I'm cross-shopping this, the Street Triple R/RS, and the Duke 790/890R. I'm looking for a good all-rounder. It will be my first bike in a very long time. I welcome all of your unsolicited advice, lol.
Thanks for this review Scott, thoroughly enjoyed it! If I could own a second bike it would certainly be a naked bike and the F900R looks like the perfect fit. Great review mate, spot on! 👍
Hi Scott, thank you for your reviews I really enjoying it. And thanks to you as one of not that many people reviewing this bike and a test ride myself, fast forward 2022 I finally can have my own F900R I ordered late 2021. Really looking forward to the start of the season. ride safe
Hi Scott, thanks again for a great review. I preferred F900XR first but now I am more attracted by this naked bike. If I add this bike to my 790 Adventure, that is the perfect combination to me. Using your terminology, I would fall into a middle-performance, every day comfort riding guy, so it would be better than Monster 821 or Street Triple for me.
Dunno why but I like his reviews. Love the enthusiasm, riding in ⛈rain😂😊! Anyone else feels the same way?? How would you fare it against a MT-07 (because of the throaty engine) or MT-09 (because it's in the same category)?
Spot on Scott! This is an excellent bike. Actually so good that I'm selling my lovely Honda CB650R and will buy one of these F900R in blue. I think they remind of eachother in ridingstyle, but the F900R is that little bit more stabile and the torque! THE TORQUE! Wow! And the TFT. Yep, this is much easier to ride smooth than on the MT09 at lower speeds. But you just open it up and away she goes! Thank you for, yet another, wellmade review. Update: I can't sell my Honda anyway. Here in DK the price difference is too big🙄
I sat on my today for the first time, ordered two and a half months ago, and its awesome. It gets registered next week and then I can get it. Im so happy.
@@germanwoodworker2621 hey, still happy? I'm thinking of getting one as a commuting bike. around £6k miles yearly. I seat on one today and really like it
Thanks Scott, will be checking it out at the Toronto Bike show today to see how it has improved over my beloved F800r I traded for my R1200r after 6 enjoyable years. Have to agree that ESA should be on the front too.
I am always a bit surprised that a 900cc twin is a middle weight. Didn't middle weights used to be 750's? My Buell XB9 is small, but I never really thought of it as a middle weight. I felt that it was closer to my Z1000 in displacement if not power. I guess that is what happens when heavyweights grow to 1200 and 1300cc. Nice review.
I shouldn't admit to watching this more than once! :) Very informative and a pleasure too. Looking for same model/blue/low suspension. Alas my dealer couldn't find one (MD, USA). Fingers crossed. Scott! You rule!
Yea, corona has slowed delivery of bikes & accessories across the board. For my F900XR, I just got my side/top hard cases & comfort seat this last week Friday, I ordered them in February! I also ordered the engine spoiler at the same time but still have not received that. 😢 Good luck, Scott
Hello from Athens, Greece. Once again a really nice review! Well, i am an owner of a shiver 900. After almost two years of ownership, 26.000km of commuting, touring, twisties and a little bit of track days i am really satisfied with this motorcycle. The only thing that bothers me write now is the loss of power and performance, especially for the track. Do you think that the f900r will sutisfy my needs; I really like this bike but i have the feeling that is just a small upgrade of the shiver, almost identical! What is your opinion; Thanks a lot, i really like your reviews and videos!
Thank you Akis, This is not an upgrade in performance from the Shiver 900. They are about the same, what the 900R will give you over the Shiver is comfort and connectivity with a great TFT. But you cannot beat the Shiver sound, it is one of the best V-Twin sounds for a 900 out there today...imho. The Shiver still moves me on an emotional level today even though it's been over two years since I did a review of it. 😊 Ride safe, Scott
Thanks for the reply Scott! I still remember your excitement during the Shiver 900 review.. 😃. I think i will have to be patient, do my savings and try to go for the super Duke Gt 1290... Have a nice day!
Nothing to prove😎 ... how much the name of the channel suits every single of your reviews and your advices! Love your insights on this BMW thanks ever so much for an awesome review 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😊 Have a question please: How likely would your recommend to grow your skills on the A2 version of this bike for an entry level rider ? Thank you!
Thank you! Ahh...should be no problem with this bike. As long as you take your time and don't push this bike, you will be alright. It is a good solid platform to learn on and build your skills. Ride safe, Scott
@@NothingToProve Thank you Scott! I really appreciate your quick response and your good advice 💥💥💥You are such a good example to anyone wanting to do å RU-vid channel. Thanks a lot for your excellent work! -Sergio
ps3narciso I made a test ride on both and I choose the BMW. You should consider the Z900 for pure sporty performance and the BMW for more of a daily ride. In my opinion the Z900 has better performance and the BMW feels a little more polished. Both are very good bikes!
