Its looks and price may not appeal to all, but the 2014 BMW R nineT certainly is a very special motorcycle. Maybe one day I'll own one... maybe... If you're into the twitter thing, here ya go: / orcagt_
Great review. I have just bought one and it sits next to my Black R75/5 (1971) in my garage. In real terms, the 75/5 would have been significantly more expensive when new, I love um both.
Really great review. Sometimes I would forget you were talking and just enjoy the ride! I've been eyeing this motorcycle ever since it was released. I've always loved the styling of the R75s and R90s and the R Nine T is just a modern version of them. I'm glad they kept it simple. With minimal electronics, air-cooled boxer and shaft drive, it should be quite bullet-proof. The only things I'd want are good-sized saddlebags and quickly removable windscreen for extended touring. Other than that, looks great! Hopefully next year.
Oh ain't it great to dream... I wish I could ever afford this bike, sadly by the time I could a new model would be out... though its a good thing I like this style of bike, there is always a demand for modern retro and I feel ill be happy with what ever the next bike is that comes onto my list. Im only new to all this riding stuff but I have a keen eye for a good bike. For example my CF Moto 150cc, out of all the bikes in my price range at the time $2500 on road, it was by far the lightest, quickest, easiest and best looking out of the lot I tested and its holding up really well for such a cheap price.
3:44 The CB 1100 isn't any cheaper when the resale value is considered. The 2014 R Nine T is selling for £9500 in 2016, and the 2014 CB1100 is on Autotrader for as low as £6500. So the BMW would have lost £2000 and the Honda £3500. Both bikes would have cost the same price in the long run. The 8000 mile valve adjustment interval on the Honda (3 hour+ service) puts me right off.
Cheers Orca great review. Thats as close as i'll get to riding one I think. Stunning moto for sure. Read my mind regarding the mirrors. The frame under seat bothers me slightly (aesthetically), but I'd live with it very happily.
you don't have to wait for a year to own a BMW. Get the best one, the GS 1200. Then you'll really be impressed. You kind of tickle me, your low expectations were replaced with an appreciation for what BMW really is....one hell of a motorcycle. Torque beats raging HP in my book. I have a couple, a R/100/GS with 130K miles, a R/1100/R, and the bike I probably ride the most, a 250 Honda Helix, I just love that scooter. I'm glad you enjoyed the ride, and I hope you get your BMW soon. Might as well start the love affair.
Doesn't sound a huge step up from my 07 R1200R.... and I think that's sexy enough to not bother trading up :). Plus it's a big $ difference. Nice review though (great editing), I'm subscribing.
Nice review, you hit is spot on! That bike is about $14,000 in the States. One year is a bit long. They sell the K1300 R in Europe but hasn't caught on here in the States after they released the K1200R, so they haven't imported that bike here. I not into big 1300cc motor but the style is nice. For me max 1000cc with 200hp light weight, quick flick like the sports bike with all the modern bits in an old school style that you mentioned is the hot selling ticket these days.
First off I always love your reviews. Your comments and observations very much would mirror my own. As for the bike, a gold colored fork is hideous on most bikes, and especially on a retro. "Novelty" aside the bike is quite a bit overpriced, but obviously it's a very nice bike. Thanks for the review.
I'm strongly considering buying this bike (have a deposit down on one), and if I get it the first thing I'm doing is taking the forks off and painting them black. Same for the aluminum side air intake. Then I'm putting a ohlins rear shock and ohlins fork cartidges tuned to my weight/ride preferences in, tail tidy it and then drive it.
Nice review! I also love the styling and ride. In the USA the bike is $15000 USD, it's also likely if you purchased this bike and changed your mind and resold it, it would not loose much value at all. I don't see any used ones for sale so I don't think any one is having buyers remorse
***** Yeah that's true, I think I remember seeing one or two listed as used over here but were pretty much near RRP. I'm sure everyone else will be hanging onto theirs for a long time... I know I would :)
I like the look of it but I've never been a fan of boxer engines or shaft drive, although they've probably improved a lot since I last rode a bike with either. Good review. I bet a few come up on the used market at above dealer prices.
