Intermot 2016: BMW R nineT Racer, R nineT Pure Introduced!

Both heritage models will be launched in March 2017 in select markets

Intermot 2016 has just hosted a throwback to the future. Sounds odd? Well, BMW has made complete sense of it with the addition of two new models to its heritage range – the R nineT Racer and R nineT Pure. Both models carry forward a legacy that was kickstarted in 2013 with the introduction of the R nineT and extended in 2015 with the R nineT Scrambler.

So what do the new bikes bring to the retro table? Here’s a quick breakdown:

R nineT Racer

Now as journalists we have to be objective, but the R nineT Racer is bias-inducingly gorgeous! It’s a modern take on sportsbikes popular in the 1970s and features a crouched and elongated stance, combined with a frame-mounted half-fairing. Also seen is a hump seat, stub handlebar and rear-set footrests for an aggressive ride stance that, as BMW puts it, make the rider literally lie on the bike.

Like the Scrambler, it sports a four-section frame and gets 43mm telescopic front forks (unlike the upside-down units of the standard R nineT). The 17-inch wheels are wrapped around by 120/70-section rubber up front and a 180/55-section tyre at the rear. Stopping power comes from twin, 320mm disc brakes at the front with four-piston calipers and a single 265mm rear disc brake with a twin-piston floating caliper. Yep, ABS comes as standard.

R nineT Pure

The Pure is a no frills classic roadster and features a look that’s stripped down to the bare essentials. The wheelbase is 2mm longer than that of the Racer and design highlights include a chrome ring around the circular headlamp, a slim seat, along with a fuel tank and front mudguard finished in the catalano grey non-metallic paint shade. The R nineT Pure gets cast wheels like the Scrambler and the Racer, shod with the same tyres as the latter. The brakes are shared with the Racer as well as is the suspension setup and both bikes also get two-in-one exhaust system made of stainless steel (polished finish in the Racer, brushed in the Pure).

Mechanically, the Pure and the Racer get the same Euro4 compliant 1,170cc, air and oil-cooled boxer twin-cylinder engine. The motor makes 110PS of power at 7,750rpm and 116Nm of torque at 6,000rpm, with transmission handled by a sx-speed manual gearbox.

Prices for the R nineT Pure start at EUR 12,300 (approximately Rs 9.18 lakh), while the R nineT Racer starts at EUR 13,300 (approximately Rs 9.93 lakh).