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BMW R NINE T SCRAMBLER REVIEW

26
AUG
At the moment, Scramblers are huge in the motorbike scene, and everywhere you look, bike manufacturers are pumping them out left, right and centre; so the release of the BMW R Nine T Scrambler was no surprise to us. The Scrambler is not just a fashion bike, although it looks awesome, there’s more to it than that, with fewer extra gadgets and electronics than the GS, and a much lighter weight of 485 lbs, it gives great ride quality. Although the front 19inch wheel is just a fashionable add-on, it's surprising to find it doesn’t detract from the bike’s handling at all. By giving it the same tyre size as the GS, it makes the BMW R Nine T Scrambler much more roadworthy and has a better feel. Comfort isn’t central on this bike. For example, the seat, while practical and fit for purpose will give you a sore backside after a considerable time on the road. But then again, I’d say the looks and what’s under the hood, are a small sacrifice to make! Speaking of under the hood, the BMW R Nine T Scrambler has all of the characteristics you can find in a Roadster. As well as the same 108.6bhp and 85.6lbft of torque; in a 1170cc air-cooled engine. You can feel the difference made by BMW, opting for the air-cooled engine over the more civilised water-cooled option through the attack of vibration and noise that only adds to the Scramblers character. Some will say that BMW is using the term "scrambler" loosely on this bike, as it definitely doesn’t have the impressive off-road ability of a traditional scrambler. (To be honest, they have the GS for that)! The Scrambler gives a more of a Mad Max, off-the-beaten-track feel, being a robust, agile upright bike with a lot of the cosmetic changes that are pretty much skin-deep. A new seat cuts costs while still looking cool using synthetic worn-in brown leather with a retro-style fine spoke wheel design. Changes to the frame include a steepened steering head angle to compensate for a larger front wheel, with the added suspension of 5mm at the front and 20mm at the back. Finally, the ergonomics have been changed ever so slightly, with pegs pushed back and down and a taller seat with higher placed handlebars. I cannot help but talk about a couple of the finishing touches - as they make the Scrambler look cool and tidy, there is no rev counter or gear indicator, which might be a downside for some, but it keeps such a simplistic and clean design that I love. You can really feel the difference with these changes made to the ergonomics and structure that provides a different feeling when you take the Scrambler out on the road. It has the ride-ability of the original R nine T, with just the right amount of vibration to add to its character and enough torque for you to climb speeds easy! The narrow, large wheel doesn’t hinder steering at all, but gives a more of a flick-able feel than the original R nine T had. I can see why some people may have issues with the BMW R Nine T Scrambler, as it’s not the most practical bike and could probably be a lot more comfortable. Not to mention the doubts that it actually earned its Scrambler name. It might let a few people down. Overall, it looks cool, gets you from A to B with power and style, and hits the market in September, costing £11250.

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