BMW R90S

Lore & Background

The R90S arrived in the early 1970s as BMW's statement that a boxer twin could be both a civilized commuter and a genuine sports machine. Its 900 cc horizontally-opposed engine, with its characteristic side-by-side cylinders poking out from either side of the frame, gave it a low centre of gravity and a torque curve that built smoothly from idle. The air-cooled design kept the mechanicals simple and durable, a philosophy BMW had honed over decades of motorcycle engineering.

In the Forza world, the R90S occupies a special niche. It is not the fastest motorcycle on the grid, and it certainly does not have the electronic aids of a modern sportbike. What it does have is character: a deep, muscular exhaust note, a steering feel that communicates every change in grip, and a visual silhouette that immediately reads as 'classic.' Players who unlock it often describe it as the bike they reach for when they want to slow down and actually enjoy the journey between checkpoints.

The R90S also sits in a lineage that fans of the franchise appreciate. BMW's boxer twins spanned decades, and the R90S represents a sweet spot before the brand moved into larger displacements and more complex engineering. In a game series that celebrates the full breadth of automotive and motorcycle history, the R90S is a reminder that two wheels and a flat twin can still make a player grin.

In Their Own Story

The rain had just stopped over the coastal stretch, and the tarmac glistened like black glass. You kicked the R90S upright, felt the weight settle low and honest under you, and twisted the throttle. The boxer twin coughed, caught, and then roared with that unmistakable side-to-side thrum that no inline-four could replicate. You dropped the clutch and rolled out, the spoked wheels humming over the wet surface.

A hairpin appeared, tight and slick. You leaned the bike over, felt the front tyre bite, and slid the rear just enough to keep the momentum alive. The handlebars fought back with a gentle, mechanical honesty—no power steering, no traction control, just you and the geometry of the frame. You straightened out, upshifted, and the twin's mid-range torque pulled you forward like a steady hand on the shoulder. Somewhere ahead, the modern superbikes were already gone, but you didn't care. The R90S was carrying you, and that was enough.

Reader's Guide

Full model: BMW R90S, early 1970s, Motorcycle class.

Stock, the R90S is a mid-range motorcycle in the Forza sense: its 900 cc boxer twin delivers a broad, torquey power band rather than a high-revving scream, its weight is modest by car standards but noticeable when you lean it hard, and its handling is nimble and communicative but lacks the planted feel of a modern sportbike. Think of it as a spirited, slightly old-school machine that rewards smooth inputs over brute acceleration.

Tuning levers in the Forza systems for a motorcycle of this type typically include: exhaust upgrades (straight-pipe or performance mufflers for a small power and sound gain), engine tuning or ECU remap (a modest bump in mid-range torque), suspension adjustments (spring rates, damping, preload) to sharpen turn-in and reduce body roll, brake upgrades for better stopping power, and tyre compound changes for extra grip. You can also shave weight through lighter bodywork or component swaps. The trade-offs are real: a more aggressive exhaust and lighter build will sharpen the bike but can make it twitchy at speed; stiffer suspension helps in corners but punishes you on rougher surfaces; and pushing the engine too far on a small-displacement twin can upset the balance between low-end pull and top-end.

Build philosophy: treat the R90S as a lightweight, torque-rich corner-carver—prioritise grip, balance, and mid-range punch over raw top speed, and let the boxer twin's character do the talking.

Did You Know?

• The horizontally-opposed (boxer) twin layout gives the R90S its signature low centre of gravity, with the two cylinders projecting outward from the frame rather than sitting in a row.
• BMW's air-cooled boxer twins were a hallmark of the brand's motorcycle line for decades, and the R90S sits in the middle of that long, respected lineage.
• In the Forza games, the R90S is one of the few motorcycles that leans heavily into period-correct styling—spoked wheels, a single round headlight, and a minimal fairing—making it visually distinct from the modern superbi
• The boxer twin's side-to-side firing order produces a unique exhaust rhythm that is instantly recognisable and is often cited by fans as one of the most satisfying engine notes in the entire Forza catalogue.