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2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS Overview
For 2020, BMW offers the R NineT Urban GS as a naked bike motorcycle with 1170 cc on tap. The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS is built around a Horizontal Boxer Twin engine running DOHC Radially Aligned valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.0:1. Out on the road, the R NineT Urban GS delivers 81 kW @ 7550 rpm of peak power and 116 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. In everyday use, the 2020 R NineT Urban GS tips the scales at 221 kg, carries a 17-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 850 mm and spans a 1527 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 20 kg heavier than the average naked bike in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS spec sheet below.
2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS 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 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS comes out as follows.
- With 850 mm, the R NineT Urban GS has the joint 22nd tallest seat height of 1311 bikes in the Naked bike category, 7% above the category average of 795 mm.
- Torque of 116 Nm is higher than that of 1212 of the other 1317 bikes in the Naked bike category.
- Only 133 of the other 1665 bikes in the Naked bike category have a larger engine displacement than the 1170 cc of the R NineT Urban GS.
- Narrowing the field to the 506 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 850 mm is taller than that of 494 of the other 505.
2020 R NineT Urban GS - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: Peak output on the R NineT Urban GS is 81 kW @ 7550 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 850 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 NineT Urban GS 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 NineT Urban GS 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 Radially Aligned-equipped engines like the R NineT Urban GS'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 Foating brake discs, 4 piston radial 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 Telescopic forks, 43 mm fixed-tube diameter 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 NineT Urban GS removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.
Frame & chassis check
The Three-part frame concept with front frame and two-part rear frame, load-bearing enginegearbox unit, rear-set 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 NineT Urban GS's 221 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 NineT Urban GS - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS 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 6 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 NineT Urban GS settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the R NineT Urban GS'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 NineT Urban GS'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 NineT Urban GS'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.
2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS have?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS uses a Horizontal Boxer Twin engine with 1170 cc of displacement. It is air/oil cooled.
How much does the 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS weigh?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS weighs 221 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS make?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS produces 81 kW @ 7550 rpm of power and 116 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.
Is the 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS suitable for shorter riders?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS has a seat height of 850 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 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS have?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS uses 2 x 320 mm Foating brake discs, 4 piston radial calipers at the front and single 265 mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS use?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS 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 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS have?
The 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS is fitted with a Constant mesh 6-speed transmission.
Key Specifications
Engine
Horizontal Boxer Twin
Power
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm
Torque
116 Nm / 11.8 kgf-m / 85.6 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.8 US gal
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Full 2020 BMW R NineT Urban GS Specifications
Year
2019 - 20
Make
BMW
Model
R NineT Urban GS
Make Model
BMW R NineT Urban GS
Seat Height
850 mm / 33.5 in unladen
Wheelbase
1527 mm / 60.1 in
Height
1330 mm / 52.4 in (excl. mirrors)
Length
2175 mm / 85.6 in
Seat Height (Inner Leg Curve)
1890 mm / 74.4 in unladen
Width
870 mm / 34.3 in (incl. mirrors)
Dry Weight
209 kg / 461 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.8 US gal
Maximum Load / GVWR
430 kg / 948 lbs
Wet Weight
221 kg / 487 lbs
Stroke
73.0 mm
Displacement (cc)
1170 cc
Displacement (ci)
71.4 cu-in
Engine Type
Horizontal Boxer Twin
Fuel Control
DOHC Radially Aligned
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-4
Fuel Induction
Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management with overrun cutoff, twin-spark ignition
Fuel Reserve
3 Litres / 0.8 gal
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Battery Capacity
12 V / 14 Ah, maintenance-free
Clutch
Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically operated
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
Ist 2.375 / 2nd 1.696 / 3rd 1.296 / 4th 1.065 / 5th 0.939 / 6th 0.848:1
Transmission / Drive
Constant mesh 6-speed
Frame Type
Three-part frame concept with front frame and two-part rear frame, load-bearing enginegearbox unit, rear-set frame removeable for one-up riding
Suspension - Front
Telescopic forks, 43 mm fixed-tube diameter
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 / 4.4 in
Wheel Travel - Front
125 mm / 4.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
140 mm / 5.5 in
Alternator
Three-phase alternator 720W
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 Foating brake discs, 4 piston radial calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 265 mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper
ABS
BMW Motorrad ABS
Tyres - Front
120/70 - R19
Tyres - Rear
170/60 - R17
Wheels - Front
3.00 x 19, Cast alloy
Wheels - Rear
4.50 x 17, Cast alloy
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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