The middleweight naked sport bike class offers a broad range of approaches to personality, performance, and practicality. The new 2025 BMW F 900 R is a rethinking of the gentleman sport bike—a genre virtually invented by the German juggernaut. This year, there are upgrades intended to make the parallel-twin-powered motorcycle more aggressive and less gentlemanly. It has always been an alternative to the higher-revving multis, such as the Kawasaki Z900 and Yamaha MT-09, with plenty of torque and an easy riding experience as the F 900 R’s calling cards. While BMW isn’t going head-to-head with the triples and fours in the 900 class, the F 900 R is shedding some stodginess and putting on a fiercer face. It’s time to take to the canyons.
- The 2025 BMW F 900 R isn’t just sportier-looking—the ergonomics have changed. The handlebar has a flatter bend and rises only incrementally above the fork caps. You’ll notice this as soon as you hop on the new R and grasp the grips. Find the pegs with your boots, and you might notice that they are up and back a bit. With the rider triangle conspicuously tightened up and moved forward, your mindset is immediately impacted. More aggressive ergonomics signal our brains that it’s time to go faster and get more serious about the throttle.
- An additional ride mode helps cash the check the ergonomics writes. Mechanically, the DOHC motor is the same, adhering to Euro 5+ standards while putting out 105 horsepower at 8500 rpm and a muscular 69 ft-lbs of torque at an easily accessible 6750 rpm. No doubt about it, the motor pulls effortlessly. There’s a new ride mode as part of the standard bike, as Dynamic joins Road and Rain. Road mode keeps Dr. Jekyll happy, while Dynamic mode satisfies the urges of Mr. Hyde, with the safety net of electronic aids. Engine drag torque control, augmented by a slipper clutch and more sophisticated traction control, reduces the likelihood of skidding the rear wheel during acceleration and deceleration, and does so transparently. Track riders will be happy to know that traction control can be disabled.
- Our test bike had the $1470 Premium Package, which adds Dynamic Pro mode. Dynamic Pro mode sharpens the throttle response to the maximum level, reducing traction control, and allowing for some wheel slippage during trail-braking. You can also individually adjust traction control and ABS. While certainly usable on the street, this is primarily a feature for track riders. The extra wiggle room the electronic rider aids gives you on the street makes the plain-wrap Dynamic mode a better choice in the canyons.
- Front suspension upgrades add to the 2025 BMW F 900 R’s new yearning for sport performance. The inverted 43mm fork is now fully adjustable, and the shock retains rebound damping adjustability and the ability to set spring-preload to your liking. A semi-active shock is available from BMW, though our test bike had the standard unit. BMW has fitted the new F 900 R with wheels that are four pounds lighter than last year, which gives the suspension a firmer feel. For sport riding, the F 900 R’s suspension is composed, with just the right amount of compliance for rides on mountain roads that are overdue for resurfacing. I’m the average weight and skill level, so the stock settings worked fine for me. Weight or performance outliers will be happy that damping adjustments are there.
- While the F 900 R has sportier ergonomics and throttle response, BMW has not gone all-in for sport riding with the chassis geometry. BMW has rethought the front end, giving the fork 26 degrees of rake, rather than the unorthodox short-offset 29.5 degrees dating back to 2020. Keep in mind that 26 degrees of rake is still relaxed—the Z900 and MT-09 have just 25 degrees of rake. Adding to that, the F 900 R is long. Its 59.6 inches of wheelbase is a substantial 2.3 inches longer than the Z900 and 3.3 inches longer than the MT-09. The gentleman aspect to the handling remains, though it also makes the F 900 R a planted motorcycle in corners that enhances confidence at the expense of agility. This fits in perfectly with the character of the torquey motor.
- BMW also slowed down the handling by going with Maxxis Supermaxx Sport tires. We don’t run into Maxxis tires often, so it took some time to get used to their character. Like the geometry, the Maxxis rubber has a profile that is not in a hurry to turn into or exit a corner. This adds to the stability-over-agility character of the 2025 BMW F 900 R. Traction when heeled over is good, though the feel is a bit odd—partially due to our lack of familiarity with the brand. The only real issue we had was self-inflicted; when the bike wouldn’t turn in as willingly as expected, we would sometimes overcompensate—the 459-pound curb weight plays into that—and end up diving in harder than anticipated. It is something an owner can adjust to, or simply fit more familiar tires.
