[ninetadmin]

BMW revealed a new modular-designed boxer-powered café racer commemorating the company’s 90-year history of producing motorcycles. The production embodiment of the Lo Rider concept, the 2014 BMW R nineT offers a classic roadster look and a high degree of factory customization. Motorcycle.com‘s newest addition, Evans Brasfield is in Munich right now for the official unveiling of the nineT. He’ll have more details soon, but for now, here’s what we’ve learned.

When the Lo Rider concept was introduced in 2008, BMW said it would offer a number of customization options, allowing customers to create their own individualized model. That idea has transferred over to the production nineT, with a number of modifications available from different exhaust systems, LED indicators, tail covers, or even the choice of no tail at all.

Acting as a load-bearing element of the chassis is a 1170 air-cooled boxer twin that BMW claims offers 108 hp at 7750 rpm and 81.1 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm. The exhaust system flows out to the left side, ending with stacked twin silencers, but as we saw in recently published spy photos, BMW will offer a number of factory-installed options including titanium Akrapović exhausts with carbon heat shields.

If there’s one area BMW has strayed away from tradition, it’s in equipping the nineT with an upside-down telescopic fork instead of the company’s signature telelever suspension. The fork is actually the same as the one used on the S1000RR, which means it offers compression and rebound adjustments. At the rear, the single-sided swingarm is suspended by BMW’s paralever system with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping.

The stainless steel wire-spoke wheels have black anodized alloy rims and black aluminum hubs. The wheels come standard with a 120/70 ZR 17 tire up front and a 180/55 ZR 17 tire at the rear. Stopping the wheels are four-piston monobloc calipers controlled with steel-braided brake lines, gripping twin 320mm discs at the front. At the rear, a two-piston caliper grips a 265mm disc. As per BMW policy, the nineT will come with ABS as standard equipment.

The 4.8-gallon brushed aluminum fuel tank with embossed nineT logos, and can be customized with rubber kneepads. The air intake cover is also a naturally anodized brushed aluminum.

Other features include a 30.9-inch seat height, and a circular headlight with the BMW emblem in the center of the bulb cover. The steering yoke and handlebar clamp brackets are made of forged aluminum, glass bead-blasted and given a natural anodized finish. The instrument cluster consists of two classic round speedometer and tachometer gauges and a modern digital display showing engaged gear, time, range, fuel consumption, average speed, trip mileage and servicing interval.

Stay tuned for U.S. pricing details.

 

[9T33]

I always loved the single side swing arm look, and with the Nine T it looks amazing, more so with the Akra exhaust. Always the best from BMW

 

[street]

In the original post, reference to S1000 forks isn't correct, at least based on the pictures. I have an S1, and there's an adjustment on the lower casting that isn't visible on the photos of the NineT. Top adjusters are also different. I was hoping for Ohlins, but the Sachs on the S1 work pretty well.

 

[ralexford9t]

As I put more and more miles on the 9T, I find that I've barely tapped the suspension that comes with the 9T. But as BMW has mentioned, the suspension is upgradable. They could not provide everything for the price of the 9T. alexford

 

[tofur]

As I put more and more miles on the 9T, I find that I've barely tapped the suspension that comes with the 9T. But as BMW has mentioned, the suspension is upgradable. They could not provide everything for the price of the 9T. alexford

Just as a counter point: Ducati managed to build a bike that sports Ohlins and better brembo's then the 9t's for the same price (1200s). Personally I find non adjustable forks on a 15k bike mildly insulting.

 

[ralexford9t]

Just as a counter point: Ducati managed to build a bike that sports Ohlins and better brembo's then the 9t's for the same price (1200s). Personally I find non adjustable forks on a 15k bike mildly insulting.

