Long-Travel R NineT Adventure Bike from Loose Screw x R9T ADV…
When BMW launched the R nineT in 2014, they wanted to honor 90 years of BMW Motorrad with an 1170cc air/oil-cooled retro roadster that celebrated the heritage of the brand. The designers intended the bike to be a “blank canvas for customization,” but they probably didn’t envision the wildly varied range of R nineT customs that would come rolling out of workshops across the world.
One of the wildest — if precisely executed — creations came from Moritz of R9T ADV, who developed a full off-road kit for the platform.
“You love your R9T but as soon as the roads get a little worse the suspension quickly reaches its limits? Is the riding position and suitability for touring not quite what you want? Then this could be just the thing for you. We have developed a kit that makes it possible to close this circle and have fun on any terrain.”
The R9T ADV kit increases suspension travel from a lowly 120mm at either end to 235mm front and 200mm rear travel — on par with a Ténéré 700! The result is a very capable ADV bike with the air-cooled retro flair of the older two-valve GS models — much lighter and simpler than a modern R1300GS.
There are currently about 40 such motorcycles worldwide running the R9T ADV kit. Moritz has stepped back from the project, and our friend Enrico from Germany’s Loose Screw has stepped in to take more responsibility. Recently, he decided it was time to build his own R9T ADV from a first-year (2014) R nineT Classic.
“I wanted a touring bike that could handle both on- and off-road riding. Plus, I wanted all the bells and whistles of a rally bike… A modern, purist, monochrome rally bike that performs just as well in front of a café as it does in the Sahara.”
Enrico’s bike is sporting the full R9T ADV Off-road Kit, which includes custom triple clamps to hold a set of WP forks, adapters for the stock brakes, a footrest system that lowers the pegs 60mm for better stand-up riding, and a set of 21″ front / 18″ rear tubeless spoke enduro wheels.
Other highlights include a TFX rear shock, lengthened side stand, 3D-printed fork guards, reinforced engine protection, a custom-built rally tower with Rade Garage windshield and LSK lights, custom-built seat, aftermarket fenders, Hyperpro steering damper, Zard exhaust, Mosko Moto bags, Voigt Moto Technik cockpit essentials, and more.
All in all, this decade-old retro roadster has been turned into a long-legged monster of an adventure rig — a Bavarian brute that can go just about anywhere Enrico aims it.
“The motorcycle is so much fun. The engine is perfect, and the modified chassis, seating position, and knee angle give you a whole new riding experience. Especially if you’re a little taller, it changes everything on a standard R nineT and how comfortable you feel on it.”
At 440 pounds, it’s lighter than a Ténéré 700 with 40% more power and equivalent suspension travel…and the cool factor is off the charts. Thanks to Enrico for keeping the R9T ADV project alive and well. If you’re looking for one of these off-road kits, check out www.r9tadv.com.
Below is our in-depth interview with Enrico, including more photos and a full build sheet.
BMW R nineT ADV Bike: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
It’s a BMW R9T Classic from 2014.
• Why was this bike built?
The R9T ADV (www.r9tadv.com) project was conceived over nine years ago. BMW released the Urban GS or Scrambler version of the R nineT, but the chassis was still not suitable for off-road use. Moritz, a very good friend and gifted off-road rider, had been thinking about upgrading the chassis. Over the past few years, around 40 motorcycles with the modified chassis have been riding around worldwide (approx. 10 in Germany).
About two years ago, Moritz took a step back from the project and I took on more and more responsibility for everything. This led to the idea of building my own R9T — one that had never been seen before and that would serve as my future touring bike.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted a touring bike that could handle both on- and off-road riding. Plus, I wanted all the bells and whistles of a rally bike. Tower, solid engine guard, 18-21″ rims, no unnecessary weight. A modern, purist, monochrome rally bike that performs just as well in front of a café as it does in the Sahara.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
- R9T ADV Offroad Kit: www.r9tadv.com
- Aluminium CNC triple clamps with WP fork
- 6cm lower Foot pegs
- Longer side stand that fits completely invisibly onto the motorcycle
- Self designed 3D printed forkguard
- Longer brakelines from Probrake
- Redesigned and reinforced motor protection
- Custom-built Rallye tower (with R/G windshield and LSK lights)
- TFX rear suspension
- Custom-built seat
- 18”/21” tubeless wheels with Mitas Tyres
- Kellermann turn signals and additional lights
- Wunderlich rear fender with custom-built license plate holder
- Husqvarna 701 front fender
- ZARD exhaust system
- Adjustable Hyperpro steering damper
- VMT brake, clutch lever, and handlebar risers (voigt-mt.de)
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
105PS, ~200kg.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
The motorcycle is so much fun. The engine is perfect, and the modified chassis, seating position, and knee angle give you a whole new riding experience. Especially if you’re a little taller, it changes everything on a standard R nineT and how comfortable you feel on it.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I think the bike is perfect just the way it is. Of course, everyone will find something they don’t like or would do differently. But you can also see the R9T as inspiration for what you can get out of the bike when it comes to off-road capability.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
In any case:
- Moritz for his continued energetic support throughout the entire R9Tadv project.
- Max, whose collaboration made the tower and the implementation of the license plate holder on the level possible.
- Gusti for the photos.
- And, of course, the supporters of the project: Kellermann, TFX suspension, Voigt MT, Rade and Lukas from Rade Garage, Philipp from Zard Exhaust and the LSK Team, Silke and Roel from Mosko Moto.
Follow the Builder
Builder: LooseScrew: loosescrew.de | @loose__screw
Photography: Gusti Auer: www.augustauer.com
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