BMW R nineT Scrambler 2017 — Specifications

When BMW decides to play the adventurers, it results in a motorcycle that smells of tanned leather and hot oil rather than a conference room. The BMW R nineT Scrambler was born from a simple calculation: take the 1170 cc flat-twin that defines the heritage range, dress it up with a high handlebar, a 19-inch front wheel, and exhaust pipes angled towards the sky, then release it onto the roads to see if nostalgia-seekers would bite. They did.

This air-cooled boxer delivers 110 horsepower at 7500 rpm and a torque of 119 Nm available from 6000 rpm, figures that place the BMW R nineT Scrambler in a serious category against the Ducati Scrambler 1100 or the Triumph Bonneville Bobber. The difference with its cousin, the R nineT Classic, mainly lies in the philosophy of the chassis. The sporty inverted fork is gone, replaced by a conventional 43 mm telescopic fork with protective gaiters, more in keeping with the spirit of the genre. The aluminum swingarm with Paralever remains, and that's a good thing: the shaft drive has never felt so transparent. At 220 kg fully fueled for a seat height of 820 mm, handling demands a bit of respect but remains accessible to an experienced rider seeking character rather than lightness.

The BMW R nineT Scrambler test reveals a frankly pleasant riding position. The high handlebar, the slightly rear-set footpegs, the rider finds themselves in a relaxed posture that invites you to devour the miles without tension. The firm seat maintains a contained height, the feet touch the ground without too much acrobatics. It's designed for the Sunday touring rider who wants to look good as well as go fast, not for the track rider seeking to shave tenths of a second. The minimalist instrumentation, a single circular dial with partial digital display, reinforces this message. BMW Motorrad BMW R nineT Scrambler deliberately assumes a stripped-down positioning at a time when dashboards resemble Airbus cockpits.

The displayed price of 13,550 euros positions the BMW R nineT Scrambler below the standard R nineT, which is logical given the more restrained technical choices. But we must be honest about one point that is upsetting: several elements essential to the scrambler identity are optional. Spoked wheels, which give the machine its visual coherence, are not part of the standard equipment. Without them, the spoke wheels instantly break the charm. Count on the accessories box to complete the picture, and the bill climbs. What is the seat height of the BMW R nineT Scrambler, how many horsepower does the BMW R nineT Scrambler have, what is the price of a BMW R nineT Scrambler with real options: as many questions as any serious buyer must ask before signing.

The R nineT BMW R nineT Scrambler does not claim to be a trail bike. On greasy roads or deep gravel, the 220 kg quickly remind you of the reality. It is a road bike with a bohemian soul, capable of swallowing 18 liters of gasoline while consuming barely 4.5 liters per hundred, which gives a comfortable range to explore back roads. Its multi-section steel frame, standard ABS, and Euro4 mapped engine constitute a solid and reliable base. The platform is also very favorable to customizers, the electrical harness being designed to receive accessories without hazardous tinkering. Workshops like jvb moto BMW R nineT Scrambler have amply demonstrated the custom potential of this architecture. The target audience is clear: urban dwellers who want a motorcycle to look at as much as to ride, lovers of neo-retro who prefer raw mechanical emotion to a pile-up of electronic modes. An audience that knows what it wants and is not wrong.