With a passion for detail. Start of series production of the R nineT at the BMW Berlin plant The new BMW R nineT rolled off the assembly line for the very first time in Germany last week. The model is reminiscent of the brand values from the meanwhile 90 exciting years of BMW Motorrad history. The start of production was witnessed by employees, friends of the company and celebrity guests such as Horst Lichter and Ronald Zehrfeld, as well as customizing specialists from Urban Motor, boxer-fans from Motorcircus and journalists from all over the world. At midday, the first three fully assembled bikes passed through an extremely crucial point at the BMW Berlin manufacturing facility – the roller dynamometer, where no less than 1,000 parameters are tested within the shortest time and where around 100 spectators were present at the start of production. The entire project team has completed two and a half years of development work, from the original concept up to series maturity. “During the initial phase, our designers had already sat together with vehicle developers from Munich”, explains Dr. Marc Sielemann, head of production at BMW Motorrad. “So we were able to incorporate production-related aspects into the concept at a very early stage, thereby ensuring the quality of our manufacturing processes.” BMW Motorrad chief Stephan Schaller congratulated his team on their achievements and on a unique motorcycle that sets a new benchmark at BMW Motorrad in terms of diversity and customizing. The guests present in Berlin were able to convince themselves personally of this. Within an authentic “workshop” setting, project manager Roland Stocker and his team demonstrated that the R nineT can take on an entirely new and individual character with little effort and a wide range of accessories. During a guided tour of the plant following the fulminant vehicle presentation, the guests gained exclusive insights into the process of assembling the BMW R nineT. This is where attention to detail becomes evident on the bike. For example, the aluminium nameplate is riveted to the steering head of the vehicle, this being a style element, the design of which was inspired by historic BMW motorcycles. During 14 assembly cycles and futher pre-assembly places, 21 employees ensure that motorcyclists with a passion for the classic bike experience riding pleasure on a genuine BWW. Due to the decision to opt for the classic air/oil-cooled boxer engine, two different boxer power units are now produced parallel to each other at the Berlin plant for the first time. The engine known from the BMW R 1200 GS was replaced by an air/water-cooled boxer engine with the introduction of the new edition of this model. The aluminium tank of the R nineT is proof that people at the BMW Berlin plant are well able to cope with challenges. The tank’s high-quality look is achieved by a black lacquer finish combined with hand-brushed, clear-coated aluminium surfaces. In order to ensure the required adhesion of the clear lacquer to the aluminium surface, specialists at the Berlin motorcycle plant developed a special transparent dispersion. This transparent film serves as a bonding coat between the aluminium surface and the clear lacquer – a technological innovation that makes the exciting design of the nineT possible. |
— BMW R nineT – the essence of 90 years of BMW Motorrad — BMW R nineT High-Res Image Pictorial The BMW R nineT, has been created to mark “90 years of BMW Motorrad”. It blends the boxer engine’s rugged character and the design traits of various motorcycle eras with cutting-edge technology and a modular concept that offers the rider maximum scope for personalisation. Strictly reduced to the essentials, the BMW R nineT – or just nineT for short – is made all the more alluring by its hand-built feel and strong emotional appeal. Due in Australia from April 2014, the new machine is attracting plenty of interest. The classic roadster bike is built to cater to the many motorcycle enthusiasts who yearn for unadulterated, stress-free riding pleasure. When it came to developing the design of the nineT in particular, terms such as “puristic simplicity”, “emotion” and “authentic, traditional materials” were also high on the list of priorities. Styling cues from old-school motorcycle manufacture are thus united with the very latest drive and chassis components on the nineT to produce a sensational motorcycle that is just as adept at cruising along serenely as it is at powering down country roads. Powered by a classic boxer engine – Like the first ever BMW motorcycle from 1923 – the legendary BMW R 32 – the new BMW R nineT is driven by the classic flat twin boxer engine with its punchy response from standstill. This construction principle has been synonymous with unmistakable design, abundant torque delivery and inimitable acoustics for 90 years now. The nineT employs the 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer unit. It produces 81 kW (110 hp) at 7,750 rpm and musters up a maximum torque of 119 Nm (88 lb-ft) at 6,000 rpm. Conceived for maximum customisation – The nineT pools together the genes from 90 years of BMW Motorrad and its unique concept has been designed to keep customisation fans happy. During each stage of the puristic roadster’s development, the focus was very much placed on enabling riders to tailor it to their personal preferences in a variety of ways. The choice of modifications ranges from BMW Motorrad genuine accessories to custom-made add-on or accessory parts from specialist customisers, making it possible to create a truly unique machine. The high scope for customisation offered by the nineT is down in no small part to its special frame concept. The tubular steel spaceframe that was specially developed for the nineT incorporates the boxer engine as a load-bearing element. The frame’s basic construction consists of a front frame section with integral steering head and a rear section with swingarm mounting. The removable pillion frame allows the nineT to carry a passenger or to be set up for just a solo rider, when it cuts a truly stylish figure. Together with the aluminium tail cover available as a special accessory, this injects the nineT with a striking solo character that is reminiscent of the early café racers. Exhaust positioned on left with twin silencers and personalisation options – The exhaust system that runs down the left-hand side with two silencers placed one above the other is fully in keeping with the concept of a classic sporty roadster. There is room for customisation here too, courtesy of the BMW Motorrad accessory range. Adding a real touch of technical finesse to the nineT, for instance, is the Akrapović unit made of titanium. By fitting a short or long connecting pipe, the silencer can furthermore be mounted in either a lowered or a raised position, radically altering the appearance and character of the nineT. Traditional chassis design combined with high-performance technology – The telelever usually fitted on the boxer models from BMW Motorrad has been replaced on the BMW R nineT by an upside-down telescopic fork borrowed from the S 1000 RR superbike, resulting in a distinctly classic look paired with absolutely top-class engineering. The rear suspension employs the paralever single-sided swingarm in conjunction with a central spring strut. The housing for the rear axle drive includes three mounting points that can be used to attach a bracket for positioning the licence plate and light unit on one side, for instance. What’s more, the swingarm on the nineT is designed in such a way that a 17-inch wheel with a width of 6 inches can be fitted instead of the standard 5.5-inch-wide version and submitted for individual approval if applicable. Designed as an out-and-out roadster, the nineT follows in the tyre tracks of role models from the past by featuring wire-spoke wheels with black anodised alloy, non-flanged rims, black aluminium hubs and stainless steel spokes. Radial 4-piston monoblock brake callipers work in unison with floating 320 millimetre brake discs and BMW Motorrad ABS to provide sure stopping power. Pared-down design and hand-built feel – One of the overriding design objectives was to reduce the bodywork as far as possible in order to achieve a puristic look. The attention to detail that consistently infused the work of the designers and engineers on the nineT is a further attribute that shines through over and over again. The sides of the 18-litre aluminium tank have been painstakingly brushed by hand and then coated. The aluminium plate with embossed nineT lettering on the right above the air intake duct is likewise befitting of the bike’s hand-built feel. The surfaces of many forged aluminium parts, including the yokes and the handlebar clamp bracket with BMW Motorrad lettering, have been glass bead-blasted and then given a natural anodised finish. The circular headlamp with the BMW emblem in the centre of the bulb cover pays homage to various role models from 90 years of BMW Motorrad. A classic Black storm metallic paint finish with contrasting silver and metallic highlights was chosen to match the character of the nineT. Specially designed electrical system to allow plenty of scope for customisation – The bike’s electrical system has been specially configured for greater technical flexibility, thereby facilitating the installation of alternative electrical components, such as headlights or turn indicators. — Highlights of the new BMW R nineT
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