BMW F 900 R Review: 105 hp Naked Bike to Rent in Lisbon

The BMW F 900 R is the naked bike that comes up most often in questions from riders who already hold a category A licence and want a proper motorcycle for Lisbon and its surroundings, but don't want to haul the 250 kg of a big adventure bike. It has 105 hp, weighs 211 kg ready to ride and has a seat height of 815 mm. In our fleet in Sobreda, it is the mid-power naked: above the Yamaha MT-125 and the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, below the KTM Super Duke R 1290. This article covers what it is like to ride, who it suits and how it compares with its rivals in the segment.

In short:

• 895 cm³ twin-cylinder engine with 105 hp (77 kW) at 8,500 rpm, 6-speed gearbox.
• 815 mm seat and 211 kg ready to ride: lower and easier than any GS.
• Requires a category A licence and a minimum age of 21; not suitable if you only hold an A2.
• 13 L tank and a range of about 350 km, below the 400 km per day included in the rental.
• €1,300 deposit, 2-day minimum rental, online booking with 30% payment upfront.

What the F 900 R is, in a few words

It is a mid-size roadster, built for tarmac and not for dirt. It has no touring pretensions, no fairing to shield you from the wind and no adventure riding position. The riding position is upright, the handlebar wide and the weight carried low. If you are coming from a 125 and step up to it, you feel the jump in level straight away: the engine responds to any twist of the throttle without waiting for revs.

On the version we have for rental, the spec sheet includes a Pro headlight, riding modes, Pack Dynamic and Pack Comfort. In practical terms, this means the bike adapts to the mood of whoever is riding it. There is a calmer mode for rain and for the city, and a livelier one for the bends of the Serra de Sintra.

Feature	BMW F 900 R
Displacement	895 cm³, twin-cylinder
Maximum power	77 kW (105 hp) at 8,500 rpm
Gearbox	6-speed
Seat height	815 mm
Weight ready to ride	211 kg
Tank	13 L of 95 petrol
Range	about 350 km
Display	6.5-inch TFT
Licence and age	category A, 21 years

How it behaves on the road

The numbers say a lot. With 105 hp and just over 200 kg, the power-to-weight ratio puts the F 900 R in very lively territory, far from a scooter and a fair distance from a 180 hp bike. It is not a machine that will frighten anyone used to riding category A motorcycles, but it is not a bike on which you can forget about your right wrist either. A twin of this size tends to push hard in the mid-range, and that is exactly what you want on an A-road: pull out of a slow bend, open the throttle, pass a lorry and settle back without constantly having to change gear.

The riding position is a street one. Your torso leans slightly forward, your arms are relaxed and your knees tuck into the tank. If you are between 1.70 m and 1.85 m tall, the 815 mm seat usually leaves your feet well planted at traffic lights in Almada or Lisbon. That is lower than a large adventure bike, and it is one of the reasons many people choose this bike for a first experience on a category A licence.

City

In Lisbon, the naked's advantage is its narrow width and agility. It goes wherever a big scooter goes, parks on the pavement where motorcycles are allowed and doesn't have the height problem an adventure bike has in the narrow streets of Alfama. The downside is the heat: an 895 cm³ engine in summer, stuck in a queue on the Segunda Circular, warms your legs. If you rent in July or August, expect this and prefer early starts.

A-roads and mountain roads

This is where the F 900 R justifies the rental. The route between Sobreda and Cabo da Roca, passing through Sintra, has wide and medium bends, ideal for a naked. The bike turns in easily, and the low weight helps you correct your line mid-corner. It doesn't have touring suspension, so roads with a damaged surface are felt more than on an adventure bike. On the other hand, on good tarmac, it is great fun.

Motorway

Without a fairing, cruising speed tires your neck and shoulders more. It handles 120 km/h well, but a long motorway journey is not its natural habitat. The best approach is to plan secondary roads and use the motorway only to get out of Lisbon. If the idea is to cover more than 300 km a day, a Tracer or a Transalp will leave you less tired, and that is what they are in the fleet for.

Display, modes and comfort

The 6.5-inch TFT display brings together speedometer, rev counter, riding mode and bike information in a panel that stays legible even in strong sun. The riding modes let you change the throttle response and the behaviour of the traction control. On a rainy November day in Lisbon, choosing the soft mode is a smart decision: the bike is more forgiving and the wet cobbled streets stop being a threat.

The Pack Comfort and Pack Dynamic, listed on the spec sheet, add features you notice day to day. You don't need to memorise anything before pickup, but it is worth spending ten minutes in the shop's car park going through the menus and working out what each mode does. If you have already had a bike with a display and modes, you will adapt within a few kilometres.

Who this bike is for

The bike's page on our website requires a category A driving licence and a minimum age of 21. Category A2 is not enough: to understand the differences between categories, the IMT page on driving licence categories (Portugal's mobility and transport institute) explains what each one allows. We also ask for suitable experience riding motorcycles. The F 900 R is not for someone who gets their category A licence this week and wants the fastest bike in the car park.

