BMW R nineT Scrambler First Ride Review at RevZilla.com 

For those interested, see the description for all of Spurgeon's gear.

Best motorcycle video production in the game. Always enjoy the vids guys.

Man, I understand your impressions of this bike as it was six years ago, and I think that you were right about a lot of things you’ve said on this video. The steering damper still is the same with no preparations to be regulated and the suspension remains the same regular telescopic concept. This bike is all About style, engine and pleasure of riding. No loads of sophisticated electronic specs and ads, BMW remains with the concept of a simple motorcycle that resembles how a bike should feel being ridden on the fifties and sixties.

Since I had decided to live my life before I die I promise my self I would get that bike,I love those classic looks and the sounds since I was a kid.

"Street appropriate," now there's a funny term. Everytime I read or listen to motorcyclists, they're always needing more power. When I get behind them, most ride like little old ladies. Anyway, couldn't agree more. That type of axial mount Bimbos have worked just fine for me for a few decades. Haven't noticed any brake fade on the street yet. In fact, 100 hp engines have been sufficient too. Not clear why I should need 160 hp and racing brakes to ride back roads at 50-70 mph, though to listen to bikers, it just can't be done without it today.

I bought one of these, put the OG Metzeler Tourance tires on it, and she rides like a dream on the road and pretty darn good on the forest service roads in my area for camping trips. I doubt any heavy bike like this would be good in sandy soil but it's great pretty much everywhere else.

You've got the best job ever!

Getting real tired of these factory 'scramblers' with no skid plates or crash bars... Almost like they're not really scramblers, just marketing tools...

Who came after Mission Impossible : Fallout?

Killin' it. Absolutely killin' it. Were you guys able to get a hold of the new Triumph Bonneville Bobber yet? Super excited to see you guys review that thing,

You guys make the best motorcycle review videos. So detailed, down to even the way that shaft behaves, which no other channels mention. Awesome cinematography, detail and presentation.

please please please review the 2017 Triumph Bobber

You guys really are the best. Got a bike back in May and your videos reviewing bikes or reviewing gear has been something I look forward to my day.

Hey, the building on the left at 8:12 , I used to work there (Oregon Ave). Nice review btw. As far as the off road bit, having taken two Harleys on dirt roads (unintentionally and truly terrifying), anything is better than that.

Great review Spurg. I think BMW really nailed it with this bike. Lots of riders want that aggressive off road look but have no intention of hitting trails. I hope manufacturers start competing with Husqvarna and make some real on/off road bikes with clean styling (for reasonable $).

rear fender delete. Single aftermarket muffler. Street tires.

Beautiful bike, but I would start by replacing the tires with road tires. I don't see this bike doing a good job off road. I find the stock tires just hinder the handling. Next to go are the forks and rear suspension. Then I would change the light bulb with HID. I understand it's retro, but you can see better with a better lighbulb. And last thing would be to upgrade the interface. Or, I would just get the BMW R NineT and paint the tank the same color as the scrambler and get the same tan colored seat.

Just found this old video. I hope you'll do a similar review of the 2021 R Nine T models. Great video review! Very relevant points. Thanks!

Cool bike but I would Opt for a Triumph.

Love my scrambler. Looks , engine performance. Only mod needed in my opinion Adjustable shock and adjustable fork cartridges. Then I’ll have a great sunny Sunday ride😎 Great vid thanks.

I can't stand not having adjustable suspension.

I just got my F800R serviced at my local BMW dealer and they let me take this bike as a loaner for the day. It had the regular mag wheels and street tires on it. I fell in love with this thing, this is a true city bike. I will have to say, that I didn’t feel that I needed to “muscle it around,” on the contrary, I could flick this all over the street. That boxer 900 felt right and I loved all the pops and cracks I got from downshifting coming up to street lights. Now I need to go find $14000

Yuppie/Hipster - Mobile , don't understand the use of the word "scrambler" on this bikes, just trendy. Good review!

After watching Mission Impossible fallout, I immediately looked for the name of this bike. Love how Tom Cruise riding it

Because of your Review on this BMW R... I canceled it...I was going to buy one after Months of looking.... At least you bring something I wasn't thinking of.... Thank you I appreciate it 💯💐🇸🇦

Great review. Thank you. Maybe its bout time for 2020 model one too. But thanks again.

I want to see the review of the new BMW Bagger when it comes out. Lemmy, that one's all you.

You guys are seriously better than all other "reviewers'. Not even close.

Why do all the bmw bikes look like they came out from transformers movie? I mean the best looking bikes that showoff naked parts and i guess it really takes a fine eye to detail to see it.

Rode one of these. Its a fun toy. Plenty of power and it turns decently, not as heavy as he makes it sound. Then again i dont have a channel that reviews bikes haha. But i agree that it needs that tachometer because i usually dont count my gears on my Harley cuz its on the digital display. Plus the shifter is really soft and quiet, so shifting with steel toe boots limits the feel of the shift lever. Its just what i wear on my feet, i wont ride with regular shoes. Best way to learn about this bike is to go ride it. I was talking smack until i hopped on it and rode it. Now i wouldnt mind owning one. Not as comfy as my Harley but definitely faster. Peace.

