BMW Motorrad’s 2025 update to the F 900 R (and F 900 XR that we rode on the same day) introduces more tech, a tweaked racier riding position, and is an overall lighter machine than the outgoing model – yet the base model price remains the same. All things considered, this should be a notably better bike than the previous generation, but just how good is it?

We flew out to Almeria in Spain for a two-day riding event on 5 models – day one covered the 2025 BMW F 900 R and F 900 XR, which share the same 895cc twin motor, to find out what they’re all about.

Does it have what it takes to bring the fight to an already bustling and energetic middleweight naked crowd?

By all accounts, the BMW F 900 R is a premium and technologically advanced middleweight machine, boasting a 105 bhp twin motor that now complies with Euro 5+ emission standards, but what else is new on the 2025 iteration?

• New ergonomics – tweaked handlebar placement, and adjusted foot peg positioning for a more forward-leaning riding position.
• New upside-down fully adjustable telescopic forks with adjustable damping, rebound, and compression damping with spring preload.
• New wheels that are approximately 1.8 kg lighter. Always a positive to reduce unsprung weight! BMW say these are inspired by (and the same dimensions as) the new S 1000 R).
• A new battery that is 0.8 kg lighter. Total weight savings across the bike, as quoted by BMW, are around 3 kg – kerb weight is 208 kg).
• Now standard on the F 900 R, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), plus ABS Pro, and Dynamic Brake Control (DBC).
• New slimmer rear end with integrated indicators and brake lights, and new headlight side trim.
• New colours and styling. Colours: Snapper Rocks Blue Metallic, Triple Black (+£220), and Sport (+£660).
• New official BMW Motorrad accessories are available, including a Sport seat (+25mm seat height) and Akrapovic exhaust (1.2kg lighter than standard).

The base price for the 2025 BMW F 900 R is £9,090, though the version we were riding on the day came in at a total of £12,320 – with the optional accessory packs thrown on, plus the Sport colour option. The 2025 bikes are already in BMW Motorrad dealerships.

Accessory packs on this F 900 R as ridden included the Comfort Package (£585) with heated grips, cruise control and keyless ignition, along with the Dynamic Package (£830) with Riding Mode Pro, Gearshift Assist Pro, and Dynamic ESA (or electronic rear suspension to you and I)). Other add-ons include tyre pressure monitoring, centre stand, BMW SOS, anti-theft alarm, and headlight pro. Essentially we had every safety and performance accessory fitted (other than the Akrapovic can).

Worth noting is the ‘BMW Rookie to Rider’ package that you can include if you are pricing up your progression up the motorcycling ladder, from CBT to big motorcycle licence – this’ll cover the cost of training and tests on monthly installments, and take off £1000 from the retail cost of a brand new motorcycle.

The 2025 BMW F 900 R has the same 895cc parallel-twin motor, updated for this year with Euro 5+ compliance – also found on the F 900 XR, and F900 GS. Power comes in at 105 bhp at 8500 rpm, and 93 Nm at 6750 rpm, with four valves per cylinder and DOHC.

Power delivery is very much dependent on the riding mode you’re in, and quite noticeably so – in the sportiest Dynamic mode the throttle is incredibly sensitive upon opening, whilst in softer modes the power is very smooth – so adjusting the ride mode is actually beneficial. On roads where you want that instant response from the throttle it’s incredibly welcome to have the option.

Luckily on our launch ride we spent the majority of the day in dry conditions, fortunately avoiding the lesser-spotted Spanish rain that was present (we weren’t so lucky on Day 2 on track with the S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, & M 1000 R…).

On the road the power is lively, delivered quickly through the rev range, but overall very compliant to your inputs, and best of all the power is perfectly tailored for the road and used within realistic road speeds.

When really pushing on the motor did get a bit breathless towards the top end on the revs, though the acceleration to get there is all smiles.

There are plenty of rider modes to select, lots of tweaking potential to get what you need, and safety assists that you can adjust to your hearts content – the optional quickshifter felt seamless when flying up and down the gearbox, letting you enjoy the endless curves and undulations in the Spanish hills.

