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2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler Overview
For 2021, BMW offers the R nine T Scrambler as a naked bike motorcycle with 1170 cc on tap. The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler is built around a Horizontal Boxer Twin engine running DOHC 4-Valve valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.0:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 101 x 73 mm. Out on the road, the R nine T Scrambler delivers 80 kW /109 hp @ 7250 rpm of peak power and 116 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. In everyday use, the 2021 R nine T Scrambler tips the scales at 223 kg, carries a 17-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 820 mm and spans a 1527 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 21.9 kg heavier than the average naked bike in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler spec sheet below.
2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler compared with other bikes in the Naked bike category
Measured against other bikes in the Naked bike category in our database (up to 1666 models, one entry per model), the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler comes out as follows.
- With 116 Nm, the R nine T Scrambler has the joint 91st highest torque of 1318 bikes in the Naked bike category, 71% above the category average of 67.7 Nm.
- Engine displacement of 1170 cc is larger than that of 1512 of the other 1665 bikes in the Naked bike category.
- Only 174 of the other 1310 bikes in the Naked bike category have a taller seat height than the 820 mm of the R nine T Scrambler.
- Narrowing the field to the 398 models within five model years of it, the torque of 116 Nm is higher than that of 341 of the other 397.
Versus the 2020 model
Compared with the 2020 model, peak power eased from 81 kW to 80 kW (-1 kW) and wet weight increased from 220 kg to 223 kg (+3 kg). Peak torque, displacement and seat height are unchanged.
2021 R nine T Scrambler - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: Peak output on the R nine T Scrambler is 80 kW /109 hp @ 7250 rpm and 116 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
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🔧
Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
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Strong front braking: The disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
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Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.
Considerations
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Tall seat height: An 820 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Air cooling on the R nine T Scrambler keeps the mechanical layout simple, but heat management in slow traffic needs more attention than on a liquid-cooled bike - plan routes and gear accordingly in warmer conditions.
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the R nine T Scrambler comes from Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management with overrun cutoff. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Valve clearance checks
Valve clearances on DOHC 4-Valve-equipped engines like the R nine T Scrambler's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.
Brake disc and pad wear
2 x 320 mm discs, 4 piston calipers up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.
Suspension condition on used examples
Suspension duties are handled by 46 mm upside-down telescopic forks up front and Cast aluminium single swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; central spring strut, spring preload fully adjustable by hook wrench, adjustable rebound-stage damping at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.
Final drive maintenance
Shaft final drive on the R nine T Scrambler removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.
Frame & chassis check
The Four-part frame concept with front frame and three-part rear frame, load-bearing engine-gearbox unit, rear-seat frame removeable for one-up riding chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.
Handling the weight at a standstill
The R nine T Scrambler's 223 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.
R nine T Scrambler - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler with its 1170 cc naked bike should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 5 years old, this naked bike is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R nine T Scrambler settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the R nine T Scrambler's 1170 cc horizontal boxer twin - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With a 12.0:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Fuel system care
Injector systems like the R nine T Scrambler's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
Valve clearance service
There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if an R nine T Scrambler's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.
2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler have?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler uses a Horizontal Boxer Twin engine with 1170 cc of displacement. It is air/oil cooled.
How much does the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler weigh?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler weighs 223 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler make?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler produces 80 kW /109 hp @ 7250 rpm of power and 116 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.
Is the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler suitable for shorter riders?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler has a seat height of 820 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler have?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler uses 2 x 320 mm discs, 4 piston calipers at the front and single 265 mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler use?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler runs 120/70 - R19 front and 170/60 - R17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler have?
The 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler is fitted with a 6-speed, Constant mesh, transmission with helical gear teeth transmission.
