All Tests – BMW R nineT Test: retro … active! – The pleasure of the senses (ations)

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BMW R nineT test: retro … active !

All Tests - BMW R nineT Test: retro ... active! - The pleasure of the senses (ations)

A retro motorcycle is a model with classic lines whose behavior often refers to (de) past sensations. Not at BMW, which tries a much more dynamic approach: the new R nineT has an eye in the retro and two wheels in the present !

The pleasure of the senses (ations)

This bike, the Germans explain having designed it as much with the heart as with their brain: unlike the most "rational" models in the range, sometimes cold in aiming too much for perfection, the R nine T relies on a relative technical and aesthetic simplicity to titillate the senses.

Not really in the habits of the brand, this hedonistic philosophy can be seen in the care given to the finish in general and certain details in particular: it is impossible not to caress the sides – brushed by hand and then varnished – of the tank. aluminum gasoline !

Same positive impression at the sight of the shot-blasted treatment (the metal is bombarded with balls to improve some of its physical properties such as resistance to rust) affixed in particular to the legs and the triple trees. Or the "BMW" logo housed in the center of the headlight and the "nineT" inscription engraved on the qualitative aluminum cover covering the intake manifold, above the right cylinder.

However, while we take advantage of the excellent agility – the result of the substantial lever arm induced by a very wide handlebar and a low center of gravity – to twirl in the flow of traffic, a few small errors of taste occur. remind our demanding memory of a conscientious assayer…

Thus, the welds of the reinforcement of the rear frame, on which the passenger footrests are directly attached, could be more careful. And the cables like the sheaths running around the intake ducts placed behind the cylinders give a "gas plant" side moderately compatible with the desired visual analysis..

Finally, the presentation of the two needle dials used in the R1200R is in our eyes a little too austere, not to mention that the very close graduations sometimes make their reading difficult. A monochrome digital window conveniently brings a little touch of freshness, at the same time as it provides information on a significant amount of information (fuel consumption and range, gear engaged, odometer, maintenance indicator and time).

Classic but not "old-fashioned", the BMW R nineT has a scrolling on the handlebars of all this data, only the resetting of the daily trips and the passage from one to the other requiring to reach out to the instrumentation to actuate a pusher.

In the same order of "practical" ideas, the levers are adjustable in spacing in four positions – via serrated knobs as aesthetic as they are easy to handle – and a 12V socket is cleverly hidden above the left cylinder.

Mixture of genres

In short, the R nine T mixes genres, even if it means blurring the lines traditionally followed by retro motorcycles. Like its ergonomics, closer to that of a modern roadster than an old one. The wide handlebars are notably placed a little lower and more forward than expected, the slight inclination of the bust which results from it immediately providing a feeling of control..

The footrests also appear to be set relatively high for this category of motorcycle. The saddle, thin and narrow on its front part, is easily straddled (785 mm) while the knees take place in peace around a reservoir appropriately hollowed out on its sides.

Without going so far as to say that this ergonomics is sporty, it is in any case more restrictive than on competing neo-retros, such as the Honda CB1100 and the Yamaha XJR1300 opposed last year by MNC or the Moto Guzzi Griso 8V against which we had precisely measured the R1200R (reread our and our) !

And the dynamic behavior is to match: neutral, the direction is easily placed in a curve, where the bike plunges with a promising joy. It is only at very low speed that its weight (222 kg), its substantial wheelbase (1476 mm) and the restraint exerted by its steering damper are felt. A situation where you also plague your turning circle…

Intuitive, the R nine T shifts from angle to angle with astounding precision and speed, without ever having to strain on its massive handlebars. The BMW goes where the eye goes without pretending to widen a trajectory, except when too insistent pressure is exerted on the right lever.

At this point, the "classic" inverted fork tends to stiffen, where a Telelever would probably have swallowed the difficulty – in addition to reducing dive under braking. The fact remains that the "made in Munich" front axle is also heavier – both physically and visually – and that its use would have complicated, at least limited, the possible customizations of the motorcycle..