Don't like the tyre's as they are to soft for the roads they have great grip but they will not last long on concrete so definitely change them for Michelins

I just wouldn't buy a new bike for that kind of money that you couldn't adjust the suspension

great review guys! tempting... BTW, what's the jacket he's wearing??

Another great review, good job RevZilla!

In fact and truth ….. Scrambler = a sore ass in a short period of time …

How tall are you? I am 6'4 and I want to know if this bike fits?

Thank you. Really helpful review. Top production qualities to boot!

I'd shave down the nut and take the buzz out the E string. :)

Modifs I would make are only esthetic and sonic: - aluminium tank - aluminium skid plate - spoke wheels indeed - side rego plate - flute exhaust on each side similar to the Triumph Bobber but simpler I agree with your geat video, to me the BMW Scrambler is not really a Scrambler but hey none of the other ones tagged Scramblers are either. To me this is more in line with the old WW2 BMWs, think Steve McQueen in The Great Escape. Who does not want to be that cool? The Scrambler is a beautiful retro bike without the hassle of a proper classic. Simple but effective... on the road. The Boxer engine... it is an interesting one for me because I am no BMW aficionado. I am selling a Yamaha BT1100 with a pair of GPR exhaust stubbies and the sound is amazing. It is a little V-twin from the Drag Star. I am not overly familiar with Boxers, but just like with the Triumph parallel twins, the sound to me feels very subdue. It is distinct yes, but very subdue nonetheless. I am not after obnoxious sound but something more noticeable than the factory sound. In fact my old Suzuki DR 650 used to make a more... I would not say distinctive sound but more compelling maybe because you could hear it with your helmet on and get testicular cancer with all the good vibes incidentally :-D With the Boxer, I can sort of hear it is there but it is like a tamed Lion in a cage that the owner has not fed and the poor animal is basically dying of starvation. You want that lion out and eating every Scrambler lambs out there. I want this noise you can hear to be more audible. Some people love the Scrambler exhausts, I don't really. I don't find it ugly per se, but maybe it is precisely because I am not after the Scrambler thingy, I am after the raw package of the Scrambler. The nude stuff. So the exhaust is probably the first thing I would consider changing. Short straight tubes coming right under the cylinder heads cut to an elliptical sort of profile at the end with little grids to prevent the birds going in to build a comfy nest (who could blame them - awesome rent free property). It will wake up the neighbours but in a happy way I think, they will be happy to see me, invite me for breakfast and buy a Scrambler to live their sorry past and cats behind. That's this sort of sympathetic sound that creates vocations I am after. Apart from that... I really like the new Harley front LED, I reckon it could look good but really it is more of a cosmetic stuff. Because BMW took all the dashboard away pretty much, it feels a bit empty to me, so maybe a bigger headlight (aluminium definitely) would look better. The Scrambler is pretty good as it is though. The two big things are showing the rear tire and one exhaust pipe on each side. Then you have a beefy 9T with more personality for a start. So call your welder.

Seems like for the money that bike is missing a lot. No adjustability on the suspension, no upside down forks , no tach or fuel gauge and smaller brakes. Why not just buy a regular Nine T and put spokes on it? Yeah it looks cool but there is so much missing for $13,000. Not to mention the one at the dealership down the street is setup with spokes and they are asking closer to $15,000. Do you have any idea how nice of a bike you can buy for $15,000 thats loaded with everything this one is missing?

I'm strictly street, so I don't see wanting to add this bike (or any scrambler) to my stable. But if someone dropped one in my lap*, I'd swap the tires and rims for more streetable bits and remove the steering damper. Or trade it toward a true oilhead R9T. *: Ow my balls!

that leather jacket...I want that

Am I the only one who wants to get this bike and throw street tires on it?

Great video! I really hope u guys get to ride the new Triumph Bonneville Bobber.. its my new crush and I'd love to see you guys do a video on it.

Mods I would make : front & rear suspension, sump guard, crash bars, 60 / 40 tyres, wind shield & second instrument gauge but then there are ADV bikes with drive shafts off the floor at similar prices.

All your hand gestures are pointless. The front mudguard was designed to splatter mud over the front of the engine. Rubbish.

Talk about missing the point. There are plenty of people using this bike for a mix of off-road and street. It’s not intended to be the best at everything, just a good compromise for most things.

Any way you could compare this bike to the Yamaha xrs900. I'm torn between the two. I'd love a break down comparison of the two please. Thank you love your videos.

There is a damping adjustment for the rear! its just a little hidden! in fact you can see the flat head to adjust rear damping @12:26 just below the coil and just above the shock mounting bolt.

They raised the exhaust in the back and yet still have it routed under the bike. That's the first thing I'd wanna see changed, add a little ground clearance and have one less thing to bash in if you do decide to take it off road, like how Triumph did.

Great review...totally agree with your comparisons to the 'scrambler' range. Can this bike take some bar risers do you think..? Steve

Waterproof bags, skid plate, crash protection(metal not cheap plastic crap), and a rear cowl like the xsr900

great review, although i have to point out that i am a firm believe that the style/type of the bike really depicts the way we should dress... that helmet and googles really not scrambler material (no?)...