I am shocked about the year long delivery! Can't really understand how a company like BMW is not able to satisfy the demand. Personally, if I want a bike then I want it now and like you said a lot of things can happen in a year.
OrcaGT Could be clever marketing. They make less and in doing so create higher demand for the bike? Revenues increase as a result... just a wild guess.
yerpal Nothing accidental about the 9T. It's been in the works for years, and it's pretty unanimous that the air cooled engine fits the character of the bike.
A nice looking roadster of sorts, but one slide down from rocks / sand on the road, then the head is totally messed up, maybe not the best bike for the real twisty roads with its other shortcomings, well for me anyways. With a better seat it would be fun on lower speed hyws, maybe for longer times, and it does have a good sound, I enjoys the V'eed twins..
There are a few things that takes off my attention to that bike, and are the following: 1. Round lights (yeah, i don't like retro) 2. Boxer engine 3. Motor comes far out from the bike, which looks just horrible. It seems like a freaking slider 4. Shaft 5. Speedo.. Well, I pretty much hate the bike XD
As the reviewer says, it's a Modern/ Retro classic. If you don't like retro, your on the wrong thread. Boxer engines and shaft drive are quintessential BMW. Expressing dislike for that is like going on a Harley thread saying you don't like V-Twins. It's not like every other bike out there. And that's the idea.
These are all positives to a lot of people. Different strokes for different folks. Just keep in mind this bike is more or less totally sold out on planet Earth right now.
Great video Orca...thanks for posting up. I love the look of the R Nine-T but not sure I want another boxer engined bike in the garage (don't get me wrong I love my water cooled GS). Given this is the "old" BMW Boxer - i.e. fully air cooled - how did you find it on acceleration? Obvs wont be as quick as your sports bike but did you feel the R Nine-T was a bit slow??? Keep up the good work - TMF
I don't think this is fully air cooled. I think this is air / oil cooled or something like that. It's not an Airhead boxer. BMW stopped making those in the late 1990's as far as I know. Yes, great video. Fun seeing it through Orca's eyes and ears.
ShadowBoxer This older boxer is definitely a fully air-cooled unit, that's the charm of this engine :0) ....in fact even the water cooled boxer (like I have in my 2014 GS) is largely air-cooled!
TheMissendenFlyer Heh, heh... I'd love to bet you a... I don't know, maybe a R nine T, that it's an air/oil cooled engine. I have actually seen a real BMW Airhead engine, friend. I do agree that they are charming. This is not one of them by my understanding. Partially air-cooled or largely air-cooled is not fully air-cooled. However I really don't care. I'm not trying to be difficult. If you define this engine as 100% fully air-cooled that's fine with me. It's a beautiful machine and I appreciate Orca's and others reviews. Someday maybe. I kind of already have it though so... maybe later. As Orca said, knock off a few thousand for a used one and who knows? Stay Safe. Cheers.
ShadowBoxer I was going with air/OIL cooled by default...pretty much all engines are oil cooled if they have oil coursing through the cooling channels - that I don't disagree with.....
Cheers mate! Honestly it felt like it had plenty of grunt to get moving... at no point did I ever think I didn't have enough power ha! Ride safe buddy :)
Great Review. Lovely looking bike but somehow the rear of it looks unfinished compared to the front. Just my two cents. Looking forward to seeing you review the CB1100a! Saw one at the Honda Dealer yesterday and I have to say....I'm smitten with it.
During your ride you compared the BMW price wise to the CB1100.......which I think is a bad comparison,,,,,the BMW will not only outlast the Honda but will endear itself to you the way the Honda never could....that's the difference. BMW Motorcycles have a habit of growing on you....particularly the boxers!
Paul Rayment Outlast?You're joking right?Build quality on a honda is far superior than anything out there!But this bmw is a better bike than the cb1100 overall(feel,thrills and all).Except for build.
Is that accurate what you said that if you where to put a deposit on an r9t you would have to wait a year to get one. The video is from 2014 I'm asking 2016 terms ?
ownagesoldier Balls of my feet yes, flat foot no. Maybe you have skinnier legs than me though... best way to find out is to sit on one at your dealership if you can!
