BMW Motorrad has just launched the R nineT in India. The R nineT is a retro yet modern cafe racer and it is aimed at those who don’t fancy sports bikes. The styling of the bike is very elegant and it looks too classy to handle. The way BMW designers have developed a great blend of retroness along with modern elements is commendable. While the front looks simplistic with the round headlamp, the side profile looks interesting. The huge fuel tank swoops into the rider’s seat which then gets a silver support. BMW Motorrad does allow buyers to opt for a pillion’s seat though. The dual exhausts look sexy while the wire-spoke alloys are just beautiful.
The BMW R nineT comes with a 1170cc engine which is an air-cooled flat-twin unit. The engine is capable of producing 110 BHP of power at 7550 RPM while peak torque is rated at 119 Nm at 6000 RPM. The powerplant is mated to a 6-speed transmission and power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a cardan shaft drive. The R nineT reaches a top speed of 200 km/hr while it also returns a decent fuel economy figure of 22 km/l (under standard conditions). BMW provides a host of accessories and optional extras for the bike including a rear seat, choice of exhausts, etc. for the bike. It is possible to remove the rear subframe and replace it with a hump if a rider wishes to ride solo.
The BMW R nineT has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 23.5 lakhs (ex-showroom). BMW Motorrad has presence in the country through three dealerships that sell BMW four-wheelers. Deutsche Motoren in Delhi NCR and Navnit Motors in Mumbai and Bangalore are the sole dealers of BMW Motorrad products in the country. The R nineT will be brought down via the CBU route and deliveries are slated to commence in August. The Moto Guzzi Griso gives some competition to the BMW R nineT.