I repeat exactly what I said in my earlier quote. This is not a Duc. It is not insulting and it would have cost more. You can adhere to your belief, but you get what you pay for. I did not want and would not have bought a Duc; the BMW 9T is what I wanted. The bike arrive at a fairly low price for a BMW and the company more or less had to retool for the front suspension to make a single bike. Each item on the bike sold me on it. Besides Ohlins, one can get Works Performance. That company used to build much of Ohlins suspension shock systems, but this was not commonly known. Eventually Ohlins went their own way. Works Performance builds systems for companies all over the planet along with systems for many motorcycle companies. Located in Canoga Park, they are a U. S. company that builds gas shocks and can build a custom shock to your specification. Just what I might do for my 9T. But we should all voice our opinions and brainstorm. That's what this forum is for. Thanks for your input. alexford

 

[tofur]

I repeat exactly what I said in my earlier quote. This is not a Duc. It is not insulting and it would have cost more. You can adhere to your belief, but you get what you pay for. I did not want and would not have bought a Duc; the BMW 9T is what I wanted. The bike arrive at a fairly low price for a BMW and the company more or less had to retool for the front suspension to make a single bike. Each item on the bike sold me on it. Besides Ohlins, one can get Works Performance. That company used to build much of Ohlins suspension shock systems, but this was not commonly known. Eventually Ohlins went their own way. Works Performance builds systems for companies all over the planet along with systems for many motorcycle companies. Located in Canoga Park, they are a U. S. company that builds gas shocks and can build a custom shock to your specification. Just what I might do for my 9T. But we should all voice our opinions and brainstorm. That's what this forum is for. Thanks for your input. alexford

All I'm saying is it would've been nice to get the adjustable cartridges from the 1000r. That thing costs 2 grand less. Everything else about the 9T is great, the frame, tank, seat, headlight, they really nailed it. My only other nitpick is not having tubeless tires. I had a shot at buying the Duc lightly used for a couple thousand off msrp and I passed it up, I'm waiting on the 9T.

And on the 821dark to be honest. Can't adjust the suspension on that but it is also only 11 grand.

 

[BaldyDave]

All I'm saying is it would've been nice to get the adjustable cartridges from the 1000r. That thing costs 2 grand less. Everything else about the 9T is great, the frame, tank, seat, headlight, they really nailed it. My only other nitpick is not having tubeless tires. I had a shot at buying the Duc lightly used for a couple thousand off msrp and I passed it up, I'm waiting on the 9T.

And on the 821dark to be honest. Can't adjust the suspension on that but it is also only 11 grand.

I can appreciate your point, but for me so far I find the non-adjustable forks perfectly ok, though I guess this view might change when I've started to approach the limits of the 9T's 's handling. Up till now my regular ride for the last 20 years has been a 1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans with almost standard (uprated progressive springs) front forks.... The way the 9T rides and handles is a quantum leap from the Guzzi, and old habits die hard when you've been riding a classic bike that handles like a Supertanker compared to the BMW, not to mention the linked braking system.....lol

Yes tubeless spoked wheels would have been great, though.... Even if BMW had offered them as a optional factory upgrade.

 

[ralexford9t]

All I'm saying is it would've been nice to get the adjustable cartridges from the 1000r. That thing costs 2 grand less. Everything else about the 9T is great, the frame, tank, seat, headlight, they really nailed it. My only other nitpick is not having tubeless tires. I had a shot at buying the Duc lightly used for a couple thousand off msrp and I passed it up, I'm waiting on the 9T.

And on the 821dark to be honest. Can't adjust the suspension on that but it is also only 11 grand.

I get it. I will say this: You hit the nail right on top of the head when it comes to the tires. Those wheels can be sealed for tubeless and should have been at the factory. This is no age for tube type tires (or tyres for that matter) and has nothing to do with the, "look." We should all hit BMW with that one!!alexford

 

[ralexford9t]

One thing to consider is to add on some adjustability in the future. I will say, that when I attempt to lean my bike over or turn in, this 9T is a knife. It really is a sharp tool and yet it is pretty compliant. Like my BMW R80 was, this bike's ride gets better the more I break it in. As for the top and the triple tree and springs, etc. that is made so that it can be changed. Down the road, I might consider a different rear shock. Note that the 36 pounds equal in each tire shows that although not tubeless, the weight distribution is about 50/50, front to rear.alexford

 

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

13 August 1918

1918 - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) established as a public company in Germany, according to "on this day . Com"

 

[George Spencer]

1918 - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) established as a public company in Germany, according to "on this day . Com"

Years ago, when I got my first BMW motorcycle, someone walked up to me, looked at the bike, and said, "BMW, British Motor Works." I just shook my head. :|

 

[Spoon]

B lack M amma's W heels!!

I do not mean to offend anyone this is just for a laugh.
1. B lack M an W orking
2. B ig M exican W oman