BMW R Nine T review: Retro motorbike will make you look like Steve McQueen for £10,000
Motorbike makers are following car manufacturers in releasing retro version of its classic bikes and this BMW is a steal at just £10,000. It looks like something Steve McQueen would have ridden but costs the a fraction of the price of an old model from the era
LOADS of manufacturers are embracing retro. It sells.
Chances are the old-school model in any line-up is doing the lion’s share of the sales, like sports bikes were a decade ago and adventure bikes five years ago.
BMW’s retro contender is the RNineT and in this Pure spec, it represents one of the best-value and best-looking bikes you will find in the market.
The RNineT has been around for a few years now but the Pure version is unique because of the spec.
Running slightly cheaper components means a lower list price of £10,100, which is obviously a good thing.
Simple 43mm forks rather than adjustable S1000RR spec Sachs jobs, axial rather than radial-mount front brakes and steel rather than the aluminium tank on the more expensive RNineT.
These changes mean the rider still gets the Steve McQueen look but does not have to live on baked beans for months on end to do so.
The 108bhp Boxer twin motor is a beauty. Peppy, willing and with enough character to make a Russian doll smile, it loves to rev.
The Pure is the budget version, so do remember what gear you are in. You will need to measure your RPM by ear rather than by eye.
But don’t let that put you off. Fuelling is crisp, handling is nimble and the bike’s general attitude will make you want to ride it more and more.
Get the balance of torque and power just right, put some confidence in the front end and you will be harassing more than a few smirking sports-bike riders on this thing.
BMW designed the Pure with custom bike builders in mind – and knowing most of the expensive parts would be removed during a build, decided to do that for us.
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That is why BMW can offer it for £2,000 less than a regular RNineT.
Granted, the RNineT Pure is still a ten-grand bike. But it IS a brand-new BMW. That means warranty, peace of mind, reliability and decent residual value.
If you are looking for a neo-retro kick, then the RNineT Pure is our pick of the current crop.
