2017 BMW Motorrad R nineT Racer
With the launch of the 2017 R nineT Racer at the
Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, BMW Motorrad has proven the versatility for
its Heritage series machine. The Racer exudes a very 70s retro charm,
looking like it just rolled out the paddock at the Isle of Man.
Changing the very nature of the R nineT is the
addition of an Imola-style fairing sporting a single round headlapmp. Harking
back to the racers of the 60s and 70s, the R nineT Racer is a solo affair, with
the rather basic rear sub-frame gone, along with the rear foot-pegs.
The 1,170 cc air-cooled Boxer engine is now Euro 4
compliant, no mean feat considering the size of those pistons, and rated for
110 hp according to BMW Motorrad. The frame is also painted silver, to
distinguish the R nineT Racer for its base and Scrambler stablemates.
New for 2017 is the Racer’s stainless fuel tank, a
17-litre unit that is made out of steel, as opposed to the R nine T’s gorgeous
aluminium tank. Obviously done with the intention of keeping costs under
control, a proper racing fuel tank in aluminium is available from the Motorrad
catalogue.
Finished in BMW’s racing colours of white with red
and blue stripes, the R nineT Racer rolls on five-spoke allow wheels in modern
17-inch wheel widths, allowing for the fitment of sporting rubber. The front
forks are not adjustable for anything, while the rear absorber has preload and
rebound adjustment.
Twin analogue clocks grace the inside of the
cockpit, with discrete LCD panels to provide other information from the bike’s
on-board computer. ABS is standard, and BMW Motorrad’s Automatic Stability
Control (ASC) is a factory option.
A nice touch are the R nineT Racer’s rear view
mirrors, which are mounted to the fairing mounting frame, instead of on the
fairing itself. Part of the R nineT experience is the ability to customise the
bike exactly the way you want it, and the Motorrad catalogue for its Heritage-series
machines is crazily extensive, allowing for a myriad of styling options.
