BMW NineT

[PeterNI]

Just a thought. Would it be possible (or economically viable) to convert the new NineT into an off road bike similar to the HP2 Enduro. If this has already been covered or is in the wrong place, apologies

 

[DrAlf]

This hasn't been covered but I have been thinking about it a lot and doing a bit of research. The frame in the NineT is similar to the HP2 but not identical. The bike was actually built by Dutch frame/bike builder Nico Baker back in 2009 and was almost certainly based on unsold HP2 stock and the spare parts bin. The NineT frame features slight set back pegs and not straight pegs like the HP2E or MM. That could be a problem depending upon what you want to do with the bike. In addition the ground clearance is very low due to the S1000RR forks and associated low shock so you'd be looking at new forks and shock = ££££. I've heard that BMW have ditched the original plans to sell the NineT with wire wheels and tubed tyres and instead will be offering the bike with cast wheels and tubeless tyres = better if you're planning a MM style bike. All in though, the NineT would not be a cost effective HP2 copy - you're looking at 11.5K for the bike + 2K+ for suspension before you've even started on bodywork. It would be a great project though and I'm sure the like of TT, Wunderlich and maybe even HPN have kits planned. You go first and post a build thread.

 

[Bendy toy]

Norman Hossack originally designed his forks to be easy to build with off the shelf ball joints so the forks and swings arms could be cheap to make, low precision parts. BMW use the basic ideas in the K model forks but they need not be as expensively engineered.

http://www.hossack-design.co.uk/

They probably wont allow the brakes to bounce the forks over bumps (as MX and Trials riders do) but worth a look maybe.

How about a Citroen (DS, BX, CX) hydraulic system also used by Rolls Royce cars with a large frame tube as a hydraulic accumulator and a small hydraulic pump. Fully powered brakes could be smaller and the hydraulics could quickly raise and lower the ride height or even adjust suspension damping characteristics.

Bike design tends to be narrow minded so this is of course all barking mad. But why not?

 

[DrAlf]

The main attraction with a NineT is the telescopic forks and possibility of using other forks - KTM 950/990/1190 front end springs to mind. A homemade telelever/duolever provides no benefit. You've just invented a fake expensive R1200R frankenbeemer.

 

[Bendy toy]

A Hossack front end wouldn't be fake as Norman already did it long before BMW ever did. It was designed for low cost manufacture so need not be expensive. The Saxon is a hybrid that doesn't remove the precision engineering costs of tele forks, but does create an anti dive. Best of all for BMW it keeps the market happy by looking "normal".

Norman Hossack said his stuff could be set to bounce on the brakes like teles or even rise on the brakes. The advantage is the low cost of prototyping.

If a conventional design is needed then go for teles.

 

[DrAlf]

The Hossack front end was a great design and totally ripped off by BMW but the OP asked about converting the NineT to HP2 spec and the HP2's key feature is telescopic forks. A K1200R probably wouldn't make the best offroader IMO. Great project though.

 

[1157]

This hasn't been covered but I have been thinking about it a lot and doing a bit of research. The frame in the NineT is similar to the HP2 but not identical. The bike was actually built by Dutch frame/bike builder Nico Baker back in 2009 and was almost certainly based on unsold HP2 stock and the spare parts bin. The NineT frame features slight set back pegs and not straight pegs like the HP2E or MM. That could be a problem depending upon what you want to do with the bike. In addition the ground clearance is very low due to the S1000RR forks and associated low shock so you'd be looking at new forks and shock = ££££. I've heard that BMW have ditched the original plans to sell the NineT with wire wheels and tubed tyres and instead will be offering the bike with cast wheels and tubeless tyres = better if you're planning a MM style bike. All in though, the NineT would not be a cost effective HP2 copy - you're looking at 11.5K for the bike + 2K+ for suspension before you've even started on bodywork. It would be a great project though and I'm sure the like of TT, Wunderlich and maybe even HPN have kits planned. You go first and post a build thread.

Best add some funds for cast rims as it's defiantly coming with spoked tubed rims as standard and no option either ,it's a single mould bike .
I have one ordered and have contacted BMW direct and they quoted me by saying its the designers choice to fit spoked tubed rims ,as it's been done before on other bikes and is in keeping with the roadster styling for the 9T
Most who have ordered were all hoping they would offer a cheap cast alternative ,but no unless you want to coffup £1200 for the R1200R cast ones ,but then no one at BMW knows if they'll fit the R1000rr front forks !!