We drove a BMW F 900 R // Same soul, different character
The weather in these January days, when it does not yet smell of spring, in the south of Spain, there is nearby. Almería, for our spring conditions. The morning is still cold, and on a sunny day the temperature is already about twenty. It's a landscape marked by the opaque plantations of the tasteless tomatoes that European consumers weigh so happily in shopping malls. No wonder they indicate that this is southern Spain, garden of Europe. But there is something else that is more important to us motorcyclists: the roads. Good roads. There are many good roads. With turns. And this time it was our "sandbox".
What do the numbers say?
To get an impression and the bigger picture, and before we share our impressions of the test, it is worth taking a look at the BMW sales statistics. BMW Motorrad performed globally last year sold a total of 175.162 5,8 two-wheelers, an increase of XNUMX percent over the previous year.... Sales are up for the ninth consecutive year. If the German market remains the strongest, given the fact that the US is experiencing an increasingly robust growth, sales growth is strong in China (16,6 percent) and Brazil. There, the Bavarians even recorded an increase of 36,7%. The bestseller, of course, is the GS model, which accounts for up to a third of sales, and boxes together account for more than half. Smaller and medium models with parallel twin-cylinder engines (G 310 R, G 310 GS, F 750 GS and F 850 GS) have sold 50.000 units.... And it is in this motorcycle group that two new models will now appear: the F 900 R and the F 900 XR. The former is a roadster, the latter is seen in the adventure motorcycle segment.
Miss Wednesday winter
In front of the hotel, as the faint sun shone through the morning mist, a fleet of new F 900 Rs lined up to the nearest millimeter with optional Adaptive Cornering Lights. They are activated when tilted in a corner at least seven degrees. The gaze stops at the plastic fuel tank through a small front visor and an excellent TFT screen. - it has 13 liters of fuel - and a seat. It is available in six versions, from 770 to 865 millimeters, depending on the rider's height. A standard seat is one that is 815 millimeters from the ground.
The water-cooled, 895cc, 77kW (105hp) parallel twin-cylinder engine is mounted in a steel frame, chassis stability is provided by a USD front fork and an (optional) electronic rear fork. Dynamic ESA adjustable suspension. The handlebar - also selectable - is wide enough to give the rider a sense of control, and despite 219 kilograms, it doesn't feel like it anymore even after the first few meters of riding. If the weight of the bike is concentrated at the front of the bike, the rear end will be thin and simple, and the trim is defined by an optional active brake light that flashes when braking harder – as an added safety feature. The motorcycle is also available with a 95 horsepower engine.
There on winding roads
When I sit on it, I set up the rear-view mirrors and start the bike. The two-cylinder engine is awakened by the pleasant sound of a new exhaust system, which later becomes sportier when the gas is applied more decisively, but by no means too loudly. The exhaust, of course, complies with the environmental standard of Euro 5. At the wheel, I lean forward a little, but I am far from sporty leaning over the fuel tank. I decide with the mode of operation "Road" - In the basic offer, you can also choose the Rain mode, and as an accessory, the Dynamic and Dynamic Pro modes.... The latter includes the auxiliary safety systems ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, DBC (Dynamic Braking Control) and Engine Torque Control (MSR). The DBC provides greater safety when braking, and the new MSR prevents the rear wheel from slipping or slipping during spontaneous acceleration or gear changes.
Before we hit the road, I connect the bike to my smartphone via Bluetooth and BMW Motorrad Connectivity on a clear TFT color screen. The 6,5-inch screen displays everything related to the motorcycle and also offers additional functions such as navigation, listening to music and telephony. Back from driving, I can view my driving parameters, including cornering inclines, braking deceleration, acceleration, consumption, and more.
After driving on the track, despite the higher speeds and the absence of a windshield, I did not feel excessive wind draft. However, it is clear that its surroundings are not highways, but winding country roads. There, the R proved agile, accelerated in corners and neutral under reliable braking.... This was especially true when a huge truck was "resting" around a bend in the road. Something that I would not expect in the hinterland of Almeria. The unit performed well in these corners when I drove it in second gear to higher revs. Whether tight corners are longer and faster, the level of pleasure the R offers is the same. There is this "roadster" at home. Consumption is less than six liters per hundred kilometers. And, as it turns out, despite the premium pedigree with the price tag, the new R will be competitive in terms of power in our subalpine region as well.
