the new BMW motorrad R nineT

the new BMW R motorrad nineT
all images © BMW group

earlier this year, designboom visited villa d’este in lago como during the 2013 concorso d’eleganza, where the BMW concept 90 – built by american expert custom bike builder and 250gp national champion road racer roland sands – was featured for the first time. now, the german manufacturer has presented the BMW R nineT, created to celebrate BMW motorrad‘s 90th anniversary. like the first ever BMW motorcycle from 1923 – the classic R 32 – the new BMW R nineT is driven by the classic flat twin boxer engine. the motorbike boasts a 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer unit capable of producing 110 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 88 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm.

the nineT references the genes from 90 years of different BMW motorcycles: the classic roadster concept has been designed to enable riders to tailor it to their personal preferences in a variety of ways. the choice of modifications ranges from genuine accessories to custom-made add-on or accessory parts from specialist customizers. the tubular steel space-frame that was specially developed for the motorcycle incorporates the boxer engine as a load-bearing element: it’s basic construction consists of a front frame section with integral steering head and a rear section with swing-arm mounting. together with the aluminum tail cover available as a special accessory, the removable pillion frame allows the bike to carry a passenger or to be set up for just a solo rider, reminiscent of the early café racers.

the telelever usually fitted on the boxer models from BMW motorrad has been replaced by an upside-down telescopic fork borrowed from the S 1000 RR superbike, resulting in a distinct classic look. the rear suspension employs the paralever single-sided swing-arm in conjunction with a central spring strut. 

designed as an out-and-out roadster, the nineT follows in the tire tracks of role models from the past by featuring wire-spoke wheels with black anodized alloy, non-flanged rims, black aluminum hubs and stainless steel spokes. radial 4-piston mono-block brake calipers work in unison with floating 320 millimeter brake discs and features ABS for stopping power on demand.

during the design process, one of the objectives was to reduce the bodywork as far as possible in order to achieve a puristic look. as a result, the sides of the 18-litre aluminum tank have been brushed by hand and then coated and the aluminum plate with embossed lettering on the right above the air intake duct further accentuate a hand-built aesthetic.

the surfaces of many forged aluminum parts: the yokes and the handlebar clamp bracket have been glass bead-blasted and then given a natural anodized finish. in addition, the circular headlamp with the BMW emblem in the center of the bulb cover pays homage to various role models from the last 90 years of BMW motorrad.

ola stenegard and roland sands riding the new BMW motorrad R nineT

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