BMW R nine T Scrambler
A cohort of motorcycles lined up in front of the entrance to the millimeter line. The scrambler was waiting in the middle of the room on the garage elevator. Here you have just felt "smirk" and "switzerland". Um, no high tech, no ties, slicked hair, no fake smiles. No lies or appearances. Slightly forgotten feelings of passion prevail. The joy of driving. And fun. Like, in the style of Steve McQueen. Back to basics. This work by Rammstein "Gasoline" echoed in my head... Yes, the guys from the project team are serious - they are all in motorcycle clothes, they will ride with us. The project members also came up with special rainbow-patterned t-shirts reminiscent of Professor Balthazar's rainbow from the once-popular XNUMXs cartoon. Oh yes, the world is beautiful after all.
Scrambling and surfing
The Scrambler was first introduced to the public by the Bavarians last summer at the Wheels & Waves coffee festival in Biarritz, France, under the typical German name: Concept 22. The R nineT was the backbone and the Scramblers were (were) the trend. it came up again. It looked more like a motorcycle to which you could attach a surfboard or race on sandy beaches. A very short time passed from the concept to the approved model, the official presentation took place in November at the Motorcycle Salon in Milan. The production bike no longer has a side skirting, but retains a 19-inch front wheel, a retro-styled seat and a pair of Akrapovic mufflers painted next to it in a scrambler style. Yes, the craftsmen from Ivanchna also "climb" according to the Euro4 environmental standard, albeit at the expense of a somewhat restrained sound.
In general, the bike, despite some changes from the concept, retained the charm and touch of a retro motorcycle that remained unchanged. The technique is similar to that of the R nineT sibling, and the goal set by the Bavarians was to offer the stage a slightly cheaper model. Thus, the Scrambler has not tensioned rims, but cast ones, the Brembo brake kit is not radial, and the suspension is simpler. The aluminum fuel tank is 'latest' hand-crafted, while the Scrambler is made of steel and holds 17 liters, a liter less than its sportier sibling. But that's still enough for about 250 miles. The difference between the nineT and the Scrambler lies in other instruments that don't have a tachometer. Most importantly, the 1.170 cubic feet and 110 horsepower unit retains the character of the R nineT. It's sharp enough to accelerate decently from low revs, responsive especially in the mid-range, and doesn't mind if you ride higher.
Winding mountain
After the presentation, it was time for the Raj. A GPS installed took us from the plains of the Munich suburbs, from Taufkirchen to the Bavarian Alps, to Hinterris, where we stopped and dined, and then past the mighty Zugspitze nearly three miles high towards Austria. Seven on it. Feel different than the R nineT; however, this is a Scrambler, yes, an off-road motorcycle. The test car was equipped with Metzeler Tourance road tires, as the track was driven only on paved roads. The Orthodox are likely to put rough, etched tires on it, which will give it a more off-road look. The handlebars are wide and I can handle the bike well. It sits upright, and although there is no wind protection, it is quite decent to ride up to 150 kilometers per hour on it, the wind is just starting to compress at higher speeds.
Although he is not meant to be a thoroughbred road builder, he is the right doctor for them on the winding alpine roads. In addition, the two-wheeled "Bergdoctor" is good there. Therefore, the test presentation is carefully selected. The unit pulls great, despite a slightly more modest suspension, it is of sufficient quality to perform its task quite correctly, as does the gearbox. Deep slopes on gently winding German-Austrian roads with exemplary asphalt turn into a real merry-go-round of pleasure, because in fast combinations, compared to the R nineT, the 19-bar front wheel is known to require more determination. However, 220 pounds with a full bowl is not the weight you need to get to the gym or get up.
Heavy weights
The brakes instill confidence even later when it rains, and the basic rear-wheel traction control is also available as an accessory. At almost 400 kilometers, the motorcycle never gave me away, did not let me down, somehow pulled and kicked. I was a little surprised at first, I would have liked stronger bass, but after driving a few miles I found that excessive noise would ruin the character of the bike. And my ears hurt.
text: Primož Ûrman, photo: zavod