With a racier set-up for the F 900 R, handling is in my opinion the greatest feature of the bike. So fluid with light steering, easily controllable, and comfortable enough - yet with an engaging position, thanks to the bars being moved a touch forward, and rear pegs tweaked a bit further back and higher up, with an 815mm seat height.

I did ask the UK BMW Motorrad guys if the 2025 ergonomic updates were inspired by the F 900 R Cup that follows the BSB - they said they wish they had that much say in the updates in Berlin, it’s more just a nice coincidence.

The R’s frame is noted as a 'bridge-type' steel, with the engine as a stressed member, working with those new 17” lighter wheels and fully adjustable suspension at the front. On the model as ridden, electronic rear suspension with auto damping features, giving you the ability to tweak the rear damping on the fly, between dynamic, comfort and auto – as well as set the preload (rider, rider & luggage, rider and passenger) plus the customary tech to tweak the throttle response, ABS control, and traction control levels (as Dynamic Traction Control is now standard fit).

Up front, braking power is provided by Brembo 4-pot calipers mounted on twin 320mm discs, with a rear 265mm disc and single-piston caliper – now coming as standard in 2025 with ABS Pro with various configurable settings, and fed by a six-axis IMU. They’re certainly the mid-level brakes, but they absolutely do the job, and I had full faith in the stopping power, particularly up front.

With that new pitched-forward riding position, you get a good feel from the front end that is noticeably responsive to your inputs - with plenty of feedback when pushing on. The rear does get a tad unsettled under heavy braking, but by no means spoilt the ride on any of those 'I'm coming in hot' corners.

All in, for the afternoon portion of the day on this bike, I was extremely happy pushing the bike through the endless corners and enjoy the incredible Spanish roads – this felt like the perfect bike in terms of size, power, power & ride customisations, and manoeuvrability.

One of the main notes from this launch is just how well put together the F 900 R is, it feels incredibly premium and polished, from the nuts and bolts to the span-adjustable levers – everything just feels top spec – particularly important for those spending the money for the added extras.

Rider comfort, for me, was leaning towards the more uncomfortable side. After 3 hours of solid riding the R exclusively from the lunch stop until the end of the day, my legs were quite sore and rear was getting a bit numb – but I absolutely loved the ride feel, and responsiveness from the front end – and I didn’t even touch the adjustments on the forks. I’ll take that overall ride feel and quality over comfort on a spirited ride like this any day.

We split the days ride between the R and XR, so I can’t comment on fuel range from the 13 L tank.

Last note is on the TFT display, with the BMW scroll wheel interface. Certainly works well, and understanding how the combination of scroll wheel and up/down buttons navigates the screen and gets you to the info/sport mode/customisations will take a few rides, but once you’re there it all works well – and you can pair your phone! Particularly liked the Sport screen (as in above photo) with markers for how much brake percentage you’ve used, how much you’ve leaned on the traction control, and your current & maximum lean angle in that ride – it remember if you switched off the bike in the Sport screen also.

Pros

Premium components and feel.

Updated ride ergonomics adds plenty of agile road character.

Tailored riding potential – suspension, engine, electronics all tweakable.

Negatives

Taller riders may want to check they fit first.

Runs out of breath at the top of the rev range (but only when seriously pushing on).

Experiencing the BMW F 900 R in the hills of Almeria was a wicked experience, and one that really let the character and quality of the R show itself. The updates for 2025 are all welcome, and further on an already solid base to create a formidable middleweight – particularly when the new riding position and suspension create, what I believe to be, the real crown in the jewel for the Bavarian machine.

Though it may go a little unsung in Top 10s, and perhaps picked last in ‘rivals’ debates, the parallel twin motor here is incredible fun, and well worth considering if you’re after a premium machine that can be dialled in with plenty of customisation (particularly with all the options you can throw at it).

Though, when compared to the Yamaha MT-09 (starting at £10,106) and the KTM Duke 990 (starting at £10,999) - the classic two hooligans of the segment - picking up a base-model F 900 R for £9,090 doesn’t sound so bad… if you’re a fan of a parallel-twin that trades a few spec-sheet BHP for some incredible agility on the road.