Long-Term BMW RnineT Scrambler: Ari's New Ride

Wrist Ari Henning
MSRP (2017) $13,000
Miles 605
MPG 34
Mods None
Update 1

Variety is the spice of life, right?

That being the case, I’m switching things up with my latest long-term bike with BMW’s RnineT Scrambler.

I usually lean toward the sporty end of the spectrum, but this time around I’m delving into the modern-retro realm, where style trumps performance.

And, boy, does the nineT Scrambler have style. The RnineT family, which emerged in 2013 as a 90th anniversary celebration for BMW, is all about the old-school. But do these throwback machines work in the modern world, or is functionality being sacrificed for fashion? And is there any substance to the on-/off-road idea of the scrambler category? I intend to find out, but be warned: As a pragmatic guy, I’m definitely coming at the class with a fair amount of cynicism.

Compared to the base RnineT with its 17-inch wheels and high-end components, this Scrambler version has a larger 19-inch front wheel, a right-side-up fork with rubber gaiters, a single-gauge dash, axially mounted brakes, and an integrated subframe instead of a separate bolt-on piece. The tank is also steel instead of aluminum, and then there’s that tasty high pipe and slightly different chassis geometry. You could call the brake and suspension parts a downgrade, but they work with the aesthetic BMW was going for. After all, inverted forks and radial brakes didn’t exist in the days of the scrambler.

As with most BMWs, the Scrambler has options. Wire-spoke wheels and Metzeler Karoo 3 off-road tires are two popular ones and items that came on this test model. The tires look burly, but, man, are they terrible on the street. They’re vibey, loud, and give the ABS a workout anytime you brake hard. We’ll see how they work in the dirt, but I’m guessing I’ll want to switch over to something that’s better on pavement. Looks like I’ve already found the answer to one of those fashion-versus-function questions.

Something I already love about the Scrambler is the engine. The nineT family is the last holdout for BMW’s previous-generation oil-cooled boxer motor, and compared to the new liquid-cooled wasserboxer this engine is gruff and crude. That’s a good thing, though, as riding the nineT really makes you feel like you’re riding a machine. The motor twists and snarls and slams down great torque with an exciting exhaust note. If the rest of the Scrambler is as fun and engaging as the engine, then I could get used to this modern-retro thing. Only time will tell.