BMW Motorrad finally gave its mid-size sportbike range a much needed update ahead of MY2020 with its new F 900 R roadster. Built for fun, the F 900 R delivers the goods with a new chassis, new all-plastic fuel tank, and a bevy of electronic systems for ride-quality and safety control. A new, parallel-twin powerplant drives your on-road adventures with almost 100 horsepower on tap, and as always, BMW has a well-rounded accessory line that pulls from the top shelf to boost its capabilities even more.

BMW Motorrad finally gave its mid-size sportbike range a much needed update ahead of MY2020 with its new F 900 R roadster. Built for fun, the F 900 R delivers the goods with a new chassis, new all-plastic fuel tank, and a bevy of electronic systems for ride-quality and safety control. A new, parallel-twin powerplant drives your on-road adventures with almost 100 horsepower on tap, and as always, BMW has a well-rounded accessory line that pulls from the top shelf to boost its capabilities even more.

2023 BMW F 900 R Performance and Capability

The naked F 900 R's engine first saw the light of day back in '18 in the F 850 GS, but revised for more horsepower and a fatter torque curve. The new flat-twin engine on the F 900 R generates 99 horsepower at 8,500 rpm with 67 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm.

Standard equipment includes the Automatic Stability Control (traction control) feature and a pair of Rider Modes (Road/Rain). This gives you some control over the engine's personality and lets you dial in for the road conditions.

An 86 mm bore and 77 mm stroke gives the mill its 895 cc total displacement and 13.1-to-1 compression ratio. It's water-cooled for thermal stability and runs with dual overhead cams to time the eight-valve head. This eliminates the need for pushrods and the reciprocating mass they would add to the system.

A closed-loop, 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust system takes care of business with a three-way catalyst. The catalyst burns off free hydrocarbons that make it out of the combustion chambers to meet Euro 5 emission standards.

The engine boasts a 56 mpg mileage rating that's pretty fuel-friendly. That's a good thing considering that the sizzlin' hot compression ratio will have you at the premium pump exclusively.

A slipper-style clutch provides anti-hop mitigation by de-coupling the drivetrain from the engine. That prevents the buildup of excessive backtorque when you downshift/engine brake for yet another safety feature. Plus, it provides a light clutch pull to give your left hand a break.

The factory didn't neglect the engine when it comes to accessories. If you spring for the extra cheddar you can score additional ride modes, lean-sensitive traction control, and new engine drag-torque control for your electronics suite.

Power flows through a six-speed gearbox and O-ring chain final drive. The overall drive ratio turns in a rather ambiguous BMW F 900 R top speed of “over 134 mph,” according to the factory.

Engine & Drivetrain

Engine:

Water-cooled 4-stroke in-line two-cylinder engine, four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication

Bore x Stroke:

86 mm x 77 mm

Displacement:

895 cc

Rated output:

99 hp @ 8,500 rpm

Max. torque:

67 lb-ft @t 6,500 rpm

Compression ratio:

13.1 : 1

Mixture control / engine management:

Electronic fuel injection

Emission control:

Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter, emission standard EU-5

Clutch:

Multiple-disc wet clutch (anti-hopping), mechanically operated

Gearbox:

Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox integrated in crankcase

Drive:

Endless O-ring chain with shock damping in rear wheel hub


Design

In true classic roadster style, the F 900 R carries itself with minimal body cladding. The blackout treatment lends it a bit of a homemade vibe.

It starts with the cut-down front fender that pushes the limits of function and is just large enough to contain the front-wheel fling. As simple as it is, it sets the stage for the rest of the machine.

With the inverted front forks, the fender mounts to the fork feet. The uprights pull double duty as both a grit guard for the swept area of the inner fork tubes and as a wind shunt to direct the lower slipstream out and away from the stems for improved penetration.

A compact, over-under, LED headlight rides in a blackout, naked-style housing to split the night as part of the stock package. If you pony up for the optional Headlight Pro you get a set of cornering lights that automatically illuminate when you exceed seven degrees of lean.

