Factory Smartphone Cradle for BMW Motorcycles Finally Debuts

For the riders among us, BMW Motorrad has created its own cradle to accommodate your smartphone on your ride. This is a big deal, though aftermarket solutions have existed for some time. However, I’ve always found myself hesitant to entrust the safety of my device, which I use for so many purposes, to a seemingly flimsy aftermarket bracket.

The big negative for this new factory cradle is its size limitation. It’s only able house smartphones up to 5 inches in size. Those of us with newer iterations of popular smartphones will thus be unable to use this new cradle. Sad. Still, for those with older iPhones, for example, this accessory will work perfectly.

The cradle appears quite significant, and is described as “robust” in the company’s press release, while still offering the ability to quickly attach and detach your device. Now one could confidently utilize their smartphone, for purposes such as navigation, without being concerned about whether or not a universal aftermarket holder will fail while at highway speeds, for example. Touching on its potential benefit for use as a GPS system, your smartphone in conjunction with the BMW cradle can help you to avoid spending up to $800 for a motorcycle specific navigation unit. Others have, over the years, utilized portable automotive units, however, they lack the proper weather resistance and visibility of motorcycle units. Anti-reflection “flex foil” has been used in the factory phone cradle to overcome visibly concerns.

In addition, BMW already sells an accessory power socket, so charging while riding is also possible. Too, in order to attach the cradle, you will need to purchase BMW’s navigation holder, which starts from €65 in Germany, depending on your model. The cradle’s price itself does reflect its premium nature, costing €195 in Germany. Still, a great price when considering all of the functions your phone can perform, which can now (safely) be utilized whilst riding.

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BMW F 700 GS, F 800 GS and F 800 GS Adventure Get Updated for 2017

As some of our frequent readers may already know, my personal favorite in BMW’s famed GS lineup is the F 800 GS. The bike encompasses, in my opinion, the perfect balance of power and nimble agility. Now, the F 800 GS, in addition to its smaller sibling and the Adventure version based upon it, has received some new updates for 2017.

Among the updates is a new Euro4 compliant exhaust. Not too excited about that, nor are my sentiments different about any recent Euro4 compliant exhausts, as they tend to ruin the aesthetic appeal of the machines upon which they are placed. The Ducati 959 Panigale European model comes to mind. However, a new HP sport exhaust by Akrapović has also been developed. The HP exhaust will be available as a factory accessory for those looking to upgrade.

Additionally, a newly designed instrument cluster has been added to the trio, increasing the aesthetic, as well as the visibility of important information. Of course, new paint colors will be available in the upcoming model year also. However, the changes don’t end there.

A new electromotive throttle controller, which the company ensures improves responsiveness, enables riding modes to be made standard on the three bikes. Modes include typical options, like “Rain,” “Road” and “Enduro.” If you opt for the F 800 GS, or the F 800 GS Adventure, there will also be an optional “Enduro Pro” mode.

These bikes were already absolute gems, directly descended from the R80 G/S which created the adventure segment, and have contributed to BMW’s domination of the premium adventure segment ever since. With that being said, the bikes are getting a bit long in the tooth, so the technological upgrades are welcome changes, helping to keep the vehicles at the pinnacle within their segment.

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BMW Announces Pricing for New R nineT Scrambler

In November of last year, BMW Motorrad unveiled its long anticipated Scrambler. Many months later, the Bavarians have released a very long awaited datum, the price. Well, at least for customers in the firm’s number one market, Germany. The new R nineT Scrambler will start at €13.000,00 in Deutschland. As we reported prior to the vehicle’s unveiling, it will indeed cost less than the existing R nineT.

The R nineT starts at €14.900,00 in Germany, making the Scrambler significantly less expensive. Still, like its sibling, there is also great emphasis being placed on the bike’s potential for customization. Too, consumers will get the exact same 1,170cc beloved boxer power plant found in the R nineT.

The only concern with the new Scrambler is that it could cannibalize the sales of the more profitable R nineT. Ducati had this issue with the introduction of its successful Scrambler sub-brand, which negatively effected sales of Ducati’s core brand’s, more profitable, roadster models. Regardless, as I’m already a huge fan of the R nineT, I feel nothing other than excitement when presented with the prospect of an R nineT capable of doing some very light off-road riding.

I’ve spoken already of the Ducati Scrambler here, but British firm Triumph also manufacturers a Scrambler model which stands as another viable competitor to the upcoming Beamer. Read our spec comparison of the three Scramblers here. In addition to the announcement of how much the R nineT Scrambler will cost, we learned that the market launch for the Scrambler will be September 17th, 2016.

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