Wonder how it would sound with a bit beefier exhaust. If I'm right, this bike is not the best for filtering because of the width of the biyer.engine, but it's a lovely moto with character. Oh, and it must be PLEASANT. :D
Yeah a louder can is a must, the high mounted one that's coming for it as an option is my favourite of the lot. And yeah I agree, filtering on this bike (or perhaps any other boxer bike) would take a little getting used to width-wise.
Orca, I need to know: if you could have either, which do you take home, s1000r or r nineT? I know they are two different beasts but if you had to have one in your garage, which one? I'm torn between the sexiness of the r nineT and the creature comforts and performance of the s1000r. What say you?
George Carmen Because I have the Ninja, it'd have to be the R Nine T. It really is a fabulous machine and a real joy to ride. But if I didn't have the Ninja, I'd have the S1000R :)
Great review except your comments on price and waiting list. first of all good things come to those who wait. 2. could you build one yourself for less from scratch. 3. you should only ever ride a boxer motor ever, unless you race or do track days. just saying
I've been taking a good look of this bike for quite sometime now since I saw a review of it. when I saw it a week ago at Bike Fest it was gorgeous. sadly I couldn't try it out or at least sit on it to check how the bike feels as I'm kind of short (in the middle of 5'4 & 5'5) now my question is, would this bike be comfortable for riders with a height of 5'4 / 5'5 ?
Joe Grubb I've put 8k miles on my rninet, but I'm eyeballing a lightly used m1200s. I'm not selling my 9T though, it's an awesome bike. I chose it over the m1200s initially, if that tells you anything.
I never liked the sound or feel of BMW bikes. They feel so bulky and almost sound like a truck lol that's cool your lookin for a second bike! You have the addiction that I have haha I just brought my second bike
Nice review, thanks. I'm considering a naked for my next ride, and this is on the shortlist (along with the K1300R). It's absolutely drop-dead stunning, isn't it? Compared to your ninja, how much of a battering do you get at high speed?
Remember to wave if you see me about! As for the wind noise I think I'd put some kind of screen on it to take the edge off I was doing a lot of mileage on it, but it was okay from what I felt. If you're a tall guy though it might be a bit worse for you, but I'm just speculating here :)
Great review. We have been fortunate enough to have bought one of these in the Philippines. The bike is my father's and i am thinking of getting a ducati monster 821 for my own. Since you had the pleasure of riding both bikes, do you think it would be a redundant bike? I mean they make the same amount if power, same ergos and torquey engines? Your input is highly appreciated.
Riding both gave me a different feeling if that makes sense! The R nineT is special in its own right, and yet Ducatis have that special feeling too. Plus I felt like I could hustle the Duc more than the BMW, and it had more toys as standard too. So I think comparing them is a bit unfair, but I can't imagine you being unhappy with both in the same stable. Hope that helps & ride safe!
Sweet thanks man, I went to a dealer to get a feel of it, and I'm on my toes, but the guy told me that with riding boots and after the suspension breaking in I'd be fine 😁
Only one thing wrong. The seat is crippling! 65 miles max before you need to get off, cup of coffee, let the blood back into your buttocks. I'm after an Airhawk blow up cushion to expand the range a bit.
doesnt seem remotely special enough to have a 1 year waiting list :s I think the dealer was lying to you to persuade you to order one quickly, then as if by magic another customer will have dropped out of a sale so there'd be one ready for ya...
Feel good? I thought motorcycles were for bragging and bench racing? Just kidding!!!! I'm with ya, love a bike that is fun, easy to ride and just a hoot any day.
One word. Reliabilty. KTMs have got worse since they got big. "Performance bikes" test bike was showing oil pressure and "Major engine fault" on the display in 500 miles.
Boxer engine sucks to ride. heavy and your shins always hit the headers that stick out. and super expensive to fix and consumer reports says one of the most expensive bikes and high electrical system problems. Always buy japanese. People are buying this bike 100% on looks and that they think BMW is a good brand, but BMW is a shit brand in car and motorcycles.
