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BMW R nineT

BMW · Motorcycle

R nineT

₹22.55 Lakhex-showroom · last updated 2026

Check on-road pricevs Ducati Scrambler 1100Official site ↗
Engine
1,170cc
Power
107.28bhp
Mileage
19.6kmpl
Weight
221kg
EMI starting from ₹5,000/month · subject to bank approval
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BMW R nineT — Overview

Priced from ₹18.99 lakh (discontinued), the BMW R nineT is a neo-retro naked with a 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin making 109 PS and 116 Nm, shaft drive, and class-leading customisability.

The BMW R nineT was built to be a blank canvas - and for a decade, it was the most customised premium motorcycle in India's heritage segment. Launched in 2014 as BMW Motorrad's 90th-anniversary tribute to the flat-twin boxer tradition, the R nineT arrived with a deliberately exposed tubular steel frame, a removable rear subframe, shaft drive, and a 1,170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin that had no interest in being subtle. At Rs 18,99,967 for the Standard and Rs 24,00,000 for the limited 100 Years Edition, it was never a value proposition - it was a statement. BMW discontinued the R nineT in India in April 2024, replacing it with the BMW R 12 nineT at Rs 20,90,000 (now Rs 22,74,974). But the original's cult following means a healthy used market remains, and examples that have been sensitively modified - or left completely stock - continue to trade well above what equivalent performance machinery would command. The R nineT is not the fastest, not the lightest, and not the most comfortable. It is the one you buy because you have ridden other motorcycles and found them forgettable.

BMW R nineT Latest Updates

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  • As of May 2026, BMW R nineT Racer - the café racer variant built on the original 1,170cc boxer platform - is listed on BikeWale and ZigWheels with an expected Indian launch of September 2026 at an estimated Rs 17-18 lakh; BMW Motorrad India has issued no official confirmation, pre-booking announcement, or launch timeline for the Racer as of this date.

  • BMW R 12 nineT Option 719 - the bespoke colour programme variant of the R nineT successor offering premium finishes such as Option 719 Aluminium and San Remo Green Metallic - continues to be available in India in 2026 alongside the standard Blackstorm Metallic, with the Option 719 programme carrying a premium of approximately Rs 80,000-1,20,000 over standard pricing.

  • The BMW R 12 nineT - direct successor to the discontinued R nineT - is currently priced at Rs 22,74,974 ex-showroom in India following BMW Motorrad India's January 2026 price revision of up to 6% across its CBU lineup, up from the July 2024 launch price of Rs 20,90,000; the R 12 nineT carries forward the 1,170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin, shaft drive, and customisation architecture of the original platform.

What We Like

  • The R nineT is the most customisation-ready production motorcycle ever sold in India - BMW designed a four-part frame with removable rear subframe specifically to accept bolt-on modifications, and a global aftermarket of hundreds of suppliers developed complete cafe racer, tracker, scrambler, and brat-style conversion kits around the platform; Indian owners have built genuinely unique machines, and BMW's own Spezialrad programme offered factory-approved custom parts from launch
  • The air/oil-cooled boxer twin's character is irreplaceable - 116 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm means the R nineT pulls strongly from town speeds without gear changes, the lateral oscillation at idle is a tactile experience rather than a flaw, and the mechanical heartbeat through the footpegs and seat distinguishes the riding experience from every liquid-cooled alternative at any price; owners who have ridden both consistently say the boxer engine is a reason in itself to own the motorcycle
  • Shaft drive eliminates chain maintenance - no cleaning, no tensioning, no replacement at 25,000 km; combined with BMW Motorrad's 10,000 km service intervals and a well-organised authorised service network in India's major cities, the R nineT's annual maintenance burden is genuinely lower than chain-drive alternatives; premium build quality is consistent throughout, and the boxer platform's long-term reliability is well-documented across Indian and global owners

What Could Be Better

  • Rev-hang on upshifts and throttle hunting at steady highway speeds are the R nineT's most persistent owner complaints - the engine revs do not settle cleanly on gear changes, particularly from 1st to 2nd, requiring deliberate throttle-close technique; holding a fixed throttle on NH44 produces a hunting sensation that multiple long-distance owners describe as tiring; BMW addressed this partially in the BS6 update but did not resolve it fully across all riding conditions
  • At 221 kg for 109 PS, the weight-to-power ratio disappoints compared to significantly cheaper alternatives - the Kawasaki Z900RS costs less and accelerates faster; the R nineT's mass is most punishing in low-speed city manoeuvring and tight U-turns; riders who bought it expecting sporty city performance are frequently surprised by how much the weight demands at sub-20 kmph

Editor's Verdict

Should You Buy the BMW R nineT?

