combines heritage, good looks, high quality finish and entertaining performance in one cleverly integrated package, with potential for easy personalisation". A ''

Motor Cycle News ''MCN'' or ''Motor Cycle News'' is a UK weekly Motorcycle, motorcycling newspaper published by Bauer Verlagsgruppe, Bauer Consumer Media, based in Peterborough, United Kingdom. It claims to be "the world’s biggest weekly motorcycle newspape ...

'' review says of the R nineT: "The build quality is superb and the attention to detail impeccable. It goes, stops and handles as well as the best roadsters out there, thanks to its modern chassis, suspension and braking components. But there’s a lovely twist with the old-school air-cooled Boxer engine".

Notes

External links

* {{BMW motorcycles R nineT Motorcycles powered by flat engines Shaft drive motorcycles Standard motorcycles