The R NineT was introduced as the classically-styled take on the boxer-engined bike from BMW and was always intended to be a ‘blank canvas’ for customizersto build their bespoke creations on. Recently, the Bavarian bike maker also introduced the Scrambler variant for the same that brought a bit of off-road chops to the R NineT range. At Intermot 2016 however, BMW Motorrad has added two more variants to the line-up, which should further widen the bike’s appeal. Both these variants also use the same modular steel tubular frame from the Scrambler which should also make for just as much ease of customisation on these bikes.
R NineT Pure
The Pure is designed to be an even more traditional roadster to take on the standard R NineT. It has been designed to slot in under the base model in terms of price and to achieve that price point, BMW has done away with some of the more expensive components from the bike, replacing them with more conventional ones. The R NineT’s 46mm upside down forks have been replaced by regular right-side up 43mm telescopic forks, and its radial mounted front brake calipers have made way for traditionally-mounted four-piston ones. Even the more classic wire spoke rims have been swapped out with five-spoke 17-inch cast alloy wheels, though customers have the choice to opt for the wire spoke wheels as well. Apart from that, the bike features a single-pod instrument cluster with an analogue tachometer, a two-in-one exhaust, and footpegs as well as a fork bridge made out of cast aluminium. Rounding off the changes for the Pure is a new paint scheme christened Catalano Grey.
R NineT Racer
Harking back to the golden days of motorcycle racing, the R NineT Racer variant features a classic half fairing, low-slung clip-on handlebars and even rearsetfootpegs. However, just like the Pure variant, the Racer features conventional telescopic forks and standard four-piston caliper brakes. The alloy wheels and two-in-one exhaust system are also shared with the Pure. However, keeping in line with the bike’s racy theme, it gets a twin-pod instrument cluster with an analogue speedometer as well as tachometer. A slim seat with tail cowl along with a vintage BMW motorsport paint scheme of white with red and blue stripes completes the classic racer look.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