The BMW R nineT is the right motorcycle if you want a heritage naked that is defined by personality over performance, and a platform you can make entirely your own. It was discontinued in India in April 2024 - the R 12 nineT carries the lineage forward with better electronics and a lower weight penalty. Used R nineT examples at the right price remain excellent buys for riders who understand the boxer twin's demands and rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat is the price of BMW R nineT in India?▾
The BMW R nineT was last priced at Rs 18,99,967 (Standard) and Rs 24,00,000 (100 Years Edition) ex-showroom India before being discontinued in April 2024. The 100 Years Edition was a limited run of 1,923 units celebrating BMW Motorrad's centenary. Used market examples are currently trading in the Rs 12-18 lakh range depending on mileage, condition, and whether the bike has been modified.
QIs BMW R nineT discontinued in India?▾
Yes. BMW Motorrad India discontinued the R nineT in April 2024. It has been replaced by the BMW R 12 nineT, launched in India on July 5, 2024 at Rs 20,90,000 (now Rs 22,74,974). The R 12 nineT retains the same 1,170cc boxer engine with updated electronics, lighter weight, and a revised chassis.
QWhat is the difference between BMW R nineT and R 12 nineT?▾
The BMW R 12 nineT (launched India July 2024, Rs 22,74,974) updates the R nineT with lighter kerb weight (220 kg vs 221 kg), revised engine tuning (109 bhp vs 109 PS at a lower rpm), improved electronics including Keyless Ride, updated riding modes, and an adaptive headlight. The engine displacement and shaft drive remain the same. The R 12 nineT is slightly less customisation-friendly than the original, with a revised frame structure.
QWhat is the mileage of BMW R nineT?▾
The BMW R nineT delivers 19.6 kmpl under ARAI standard testing. Real-world figures reported by Indian owners range from 16-18 kmpl in city riding to 20-22 kmpl on steady highway runs at 80-100 kmph. The 18-litre fuel tank gives a practical range of approximately 290-320 km between fills in mixed riding.
QWhat is the on-road price of BMW R nineT in Delhi?▾
The last on-road price of the BMW R nineT Standard in Delhi was approximately Rs 21-22 lakh, comprising the Rs 18,99,967 ex-showroom price plus road tax of approximately Rs 1,90,000 (10%), insurance of approximately Rs 80,000-90,000, and handling charges. The 100 Years Edition's Delhi on-road price was approximately Rs 26,71,000.
QIs BMW R nineT good for long rides?▾
The R nineT is a capable tourer in short-to-medium stretches - the boxer twin's torque makes highway cruising effortless at 100-120 kmph, and the riding position is upright and comfortable for 150-250 km segments. For longer rides, the throttle hunting at sustained highway speeds and the relatively firm seat become fatiguing. Riders who do regular Ladakh-type tours typically fit aftermarket seats and handguards.
QWhat is the service cost and interval for BMW R nineT?▾
The BMW R nineT has a 10,000 km service interval. Authorised BMW Motorrad service costs approximately Rs 8,000-12,000 per scheduled service depending on parts required. Shaft drive eliminates one of the most frequent maintenance items on chain-drive motorcycles - no chain service costs. BMW Motorrad India has confirmed post-discontinuation service support through its authorised dealer network.
QWhat are the competitors of BMW R nineT in India?▾
The BMW R nineT's closest competitors in India are the Ducati Scrambler 1100, Kawasaki Z900RS, and Triumph Speed Twin 900. The Ducati and Kawasaki offer comparable heritage styling at lower prices. The BMW R 12 nineT is the direct successor and the natural upgrade path for R nineT owners looking for a current production model.

Rivals to Consider

Ducati Scrambler 1100