Those trails which were only a half mile from my house, and WAWA are about the only things I miss from that awful state.

I rented this bike in Vegas for the day. Lots of fun and I enjoyed it. Asking what I would change, these tire suck on the street. It really needs some good tires.

I really love the R nineT but the price is just a bit out of my budget. The scrambler is cheaper but to me it doesn't look as nice as the original one.

Good review nice looking bike but if I was buying a scrambler I would probably go for the duc or triumph n buy the nine t ..

whats up with this street bikes with knobby tires fad? they market this bikes as off road capable but they qre barely.

Most reviews have the rider taking his hands off the handle bars, it does nothing to help the review. Stay safe.

To begin with. I would just change the tyres for better manoeuvrability. Take it from there.

you should know what gear you are in you dont need to be told by a clock , ie rev counter ??? this is a back to basics bike a real bike thats the idea ? no taco required.

I would probably save the two grand I'd spend on accessories and buy the original R Nine T.

Really good review of the bike and sometimes confusing scrambler label. Especially liked the mention of the new ninet models. Even I might be able to afford one.

Cringing at the sight of shoe laces near the shifter and rear brake lever

Is it good for first time rider I have ridden 150 cc bike ? Pls reply

I’m still going for Z900RS. The BMW is nice though.

Spurgeon , Hello , I rode an R 80 in the late 70's and a cool old R69s in the earlier part of that decade and have always loved classic BMWs .. I came looking to see what BMW had for an old man to ride at this point .. I tried the R 9 T and loved the motor but the seating possision was to far forward for me .. Then I tried the R1200R and again the seating put me up on my wrists .( My shoulders were in pain from a 15 minute ride )... At any rate I am excited to see this bike come along with a more upright seating set up .(and the Pure in the spring ) . My question is: Do you think you could sit on that skinny bench for a 4 hour trip ? .. The new T120 has a wonderful bench .. I would love to get back to a boxer and shaft drive though .. YOurs Guy

13k for that sexy beast..i must say that the Ducati scrambler has gotten a real competitor..

This is a fantastic review and not cherry picking information. Top marks

Great Review...one thing I would change is the seat . I have heard it is not very comfi.

Is the tank shape still the same as the R9T? It was so uncomfortable for me

No tachometer, No deal ❌️

Why didn't they put in a fuel gauge

ok.. its a BMW, every bit of this bike must scream top quality right?, but paying a good sum of money for the brand... at least i pretend to have a fuel gauge or a gear indicator. nice bike tough, i wish they make a 900cc version of this with 80hp and tons of torque and more accessible money wise.

This bike needs nothing, first bike I ever seen like that!

So which if any of the Bmw R series bikes r, rs, r9t, (not including Gs) does not have vague steering? And is the Yamaha xsr900 more nimble than any of these bikes? Thanks.

How would it fit for a larger rider? I am 6ft3 240lbs. I'm worried I will buy a bike too small. Where as the harleys give me some leg room. I love the look of this bike. If anyone knows from experience or anything let me know

First modification is a top-box that can hold a full face helmet.

Is it good for beginner pls tell

Street tires / Wrap the Exhaust pipes / Skid plate / Basic Fairing

The R nine T is a sick looking bike. It has to be my first bike, after I get my license.

Excellent review as always! keep up the good work! ... How about doing a comparison between the Triumph T120 and the R NineT?

Nice backing track... do you guys do your own audio?

Haha I am a potential new rider looking at this bike in the exact way he recommends not to. Thanks for the recommendation.

Quick question from a fellow tall guy (6 4") - what's more comfortable, the r nine t scrambler or the triumoh street scrambler (probably with some raised bars on both)?

I test road this bike it is an amazingly beautiful beautiful bike. Sadly I was very disappointed it is the worst most uncomfortable bike I have ridden since I sold my Sportster. It's a fun raw bike but it's like riding on plywood my ass is still sore.

Review or compare the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special

I am coming off a Hypermotard SP and wondering if I'll be disappointed with the performance of the scrambler, any input?

Apart from ... the engine ... obviously... the bike looks very similar to the Yamaha XSR 900 ... I think ..

Isn't the steering damper supposed to make it less vague?

Great review as usual. Can you guys review the new Triumph Bonneville T120, the Street Twin review was great but I'd love to know more about its big brother.

I'd modify it .... into a Ducati Scrambler bahaha ;-)

Excellent and honest i.m.o. review of this machine. I am still waiting for a test of this bike with more street oriented tyres such as Anakees or Tourances.

Spurge, your best review so far...Anthony must be worried...LOL

if you want the best of both worlds get a ducati scrambler

Great detailed review...thanks! Lots of valuable and valid info.....excellent!

Absolutely sending it on that NJ trail.

the boxer twin just convince me to switch my interest from Bonneville to R Nine T. Like you said, there is so much characteristic

Yo this dude's analysis is off the hinges~!

So, appropriate appropriate appropriate?