Motorcycle specifications BMW1200 R NineT Pure 2018 Simplicity

The NineT is unquestionably the most successful of the current neo-retro wave. BMW has hit the nail on the head with this roadster with a false taste of vintage. Trendy and tempting, this bike was an instant success, and has spawned an entire family. Scrambler, Urban G/S, Racer... And as the NineT comes into its own, it's also available in a more affordable version, the Pure. The idea is to offer the taste for a lower price. Just for that? No, to give creative minds more freedom. But why? But how? And with what?

the Pure doesn't take its name by chance. It claims to be pure, essential and authentic, returning to the basics of the classic roadster. Indeed, it looks it; and when compared to the more premium NineT, you can feel the difference. Not necessarily in a good way. So long inverted forks borrowed from the S 1000 RR, radial calipers, aluminum fuel tank, twin exhaust pipes and spoked wheels. These are just some of the features that distinguish the NineT from the Pure, and the latter seems to be stepping down from the top step. But if it's the spirit of this BM that interests you, you'll overlook these differences, just as you'll pay little attention to the non-LED indicators, the single speedo, the handlebar ends without aluminum weights... Design is always a delight for enthusiasts, and the Pure has managed to retain a number of distinctive features, such as the air intake covered by an anodized aluminum cover, the stylized plates under the seat, or the small BMW logo in the middle of the headlight. And the Pure loves black, even to the point of using it on its frame, monobracket, fork sleeves and engine. Only the cylinder head covers escape with a layer of granite grey.

by contrast, there's no difference to the heart of the machine. Like all the bikes in this vintage family, the engine is based on the previous-generation Boxer 1200. Few hoses, no float, the better to preserve the retro look. And it allows this flat to continue its career, only in the Heritage range. It doesn't fall short of the mark, and it's still got a lot going for it. Overflowing on both sides, as befits an R, this 1170 cm3 has cracked Euro4 without losing any of its 110 horsepower. It has just missed out on a little torque, with 11.8 mkg. Transmission is via a 6-speed gearbox and cardan shaft.

There are no surprises on the chassis side, Pure having taken care to retain the 3-section tubular steel structure. With the possibility of removing the passenger frame, customization will be at the heart of the debate.
That's for the garage, evenings and weekends. For day and road use, we'll be relying more on the standard 43 mm fork and Paralever rear system. The Pure's wheelbase is slightly longer than the NineT's, but its weight is lower, so its handling is very similar, if a little less sporty.
Braking is standard Béhème at this level of the range, with 3 calipers and as many discs at the end of the braided hoses. The front is fitted with two 320 mm discs bitten by 4-piston axial calipers; the rear relies on a 265 mm disc and a 2-piston caliper. ABS is fitted as standard. In fact, it's the only assistance system on board. An extra notch of active safety can be added via the optional ASC traction control system.

as always, the catalog is extensive. The Pure can be upgraded with items ranging from the most essential to the most trivial. These include an additional rev counter, an aluminum fuel tank with visible welding, an aluminum seat cover, a headlight protection grille, a single-seat saddle, a fork crown with integrated handlebars and wristbands, Classic badging and much more.

a model for entry into BMW's Heritage clan, the R NineT Pure aims to be a simple, stripped-back roadster, using simplicity to let others' creativity take over. In short, an inspirational machine. Like the Racer and Urban G/S models, it is derived from the NineT Scrambler. And it can't claim to be as popular as the original NineT. The Pure has got rid of a number of chic elements - and the price has suffered as a result. It's the least expensive model in the family, which means that even the most reluctant rider can take advantage of the wide range of options and accessories available to enhance and personalize his machine.