BMW Motorrad go retro with R nineT Scrambler for 2016.
The concept of the “Scrambler” takes us back as far as the 1950’s. With deep-treaded tyres, raised exhaust, somewhat extended spring travel and a relaxed seating position, Scramblers offered their riders in the 1950’s to 1970’s not just motorcycling fun on winding country roads, but also great off-road capability.
Ducati has successfully brought the concept of the Scrambler into the modern era with their interpretation, and has won the Bike of the Year and Best Retro Bike 2015 titles in the UK. Triumph Motorcycles too has their take on the theme.
So it’s no surprise that BMW decided to get involved in the booming retro bike market as well.
Starting with the highly customisable R nineT as the base, BMW Motorrad has created the new bike to be a motorcycle which revives the Scrambler era in a very special way.
The 2016 BMW R nineT Scrambler has everything that defines this motorcycle type, filled with a very distinct spirit and created for motorcycle fans who love things that are purist, reduced to the essentials and non-conformist – combined with the technology and quality of a BMW.
The engine is a classic air/oil-cooled, punchy flat-twin boxer engine with a capacity of 1,170 cc. It delivers an output of 81kW and maximum torque of 116Nm. Power is delivered through a 6-speed gearbox and shaft drive.
Similar to the R nineT Roadster, the frame concept is a key aspect in terms of the Scrambler’s extensive customisation capacity.
The specially developed steel tubular space frame integrates the boxer engine as a load-bearing element and consists of a front section with integrated steering head and a rear section with swinging arm mount.
The passenger frame can be dismounted giving the bike a particularly stylish appearance, and allowing the R nineT Scrambler to be used either by two people or by the rider alone.
Front suspension is a telescopic fork with rubber gaiters and a spring travel of 125 millimetres, while a Paralever single-sided swinging arm as used in the other boxer models is at the rear.
One important design objective was to ensure the body features were reduced to achieve a purist appearance.
The circular headlamp gives it an expression of freedom, and the simplistic speedometer with analog display features reflects classic motorcycling principles.
From the front the bike has a slim appearance, and the 17-litre sheet-steel fuel tank and the aluminium trim cover are embossed with the R nineT inscription.
Despite all its retro styling, the R nineT Scrambler is fitted with plenty of up to date technology.
There’s 320mm brake discs, 4-piston calipers with steel-wrapped brake lines on the front, and a single 265mm disc with 2-piston floating caliper on the rear. ABS, of course, is standard and Automatic Stability control is also available as an option.
Instrumentation includes a dual-row LCD display showing important information such as time and trip distance.
Like the R nineT, the long list of potential customisations for the Scrambler range from original BMW Motorrad accessories through to attachments or accessory parts produced by customisers, and allow the owner to create a totally unique motorcycle.
At this stage there has been no indication from BMW in Australia as to whether and when the bike will arrive on our shores but we will keep you posted.