Are you a fan of BMW bikes and kapeng barako? If you’re lucky, you might find yourself enjoying the popular Batangas brew while staring at the 2020 BMW F900 R during the model’s launch this month. BMW Motorrad Philippines has planned a special weekend event in Batangas for the much-awaited unveiling, and hundreds of bikers are expected to attend.
Let’s give you some background info. The F900 R was part of the triple launch staged by BMW Motorrad in Malaga, Spain, last month. There, it was revealed alongside the F900 XR and the all-new S1000 XR. Moto Sapiens got first dibs to try out these three awesome offerings.
For now, let’s focus on the F900 R since it’s already on its way here. We know you’ve waited too long to know the bike’s asking price, so it’s time to pull the trigger: The F900 R starts at P655,000 for the Standard variant and tops out at P775,000 for the Style Sport. Did we just see some raised eyebrows?
This model is BMW’s new front-liner as it launches its attack on the competitive midrange category. And when we talk about middleweight bikes, we bet the first thing that Filipino riders think of is the Yamaha MT-09, which is now dominating the sales charts and is priced at P565,000.
Just as Yamaha claims that the MT-09 is 100% made in Japan, the F900 R is genuinely made in Germany.
BMW Motorrad is positioning it as a ‘dynamic roadster’ designed for multitasking. The manufacturer claims it can handle anything from the daily commute to medium- and long-distance travel, and even weekend track sessions.
To be able to achieve this, the F900 R must strike the perfect balance between sportiness and functionality. If it manages to deliver on this promise, it will quickly become the weapon of choice not only of seasoned riders, but also of the growing ranks of newbies in the motorcycle community.
The F900 R’s DOHC four-stroke, liquid-cooled two-cylinder engine has leveled up from the previous 853cc (90hp) in the F800 R to 895cc in this current iteration, for peak figures of 105hp and 92Nm. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a multiple-disc wet clutch system designed to eradicate rear-wheel hopping during abrupt gear changes.
The rider will definitely feast his eyes on the TFT color display that shows the lean angles during a ride. Other features include smartphone connectivity, keyless ride (convenient activation of the locking functions by remote control), LED headlights (high/low), automatic stability control, two riding modes (Rain and Road), and adjustable handbrake and clutch levers.
In addition, the Style Sport variant boasts the adaptive headlights (cornering-sensitive), dynamic traction control, dynamic electronic suspension adjustment), Gear Shift Assist Pro, Riding Modes Pro, and dynamic engine control. BMW Motorrad also provides an extensive range of accessories, including a low seat option and luggage.
The 2020 BMW Motorrad F900R is offered in Blackstorm Metallic and San Marino Blue Metallic for the Standard variant, and Hockenheim Silver Metallic/Racing Red for the Style Sport. It's also worth mentioning that all products of BMW Motorrad come with a 5-year warranty.
We can sense you’re already itching to know our feedback on the F900 R from our test ride in Malaga. Sorry, that will have to wait until the official launch, where we will be likely enjoying kapeng barako in the company of hundreds of bikers. By the way, barako is a local term for ‘masculinity,’ to which BMW Motorrad proudly associates the design and stance of the F900 R.
At this point, do you think the 2020 BMW F900 R has the hardware to dethrone the Yamaha MT-09?