Hi Scott, once again very nice 1week review clear and detailed as always... now question do suggest getting these over 1250r? For short canyon riding most of the time occasional 2hr ride and urban riding. Which would you pick? Ty
Thank you Bobby, Yes, I'd take this over the 1250R, it's lighter, better sound, better in a corner, about the only thing missing is the electronic front suspension. But the price difference is huge, about 5k difference, so if money is important, which for most of us it is, then get the 900R. 👌 Ride safe, Scott
the bike not very responsive to partial twisting of the throttle? example with the mt09 u only need a little throttle and the bike goes nuts but apparently with this bike its the opposite?
I just looked at this at a dealership , it had the premium package which I really didn't care for and added a few grand to the cost of the bike . Convenience is nice but the side bags it boxes or whatever plus the bag thing on the tank really ruined the look for me , seeing it like this I would buy one in a snap ! It also had some fancy shift assist thing on it and I'm not sure I really care about that either , I mean maybe but the reason I want a bike is for the stripped down experience and fun of riding in general . Why would I care if I have to use the clutch lever or not ? I dunno it might be fun sometimes lol but imagine getting used to not having to engage the clutch to shift gears , I imagine that being a recipe for a big time screw up on the highway.
Thank you for a great review. Happy that wasn't Texas hail you were in! :-) I saw a triangular tab sticking up on the left bar controls with the universal symbol for cruise control (tiny speedo). I'm sure you would have mentioned cruise if it were so equipped. Is cruise optional? Website doesn't say and my dealer didn't even know. Do you agree that with some aftermarket wind protection and a set of cases, it would be a good weekend sport touring buddy? Looks like it. You really gave me a good feel for it. Many thanks for your hard work.
Thank you Mark, Yes, cruise is an option and this one had it and I was playing with it that's why you saw it in the TFT. BMW offer a wind screen for this and case racks (same as on the 900XR) for the soft saddle bags that fit on them. They look soft but are really kind of hard saddle bags. So you are good to go with this right from the dealership with cruise, wind screen and cases right from BMW. Of course there will be some after market options too but that will probably take till summer before those are showing up on the market. Ride safe, Scott
@Comedic Sketches No the bike is not made in China. The motor is assembles in China and then shipped to Berlin Germany where the whole bike is assembled, by Germans. Whereas the MT09 is assembled in Japan by Japanese. This motor has been made at the same plant in China in some form or fashion since 2007, so if there were quality issues with this motor, we'd know about it by now. One cannot say the same about the MT09 motor, 2014, it's been made about half as long as the 900R motor. So the reliability of the BMW motor is a false assumption on your part as the BMW motor is almost twice as old as the Yamaha. Please be careful about making blanket statements. Any racial remarks or implications (as in this case) will be deleted and the person making them will be banned from making comments on my channel. And no the MT09 is not better quality, I've ridden them both and the BMW has better fit and finish, in fact the MT09 feels cheap when it comes to the display and controls. In that aspect the MT09 is several quality levels below the BMW.
Hello, Quick question: I've tried the 750GS and the present F900R. Loved the comfort of the first and the absolute joy in the curves of the second. Is the XR closer to the comfort of the GS or to the agility in the curves of the R ? Thanks for the content!
Thx for another perfect presentation 👌🏻✨ ... questions: 1. feeling in higher speed > 100 km/ h compared to the r1200r (mine is 2015th) - how is the wind pressure on the thorax/head ? 2. Is the bike comparable to the r1200r as a “smaller brother”, or is it competitive to the 1200 ccm, also concerned to the whole packet of the R1200R ? 3. By 4.2 l/100 km only 220 km all over ? So, it’s the average ? Is 13 l-tank a minus-point, or enough for this All-condition-all time- middleweight-bike ? Well done, two 👍🏻s 😂🌞
Thank you Pee Wee. 1. I was surprised as to how clean the air was on the helmet at highway speeds. So no real pressure. 2. It's the "smaller brother", the 1250R is and feels heavier and has a lot more power but doesn't feel like it, it's probably because the 1250R is shaft drive. 3. Yes, 4.2 is what BMW claims and I actually got during the long term review was between 4.0 and 4.2. And yes, a 13L tank is the average size for a middleweight. Usually they are between 12 and 17L...dependent upon the fuel economy...meaning worse fuel econ then bigger the tank size and better fuel econ then smaller tank size.
Two different bikes with two different riding styles and two different looks. Both are solid, top fit and finish, great quality, and I cannot complain about either one of them. Bottom line...I don't know which I'd choose. Sorry. That is a tough decision, a decision that needs to be made with the heart and not the head.
Well it depends on how you ride, I was riding this bike like a civilized person because it was during the break in period. That will get worse if you ride it like a sport bike 🤔
How would you compare it to Shiver 900? The bikes have (nearly) identical power/torque/weight and price. This seems to have slightly better multimedia, but Aprilia has fully adjustable suspension. Which one would you go for? I am 193cm tall and looking for a fairly powerful and agile naked for the twistiest but also able to do some occasional touring.
