Roadster – F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster … with a deja vu R – F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

Posted on by admin

F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster … with a dejà vu R

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

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 1: Do more than the predecessor

Launched ten years ago and updated three times (2011, 2015 and 2017), the F800R has never succeeded in establishing itself in the very competitive segment of mid-displacement roadsters. Something to do twice to pester BMW Motorrad France since in our country, these motorcycles achieve colossal sales volumes…

At the top of French sales of GT road motorcycles with its R1250RT, trails with its F750 / 850GS and – above all – maxitrails with its R1250GS / Adventure, the German brand is relegated to the back of the pack when it comes to mid-size roadsters….

  • MNC special file :
  • Duel MNC F800R Vs Monster 821 :

Among those responsible for the propeller brand, we can consider that the modest success of the F800R in France constitutes an advantage: the F900R which replaces it this year (in 2020, yes already!) Has considerable room for improvement. !

Thanks to our, our subscribers – who thank them all actively support their favorite motorcycle newspaper, its independence and its impertinence! – know for example that the Z900 sold six times more than the BMW roadster last year in France and the MT-09 three and a half times.

To steal market share from its Japanese competitors – but also English and Austrian which are ahead of it in the ranking! -, the German roadster has gained muscle: engine capacity up by a hundred cubic centimeters, power increased by 15 horsepower, torque improved by 6 newton meters, etc. (read our technical point).

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

BMW did not take over the Rotax engine from the F800R but upgraded the twin cylinder fitted to the F850GS, supplied by its industrial partner Loncin … And without even having seen or heard it, nor tested or "tested", some bikers categorically disapprove of the Chinese origin of the F900R mill.

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

On social networks in particular, comments – negative – about BMW badged Chinese "Chinese" fuse and spread faster than the Coronavirus. However, "the F900R is indeed produced in our factory in Berlin", reassures the product manager Dorit Mangold. Fans of "Deutsche Qualitat" can breathe… without a mask.

“We have succeeded in further increasing the performance of the in-line twin in terms of power, torque and emotion, in particular thanks to an increase in displacement,” says Peter Hebel, responsible for engine development. have managed to maintain its strengths such as driveability and low consumption ".

The teutonic has precisely interest not to suck too much: the capacity of its tank is limited to 13 liters! Taking into account the average fuel consumption indicated on the manufacturer’s technical sheet (see last page), the F900R has a theoretical range of 309 km before running out of fuel..

The F850GS as a new platform

Less bulky than that of the F800R (15 liters), the new tank of the F900R is also less original since it finds its traditional location: between the pilots’ thighs and no longer under his buttocks, in order to better load the front of the vehicle. the motorbike.

The very flared shape of the tank and its perfectly flat sides – but not entirely painted, too bad -, offer an excellent grip of the bike and a perfect reception of the thighs. Another advantage advanced by BMW: its manufacturing process (welded plastic, a first according to the Germans) allows a significant saving in weight.

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

Despite this, the weight of the machine in total and full facts is up by 9 kg … The fault in particular of the abandonment of the light but expensive aluminum in favor of steel, cheaper but heavier. Questioned on this point by MNC, Frau Mangold maintains that "steel was better suited to our project of building a common platform for our GS trails, our R roadster and our" XR roadster "… that MNC also quickly tested : test to follow !

Continuing its tour of the owner (for half a day and a hundred kilometers only), the Journal moto du Net notes that some welds seem coarse on the rear loop and around the steering column, which is even more regrettable because the pilot has his nose directly and constantly on it.

Conversely, the routing of cables and wires under the handlebars is more successful, as is the total absence of visible screws on the monolithic dashboard (black, for the moment). We appreciate other small details such as the "F900" marking on the saddle or the R cut out in the optics, the beautiful footrest plates and the pretty foot controls..

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

Despite its weight gain and the complete overhaul of the cycle part, the F900R behaves quite similar to that of its predecessor. Good news for road roadster enthusiasts, but less so for streetfighter fans….

With the original saddle placed at 815 mm, the ground is accessible from both feet simultaneously to the majority of bikers. With the high saddle (+20 mm) that the staff installed on "our" test model, it becomes more difficult for less than 1.70 m. MNC, for his part, would have gladly installed the extra-high saddle (+50 mm).

A feeling of deja vu, already felt

With "our" saddle at 835 mm already, the position is sportier than that of the F800R but remains relaxed: the wrists are not solicited and the knees a little too bent with the original saddle (for our meter eighty ) are not likely to tire.

The pilot tightens a little during the first turns of the wheel due to the relative heaviness of the steering. Compared to the F850GS, "the adaptations of the angle of the steering column, the offset and the chassis have enabled us to achieve a very sporty chassis", describes Wolfgang Wallner, head of chassis development..

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

Sporty, the chassis is especially so when it comes to maneuvering the motorcycle with the engine off! The pecs are put to the test to steer and counter-steer, as if the steering damper – still present! – was too tight.

At very low speed, the F900R then has the unfortunate tendency to engage. MNC is not entirely surprised: in his memories – a little distant – the F800R had the same character. It is therefore on restraint that we start in the first roundabouts, while noting that this feeling of driving a large cube can however seduce and flatter.

To justify this motorcycle a little drooping from the front, some members of the BMW staff point out that when we left, the outside temperature displayed by the dashboard was 7 ° C: "the oil of the shock absorber. management was therefore a little frozen ", they try to convince us … without much success.

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

This tendency to melt towards the inside of the bends is however quickly integrated and gives the bike an agility that never sinks into nervousness. On the road, it makes life easier for the rider who can enter his bike into curves without any effort and then hold it by locking his outer arm against the tank.

Conversely, the new engine is very charming at first glance thanks to the roaring sound of the pot when starting and slightly cracking when playing with the accelerator at a standstill (see our smart-video). Enthusiasm unfortunately subsides quickly while driving, because we no longer hear enough the low and short pot.

Roadster - F900R test: the completely revised BMW roadster ... with a deja vu R - F900R test page 1: Do more than the predecessor

In town, we regret that the Sino-German Twin lacks a little flexibility: if it accepts to trot at 30 km / h in 3rd, it does not turn round at 60 km / h in 6th. In traffic jams, on peripherals and other flyers of large cities, it will be necessary to play a little with the box.

The injection is well calibrated, even if MNC notes small jerks during deceleration. The optional shifter makes the bike jerk when upshifting in low revs and under light load. The gears shift better when you set the pace and always descend well thanks to the automatic gas shots. But let’s move from small streets to small and beautiful roads…

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *