r ninet scrambler
Most of the differences are in the chassis, which is based on a reworked tubular steel frame that kicks out the front forks at a relatively lazy 29 degrees, against the Roadster’s 25.5 degrees. Those forks are 43mm right-wayup units, rather than 46mm upside-downers, and have gaiters for a traditional look, plus more travel at each end. Off-road suitability is also enhanced to some degree by the front wheel, which is 19- rather than 17 inches in diameter.
W
hen BMW revamped its huge-selling R1200GS adventure bike with a liquid-cooled engine in 2013, the German marque’s traditional air-cooled boxer engine’s days appeared to be numbered. But that thinking didn’t take into account the success of the following year’s R nineT, the retro-themed roadster that surprised even BMW by selling more than 23,000 units despite its high price tag and uncompromisingly sporty character. The arrival of a follow-up with an off-road slant and the name Scrambler is no surprise. The scrambler look is popular in the custom world, more for the rugged image – think high-level exhausts and chunky tyres – than genuine desire to ride on dirt. Manufacturers have joined in, notably with the popular Scramblers from Triumph and Ducati. A model designed along similar lines made perfect sense for BMW, especially if it could be made less expensive. The R nineT Scrambler is the result. Its 1170cc, dohc boxer motor is taken straight from the nineT (which is renamed the R nineT Roadster). The maximum power output of 110bhp and peak torque figure of 119N.m are unchanged, despite a new twin-silencer Akrapovic exhaust system.
On the other hand the Scrambler loses off-road ability because to reduce cost it comes with cast rather than wire-spoked wheels. Further saving comes from the front brake, which uses Brembo’s ordinary four-piston, non-radial calipers. The fuel tank is made from steel rather than aluminium; there’s no remote preload adjuster for the rear shock; and the Scrambler also makes do with just a speedometer rather than twin clocks. Handlebars are positioned higher than the Roadster’s so give a slightly more upright and roomy riding position. The radial eight-valve boxer lump is 15bhp down on the liquid-cooled unit, but it still has more than enough punch for lively performance, especially on wet roads like those experienced for much of the launch in Austria. The BMW impressed, effortlessly sitting at 80mph or more when visibility allowed, and surging forward on request towards a top speed of about 130mph.