Back in the 1980s, BMW produced what was arguably the first ever “adventure” bike.
The R 80 G/S was marketed as being equally capable on tarmac or dirt, as indicated by the G for gelande – offroad – and S for strasse – road.
This was, in other words, the first dual-sport motorcycle.
Numerous wins in the legendary Paris-Dakar prove the bike was a genuine all-rounder.
The German firm’s GS family has gone on to sell more than 500,000 units, in recent years dominating the market in the shape of the R1200GS and R1250GS Adventure models.
Those bikes are all about practicality and function, as are most of BMW’s machines – and very good at it they are, too.
So the R nineT Urban G/S I am riding this week, comes as something of a surprise.
(Image: Will Rogers)
Why? Because this bike seems to be all about style.
And it certainly has that by the bucketload.
With more than a nod to that 1980s R 80, this G/S just oozes quality and retro cool, with that gorgeously shaped tank, the black and white colourway, the red bench seat and the familiar horizontal opposing cylinders of the boxer engine.
Parked outside my usual coffee stop, this bike drew more admirers than anything I have previously ridden, with a couple of people taking pictures of it and one coming inside to find the guy with the helmet on his table so he could ask about it.
(Image: Fraser Addecott)
On board, you’re struck by the minimalism – a single round clock with analogue speedo and a small digital screen with odometer, trips, clock and… that’s about it.
There’s no gear indicator, fuel gauge nor even a tacho.
The only switch to play around with is the one for the heated grips, which are standard on the Sport model I was riding, along with cross-spoke wheels, LED indicators, a chrome exhaust and the choice of on or off-road tyres.
Head off and that 1170cc motor has a delicious throaty gurgle.
Its not the most powerful in the world, but it packs plenty of mid-range torque punch.
(Image: Will Rogers)
The gearbox is not the smoothest you’ll encounter, but shifting through the six gears requires only a gentle squeeze of the lever and was always reliable.
Despite a hefty 221kg the G/S actually feels pretty nimble through the bends.
Braking, via 320mm twin front discs with Brembo calipers, and a 265mm rear disc, and ABS as standard was more than adequate, aided by the
Traction control is standard.
The more I rode the R nineT, the more I loved it.
Yes, I missed having a gear indicator and rev counter.
Yes, it vibrates a bit and the boxer-driven shaft drive makes the whole bike move under you when you open the throttle.
But those things actually add to the experience.
It looks fantastic, sounds lovely and is a joy to ride – solid, punchy and super cool.
(Image: Fraser Addecott)
The bike I was riding also came with the optional Option 719 accessory set, which includes milled parts, such as the cylinder heads and belt cover, and other features, such as adjustable levers and adjustable foot-pegs.
(Image: Will Rogers)
The Facts
Engine: 1170cc air/oil cooled
Power: 110bhp @ 7,750rpm
Torque: 86 ft lb @ 6,000rpm
Colours: White/blue; black/white or black/gold (£420)
Price: £11,480 (standard £10,765)
(Image: Will Rogers)
Richa Arc jacket and Atlantic trousers
The riding gear I am wearing here is by Richa.
The jacket is the Arc GTX and I’ll say straightaway this is one of the best I have ever worn.
This is a laminated piece, meaning the waterproof Gore-Tex membrane is bonded to the inside of the outer fabric.
The effect of that is to prevent any water penetrating the garment.
It also means the outer material doesn’t get soaked – it doesn’t hold water – so it dries out much faster when the rain stops or when you get to your destination.
It also breathes better, but, at the same time, retains warmth.
All of that is excellent stuff, but, in the past, some laminated jackets have been bulky, ill-fitting and not much to look at.
Not so the Arc. The is easily the best-fitting bike jacket I have ever worn. Style wise, it’s more like a leather sports top, with pre-curved sleeves, and shorter at the front than the rear, so that it doesn’t ruck up at the front if you bend forward and doesn’t leave anything exposed at the back.
It’s lovely and snug to the body, so nothing catches the wind when riding at speed.
There are stretch panels on the shoulders and concertina panels above the elbows, making it easy to move without affecting the fit.
There are adjustors at the waist and on the sleeves.
The jacket comes with a CE level-2 approved D30 back protector and level-1 armour in the shoulders and elbows.
There are 3M reflectors at strategic points and all zips are by YKK.
Two zips on the chest and two at the back allow ventilation on warmer days and because it’s laminated and there isn’t another layer for the air to pass through inside, these are very effective.
There is a liner for colder weather.
Available in black, grey and black/flourescent
I combined the Arc jacket with Richa’s Atlantic Gore-Tex laminated trousers.
Again this is a lovely bit of kit and the best-fitting bike trousers I have come across.
They attach to the jacket with a full-length zip and there’s a large concertina panel at the back, plus braces with a panel at the rear.
There is CE level-1 armour at the knees, and sections of Gore-Tex Armature abrasion-resistant material below the knees and over the armoured areas.
There are nice long zips at the bottom of each leg, so they fit over boots easily, and velcro tabs to keep everything securely in place.
I would highly recommend both pieces.
Arc GTX jacket: £639
Atlantic GTX trousers: £419
Both available at nevis.uk.com
