Every once in a while you get a motorcycle that just feels right in the very first few minutes of riding. The BMW F 900 XR is one of those bikes. My time with this motorcycle started at the dealership that’s located on the western side of Andheri, Mumbai, an area that is infamous for exasperating traffic jams. There’s ongoing road-repair work every 100 metres, and autorickshaws and two-wheelers scrambling to squeeze through every possible gap. One needs every trick in the book to make his way forward or be stuck forever in this congested maze.
Before I dived into the mess, my concern was the F 900 XR’s 825-mm seat height. Standing 5’7” and tip-toeing in bumper-to-bumper traffic is not what I wanted with a bike that costs ` 11 lakh! Thankfully, the seat is contoured so well it allowed me to reach the ground with firm footing on both sides. Phew! Well thought, BMW. Also, as I was making my way through gaps, I realised how slim and compact the motorcycle is. I was able to squeeze through the same openings that motorcycles 1/8th of the F 900 XR’s displacement and less than half the weight were clearing.
The reason for this agility is its excellent weight distribution. BMW may be new-ish to the middleweight sports-touring segment, but it’s been making bikes for nearly 100 years, after all. The weight is present in the bike’s lower half, while the raised fuel tank and the stepped seat along with the wide handlebar keeps you in the centre of the motorcycle. A place of zen for effortlessly manoeuvring a motorcycle.
This story is from the December 2020 edition of Motoring World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2020 edition of Motoring World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
STRENGTH TO STRENGHT
What's New for 2024? We dive deep into the redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
BUILDING BLOCKS
Harley-Davidson takes us on a tour of the Hero Motocorp garden factory plant in Neemrana
PRACTICALLY SMART
The Jupiter 125 was already a comfortable and practical family scooter; what has changed this time around?
SEDAN CHIC
The Mercedes-Benz A200d has style and function and makes a compelling case for sedans
SOFT LANDING
City slicker by day, off-road warrior by weekend: Land Rover's Discovery Sport tackles it all.
MORE IS MORE
And less is a bore seems to be BMW's philosophy with the iX. Does it work?
BAVARIAN BOOST
The BMW iX1 offers thrilling performance and luxurious comfort in a compelling all-electric package
URBAN SPRINTER
From school trips to boardroom meetings, the Force Urbania reimagines the van experience with surprising comfort
N LINETENMENT
Pardon the dad joke, but the Creta N Line is worthy of its price tag, even if doesn't quite take you to motoring nirvana
THE ROADS AHEAD
Volkswagen India's Annual Brand Conference revealed what's in store for India this year.