With deep-treaded tyres, a
raised exhaust, somewhat extended spring travel and a relaxed seating position,
Scramblers offered their riders in the 1950s to 1970s not just motorcycling fun
on winding country roads but also great off-road capability and therefore an
extended range of use. Like the motorcycles themselves, the people who rode
Scramblers were not bound by established conventions. And they could be seen
virtually everywhere: on winding country roads, stony mountain passes and -
where it was allowed - even on sandy beaches.
The history of BMW Motorrad is
also rooted in the Scrambler concept. In 1951, the BMW R 68 was presented at
the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Fair IFMA in Frankfurt with a typical
raised 2-in-1 exhaust, just like the one used for racing by BMW Motorrad legend
Georg "Schorsch" Meier. While the standard version of the R 68 had a
conventional exhaust installed in a lower position, the raised exhaust version
was already available back then as a BMW Motorrad accessory. To this day, some
owners of this highly valuable post-war BMW Motorrad classic still like to
retrofit the special Scrambler-style exhaust.
Now BMW Motorrad presents the
new BMW R nineT Scrambler, a motorcycle which revives the Scrambler era in a
very special way. It has everything that defines this motorcycle type, filled
with a very distinct spirit and created for motorcycle fans who love things
that are purist, reduced to the essentials and non-conformist - combined with
the technology and quality of a BMW. Together with the R nineT Roadster, the
BMW Scrambler establishes the new BMW Motorrad Heritage world of experience.
Potent, air-cooled boxer for vigorous power
The new BMW Motorrad Scrambler
features a classic air-cooled, punchy flat-twin boxer engine, which has stood
for hallmark design, powerful torque and a unique sound for more than nine
decades. The R nineT Scrambler is fitted with the air/oil-cooled boxer with a
capacity of 1 170 cc. It delivers an
output of 81 kW (110 hp) at 7 750 rpm, develops a maximum torque of 116 Nm at 6
000 rpm and, with the new engine mapping and a fuel system including carbon
canister, meets the requirements of the EU4 pollutant class.
With the new Scrambler as with
the R nineT, BMW Motorrad has responded to the desire of many motorcycle fans
to be able to modify their bike creatively according to their own personal
taste. The spectrum of potential alterations ranges from original BMW Motorrad
accessories through to attachments or accessory parts produced by customisers
to create a unique motorcycle.
Raised exhaust in Scrambler
style for a sonorous sound.
The raised exhaust with two
vertically arranged rear silencers meets the requirements of a classic
Scrambler. It is fitted very close to the body of the bike, thereby reinforcing
its generally slim appearance. Producing a sonorous boxer sound, it also
adheres to the new noise emission regulation ECE R41-04. A large-size catalytic
converter ensures even more effective exhaust gas cleaning.
Similar to the R nineT
Roadster, the frame concept is a key aspect in terms of the Scrambler's
extensive customisation capacity. The specially developed steel tubular space
frame integrates the boxer engine as a load-bearing element and consists of a
front section with integrated steering head and a rear section with swinging
arm mount.
The passenger frame can be
dismounted, thereby allowing the R nineT Scrambler to be used either by two
people or - for a particularly stylish appearance - by the rider on their own.
In line with the bike’s active riding character, the suspension geometry of the
R nineT Scrambler is mainly geared towards sound handling and a neutral
cornering response - in other words lots of riding fun on winding country
roads.
In good Scrambler style, front
wheel suspension is in the form of a telescopic fork with rubber gaiters and a
spring travel of 125 millimetres. Rear wheel suspension is taken care of by a
Paralever single-sided swinging arm as used in the other boxer models.
Suspension and damping are carried out via a central spring strut. The spring
travel is 140 millimetres.
The new BMW Scrambler is
fitted with light alloy cast wheels. In typical Scrambler style it has a large
19-inch front wheel with tyre sizes of 120/70-19 at the front and 170/60-17 at
the rear.
In view of the impressive
riding dynamics of the R nineT Scrambler, the brake system - which comes with
ABS as standard - is fitted with 4-piston calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines
and 320-millimetre brake discs at the front. At the rear, effective
deceleration is ensured by a single-disc brake with a diameter of 265
millimetres and a 2-piston floating caliper.
Special ergonomics for a relaxed Scrambler feel
A relaxed upright seating
position is one of the key features of a Scrambler. For this reason, the
ergonomic triangle of handlebar-seat-footrests has been redefined. With
handlebars that are higher as compared to the R nineT, slightly reduced seat
upholstery and rider footrests that are positioned somewhat lower and further
to the rear, the new model gives the rider a relaxed ride feel.
Purist design, attention to detail and a classic colour concept
Whether with the standard
light alloy cast wheels or the optional cross-spoke wheels – the new R nineT
Scrambler always demonstrates authentic style. One important design objective
was to deliberately ensure the body features were reduced so as to achieve a
purist appearance. From all angles, the BMW Motorrad Scrambler is defined by a
blend of classic and modern elements of motorcycle design style.
The circular headlamp gives it
an expression of freedom, independence and serenity, while the speedometer with
analog display features an inelaborate style that very much reflects the
classic principles applied to the development of the BMW Scrambler.
Eye-catching elements are the painted 17-litre sheet-steel fuel tank and the
trim cover made of fine aluminium sheet with embossed R nineT inscription which
runs across the air intake duct on the right-hand side.
The new member of the BMW
Motorrad Heritage world of experience also conveys its high-quality workmanship
in numerous details. These include the refined aluminium forged parts with
glass-bead blasted and then clear anodised surface or the clamp for the
double-butted tubular handlebars, also made of aluminium and bearing an
engraved BMW Motorrad inscription. The tapered and stitched two-person seat in
patinised leather look in the colour Saddle Brown likewise demonstrates refined
workmanship and the use of high-end materials.
The new BMW R nineT Scrambler
is available in the paint finish Monolith metallic matt. The bike's classic,
purist character is enhanced by black-coated components such as the frame,
swinging arm, wheels, fork slider tubes and engine housing.
Source: BMW Motorrad