2017 BMW R NINET SCRAMBLER
FIRST RIDE
P78
surprisingly responsive handling
package, with well-chosen
settings for the non-adjustable
Showa fork.
There's satisfactory if not
exceptional stopping power from
the trio of discs gripped via steel
lines, but you do need a good
strong squeeze on the front brake
lever—there isn't a lot of modula-
tion from the Brembo calipers.
Wet-weather grip from the Metzel-
er Tourance Next tires was okay
even in the occasional thundery
deluge of Bavaria in summertime,
though I was glad our test bikes
had BMW's optional ASC trac-
tion control fitted, which I could
feel cutting in on slippery smooth
soaked surfaces—it's quite a basic
system, but sufficiently functional
to be worth having.
As an avid customiser in his
time off from the day job, Edgar
Heinrich has ensured that BMW
R nineT Scrambler owners will
be able to personalize their bikes
both technically and visually. So
the Scrambler's frame comes as
three separate component parts
which have been bolted together
using the Boxer engine as a
fully stressed member—a front
main section, a rear section with
integrated end section, and a pil-
lion subframe. As on the R nineT
