Best modern retro? - 2017 BMW RnineT Review

2017 BMW RnineT Review - Having ridden the BMW R9T Scrambler, Racer and the Urban GS models I thought I owed it to myself to try out the "standard" model - a long overdue ride as the bike was originally introduced back in 2014 to rave reviews. Stay tuned to find out how I thought it stacked up against the other retros......

Many thanks to the team at Bahnstormer in Maidenhead for the loan of the bike to make this review possible.

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My current motorcyles are:-
Honda CRF250L
Triumph Street Triple R
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale

[johnDukemaster]

I bought a Pure and that's the best bike ever! ...used to be a Harley man...then I tried a Triumph and rode some of those for some years...and then I tried a Pure... Very satisfied. Mr Flyer...you make the best reviews. It's all about bikes, riding them and using them. No crap music, no bad language. Just a proper mc video! Thank you!

[Richz]

Isn't nice for a change to hear a well spoken, polite person doing reviews.So many are rude, swear and yell and end up telling us nothing at all.

[roscocsa]

The colors of an exhaust going gold and blue are my favorite thing ever.

[jamesgoodwin]

I try to watch other reviews but its all arty farty music and photo shots then alot of talk about nothing, you are just easy to watch even when i have no intention of ever buying the particular machine you are riding its just easy watching so i will stayed tuned dont change a thing

[MerlinMan]

I love this bike, they are quick 0-100kph in 3.5sec, nimble, and secure. One of the best from BMW. The 90 in the name signifies BMWs 90 years making motorcycles.

[ShadowBoxer]

Some people don't like the way that engine looks. “Things which are different in order to be different are seldom better, but that which is made to be better is almost always different.” 

When I first got my old R100R airhead (basically the grandfather of the R9T), I was mainly looking for a bike that was reliable but that had some club type support and that I could work on myself if needed. So no computers, etc. I was not a fan of the horizontally opposed twin but I was not against it either. It is an engine. If it's a well designed engine and simple enough for me to work on the basics and maintenance then I was fine with it.

Later I test rode other bikes like Harley Davidson, etc. The first huge difference I noticed was the heat!! The boxer engine delivers all the heat in front of your legs and you don't feel it when sitting at a light for example. The exhaust pipe(s) are generally routed down under the bike away from your legs. 

The V-Twins put a blazing hot cylinder right in you lap! When you are stopped at a light you can feel the heat crawl up you chest and into you helmet/face. I hated that. Traditionally the V-Twins have had an overheating rear cylinder since that one is always getting blasted with hot air from the front cylinder. Some now turn off the rear cylinder when the bike is sitting still like waiting for a light. An extra "feature" needed to compensate for poor placement. Most engines besides BMW and Moto Guzzi end up with the hot engine parts lined up with the rider. BMW and Moto Guzzi has the hot cylinders to the side of the rider. The center of gravity is low on the BMW since most of the heavy parts are low.

When I realized the engine itself was designed to cool off efficiently by having the cylinders in the airflow and contributed to stability because of it's low center of gravity, I grew to see the engine as beautiful in it's smart design. I guess it's beauty is still subjective and it depends on the viewers priorities. I like good design. “Things which are different in order to be different are seldom better, but that which is made to be better is almost always different.” —Dieter Rams, industrial designer.

Enjoyed the video. Stay Sharp. Stay Up.
Cheers.

[billcotton]

That may be the best looking bike I have ever seen!

[djwarren]

Top quality review of a top quality bike. I was sat on one in a dealership today pondering over my next purchase. Love that tank paint job.

[shaunhose]

Just bought one of these and just can’t stop riding it with a massive smile on my face. Fun ride, great sound, handling and manoeuvrability. A winner from the BMW stable of retro bikes. Can’t rate this bike highly enough. You must ride one. A retro nirvana.

[FOOLSGOLD]

They are lush my custom version last August and she is still turning heads!

[SvenTviking]

If you buy one, get a hugger to protect your shock and reduce spray up your back. Get mudguard extenders to protect the engine. Get a “Crud catcher” engine timing cover protector, this is really vital, otherwise the timing cover will get chipped by road stones and will corrode BADLY, and allow water into the timing chest which corrodes the timing sprockets.
Don’t use the starter/killswitch button to stop the engine, you will fuck it up. (Two switches replaced)
Tyres, Michelin Pilots make the bike VERY twitchy on the motorway, especially at night. The Metzlers are much more stable and are just as grippy, they thing corners like a Ducati!

[richardcollins]

Lovely bike. Bikeworld did a comparison review with the Thruxton R last year and the reviewer liked the BMW more. Nice review 👍

[veersr]

My clear favorite in the 'modern retro' category. It doesn't try to look old too hard, sounds awesome and is heaps of fun to ride. The engine has the right amount of character for such a machine. Shouldn't have reminded me of that machine. You are a bad influence. :)

[neilcole]

I took one out last year and must admit it was one of my favorites to ride!

[SteveInskip]

Great review as always. This bike was certainly a game-changer for retros and made everyone else up their game. Awesome piece of engineering, and as you say, apart from touring, does it all and with little fuss. Wonderful!

[edwardweiszbeck]

I agree with you and am also at the old git point of enjoying a classic bike where you can be OK driving at normal speeds and still appreciate the sound and feel and handling of a bike as opposed to hyper bikes that require you to be hooligans or going at warp speed to keep you engaged in the ride . This being too dangerous to both license and body.

[stevekabuki]

A lovelyooking bike and your right about that paint job...stunning

[hudsonquay]

To my eyes this is the best looking motorbike for sale today. Timeless design that will look just as amazing in 30 years as it does now.

[merkhet]

Thanks for this review even if my comment is a bit late. I tested the Thruxton R and R9T back to back and my exact thought before seeing your review is that the R9T is more "grown up". Loved to hear you say the same. I picked up an ultra low mileage 2016 R9T for a great price and am collecting it soon!

[SkepticalRaptor]

You do some of the best reviews on YouTube. I like how you go out on the bike, then give us some up close video. All that being said, this is a handsome bike. And the sound came through on the GoPro – sweet. That bike would be fun for weekend run, or running down the boulevard. And like you mentioned, the gauges are what I love. I don't like all that electronic stuff, I just want to see my speed, RPM, and gas level. Thanks for a fun review.