BMW F 900 R 2026 — Specifications

The F 900 R will never have been so accessible: it attacks the year 2026 with a promotional offer at €7,900, well below the catalog price of €9,500. Even the F 800 R in 2009, the first roadster in the F series, was not as affordable.

Offensive or defensive? The F 900 R has made its choice. From all sides, competitors are sharpening their knives – so since 2025, it decides to fill its saddlebags with a new fork that can be adjusted for compression and rebound, a lighter battery, new rims allowing for a weight saving of 1.8 kg, a redesigned ergonomics with a repositioned handlebar and footrests, Euro5+ compliance, 1 Nm more of torque, and the addition of the "Dynamic" Riding Mode. Thus, the electronics are reinforced with active ABSPro in curves, MSR engine torque control, Dynamic traction control, and Dynamic Brake Control.

Not bad considering the price only increases by €10 (excluding promotion). Conversely, the weight decreases by 3 kg. Nothing changes in terms of design, BMW having only made a symbolic gesture to the rear with the lights integrating into the turn signals.

The engine is almost unchanged, simply continuing its career under the new standard. A straight-twin lacking character but not efficiency. In its category of wolves, several types of engines coexist and face off. 4-cylinder, V-twin, 3-cylinder... There was even a single back in the day with the 690 Duke. The F 900 R is based on the 850 GS engine, reworked to 895 cm3 and producing 105 horsepower at 8500 rpm and 9.5 mkg of torque. For young license holders, a specific version with 95 horsepower in full will be available for A2. However, it will not be possible to upgrade it to 105 horsepower.

With this engine and its updated performance, BMW is taking a closer look at the watts of the MT-09, Street Triple R, Z 900, and 937 Monster. However, less powerful than the most explosive ones, will it be a handicap? One might think so, except that the F 900 R relies on other assets.

Starting with its chassis, which it shares in large part with its XR sister. A steel structure from the former 850 GS. A few CAD strokes and hammers adapt it to a more sporty behavior. The engine serves as a stressed member, while above it, the (13-liter) tank resumes its place and shows a welded plastic design. At the front, there is an inverted 43 mm fork with 135 mm of travel. The rear mono-shock offers adjustment of rebound and preload, as well as 142 mm of stroke. These values are noticeably higher than the former 800 roadster (125 mm F/R), favoring an improved working space for its suspensions, and a promise of more comfort. The F 900 R not only looks more dynamic. Its body also goes in that direction. The 6.5-inch color TFT screen immediately puts you in the atmosphere. The graphics are classy, it is controlled with the thumb with the Multi Controller ring, and it can be connected to the smartphone. This allows for the implementation of interactions from the most practical (simplified GPS App, preparation and recording of routes, etc...) to the most distracting (music playback or making calls).

Next, there is equipment that can count up to 4 Riding Modes – the "Dynamic Pro" is the only one optional. I will put the details of the Riding Modes at the end. In the meantime, let's stay a little in the options with the cornering light, the fiber optic daytime running lights, keyless start, semi-active ESA Dynamic rear damping, emergency call, cruise control... Briefly, a robbery of the wallet.

Even though we have an army of chips supervising the driving, it is still the right handlebar that engages the braking. Then, dosage of the force, hoses, then two Brembo calipers with radial fixation push 4 pistons each on 320 mm discs. The rear will be noticeably more timid with 265 mm in diameter surrounded by a single piston. The dynamic rear light is there to warn that we are braking.... Yes, like all brake lights! But this one flashes according to the intensity of the braking.

The F 900 R is giving itself the means to seduce the clientele of a very competitive segment. Laughter is not allowed but pride is definitely encouraged.

The action of the Riding Modes:

- In "Rain" mode, the gas admission is supple and the ABSPro and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) systems take into account the condition of the road in their adjustment characteristics, when the road surface is wet and therefore more slippery. The new MSR engine torque control provides maximum assistance.

- The "Road" mode offers optimal gas admission and the ABSPro and DTC systems are able to provide optimum performance on all roads. The MSR is also in the maximum position here.

- In "Dynamic" mode, the sporty sides of the F 900 R are felt with greater intensity. The engine setting obeys an optimal gas admission and the DTC and ABSPro systems are adapted to high road friction coefficients, the front wheel and rear wheel lift-off detection only intervenes later. The intervention of the MSR engine torque control is also reduced. The default setting for Dynamic ESA – where this function is available – is the "Dynamic" damper setting.

- The "Dynamic Pro" mode offers the very sporty rider all the possibilities to adapt the machine optimally to his own desires and needs. Three accelerator characteristics, three ABSet parametrizations, and four DTC settings are available. The level of intervention of the control systems can thus be adapted to a very sporty riding style, which can go as far as deactivating the lift-off assistants and a very late intervention of all the control systems.

M.B - Photos constructeur