BMW F 900 R 2020 — Specifications

Eleven years holding the same rank – that's a long time for a roadster. The F 800 R had certainly aged, but Munich wasn't going to simply rejuvenate a tired silhouette. The 2020 BMW F 900 R doesn't extend the previous model; it turns the page and opens a new one.

The 895 cm3 parallel twin at the heart of the machine didn't appear from nowhere. BMW borrowed the architecture of the block equipping the F 850 GS, reworked the cylinder heads, adopted forged pistons in place of the cast parts of yesteryear, increased the compression ratio to 13.1:1, and offset the crankshaft pins by 90 degrees. Result: 105 horsepower at 8500 rpm and 92 Nm at 6500 rpm. That’s 15 horsepower more than the F 800 R, and it positions the BMW F 900 R against the benchmarks in the segment. The MT-09, the Z 900, and the Street Triple remain slightly ahead in terms of raw power, but the gap has narrowed considerably. Regarding regulations, a version restricted to 95 horsepower allows A2 license holders to access the machine; BMW states upfront that this configuration cannot be subsequently de-restricted.

The chassis adopts a steel structure inherited from the F 850 GS trail model, reworked for a more sporty temperament. The engine here plays a structural role, supporting the entire assembly. The 43 mm inverted fork offers 135 mm of travel with no adjustment possibility; the rear mono-shock allows adjustment of preload and rebound over 142 mm of travel. The riding position has been revised forward, with a handlebar advanced by 15 mm and footrests raised by 15 mm. The 770 mm seat remains accessible to an average build. What is less accessible is the weight: 211 kg fully fueled. The MT-09 is 20 kilos lighter. It’s not a dealbreaker, but on a roadster intended to be dynamic, every kilo counts in direction changes.

Electronics constitute the most visible argument of this upgrade. The 6.5-inch color TFT screen, controllable via a wheel on the handlebar, offers smartphone connectivity, simplified navigation, and call management. Two riding modes, Rain and Road, are standard; Dynamic and Dynamic Pro are added as an option. Traction control ASC is now standard and deactivatable. By opting for the Pro pack, access is gained to DTC, dynamic braking control DBC, ABS Pro, and engine braking management MSR. The Active pack adds a bidirectional quickshifter and an IMU inertial sensor. The list of available BMW F 900 R accessories is substantial: cornering light, keyless start, semi-active ESA Dynamic damping, cruise control. All these boxes to check drive the bill beyond the base price of 8870 euros.

The brakes entrust the front to two radially mounted Brembo calipers, four pistons per caliper, clamping onto 320 mm discs. The rear remains more discreet with a 265 mm disc and a single-piston caliper. The whole is consistent with the versatile positioning of the machine, without the bite of track braking, but with the precision expected on a BMW Motorrad. The BMW F 900 R targets a wide audience: the experienced rider seeking a credible and well-equipped mid-range roadster, as well as the young license holder wishing to evolve on a motorcycle with strong potential. It will convince more on open roads than on the track, more in daily/weekend mixed use than in exclusively sporty use. In this very competitive segment, the BMW F 900 R price and electronic richness constitute its best arguments against Japanese bikes that are sometimes more refined but less sophisticated at comparable prices.