- A quickshifter is part of the Premium Package, though it is not as sophisticated as we’d like. Quickshifters like more cylinders, and the 900 has just two. The lower revs also aren’t to the quickshifter’s liking, especially in lower gears. We still used it, and when riding really hard, the quickshifter was fine. However, at a more casual pace or around town, we found ourselves reaching for the clutch when it came time to shift. Of course, if you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need quick shifts anyway.
- Between the radially mounted Brembo calipers up front and the BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, we were completely satisfied with the braking. Feel is good, with a sensible initial bite and a slightly progressive response after that. We never found the braking wanting, the ABS never inserted itself into the ride uninvited, and the 320mm discs give you the leverage for the stopping power you need in a hurry.
- The 6.5-inch TFT dash returns unchanged, and it still looks great. Navigating through the menus is a bit unorthodox if you’re not used to BMW’s Multi-Controller (aka Wonder Wheel). However, it’s intuitive enough that you won’t have to enroll in a class to get it. If you get the Premium Package, you get access to the Dynamic Pro display mode, which includes track-friendly readouts for lean angle and braking force.
- For all its sporting capabilities, the 2025 BMW F 900 R is also an outstanding commuter and urban motorcycle. Put the moto in Road mode, and the twin delivers power smoothly and without drama. Yet, Road mode is more than responsive enough for freeways, urban traffic, and splitting lanes. Although the more-aggressive ergonomics aren’t as comfortable as last year’s and the suspension is not quite as compliant, this is still a comfortable motorcycle to ride. Yes, you’ll get a lot of wind on the freeway. If that’s a dealbreaker, get the F 900 XR. The fact that the latest styling evolution looks sharp is a nice added benefit in town.
- The Premium Package has a few more goodies we haven’t mentioned. Headlight Pro is cornering-aware and self-leveling, which is helpful for after-dark riders. Cruise control reduces fatigue when there’s a long stretch of open road between canyons, and it’s easy to use. Keyless Ride is convenient, though the fob incorporates a key for the fuel tank. We didn’t test the heated grips in the dead of summer, though BMWs typically have robust heating systems. If you spring for the semi-active rear shock for $445—an excellent value—it has added functionality in Dynamic Pro with the Premium Package.
- Our test bike also had a center stand, tire pressure monitoring, and Intelligent Emergency Call. We didn’t have any problems, so the $345 Intelligent Emergency Call feature went untested. Although I’m not great at getting bikes on a center stand, I was able to do it on the F 900 R. It’s inexpensive at $150, but on a sport bike, I’d rather not add the weight. The $225 tire pressure monitoring system gives you peace of mind—I like it.
- At $8995, the 2025 BMW F 900 R lures you in. There are plenty of riders who would be perfectly happy with the standard model. However, it might be tricky getting the bike without the Premium Package, which lifts the MSRP to $10,465, as dealers are reluctant to stock it. In that trim, you get a nicely appointed motorcycle that is sportier than it has ever been, yet still a perfectly capable commuter, friendly weekend canyon carver, and credible for the occasional track day. Whether or not you like the new ergonomics is a personal decision. However, BMW makes it hard for you to object to the sportier mission of the new F 900 R.
Photography by Kelly Callan
RIDING STYLE
2025 BMW F 900 R Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 895cc
- Bore x stroke: 86 x 77mm
- Maximum power: 105 horsepower @ 8500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 69 ft-lbs @ 6750 rpm
- Top speed: 124+ mph
- Compression ratio: 13.1:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ slipper function
- Final drive: O-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Bridge-style steel shell
- Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable inverted 43mm fork; 5.3 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustable shock (semi-active shock optional); 5.6 inches
- Wheels: Die-cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 17 x 3.5
- Rear wheel: 17 x 5.5
- Tires: Maxxis Supermaxx Sport
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- Front brakes: 320mm discs w/ radially mounted Brembo 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 265mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
- ABS: BMW Motorrad ABS Pro
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 59.6 inches
- Rake: 26 degrees
- Trail: 4.5 inches
- Seat height: 29.9 or 32.9 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 3.4 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 56 mpg
- Curb weight: 459 pounds
COLORS
- Snapper Rocks Blue Metallic (tested)
- Black Storm Metallic (Triple Black version)
- Lightwhite w/ Racingblue Metallic (Sport version)
2025 BMW F 900 R Price: $9690 MSRP ($11,185 as tested)
2025 BMW F 900 R Review Photo Gallery