2017 BMW R nineT and R nineT Urban G/S | First Look Review

The 2017 BMW R nineT (left) and R nineT Urban G/S. (Photos: BMW)
The 2017 BMW R nineT (left) and R nineT Urban G/S. (Photos: BMW)

When BMW released the original R nineT in 2014, it represented a major shift in BMW’s approach, and proved to be a genre-bending—and very popular—bike. It was also revealed that there would be ten variations of the R nineT, and so far we’ve seen four: the Scrambler, Racer, Pure and the original Roadster.

Read our Road Test Review of the 2014 BMW R nineT.

Dirt or street: pick your pleasure.
Dirt or street: pick your pleasure.

Up until now, anyway. BMW has now announced a fifth variation, the R nineT Urban G/S, as well as some updates to the original. We’ll start with the updated R nineT.

Advertisement

Read our Rider Comparo of the BMW R nineT and the Triumph Bonneville T120.

2017 BMW R nineT.
2017 BMW R nineT.

2017 BMW R nineT
One of our (few) complaints about the original R nineT was its too-soft suspension. It lacked an adjustable fork, forcing the rider to just deal with it. That has now changed, with the 2017 model now being equipped with a fully adjustable upside-down fork. BMW also says it has revised the suspension geometry; we’ll have to wait for further details to see what exactly that means.

The 2017 BMW R nineT in special Blackstorm metallic/Vintage livery.
The 2017 BMW R nineT in special Blackstorm metallic/Vintage livery.

Most of the rest of the updates are cosmetic, and include a new instrument cluster with two separate housings, new black wire-spoked wheels and a black finish on the engine, swingarm, driveshaft and frame.

The 2017 BMW R nineT in special Blueplanet metallic/Aluminum livery.
The 2017 BMW R nineT in special Blueplanet metallic/Aluminum livery.

There are also two new special paint schemes available. “Blackstorm metallic/Vintage” comes with a hand-painted yellow application on the tank bearing the number 21, as well as a café racer-style hump seat with aluminum cover and passenger pad. The second special paint scheme, “Blueplanet metallic/Aluminum,” uses the existing brushed aluminum fuel tank option, and adds a wide center stripe in Blueplanet metallic paint with a gold trim. The stripe continues down the front fender and the café racer-style hump seat cover.

US pricing and availability are TBD.

Read our Tour Test of the 2017 BMW R nineT Scrambler.

The 2017 BMW R nineT Urban G/S is the spitting image of its ancestor, the R 80 G/S.
The 2017 BMW R nineT Urban G/S is the spitting image of its ancestor, the R 80 G/S.

2017 BMW R nineT Urban G/S
Evoking the legendary R 80 G/S from 1980, the new Urban G/S appears to be based on the Scrambler variation of the R nineT. Like the Scrambler, it uses a traditional front fork (likely non-adjustable, but that was not made clear in the information BMW gave us), a three-piece frame (as opposed to the four-piece unit used on the standard R nineT), and it comes standard with cast aluminum wheels (19-inch in the front and 17-inch in the rear) and street tires.

Read our Ridden & Rated Review of the 2017 BMW R nineT Scrambler.

If it handles anything like the R nineT Scrambler, the Urban G/S should be a hoot to ride on dirt roads.
If it handles anything like the R nineT Scrambler, the Urban G/S should be a hoot to ride on dirt roads.

Also like the Scrambler, spoked wheels and 50/50 dual-sport tires will be available as options—likely free of charge on the tires, and a charge for the wheels.

50/50 dual-sport tires will be available as an option.
50/50 dual-sport tires will be available as an option.

The Urban G/S is the spitting image of its R 80 G/S ancestor, with a gas tank, high front fender and headlight cover in Lightwhite non-metallic, black frame, red seat and two-tone blue accents on the tank.

The R nineT Urban G/S will retail for $12,995 (US).

The BMW R nineT family...five down, five to go!
The BMW R nineT family…five down, five to go!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here