F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster … with a dejà vu R
BMW has just presented two major 2020 novelties to the international press: the F900R and the F900XR. Honor to the roadster who is embarking on the most popular segment of French bikers and that Site had between the gloves one morning. Quick test, well done !
F900R test page 2: BMW puts the pack … and the options
More efficient than the old engine, that of 2020 offers a wide range of use (between 2500 and 8000 rev / min approximately). The accelerations in the first half of the tachometer (digital color!) Are sufficient to have fun on small bendy roads.
In "Rain" mode, on which BMW had tuned "our" F900R without our noticing it, the responses of the twin are deliberately mellowed in low revs. By engaging the "Road" mode, they become more tonic but lack a little relief…
After 5500 rpm, the pickups are convincing and overtaking smoothly … Unfortunately for the F900R, the linear character of its watermill makes it less impressive and entertaining than other twins of equivalent displacement – and perhaps even slightly lower.
Good point compared to the F800R on the other hand: the crackling does not begin to invade the handlebars mounted on silentblocs and the gums lining the footrests only after 6000 rpm. At this high speed, on small roads and on intermediate gears, the driver’s attention is elsewhere.
On expressways, including on the motorway at a 135 km / h counter perfectly maintained by the regulator (optional), the F900R cruise-under-controls just below 5000 rpm. Unlike the 800, the 900 therefore does not give the driver a shake..
The road character of the BMW is also reflected in many practical aspects that the majority of its rivals overlook (in) precisely! Particular attention is thus paid to the passenger who can sit on a rather comfortable saddle and hang on to a pair of original supplied handles. "Sehr Gut!"
Similarly, under its saddle made from a single block, the F900R accepts a small tool kit (you never know …), a yellow vest (mandatory!) And a disc lock (deterrent otherwise to be very efficient). Still in practice, MNC notes that the two adjustable levers may remain a little too far apart for bikers with small hands.
A road and civilized roadster
To beat a very well established competition, BMW is right to offer more … And sell more to whoever wants !? As standard, certain equipment already puts the F900R back at the top of the category: the TFT screen and the Bluetooth connection allow it to compete with the Z650 and Z900 of 2020, recently tested on MNC.
Downloaded and used by Site, the BMW Connected app proved to be more compelling than Kawasaki’s Rideology. The recording of part of our route worked perfectly, allowing us to relive our trip in real time..
A gadget for some, real added value for others, the app compiles a lot of data: distance traveled, minimum and maximum altitude, peak acceleration and braking, peak speed and maximum revs, etc. Even the less "geeky" journalists took pleasure in comparing their maximum angle shots! (45 and 46 ° for MNC, record to beat at 50 °, all without scraping the footrests!).
Please note, to produce this type of report, the BMW must be equipped with the inertial unit. The latter is fitted if and only if the owner selects the Active pack … or orders his motorcycle before March 1, 2020 (First Edition offer with this free Active pack, precisely). The F900R then aligns with the 790 Duke, the only midsize roadster to have the original IMU.
In this configuration, the two standard driving modes (rain and road) are supplemented by two more dynamic modes which benefit from the finer assistance provided by the inertial unit. They take into account in particular the attitude of the motorcycle, lateral as well as longitudinal..
During this short first test, however, the electronics were not overwhelmed: the dry and clean roads offered all the grip necessary for the excellent Bridgestone S21s. Whether on the brakes or on the throttle, in a straight line or full angle, MNC was able to put the rubber on without any ulterior motive !
On the braking side, the Brembo radial-mounted front calipers provide a sporty touch to the bike and – above all – a magnificent touch to its rider. The dosage at the lever is obvious and the power at the rendezvous. "Kein Problem!"
The rear brake is less pleasant because of its hard pedal which affects the precision but does not prevent the bike from slowing down effectively, from keeping a flat attitude in duet or from retouching a trajectory in a slightly virolo bastard vicious.
BMW offers equipment – optional, "jawohl" – unprecedented in the category: electronic suspensions! The ‘Dynamic ESA’ is limited on this model to the rear shock absorber, but it suffices to radically modify the behavior of the motorcycle.
By setting the shock absorber to "Road", the driver benefits from remarkable cushioning in town and on poorly paved roads. The marketing discourse of the brand with the propeller is not the wind and the inverted fork plays with urban obstacles as well as other road traps.
Solid in appearance, the front suspension is non-adjustable but benefits from a good compromise between comfort and sport. On beautiful roads, it allows you to drive hard. The pilot, however, avoids taking top of the front brake on the angle, because this disturbs the trajectory a little too much..
The "Dynamic" mode of the ESA improves heading hold in the winding: you can maintain more speed in curves, then open the throttle earlier and wider at the exit. So we have a lot of fun with this bike! Too bad the engine is not more expressive and explosive … or a little less full everywhere ?
Two motorcycles for the price of one ?
Offered "from 8,870 euros", the F900R climbs to 11,285 euros in the version made available to us. It included the red and gray color (with golden fork, black rims and seat cowl), the smoked screen, the pressure sensor, the emergency call service and the four packs: Active which will only be free ” in February (650 euros afterwards), Comfort (Keyless and heated grips), Dynamic (ESA and Pro high beam) and Touring (center stand, GPS preparation, cruise control and luggage rack).
"Admittedly, the motorcycle is then more expensive than its competitors, but it is necessary to consider its level of superior equipment too", defends the brand when Site asks it to redo its accounts. "The advantage also is that our customers can make a motorcycle to their image and to their desires".
The owners of large BMWs (motorcycles as well as cars!) Know this refrain by heart and sing it with pleasure at each model renewal. Now MNC is not surprised to learn that many F800Rs were bought by spouses or children of BMW motorcycle owners – mostly GSs. !
With the F900R, the Germans intend to win over new customers and hope to rejuvenate the average age of their current customers, "a high average, certainly, but which in fact hides two peaks: before and – well – after the arrival of the children. in a couple ".
To find these singles or newlyweds – or PACS or partners, you have grasped the principle – BMW is betting on the new look of its motorcycle. MNC approves the abandonment of the large exhaust in the high position as well as the lightening of the rear part, although the original plate support is a little too plastoc.
Still as massive, the front of the F900R is adorned with a less tortured optics and entirely LED. We still find it a bit petty to offer an optional windshield which ideally conceals the speedometer. Same remark about the daytime running lights which are doubled with a clever turn lighting on paper, but whose weak glow does not fully convince.
In the end, the look of the F900R remains in the same vein as the F800R, which already stood out clearly from its competitors: less refined than the Italians, less appreciated than the small English or its Austrian cousins, less fashionable especially than the Japanese … But fashions pass, "nein" ?
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