Scrambler Inspiration: Concept Path 22
THE R NINET SCRAMBLER’S ARRIVAL HAS been anticipated ever since last June, when BMW chose the Wheels & Waves festival in Biarritz to unveil a striking, Roland Sands designed special, called Concept Path 22.
This was named after, and theoretically intended for use on, a local track called Path 22 that led to a prime surfing beach. Hence the huge board from renowned San Diego-based specialist Mason Dryer that was strapped to its side. But while the board was never going to reach production, the rest of Concept Path 22 highlighted the route that BMW could take to create a dirt-friendly R nineT derivative.
Its bars were slightly higher, its forks were right-way- up rather than USD units, and its wheels were cast rather than wire-spoked, with a 19-incher up front. It had minimalist instrumentation; a cut- down tailpiece with single, stitched brown seat; and high-level, twin-silencer Akrapovic exhaust.
Predictably enough, the showroom-ready Scrambler doesn’t retain Concept Path 22’s Öhlins suspension, chunky off-road tyres or spectacular paint job by artist Ornamental Conifer, let alone the giant, colour-matched board. But in its style and several key features the Scrambler is a faithful recreation of that spectacular Californian creation.