Jeremy Webb Found out About BMW’s Fun, Fast F 900 R. SE
Would you think it was possible to have fun on a motorbike when the temperature is -9 and snow is settling? I found out it is when I test rode BMW’s F 900 R.
As soon as I mounted the F 900 R, I felt at home, so to speak. It feels right, with an excellent riding position and lightness about it. My knees tucked into the tank, and as I pulled away, I knew I was going to enjoy my time on the BMW. The high-torque two cylinder in-line engine of the F 900 R delivers 4,500 to 8,500 rpm for 87 Nm. Just the right speed range to get the most fun out of the power.
Two variants are available the SE, I rode and the A2. The A2 is aimed at A2 licence holders with 95hp, this can be reduced to 48hp to meet A2 driver’s license requirements.
I will be describing the SE with features over the standard A2 model.
Headlight Pro, + Gear Shift Assist Pro, + Riding Modes Pro - Rain, Road & Dynamic (MSR, ABS Pro, DTC), Adaptive Headlight, Daytime Running light, Dynamic ESA
The F 900 R’s parallel-twin is an upgraded version of the F 800 with an 895cc engine and considerably more power at all rpm than the outgoing 800.
I found the handling superb, which, combined with an excellent riding position, make for a fantastic ride. A new frame with more aggressive ergonomics has been employed to harness the additional power giving a more dynamic feel. Helping with riding position comes from the footpegs being moved up about a half-inch and back about a quarter-inch. The Handlebar grips have been moved an inch forward, so you lean forward slightly more but are still upright and completely comfortable.
A TFT screen, clearly displays all the information a rider needs. Ride Modes are simple to use on the go via user-friendly buttons, dials, and switches, then displayed on the 6.5” TFT display. A dedicated button on the right handlebar is for setting the Ride Mode. On the left additional single-purpose buttons, along with BMW’s spinning multi-controller.
The standard R comes with two Ride Modes—Rain and Road—that adjust the power delivery, ABS, and traction control. If you’re a new rider or an undemanding returning rider, those are plenty, but we don’t think this is a place to cut corners. Ride Modes Pro upgrades everything across the board. You get Dynamic Pro mode, which offers a more aggressive throttle response—something most sport riders want. Additionally, with Ride Modes Pro, ABS and traction control become corner-aware. You have more configuration options, including the introduction of adjustable engine braking.
On the SE with Dynamic mode, the F 900 R is smooth and controllable; it never feels overwhelming. In this mode, the engine spins up more quickly but never gets clunky, just smoother at a faster rate. You may want to switch to Road mode on tighter A and B roads, but the F 900 R will never really get you into difficulty. Road mode is excellent around town. When raining or, as I had on some journeys, snow, I engaged Rain Mode for extra traction control and ABS intrusion so practical in wet conditions.
The adaptive headlight of the F 900 R switches on automatically at a lean angle of 7°. Separate LED elements in the main headlight ensure the best possible illumination of the inside of the curve. For more comfort and safety in every curve.
Competitors to the F900 R are the KTM Duke 890, Yamaha MT-09, Triumph Speed Triple S, and the Kawasaki Z 900. BMW brings the 2020 F 900 R in at an attractive price so with a three-year warranty and the German reliability it is certainly worth considering.
Commuting or city use is a breeze on the F 900 R as it is an easy motorcycle to ride. The bike works its way through traffic without any issues then can get you up to motorway speeds supremely. I sat at 70 in -9 and still had a smile on my face. Or perhaps it was a frozen, free facelift?