BMW R nine T Scrambler Spec Evolution
The BMW R nine T Scrambler was produced across 4 model years (2016-2022). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2016 |
2019 |
2020 |
2022 |
| Max Power |
82 kW / 110 hp @ 7750 rpm |
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm |
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm |
80 kW /109 hp @ 7250 rpm |
| Wet Weight |
220 kg / 485 lbs |
220 kg / 485 lbS |
220 kg / 485 lbS |
223 kg / 491.6 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder, central balancer shaft, Euro4 compliant |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 2 camshafts and 4 radially aligned valves per cylinder, central balancer shaft |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 2 camshafts and 4 radially aligned valves per cylinder, central balancer shaft |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft. |
| Seat Height |
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820 mm / 32.3 in |
820 mm / 32.3 in |
820 mm / 32.2 in |
| Fuel Capacity |
17 L / 4.5 US gal |
18 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
18 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
| Dry Weight (lbs.) |
210 kg / 463 lbs |
210 kg / 463 lbs |
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212 kg / 467 lbs |
| Displacement |
1170 mm / 71.4 cu in |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in. |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in. |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in |
| Frame Type |
Modular frame with replaceable rear sub-frame |
Four-section frame consisting of one front and three rear sections, load-bearing engine-gearbox unit, removable pillion frame for single ride use |
Four-section frame consisting of one front and three rear sections, load-bearing engine-gearbox unit, removable pillion frame for single ride use |
Four-part frame concept with front frame and three-part rear frame, load-bearing engine-gearbox unit, rear-seat frame removeable for one-up riding |
Key Specifications
Engine
Horizontal Boxer Twin
Power
80 kW /109 hp @ 7250 rpm
Torque
116 Nm / 11.8 kgf-m / 85.6 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Weight
223 kg / 491.6 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal
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Full 2021 BMW R nine T Scrambler Specifications
Year
2021 - 22
Make
BMW
Model
R nineT Scrambler
Make Model
BMW R nineT Scrambler
Seat Height
820 mm / 32.2 in
Wheelbase
1527 mm / 60/1 in
Height
1330 mm / 52.3 in
Length
2175 mm / 85.6 in
Width
865 mm / 34.0 in
Dry Weight (lbs.)
212 kg / 467 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal
Wet Weight
223 kg / 491.6 lbs
Stroke
73.0 mm
Displacement (cc)
1170 cc
Displacement (ci)
71.4 cu-in
Engine Type
Horizontal Boxer Twin
Fuel Control
DOHC 4-Valve
Bore x Stroke (mm)
101.0 x 73.0 mm
Bore x Stroke (in,)
3.98 x 2.87 in
Displacement
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft.
Bore x Stroke
101 x 73 mm
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
Cooling System
Air/Oil cooled
Emissions
Controlled 3-way catalytic converter, exhaust emission standards EU-5
Fuel Induction
Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management with overrun cutoff, twin-spark ignition
Fuel Type
Unleaded super(premium), octane number 95-98 (RON) (rated output at 98 RON)
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Battery Capacity
12 V / 12 Ah, maintenance-free
Clutch
Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically operated
Final Drive
Shaft
Transmission / Drive
6-speed, Constant mesh, transmission with helical gear teeth
Frame Type
Four-part frame concept with front frame and three-part rear frame, load-bearing engine-gearbox unit, rear-seat frame removeable for one-up riding
Suspension - Front
46 mm upside-down telescopic forks
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminium single swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; central spring strut, spring preload fully adjustable by hook wrench, adjustable rebound-stage damping
Steering Head Angle
61.5 °
Trail
110.6 mm / 4.35 in
Wheel Travel - Front
125 mm / 4.9 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
140 mm / 5.5 in
Alternator
Three-phase alternator with 720 Watt nominal power
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
320 mm
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.6 in
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
265 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
10.4 in
Brakes - Front
2 x 320 mm discs, 4 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 265 mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper
ABS
BMW Motorrad ABS Pro
Rims - Front
3.00 x 19
Rims - Rear
4.50 x 17
Tyres - Front
120/70 - R19
Tyres - Rear
170/60 - R17
Wheels
Cast
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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