BMW RÂ nineT Scrambler
They were ridden by action heroes on the screen and scores of hobby racers entered mountain and beach races on them: the Scramblers. With deep-treaded tyres, a raised exhaust, somewhat extended spring travel and a relaxed seating position, Scramblers offered their riders in the 1950s to 1970s not just motorcycling fun on winding country roads but also great off-road capability and therefore an extended range of use, within reason.Â
The history of BMW Motorrad is also rooted in the Scrambler concept. In 1951, the BMW R 68 was presented at the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Fair IFMA in Frankfurt with a typical raised 2-in-1 exhaust, just like the one used for racing by BMW Motorrad legend Georg “Schorsch” Meier. While the standard version of the R 68 had a conventional exhaust installed in a lower position, the raised exhaust version was already available back then as a BMW Motorrad accessory. To this day, some owners of this highly valuable post-war BMW Motorrad classic still like to retrofit the special Scrambler-style exhaust.
Now BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R nineT Scrambler, a derivative of the highly successful R nineT, a model which is proving very popular, with almost 9000 machines sold so far this year. In the image below the standard R nineT is seen on the left, with gold forks, low-slung pipes and black highlights, while in right of shot is the new R nineT Scrambler.Â
The new BMW Motorrad Scrambler features the same classic air-cooled, punchy flat-twin boxer engine, which has stood for hallmark design, powerful torque and a unique sound for more than nine decades. The R nineT Scrambler is fitted with the air/oil-cooled boxer with a capacity of 1 170 cc. It delivers an output of 81 kW (110 hp) at 7 750 rpm, develops a maximum torque of 116 Nm at 6 000 rpm and, with the new engine mapping and a fuel system including carbon canister, meets the requirements of the EU4 pollutant class.
With the new Scrambler as with the R nineT, BMW Motorrad has responded to the desire of many motorcycle fans to be able to modify their bike creatively according to their own personal taste. The spectrum of potential alterations ranges from original BMW Motorrad accessories through to attachments or accessory parts produced by customisers to create a unique motorcycle.
The raised exhaust with two vertically arranged rear silencers meets the requirements of a classic Scrambler. It is fitted very close to the body of the bike, thereby reinforcing its generally slim appearance. Producing a sonorous boxer sound, it also adheres to the new noise emission regulation ECE R41-04. A large-size catalytic converter ensures even more effective exhaust gas cleaning.
Similar to the R nineT Roadster, the frame concept is a key aspect in terms of the Scrambler’s extensive customisation capacity. The specially developed steel tubular space frame integrates the boxer engine as a load-bearing element and consists of a front section with integrated steering head and a rear section with swinging arm mount.
The passenger frame can be dismounted, thereby allowing the R nineT Scrambler to be used either by two people or – for a particularly stylish appearance – by the rider on their own. In line with the bike’s active riding character, the suspension geometry of the R nineT Scrambler is mainly geared towards sound handling and a neutral cornering response – in other words lots of riding fun on winding country roads.
In good Scrambler style, front wheel suspension is in the form of a telescopic fork with rubber gaiters and a spring travel of 125 millimetres. Rear wheel suspension is taken care of by a Paralever single-sided swinging arm as used in the other boxer models. Suspension and damping are carried out via a central spring strut. The spring travel is 140 millimetres.
The new BMW Scrambler is fitted with light alloy cast wheels. In typical Scrambler style it has a large 19-inch front wheel with tyre sizes of 120/70-19 at the front and 170/60-17 at the rear.
In view of the impressive riding dynamics of the R nineT Scrambler, the brake system – which comes with ABS as standard – is fitted with 4-piston calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines and 320-millimetre brake discs at the front. At the rear, effective deceleration is ensured by a single-disc brake with a diameter of 265 millimetres and a 2-piston floating caliper.
A relaxed upright seating position is one of the key features of a Scrambler. For this reason, the ergonomic triangle of handlebar-seat-footrests has been redefined. With handlebars that are higher as compared to the R nineT, slightly reduced seat upholstery and rider footrests that are positioned somewhat lower and further to the rear, the new model gives the rider a relaxed ride feel.
Whether with the standard light alloy cast wheels or the optional cross-spoke wheels – the new R nineT Scrambler always demonstrates authentic style. One important design objective was to deliberately ensure the body features were reduced so as to achieve a purist appearance. From all angles, the BMW Motorrad Scrambler is defined by a blend of classic and modern elements of motorcycle design style.
The circular headlamp gives it an expression of freedom, independence and serenity, while the speedometer with analog display features an inelaborate style that very much reflects the classic principles applied to the development of the BMW Scrambler. Eye-catching elements are the painted 17-litre sheet-steel fuel tank and the trim cover made of fine aluminium sheet with embossed R nineT inscription which runs across the air intake duct on the right-hand side.
The new member of the BMW Motorrad Heritage world of experience also conveys its high-quality workmanship in numerous details. These include the refined aluminium forged parts with glass-bead blasted and then clear anodised surface or the clamp for the double-butted tubular handlebars, also made of aluminium and bearing an engraved BMW Motorrad inscription. The tapered and stitched two-person seat in patinised leather look in the colour Saddle Brown likewise demonstrates refined workmanship and the use of high-end materials.
The new BMW R nineT Scrambler is available in the paint finish Monolith metallic matt. The bike’s classic, purist character is enhanced by black-coated components such as the frame, swinging arm, wheels, fork slider tubes and engine housing.
Highlights of the new BMW R nineT Scrambler
- Purist design.
- Classic colour concept.
- Stitched seat in patinised leather look.
- Workmanship with great attention to detail.
- Air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder boxer engine with a capacity of 1170 cc. Output 81 kW (110 hp) at 7 750 rpm, maximum torque of 116 Nm at 6 000 rpm.
- Designed to be customised.
- Modular frame concept with removable passenger frame offering a range of variations.
- Classic wheel suspension by means of telescopic fork at front and Paralever at rear.
- Large 19-inch front wheel as is typical of a Scrambler.
- Upright seating position in classic Scrambler style.
- Raised exhaust fitted close to the body with twin silencer.
- Axially mounted 4-piston brake calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines,
- 320-millimetre brake discs and ABS.
- Individually tailored special accessories in the familiar high quality typical of BMW Motorrad.
