BMW R nineT Nostalgia Rides for Just 54 Miles, Drops $64,000 Off Its Value

There are a number of people out there who consider the BMW R7 to be the most beautiful motorcycle ever made. Or, should I say, never made, because this two-wheeler, sadly, never made it into production.

It came about in 1934, at the hands of an engineer named Alfred Böning. There were a number of things that made this motorcycle special, including the way it looked and the fact that it was packed full with the state-of-the-art technology of its time.

Built around a pressed steel bridge frame, it was supported off the ground by a telescopic fork (a first for the era), and was powered by an 800cc long-mounted boxer engine featuring a one-piece crankshaft and cylinder heads.

Visually speaking the R7 was a true delight. An impressive bodywork tied the front wheel to the rear one in a delightful Art Deco styling, there were massive and stylish fenders pulled over both wire wheels, and an exhaust system that ended in a fishtail the likes of which we don't see anymore.

The bike was supposed to be shown at fairs, but because of the events of that time, it never got to. That means it also didn't make it into production, and for a very long time (about 70 years) people forgot all about it.

Then, in 2012, the German bike maker uncovered the prototype and brought it to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It immediately won over the crowds and landed BMW the best-in-class title at the event.

The bike is presently part of the BMW Group Classic collection as the only one of its kind, but its public presentation got some people thinking about the possibility of making the R7 a reality somehow. And for a Florida-based custom motorcycle crew called Nmoto, that means creating the Nostalgia.

Nostalgia is a revival of the R7 in a very limited production form. It was back in 2020 when the first example rolled off the lines, but we have no info on how many of them have been made since.

The bike is based on the BMW R nineT, the already retro-styled roadster BMW has been making specifically for the custom industry. Although mechanically the custom rides remain the same R nineTs, no less than 96 custom parts transform them into something that some people could easily consider the most beautiful motorcycles ever made.

Because Nostalgias are so rare it is extremely difficult to come across one available for sale. Yet here is one, barely ridden, trying to capture people's imagination and empty their pockets.

The bike is based on a 2019 R NineT, meaning it still rocks the stock 1,170cc opposed-twin engine in the frame. Controlled by means of a six-speed transmission, it still develops the same amount of power it did when it rolled off the lines: 110 horsepower and 86 lb-ft of torque.

For the sake of the Nostalgia build, the engine comes with a series of modifications, mostly visual: there are custom covers (including in chrome) all around, and an aftermarket exhaust system to replicate the one on the R7.

This particular Nostalgia features the Nmoto bodywork in the same Art Deco style as the original, mostly painted off-white. Gray accents, as well as blue pinstripes, can be seen here and there, accentuating the feeling of being transported back in time to the pre-war era.

The bike is propped in wire wheels that are sized at 17 inches and shod in Metzeler tires, while stopping power is ensured by Brembo hardware. The suspension system comprises a standard fork, and a monoshock tied to a single-sided swingarm.

On the back of the bike, one can see the polished fuel tank, a saddle in diamonds-stitched upholstery, and an upholstered storage compartment.

We stumbled upon the Nostalgia as it awaits a new owner over on Bring a Trailer. It lies there barely used, with just 54 miles (87 km) of travel shown on its odometer and about 14 bids to its name at the time of writing.

Just to give you an idea of how valuable the Nostalgia is, consider this. Presently, a stock R nineT is selling for $15,945, but when modified by Nmoto its value jumps to a staggering $89,500.

Yet, even after the 14 bids that have been placed so far, the most someone is willing to offer is $25,550. The bidding process ends on June 18, and it's unlikely the price will jump anywhere close to the MSRP.

Given that this is a no-reserve sale, it's pretty obvious the owner is set to lose big on this one. About $64,000, that is.