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.
BMW F900 SE From VinesBMW of Guildford
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.
BMW Motorrad F 900 SE in blue
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 6.5“ TFT colour display and BMW Motorrad Connectivity. Connect your smartphone with your F 900 R via Bluetooth. The 6.5 inch TFT display will now show you all information relevant to your ride and also offers additional features like navigation, music and telephony.
You can switch gears without touching the clutch, keeping the tractive force smooth to give you more dynamism as well as more comfort as it keeps your clutch hand free.
Blue BMW Motorrad F 900 SE on side stand
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?
Well, I had a blast riding BMW’s middleweight F 900 R; it’s fast and delivers plenty of fun. Riding the naked bike for a week was fantastic, even in the horrendous weather of February.
Priced from £8660
Fuel tank and TFT display of BMW F 900 SE