The new BMW R Nine T Racer S, in our opinion, has to be one of the coolest and best looking bikes currently on the market? Ok, not everyone will agree but if we all liked the same thing then I suppose life would be very boring?
We loved the look and lines of the BMW R Nine T Racer S (Sport) when first launched in 2017 and it immediately caught our attention. Much like the Ducati Classic range but more aggressive (and reliable…how many high mileage Ducati’s do you see?!). A cafe racer with 1970’s retro styling but modern technology and the legendary BMW bullet-proof Boxer engine, a winning combination, perfect in every way.
We recently visited one of our local BMW dealers, Wollaston in Northampton, and booked an impulsive test ride on the new R Nine T Racer S. Having only ridden Japanese bikes over the past 20 years, we were not sure what to expect but were overwhelmed when presented with this 719 Option billet pack example, straight from the factory in this trim, a £2000 upgrade package and worth every penny! You only have to Google BMW R Nine T Racer and search the image results, to see how rare it is to see the classic BMW Racer in this trim. We would never look at another Racer in the standard white trim in the same light again!
The BMW is stunning in every aspect, the only small criticism we can make is the standard silencer obscures the beautiful single-sided swingarm, we could live with that! High level cans are available.
The riding position is pretty extreme but, to be honest, we found it no more uncomfortable than running around on our early R1 4XV. At 220kg it’s not the lightest but is at ease when out of town on the twisty flat roads of the Fens! There is a £780 Helibars upgrade however if is does prove too much.
When we started shopping around in September 2019, there were very few (less than 10) bikes advertised for sale within the UK and priced from £7150 to £9499, we followed a couple of low mileage examples at the £8000 mark and they sold literally within days of being advertised. At around £11,600 new (with the spoke wheels option, £11,000 without) there were good deals to be had in the second hand market and most were very low miles.
At the time of writing (October 2019) the price new is £10,775 for the base model and £11,360 for the ‘S’ model. This 2019 used billet pack option retails at about £12,500, bargain!
Service intervals is 6000 miles or every 12 months. BMW labour rates are around the £85 per hour mark.
The ‘S’ model benefits from the following;
- Spoke wheels
- Heated grips
- Chrome exhaust
- LED indicators
BMW R Nine T Racer Specification;
Engine;
- Engine: Air/oil-cooled, four-stroke twin-cylinder boxer engine, horizontally opposed twin
- Bore x stroke: 101 x 73mm
- Displacement: 1170cc
- Maximum power: 110 horsepower @ 7750 rpm
- Maximum torque: 86 ft/lbs @ 6000 rpm
- Valve train: DOHC
- Fuel delivery: EFI w/ 50mm throttle bodies
- Cooling: Air and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Dry, hydraulically actuated
- Final drive: Shaft
Frame;
- Frame: Tubular steel w/ self-supporting engine
- Front suspension: Non-adjustable 43mm fork; 4.9 inches of travel
- Rear suspension: BMW Paralever shock; 4.7 inches of travel
- Front tyre: 120/70 ZR 17; Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T30 Evo
- Rear tyre: 180/55 ZR 17; Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T30 Evo
- Front wheel: 3.5” x 17”; cast aluminum
- Rear wheel: 5.5: x 17”; cast aluminum
- Front brakes: 320mm discs
- Rear brake: 265mm disc
- ABS: Standard; BMW Motorrad
Dimensions;
- Wheelbase: 150cm
- Rake: 26.4 degrees
- Seat height: 80.5cm
- Fuel capacity: 4.5 gallons
- Curb weight: 220kg
- Estimated fuel consumption: 45 mpg
BMW R Nine T Racer Factory Optional Extras;
- Hand-brushed aluminium tank with or without visible welded seams – £920-£1020
- Spoke wheels – £330
- Chrome exhaust – £90
- Heated grips – £240
- White LED indicators – £100
- Anti-theft alarm – £210
