BMW Motorrad is likely to unveil an R nineT Bobber at the EICMA show in Milan in November. The evidence is almost undeniable.
For a start, Roland Sands Designs in LA has just unveiled their R nine T bobber custom which they call “Classic”.
Remember how RSD was conscripted by BMW Motorrad to create a Concept Ninety homage to the old R 90? This quickly became the platform for the new R nineT.
Even though the R nineT production model looked substantially different from the Concept Ninety, BMW has since expanded the range to include a Racer version which looks very similar to the original RSD concept. It was also the most popular in our recent poll of the best new bikes at Intermot in Cologne.
Furthermore, BMW has promised yet another model from their R nineT “Heritage” family at the EICMA show on November 8.
The R nineT has become the second-biggest-selling BMW motorcycle outside the R 1200 GS. They now have the base model, Scrambler, naked Pure and the bubble-faired Racer. An R nineT Bobber would seem the next obvious move.
BMW has already built their own bobber concept in the form of the R5 Hommage. It was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May to mark the 80th anniversary of the BMW R 5.
It was based off an old R 5, rather than the R nineT, but it hints at what they have been planning.
The R nineT is now being challenged by the Triumph 1200cc Bonneville family which has just released a Bobber after months of speculation and spy photos.
Hardtail bobber styling
The Triumph Bobber features a similar free-floating solo seat like the RSD custom.
However, the Triumph has a nicer “hidden” mono shock for a traditional hardtail look. It’s much like Harley-Davidson has been doing with their Softails for years.
Remember the short-lived and sadly unloved 2008 Rocker bobber? Maybe Harley axed this model too soon. Since then, the bobber trend has come back much stronger.
Instead of the hidden shock, the RSD custom features an almost vertical and highly visible Ohlins rear shock.
Let’s hope the authorities don’t look too closely at this R nineT bobber custom with its pedestrian-slicing front number plate!
There are enough police and safety Nazis out there already who want front number plates brought back so we don’t dodge front-on speed camera detection.
However, we do love the idea of the minimalist RSD R nineT bobber.
What do you think?
