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2018 BMW R nineT Overview
For 2018, BMW offers the R nineT as a naked bike motorcycle with 1170 cc on tap. The 2018 BMW R nineT is built around a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft engine, a compression ratio of 12.0:1. Out on the road, the R nineT delivers 81 kW @ 7550 rpm of peak power and 116 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. In everyday use, the 2018 R nineT tips the scales at 220 kg, carries a 18-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 820 mm and spans a 1522 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 11.5 kg heavier than the average naked bike motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2018 BMW R nineT spec sheet below.
2018 R nineT - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: Peak output on the R nineT 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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Large fuel range: With a 18-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
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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: A 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 nineT 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 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.
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 Upside-down telescopic forks, 46 mm fixed-fork-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 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 nineT's 220 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 - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2018 BMW R nineT should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R nineT settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a R nineT's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Fuel system care
Injector systems like the R nineT's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
2018 BMW R nineT - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 BMW R nineT have?
The 2018 BMW R nineT uses a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft. engine with 1170 cc of displacement. It is air/oil cooled.
How much does the 2018 BMW R nineT weigh?
The 2018 BMW R nineT weighs 220 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.
How much power does the 2018 BMW R nineT make?
The 2018 BMW R nineT 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 2018 BMW R nineT?
The 2018 BMW R nineT has a 18-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 300-360 km between stops.
Is the 2018 BMW R nineT suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 BMW R nineT 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 2018 BMW R nineT have?
The 2018 BMW R nineT 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 2018 BMW R nineT use?
The 2018 BMW R nineT runs 120/70 - ZR17 front and 180/55 - ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2018 BMW R nineT have?
The 2018 BMW R nineT is fitted with a Constant mesh 6-speed transmission.
BMW R nineT Spec Evolution
The BMW R nineT was produced across 5 model years (2015-2022). 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 |
2015 |
2017 |
2019 |
2020 |
2022 |
| Max Power |
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm |
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm |
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm |
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm |
80 kW /109 hp @ 7250 rpm |
| Wet Weight |
222 kg / 489 lb |
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221 kg / 487.2 lbs |
| Dry Weight |
208 kg / 459 lbs |
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220 kg / 485 lbs |
220 kg / 485 lbs |
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| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft. |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft. |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft. |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft. |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counter balancer shaft. |
| Seat Height |
784.8 mm / 30.9 in Standard |
784.8 mm / 30.9 in Standard |
820 mm / 32.3 in |
820 mm / 32.3 in |
805 mm / 31.7 in |
| Fuel Capacity |
18 Litres / 4.8 US gal |
18 |
18 Litres / 4.7 US gal / 3.7 Imp gal |
18 Litres / 4.7 US gal / 3.7 Imp gal |
18 Litres / 4.7 US gal |
| Frame Type |
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 |
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 |
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 |
| Displacement |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in. |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in. |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in. |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in. |
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counterbalancer shaft.
Power
81 kW / 110 hp @ 7550 rpm
Torque
116 Nm / 11.8 kgf-m / 85.6 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Top Speed
Not published by manufacturer
Fuel Capacity
18 Litres / 4.7 US gal / 3.7 Imp gal
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Full 2018 BMW R nineT Specifications
Year
2018 - 19
Make Model
BMW R nineT
Seat Height
820 mm / 32.3 in
Wheelbase
1522 mm / 59.9 in
Height
1240 mm / 48.8 in (excl. mirrors)
Length
1240 mm / 48.8 in (excl. mirrors)
Seat Height (Inner Leg Curve)
1795 mm / 70.7 in unladen
Width
900 mm / 35.4 in (incl. mirrors)
Dry Weight
220 kg / 485 lbs
Fuel Capacity
18 Litres / 4.7 US gal / 3.7 Imp gal
Maximum Load / GVWR
430 kg / 948 lbs
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
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
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
Upside-down telescopic forks, 46 mm fixed-fork-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
63.2 °
Trail
107.9 mm / 4.2 in
Wheel Travel - Front
120 mm / 4.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
120 mm / 4.7 in
Alternator
Three-phase alternator 600 W
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 - ZR17
Tyres - Rear
180/55 - ZR17
Wheels - Front
3.50 x 17, Cast alloy
Wheels - Rear
5.50 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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