⟲ 360° — drag meThe facts.
| Brand | Öhlins |
|---|---|
| Part Number | BM 491 |
| Fitment | BMW R NINET RACER (2016–2020) |
| Road Approval | ABE (Germany) |
| Mounting Position | Hinten |
| Length | 374 +10 / -2 mm |
| Stroke | 53 mm |
| Spring Rate | 140 N/ |
| Piston Diameter | 46 mm |
| Spring Part Number | 21102-54 |
DescriptionThe whole story▼
The BMW R NINET RACER of 2016–2020 has its own Öhlins part number, and this is it: BM 491. The difference shows up in the second half of a fast road, when the standard unit has warmed through.
Key Features
- Bolts to the BMW R NINET RACER (2016–2020) using the standard mounting points
- Monotube damper layout
- Overall length 374 +10 / -2 mm as specified by Öhlins for this model
- Adjustable overall length for ride-height and geometry changes
- Öhlins fits a 140 N/mm spring to this application
- 53 mm working stroke
- Gas-pressurised monotube damper with the reservoir integrated into the body
- Adjustable rebound damping via the knob above the lower eyelet
Fitted to the R NINET RACER
The 2016–2020 generation kept the same chassis dimensions throughout, so one Öhlins number serves the whole run. Heritage bikes are frequently ridden two-up, which exposes a soft standard damper immediately.
The STX 46 Blackline in Detail
Mechanically this is the STX 46 — same 46 mm piston, same monotube construction, same model-specific valving — presented in black anodising with a matching black spring. Blackline is a finish option, not a specification change: the damping hardware is identical to the gold STX 46. Preload and rebound adjustment work exactly as on the gold model; only the anodising differs.
Materials and Manufacture
Spring and damper are separate part numbers, so a rate change does not mean a new unit. Öhlins sets a baseline for each part number on the machine it was developed on, so it works before anything is adjusted. Materials read unremarkably on paper — aluminium, steel, nitrogen — and the difference lies in how precisely they are made.
How It Behaves on the Road
Overall length is adjustable within 374 +10 / -2 mm, enough to change rear ride height and with it how quickly the R NINET RACER turns. A 46 mm piston gives the oil a large working area, so the force curve stays flat as temperature rises. Stroke is 53 mm, which is the travel Öhlins has to work with on this linkage. Delivered spring rate: 140 N/mm, which suits a solo rider of average weight. Öhlins publishes a baseline setting for each part number, which is the sensible starting point. The adjuster range is usable end to end rather than only around the middle.
Fitment and Compatibility
Öhlins releases BM 491 against the BMW R NINET RACER (2016–2020). Because the settings are model-specific, fitting it to a related machine would mean running the wrong specification.
Road Approval
Road approval: the BMW R NINET RACER is covered by a German ABE for this part number. The certificate is supplied and should stay with the vehicle documents.
Specifications
- Brand: Öhlins
- Part Number: BM 491
- Fitment: BMW R NINET RACER (2016–2020)
- Road Approval: ABE (Germany)
- Mounting Position: Hinten
- Length: 374 +10 / -2 mm
- Stroke: 53 mm
- Spring Rate: 140 N/mm
- Piston Diameter: 46 mm
- Spring Part Number: 21102-54
FitmentWhich bikes this fits▼
- BMW R NINET RACER (2016–2020)
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