Two wheels: R is for BMW’s new Racer
IT LOOKS AS IF IT HAS JUST RIDDEN OFF A 1970S RACETRACK, SAYS MATHIEU DAY- GILLETT
Gazing at the gorgeous BMWR nineT Racer, I couldn’t help but think BMWwent all out when it came to putting its racy R nineT into production. And, better yet, it got it right first try.
The modular R nineT was the perfect base for the Bavarian marque’s first attempt at a retro racer — a market segment exploding in popularity off the back of cafe racer culture.
Harking back to the glory years of bubble- screened racers, the R nineT Racer uses the same 1200cc boxer twin and modular frame as the original R nineT that debuted in 2014. That bike was always designed to be a modular basis for customisation, which in turn led to BMWcreating multiple offshoots for different segments. While the Racer shares its frame and engine with the rest of the range, it is by a long way its own machine.
The subframe is unique to the Racer, shortened to allowing only for a solo seat and the obligatory cafe racer rear cowling.
Wheels are stylish 17- inch spoked items, and the handlebars are genuine clip- ons mounted to the 43mm forks — which, unlike the original R nineT, are not adjustable — but the piece de resistance is that sleek front cowling. The result is a bike that looks as if it’s just ridden off a 1970s racetrack.
Although it isn’t the most comfortable bike in the
growing R nineT family, its name says everything you need to know about the bike. It’s a racer through and through. The riding position is uncompromised with a headdown, bum- up riding position and rear- set pegs. The position feels eerily similar to BMW's flagship superbike, the S1000RR, except with a truly retro twist.
The bike feels long and stretched out as soon as you swing a leg over it, with a decent reach to the clip- on handlebars. The combination of the rearset pegs and those ' bars means you’re stretched out long and low over the 17- litre fuel tank. It’s not comfortable on the long or slow ride, but get it into the twisties and all of a sudden the Racer is the most magical bike you can possibly be riding.
It’s almost as if you need to transition from side to side of the seat to warm it up a bit before you find your groove and your comfort zone.
Now, I like to think of the Kopu- Hikuai section of State Highway 25 as one of the best stretches of twisting tarmac around, and each and every corner was pure joy on the Racer. In town, the bike feels out of place and generally uncomfortable due to its superbike- like riding position. But, on the brilliant ribbon of road that is the Kopu- Hikuai, all those attributes that make it hard to love in the centre of town make it the best corner carver this side of the Bavarian Alps.
Although the regular R nineT is no slouch, there’s something special with the heart of the Racer. Maybe it’s because you find yourself so close to it thanks to the riding position, but it tears away from 5500rpm as the engine finds a new wave of torque and power at the same instant. Revving the bike out to its peak power figures of 81kW and 116Nm is incredibly rewarding.
I found myself revving the bike out a lot more than I normally would as I carved each and every corner of SH25 as if it was the National Circuit of Hampton Downs. That’s probably in part thanks to the riding dynamics gained from having a boxer engine, which allows for a beautifully balanced bike with a low centre of gravity and excellent lateral balance.
Interestingly, the bubble fairing doesn’t provide a lot of wind protection at highway speeds, unless you plant your chin firmly into the tank. Once you’ve reached your destination and parked up for a breather, however, you don’t seem to care as you admire the sleek look that just screams SPEED from afar.
I can see the advantages of a bike like the R nineT Racer. It isn’t the most comfortable bike out there but it more than makes up for this in just how much fun the thing is to ride.
And then of course, it looks the absolute business.
If I owned one I’d be hard pushed to not just park it up in my lounge and stare at it all day.