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Headwind: BMW R nineT Scrambler

Boxer! Pure!

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In a fully electronic fully comprehensive world, some people are happy about handmade, honest products. The trend is just getting away from excess. The puristic BMW R nineT Scrambler fits in perfectly.

D.he life is becoming more and more predictable. We get vaccinated against colds. Insure against theft. And for impotence we throw blue pills. The trend is towards self-driving cars, the infotainment of which can compete with that of an airplane cockpit and which will give you detention if you forget to blink or turn off the light, and which will call you if the old man is cheating again . But also for motorcycles with all-round weather protection, steplessly adjustable seat with stepless seat heating, sixty-fold driving modes, gear change request, hand holder and lean angle assistant. The creeping incapacitation is taking hold. Do we really want that??

Headwind: BMW R nineT Scrambler

Boxer! Pure!

Page at dealers in mid-September

With 23,000 units sold, the R nineT is currently sixth among the world’s best-selling big bikes in the last three years. Ascending trend. So if less is really more at the moment, you could optimize the waiver, thought BMW and pushed the new BMW R nineT Scrambler into the salesrooms in mid-September.

Compared to the successful and equally puristic sister model, the BMW R nineT Scrambler does without wire-spoke wheels, rev counter, gear indicator, upside-down fork, aluminum tank and the much loved, nostalgic, riveted metal plate with the frame number. In addition, it has to make do with one liter less tank volume (17 liters) and a narrower rear tire. Do them too. How good, the army of journalists was able to convince itself of this at the driving presentation in the Alps. So get in the saddle.

Throttle response a little more subdued than with the nineT

First impression: more relaxed than on the sister model. Compared to the R nineT, the footrests are a little further back and lower. The handlebar is positioned closer to the driver and higher. You sit upright. At the push of a button, the air / oil-cooled boxer of the BMW R nineT Scrambler starts working and one wonders whether an early Stone Age kick starter would not have fitted better into the concept for all those who call less-is-more . But: does the mean hipster manage to kick off the racing car at the club? That shouldn’t fail with the stable soles of the Redwings. No matter. After just a few kilometers, a long-floating fear fizzles out: the Euro 4 standard has neither constricted the air-cooled boxer’s throat nor has it rendered him powerless. The top performance of 110 hp at 7750 rpm was retained, but the throttle response is a little more restrained than with the nineT. New German: it is smoother. The three Newton meters of torque that has been lost compared to the Euro 3 emissions standard can only really be felt under the influence of drugs. And from the standard Akrapovic silencer it sounds like a muffled sound like before. Everything is wonderful. Who would have thought that?

However, it did not stop at the changes listed. The frame is not identical to that of the R nineT. With the Scrambler, the steering head angle is flatter – ergo, the caster increased and the wheelbase grew by 46 to 1522 millimeters. Changes that generally mean that a vehicle runs better in a straight line, but also becomes more unwieldy. When asked about this, those responsible for BMW vehemently denied it. The BMW R nineT Scrambler – everyone emphasizes in unison – is much more manageable than its roadster sister. The impression on site did not really support this statement. The reduction of the rear wheel dimension from 180/55 to 170/60 and the use of narrower rims speak for better handling.

And what does the popometer say?

Ouch, it says. After only three hours in the narrow single seat, it pinches a lot. Comfort is different. But what was that like? Purism! I agree. Less is more. Whereby: The single seat mounted on almost all press bikes is part of the special accessories item and must be ordered separately. The BMW R nineT Scrambler comes with a two-person bench as standard. And what about the feeling of freedom? "Scrambler" means "to climb, scramble". So to be able to continue driving easily when the third-order country roads mutate into fourth. Go. Coarse tires on it – looks better anyway – and then you’re good to go. The spring elements are also coordinated to match the purism. Neither fork nor shock absorber will win prizes for particularly sensitive responsiveness. The harsh trampling on badly scarred or undulating asphalt has nothing to do with comfort. Purism. I agree. Fits!

Finally, let’s come to the good news, which can also be bad. At 13,000 euros, the BMW R nineT Scrambler is 1,800 euros cheaper than its beautiful sister. However, if you don’t want to do without details such as stylish wire-spoke wheels (around 400 euros surcharge), tachometer (around 470 euros) or even the beautiful 3.7 kilo lighter aluminum tank (900 euros) or other goodies from the BMW magic hat, you will quickly end up with Price of the R nineT. The metal sign with the frame number, which is revered by many, can allegedly also be ordered from the factory. The extra charge for this: 150 euros. But of course that is all irrelevant. You don’t buy a puristic motorcycle and then spice it up with all sorts of nonsense. Gold? Gold?

Technical data BMW R nineT Scrambler

Interview with M. Runde and N. Rebholz from BMW

jkuenstle.de

Matthias Runde, Product Manager R nineT / Scrambler and Norbert Rebholz, Project Manager Scrambler (from left)

FUEL: Forecast welcome! Will the Scrambler be as successful as the R nineT?

Round: We hope so. The success of the nineT surprised us. The sales forecast of 2000 units in Germany is also very satisfactory this year. With the BMW R nineT Scrambler, we want to expand the range in the classic area. Due to the greater seat height and the ergonomics that have been changed compared to the nineT, the machine also appeals to taller riders. A criterion not to be underestimated.

FUEL: What is the difference between the Scrambler and R nineT customers?

Round: The BMW R nineT Scrambler will appeal to customers with an off-road past and fans of studded tires. Even those for whom the seating position on the nineT is too sporty. In addition, the scrambler style has become very popular again.

FUEL: The chassis of the BMW R nineT Scambler is not very comfortable. Why don’t you offer an ESA for the models??

Vine wood: An ESA does not fit into the puristic concept of the BMW R nineT Scrambler. We wanted to put in as little electronics as possible. ABS and traction control should be enough. The customer reactions to the BMW Days in Garmisch, where we exhibited the Scrambler, were enthusiastic in unison and prove us right: "Finally a motorcycle again that only has the bare essentials."

FUEL: Nevertheless, she offers a bunch of accessories with which the machine can be pretzeled…?

Vine wood: Well, you can buy the base today and change the machine gradually in the following years. The price is therefore quite moderate, so the customer has room for individualization. The mainspring should be to create something unique.

Fuel: Just like people around the world are doing right now. Keyword New Custom Wave. Are you not afraid that this wave will break and customers will return to performance and equipment?

Round: Well, we would be well prepared for this with our product portfolio. Personally, I tend to believe that the segment will grow and that the segmentation will become even stronger. This trend has existed in the passenger car sector for years. In the 1980s, we made the whole world happy with four or five motorcycle models. That won’t work in the future. Based on the established, air-cooled boxer, one could imagine other classic models. Basically lids for all the different pots out there…

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