Specifically, it suits three profiles:

• Riders who already ride in their own country and want a fun naked for a few days in Lisbon, without luggage adventures.
• Riders who want a second bike after several experiences on a 125 or an A2 and are looking for a jump in power with 211 kg.
• Riders who prefer a roadster position to that of an adventure bike, especially if they are under 1.80 m tall.

It is not for anyone who wants to travel with two hard panniers and a passenger across Portugal. For that, there are other bikes in our fleet. If you are thinking of a long getaway, first take a look at our list of BMW F 900 R and other motorcycles to rent in Lisbon.

Comparisons with other nakeds

Yamaha MT-07

It is the most obvious rival in the category, but in a different tier. The MT-07 is an A2 bike, which means more people can ride it, and our review of the Yamaha MT-07 explains why. The F 900 R has more displacement, more power and more electronics. If you hold a category A licence, the step up is worth it; if you only have an A2, the MT-07 is the natural choice.

Triumph Street Triple

The Street Triple family, from Triumph, is the classic rival in character: a three-cylinder engine, sharp handling and a sportier proposition. If you prefer the feel of a track bike with high handlebars, you will like it more. The BMW answers with a more relaxed position and a more complete display, which is why it tends to please riders who cover a lot of mixed city and road kilometres.

KTM Duke

The Duke range from KTM has a more aggressive and lighter philosophy. In our fleet there is the Super Duke R 1290, with 180 hp, which is a different conversation: it is a bike for someone who already masters a powerful naked and wants to feel everything to the maximum. The F 900 R sits in the middle, with 105 hp, and is considerably easier to ride slowly.

Yamaha MT-09

Yamaha bets on a more aggressive three-cylinder engine and a position closer to the track. For anyone looking for pure thrills, the MT-09 tends to be more radical than the BMW, which positions itself more as an all-round bike for everyday use. If you want a more civilised response out of the bends, the German bike will serve you better.

Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Yamaha MT-125

These two bikes, which we also have, are category A2 and A1 respectively. They are lighter and cheaper, and they are great for the city. If you don't have a category A licence, this is the right direction. The F 900 R is a step up, and only makes sense if you can make use of the extra power.

Three ideal rides with the F 900 R from Sobreda

The shop is at Estrada Nacional 10-1, no. 189, in Sobreda, on the Margem Sul (south bank of the Tagus). That gives you quick access to the A2 and the 25 de Abril bridge, but also to quieter roads in the Alentejo coast and the Setúbal Peninsula.

Cabo da Roca and Sintra: about 110 km round trip

Leaving Sobreda, you cross the bridge, go through Lisbon and climb into the mountains. The bike is very much at home in the bends of Sintra and on the road to Cabo da Roca, where the wind from the Atlantic makes itself felt. Arrive early, before 10:00, to avoid the tourist traffic.

Arrábida: about 90 km

The road that runs down from Palmela to Sesimbra and the mountain range has a varied surface and striking scenery. A naked is perfect for these slow and medium bends, and the bike never needs to go fast to be fun.

Ericeira and Mafra: about 150 km

If you want a full-day ride, the F 900 R handles the route comfortably, although the 13 L tank calls for a stop halfway. For more ideas, the Visit Portugal portal gathers official information on destinations in the region.

Range and included kilometres

The rental includes 400 km per day, and each additional kilometre costs €0.49. The approximate range of the F 900 R is 350 km, so on a day when you use the full 400 km, you will have to stop at least once to refuel. Use 95-octane petrol, as stated on the spec sheet. Real consumption depends a lot on your pace: in calm mode the range gets close to the maximum, and in lively mode it drops noticeably.

Booking and picking up the bike

Booking is done online, on the website, with 30% paid at the time of booking. The minimum rental is 2 days. If you cancel more than 7 working days in advance, the refund is 100%. The daily price is always on the BMW F 900 R page, and that is where you choose your dates and see real availability.

The deposit is €1,300, blocked on a credit or debit card in the rider's name. It is a pre-authorisation, not a payment: it is released on the day you return the bike, and the bank usually takes between 7 and 15 working days to show the amount as available again. The included insurance is third-party liability, with travel assistance. It is not own-damage insurance, and that is why the deposit exists.

Pickup is at the shop, in Sobreda. If you need the bike delivered to Lisbon airport or to a hotel within 10 km, paid services are available, and the current prices are in the “Where to pick up” block on the home page. You should bring your citizen card or passport and your category A driving licence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent the BMW F 900 R with an A2 licence?

No. The bike's spec sheet requires a category A licence and a minimum age of 21. If you have an A2, you can choose other bikes in the fleet that your licence allows, such as the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.

Is the BMW F 900 R good for beginners?

It is a bike with 105 hp, so it is not a beginner's choice. If you have a category A licence but little practice, you should first consider a smaller bike. The 815 mm seat and the 211 kg make it manageable, but the power demands respect.

How long does a tank last?

The approximate range is 350 km, with a 13 L tank. With the moderate use of a loop around Sintra and Cabo da Roca, you refuel once at the end of the day. On a longer route, look for a petrol station every 250 km to be safe.

Can I take the bike to Spain?

Only with our prior authorisation and with the insurance and assistance extension for Spain, which costs €58 for 10 days. Without it, the bike can only be ridden in mainland Portugal. It is best to sort this out before pickup.