Headlight Pro puts the light in the corner where you are heading as opposed to the fixed headlight that shines where the front wheel is pointing. If you've ridden at night, you know how useless the latter actually is in the curves.

LED turn signals finish the forward lighting on short standoffs mounted to the upper abbreviated cowling panels. That's too bad as it leaves them vulnerable in a drop or slide.

Unfortunately, U.S. laws require a certain amount of separation between the front blinkers. On bikes like this with no front fairing to speak of, builders have little choice in mounting positions to satisfy that requirement. Nothin' for it if you ride in the States.

Thin Film Transistor displays and wireless connectivity are becoming more ubiquitous every day, so it's no surprise to see that tech on Beemer's newest roadster. A 6.5-inch color screen serves as a digital instrument cluster and acts as a rider interface for the ride-control systems.

Naturally, it also comes with BMW Motorrad Connectivity that networks wirelessly with your smartphone to enable an onboard navigation system, pipe in your favorite tunes, and field hands-free phone calls. The Ride Modes Pro accessory unlocks additional screen configurations to give you a choice in high-visibility layouts.

In a first for street bikes, a 3.4-gallon “plastic-welded” fuel tank contributes a dramatic hump to the flyline ahead of a deep swale. It pulls you into the bike and supports your butt 32 inches off the deck.

If that doesn't work for you, the factory offers optional seats and suspension that range between 30.3 inches and 34 inches to accommodate a wide range of body types. The factory doubles down on the variable rider's triangle with adjustable clutch and brake levers as well.

Mainframe-mount, fold-up footpegs, J.C handles, and a cushy pillion pad come stock to let you share the fun with a friend. If you prefer, you can chuck on the tail cover for that solo-streetfighter look.

An all-in-one rear fender mounts the taillight, license plate, tag light, and rear blinkers. Again, it's all in super-bright LED tech just like the front lights.

BMW F 900 R Specs

Wheelbase:

59.7 in. (1,518 mm)

Length:

84.2 in. (2,140 mm)

Width (incl. Mirrors):

32 in. (815 mm)

Height (excl. mirrors):

44.4 in. (1,130 mm)

Seat height, unladen weight:

32 in. (OE suspension lowering kit: 30.3 in., OE low seat: 31.1 in., OA high seat: 32.8 in., OA comfort seat: 33 in., OE extra high seat: 34 in.)

Inner leg curve, unladen weight:

71.6 in. (OE suspension lowering kit: 69 in., OE low seat: 70.2 in., OA high seat: 73.2 in., OA comfort seat: 73.6 in., OE extra high seat: 74.4 in.)

Unladen weight, road ready, fully fueled:

465 lbs (211 kg)

Permitted total weight:

947 lbs (430 kg)

Payload (with standard equipment):

482 lbs (219 kg)

Fuel capacity:

3.4 gal 0.9 gal reserve (13 L with approx. 3.5 L reserve)

Fuel consumption:

56 mpg (WMTC)

Fuel type:

Premium Unleaded

Maximum speed:

Over 134 mph


Chassis

Hollow “steel-shell” members on the F 900 R make up the bridge-type frame. This gives a balance of strength, rigidity, and low weight that they add to the equation.

Much of the main frame is actually visible due to the dearth of body coverings. It is less-than-conspicuous due to the generous blackout treatment that tends to visually homogenize the design.

Cast aluminum is the material of choice for the yoke-style swingarm. It relies on a single, centrally located, coil-over shock for support. Adjustable spring preload and rebound damping are the only two suspension adjustments on the bike as the usd, 43 mm front forks come with fixed values.

Rake and trail ride at 29.5 degrees and 4.5-inches respectively. This gives the F 900 R an agile nature without crossing over into squirrely territory for a workable balance.

Suspension travel is pretty generous for a strictly-street machine with 5.3 inches of travel up front opposite 5.5 inches out back. It will tolerate the roughest roads in your particular urban jungle.

Cast-aluminum rims round out the rolling chassis with “Z”-rated hoops in a 120/70 and 180/55. The tread remains grippy even in inclement weather.