Both bikes will be the same in the twisties, both will handle taller riders well, both look good...hmm... This has better TFT with connectivity and the BMW Motorrad Connected App it's great for a free navi if you don't have a navi. I don't know, it's been two years since I've been on the 900Shiver, but my memories of the experience I had on it are that it's a great bike but I think BMW just pushed the bar of Tech high enough for me to go with this bike.
How did u like the sound of the f900r? U think it will be okay as a beginner ? I mean it has a lot of electronics and even different driving modes. I’m 30 and want to buy the bmw or Cb650r! Thanks for the review
Sound = great, aggressive sound. Beginner bike = yes, solid, firm, confidence inspiring. VS. the CB650R = well this looks better IMHO, and has better TFT and connectivity. So I'd take this over the CB.
Hi Scott, love your reviews of all bikes but I am on the market for the first time since the 90’s now that I am back leaving in Europe. I know you got the f 900 xr but can I ask you. Looks to me the the f900 r completely loaded is shipper than the xr, I like to drive in a confortable position and not planing to get the bike to much on highways, I am planing on driving on the mountain roads here in Switzerland. Would you say I lose a lot by buying the r and not the xr? What is your though? Thank you Scott
Thank you Ronald, As long as you don't mind not having the wind protection then it's great. Also the R is sportier then the XR, you can do those mountain roads faster and easier on the R. And it's all the same tech so no problems there with the R. Sit on them both or even ride them both to see which fits you best and then you'll know 😊 Ride safe, Scott
Hey! Do you know if it is possible to remove that tail tidy? I’m not sure on which bike to get for daily commute, either this or a MT-09. Having in account I like power over anything on a bike and a good rocking sound what is your advice?
Well, it's two different sounds, triple or twin. The same with the power delivery, two different engine configurations and with that you get two different power delivery characteristics. No sure about a tail tidy kit yet, probably this summer there should be some kits out.
Aside from the chain drive... This is an amazing bike. It comes with an excellent price tag, she looks very good and the power of the engine should be enough. I share your opinion that the front suspension should be optimized by integrating the ESA-System, at least as an option. Especially because I am a slightly way too heavy and really tall guy.😚 By I think that's what we call in Germany "high level whining"! 😁😁😉
Hello Scott. So I have a question and I will really appreciate to answer it. Im in a bit of a crossroad for which should be my FIRST EVER bike. I will drive it a lot in city to get my job done and Im just wondering if this bike will fit my needs or I should better buy BMW C400X. I test drove the scooter and its just fantastic. Will C400X cover all my needs and be more comfortable and better in use in city traffic, but also a fun to drive... I dont know... Thanks!
Hi well they both weigh about the same but that's about where the similarities end. I think the real question is "motorcycle or scooter" ? Riding position, power, gearbox, controls...etc. are all different. Take care, Scott
@@keepsoulfree To be honest, every modern bike is beginner friendly, as long its not too heavy (Im talking about > 300 kgs, dependent of your strength and size) and you can flat foot it. Even if you had bought a S 1000 R it would be beginner friendly, because of all the electronics. All is fine as long as you think about what youre doing. Good choice, ride safe!
@@Senekha86 2 years later Im just loving the F900R. What an awesome bike man... Maybe next year Im gonna replace is with S1000R, but maybe... because I got used to the power of the F900R and im curious about something with more power :) But again F900R is my first bike and 2 years and 20k km later I gotta tell to anyone who is considering this as a first bike - GO for it!!! Cheers !
@@keepsoulfree I got mine August 2022 too, had a MT-07 before, I'm still happy with it. Cant think of replacing her. A bigger bike is always nice but I just dont need it. Happy riding mate! :)
The Shiver has about the same leg room as the 900R but you can adjust the height on both bikes. I think the 900R will go higher though...I think 860mm (if my memory serves me correctly) for the "high" seat option.
Very nice review. Thanks very much. I want to rent it when I'm coming over to Berlin in June. I didn't quite understand what you were saying about the navigation in the beginning. Did you use the BMW app or some other app? Is the app free of charge? Thanks.
@@NothingToProve Really? You did?? You always said you were no BMW-fanboy...so BMW must have done a really good job on the XR! BTW, I like the way you have yourself filmed while riding in the last few reviews, Good job, Scott! Who is is your assistent, your wife?
Yep, I'm not kidding. I'm trading the SDR for the 900XR. I need a good all-rounder, and the SDR is not a highway bike, at all. And I need to carry a passenger and luggage, so the SDR goes and an XR fills the slot for now. And no I'm not a BMW fan boy, I like to call myself "brand-less", I don't care what badge is on the side of the bike, if it's good, it's good, period. And the XR is really good. And yes, I'll make videos of me getting it, taking it home...etc. :)
