BMW R nineT Pure 2022 — Specifications

Paying less to enter a family always involves some sacrifices. The BMW R nineT Pure knows that better than anyone. At €13,990, it opens the doors to Munich’s Heritage clan without offering the red carpet that the original NineT lays out. No inverted fork borrowed from the S 1000 RR, no radial calipers, no aluminum tank, nor a double exhaust outlet. The list of absences is well known, and some brandish it as a verdict. Yet, by focusing on what’s missing, one ends up not seeing what remains, and what remains is far from negligible.

The 1,170 cc flat-twin boxer engine turns at the heart of the steel trellis frame as it always has, powerful and expressive. Following the update imposed by Euro5 standards, the new cylinder heads have improved mid-range filling, where this engine with a 101 mm bore reveals its full personality. The 115.7 Nm of torque arrives at 6,000 rpm and moves the beast’s 219 kg with a frankness that a Honda CB1000R or a Triumph Street Twin struggle to match in this price range. In the French version, the BMW R nineT Pure A2 is restricted to 95 hp, or 70 kW, to meet the A2 license requirements. This is not a prohibitive limitation. After two years of an A2 license and validation of the supplementary training allowing the transition to a full A license, the rider of the BMW R nineT Pure A2 will be able to de-restrict his motorcycle, which will then total its 95 full hp. This makes it a rare progression machine in the category, a motorcycle that is not resold after the definitive license.

The 2021 update is not limited to a few lines in a press release. Rain and Road riding modes appear on the BMW R nineT Pure 2021, with a third Dyna mode available as an option for those who want more freedom in the engine’s responses. ABS Pro now adapts braking distribution to the lean angle, a technology from the high-end that concretely changes life in hard braking in curves. The rear suspension has been recalibrated for more progressiveness, and preload adjustment is done via a remote control, without contortion in the garage. BMW had already integrated traction control ASC as standard on the BMW R nineT Pure 2020. The Pure 2022 therefore inherits a serious electronic package for a motorcycle that claims to be minimalist.

The three-section steel trellis frame gives a slightly longer wheelbase than the NineT, for contained weight. The 43 mm telescopic fork and the Paralever system at the rear make up a set that is not original on paper, but consistent on the road. The behavior remains close to the premium model, with a slightly less lively temperament, which will perfectly suit riders who prioritize fluidity on small roads at the expense of the stopwatch. The braking, with its two 320 mm discs bitten by axial 4-piston calipers at the front, and its 265 mm rear disc, does the job seriously. The shaft transmission, faithful to Bavarian tradition, permanently eliminates the chain maintenance chore.

What truly distinguishes the Pure from its competitors is its vocation as a blank canvas. The rear subframe is removable, the attachment points multiply, and the Option 719 accessories catalog offers machined parts to personalize every detail. Adaptive headlight in cornering, heated grips, alternative rims, cruise control, the buffet is provided. For a young A2 license holder looking for a motorcycle that evolves with him, or for a neo-retro enthusiast who wants to build his own style without starting from a blank sheet, the BMW R nineT Pure price remains a difficult proposition to ignore. The price is high for an entry-level model, but the engine and chassis are those of a real motorcycle, not a hollow silhouette sold on nostalgia.