It also remains that it is hardly possible to blame this type of reaction from the steering gear, as the braking device is simply demonic up front. Faith from MNC, no retro, vintage or classic motorcycle brakes so hard! Extremely responsive and powerful, this braking needs to be tamed before getting the most out of it. Fortunately, the ABS and rear coupling fitted as standard make the exercise easier. !

At the rear, the pedal offers a completely different mode of operation: the action on the 180 mm wide rear wheel is moderately adjustable over the first third, which sometimes leads to accidentally triggering the ABS by pressing hard in situation emergency.

Very good braking, the R nine T is also very rigorous: as stable as a TGV, it plays with constraints and changes of attitude with mastery thanks to a perfectly coordinated suspension tuning, even if quite firm. On billiards, the bike sticks to the asphalt like chewing gum under a sole, which allows you to take advantage of its satisfactory ground clearance and first-rate traction without a second thought.

On a more bumpy bitumen, however, the big shocks are transmitted more sharply to the hands, already tickled by slight mechanical vibrations from 4000 rpm. At high speed on a succession of bumps, the rear mono-shock absorber in turn shows the limits of an orientation that is openly more (too?) Sport than comfort: the rear tends to bounce slightly on the obstacle instead of completely l ‘absorb.

The pleasure is only moderately altered, so pleasurable it is to be able to ask so much from a motorcycle of this type! The R nine T can also count on a perfectly calibrated injection and a very discreet cardan transmission. Its gearbox is not a model of discretion or speed, but it correctly locks each gear engaged.

The whole thing under the control of a dry clutch easy to handle, even if it does not have the smoothness and the progressiveness of the new devices in oil bath mounted on the new Boxer cooled by air-water. Barely retouched compared to that of the R1200 R, the flat twin of the R nine T offers the same confusing availability (for a twin) and starts again in the first reports from 1500 rpm.

Flexible, it expresses itself at full from 3000 rpm where it sends a huge bunch of torque up to 5500/6000 rpm. A little less lively when approaching high revs, it nevertheless offers a more than satisfactory extension (8,500 rpm at the switch) and can reach 220 km / h in fifth gear..

Thanks to its shortened secondary transmission, its relaunches are more muscular, making its very large operating space ideal for winding as for swarming: in the viroleux, the fourth offers breathtaking responsiveness from 60 km / h to 120 km / h, making the point of changing gear is practically useless! What health !

Verdict: retro but not too much !

Without a doubt, BMW Motorrad’s 90th anniversary motorcycle – and especially not the "R90", a name already attributed to an emblematic propeller-driven motorcycle of the brand in the early 1970s – is proving to be a success, both on stylistically than dynamic.

Made with many beautiful pieces, it will delight both aesthetes, nostalgics and even bikers sensitive to the attraction of sporting touches. Or a huge range of potential users !

In this configuration, the air-oil twin flat turns out to be a perfect ally of this delightful package: full as an egg, it is embellished with a pinch of inertia and reversing torque at a dose sufficient to be assimilated to good character. For those who appreciate this kind of specificity, of course !

There remains the thorny question of price … At € 15,000, the BMW R nineT is objectively expensive. Too much, if we consider its price in terms of its technical platform, most of which comes from the old R1200GS and RT and which still operates on the R1200R.

Too expensive also if we compare it to this close cousin, currently displayed € 1,800 cheaper (€ 13,200 for the R1200R 2014) despite its Telelever and its superior versatility. More comfortable saddle and damping, the "R12R" can also be enriched with optional piloted suspensions (ESA) and anti-skating which make it suitable for getting rid of everyday life as well as long trips..

However, it is likely that many bikers do not stop at these "pragmato-eco-technical" considerations. And there are chances that some will crack for its line, its lovingly crafted parts and its unique design as a customizable motorcycle, without ticking the bill..

Just as it is foreseeable that others will come back from a test conquered by its strong character and its dynamic behavior situated well above the average of the mirrors. For 2014, BMW estimates, knowing that 300 would have already ordered. Who’s next ?

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