EICMA 2019: BMW F900R, F900XR Unveiled

BMW Motorrad has unveiled two new middleweight motorcycle models at the EICMA 2019 motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. The two motorcycles, called the BMW F900XR and F900R, sport a new 900 cc parallel-twin engine, essentially a bored out version of the parallel-twin engine of the BMW F850GS, up from 853 cc to 895 cc. The engine has a bigger 86 mm bore, with stroke remaining the same 77 mm and puts out 105 bhp at 8,750 rpm, with peak torque of 91 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The new engine has two balancer shafts to keep vibrations in check, and a 277/450 firing order.

The new BMW F900XR has been unveiled at the EICMA 2019 show in Milan, Italy

Both bikes come with two riding modes as standard - Road and Rain, ABS, traction control and full colour TFT dash, with Bluetooth integration, which is controlled by the left handlebar. Riders can manage the electronics as well as navigation and entertainment systems from the left handlebar.

The F900XR is a smaller version of the bigger BMW S1000XR with a new 895 cc, parallel-twin engine, bored out from the BMW F850GS engine

The optional top-spec version, also offers semi-active suspension, cornering ABS, keyless ignition, an up/down quickshifter, as well as an 'engine drag torque control' which essentially stops the rear wheel from locking on aggressive downshifts. Suspension travel 142 mm up front, with 172 mm rear travel. Front brakes use 320 mm twin discs, with four-piston radial calipers.

The BMW F900XR will sit in the middleweight segment in the sport touring segment

The frame is borrowed from the BMW F850GS, but it's been tweaked to offer a slightly shorter wheelbase, while the subframe is slimmer as well. The F900XR has a 15.5. litre fuel tank, made from welded plastic, and seat height is rated at 825 mm. The F900R features a smaller fuel tank (13 litres) and marginally less power, rated at 95 bhp.

The BMW F900R is the second variant with less weight and slightly less power than the XR

Visually, the F900XR is based on the bigger BMW S1000XR, which has also been updated for 2020. The new BMW F900XR looks like a slightly smaller, and sleeker version of the bigger model, and is positioned as a sport touring model, while the F900R is more of a street-oriented roadster, based on the same platform.