When it's time to drop anchor, you can rely on dual, 320 mm discs and four-pot calipers to slow the front wheel and a single-piston binder that grabs the 265 mm rear disc. Both ends have BMW Motorrad's proprietary ABS feature to prevent loss of traction due to over braking and/or slippery conditions.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame:

Bridge-type frame, steel shell construction

Front Suspension/ Travel:

Upside-down telescopic fork, Ø 43 mm/5.3 in. (135 mm)

Rear Suspension/ Travel:

Cast aluminum dual swing arm, central spring strut, spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable, rebound damping adjustable/ 5.5 in. (142 mm)

Castor:

4.5" (114.3 mm)

Steering head angle:

60.5°

Brake, front:

Dual 320 mm floating brake discs, 4-piston radial brake calipers

Brake, rear:

265 mm disc brake, single-piston floating caliper

Wheels:

Cast aluminum wheels

Rim, front:

3.50" x 17”

Rim rear:

5.50" x 17”

Tire, front:

120/70 ZR 17

Tire, rear:

180/55 ZR 17

ABS:

BMW Motorrad ABS


2023 BMW F 900 R Price and Availability

Priced to move, the base-model 2023 F 900 R costs $8,995. It comes in a trio of paint packages that include Hockenheim Silver Metallic over Racing Red, San Marino Blue Metallic, and Black Storm Metallic, all of which come with plenty of blackout treatment.

Pricing & Equipment


Standard Features

-Colored TFT Display With BMW Motorrad Connectivity

-LED Headlight (Low / High) Beam

-LED Indicators

-ASC

-Riding Modes (Rain/Road)

-Adjustable Hand Brake and Clutch Levers

-12V Socket

Color:

Hockenheim Silver Metallic / Racing Red, San Marino Blue Metallic, Black Storm Metallic

Price:

$8,995


Competitors

Looking at this new Beemer, it seems clear that the same kind of buyer would appreciate what Ducati's Monster brings to the table. Let's see how they stack up.

Ducati Monster Plus

Even more naked than the F 900 R is the Monster Plus. The Monster carries a teensie-weensie little front fender below a similarly compact headlight assembly for that typical naked look.

In profile, the lines borrow from the '93 Monster. It establishes a continuity of design that pays an appropriate amount of homage to the original without becoming a slave to it.

Seriously though, it's hard to beat Ducati for aesthetics. However, this time Beemer manages to give Duc a run for its money, at least to my eyes.

The Monster slips a little in the suspension department because it comes with adjustable preload out back as the only suspension tweak. This cedes the advantage to the BMW's rear shock that also has a rebound-damping adjuster.

Up front, the usd forks run with fixed variables across the board. Honestly, there's room for improvement on both machines.

Bosch ABS and Brembo anchors break even with the Motorrad's brake hardware. The stock electronics are fairly equal, as well, with the basics well represented all around.

Ducati powers its entry with a 937 cc L-Twin plant that produces 111 horsepower and 69 pounds o' torque against Beemer's 99/67 for a slight edge in brute power.

You'll pay dearly for those extra ponies, 'cause the base Monster Plus fetches $12,695. That price difference is likely to buy BMW some business, for sure.

He Said

“The objective of the rebuild was to offer a fresh, competitive, mid-size model for sport riders. It seems safe to say mission accompli at this point.”

“Even though it comes with ride modes, ABS, and traction control, it's fairly basic by today's standards. If BMW follows its usual pattern of development we can expect to see some of the optional equipment show up on the base model soon enough.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “Torque is available low in the rev-range, which you'll notice right away. Even though this is the engine out of the 850 GS, it has a new bore, new heads, and it's remapped for better response.”

“To accommodate a wide range of rider heights, six different seat heights are available and two different handlebars. This lets you really dial in the rider triangle to your liking.”

“BMW calls it aggressive styling but looks a bit unintimidating to me. The emphasis is on ride quality rather than flat-out performance, so this could be your everyday bike.”