Another fantastic review by Visordown! I came from 7 yrs of riding the MV Brutale 910S and ride the Thruxton R now. I absolutely LOVE the torque and handling. It corners n tracks much lighter/smoother than its weight. With the RS subtle upgrades over the R, can’t imagine the grin on my face riding it. I’d love to own the Racer as well... we don’t have to choose one or the other do we? We’re basically nitpicking over who’s prettier... the blonde or brunette Victoria Secret model :)
Thruxton better looking? Come on, I know we all have our own opinions but the R NineT Racer is far more beautiful to look at. I agree the Thruxton is objectively better to ride, more comfortable, but the Racer is an ‘event’ to ride! I’ve had mine for a few years now and it still makes me feel amazing every time I ride it. And you can ride it every day; I’ve commuted to work on it (50 mile round trip) and you get used to the riding position (which, to be honest, is probably the most uncomfortable I’ve ever experienced....). But just look at it. I change my bikes regularly and this is the first bike where I’ve genuinely thought that I’m never going to sell it. I love it!
After struggling with this very decision I purchased my R NineT Racer on the 29/11/19...it is now 26/01/20 and I've done a little over 10,200 kms. I've never been happier. Probably get that total near to 20,000 by the end of our summer here in NZ. Yes...the riding position is aggressive...but lordy it makes you grin in the twisty bits. And the looks...talk about giving you the fizz. It is a machine that turns gasoline into joy. HIGHLY recommend.
bought r nine t racer last year. had to debate between thruxton and r nine t..but that color and style...couldn't resist. test rode both, Thruxton was amazing but felt too modern for my taste and had too many problems with my street triple i had before...so I went with R nine t racer and now over 4000 miles...Since r nine t racer doesn't have too much modern tech, it gives such a good retro feeling and good reliability of boxer engine. zero problems so far. I commute to work with this bike (city and highway ride) 1hr round trip. My back and wrist was hurt first few times but now I'm used to it and really don't feel it anymore. Best part of the R nine t is that it gives good punch from the back when you release the clutch fast and that feels fking awesome.
@@Spartansrule118 i had to sell my bike unfortunately since new member joined our family, bought a tesla But to be honest…I find myself looking at used r nine t racer in cycletrader very offen lol… i miss that bike sooo much I know i will buy it again one day
If it was my only bike I'd get the Thruxton, however everytime I look at that BMW I try to figure out a way to get one on in my garage. It's simply gorgeous.
I bought the R nine T, this year, as my 74th birthday treat. After sixteen years of 'remission' (bladder cancer) and then being advised that hips and shoulders were showing signs of arthritis ( handy little extra discovered whilst having my annual 'service' ) I thought what the hell. Yep, it's a bit uncomfy at times, won't be used for touring, and is heavy when pushing in/out of garage.... but... worth every minute whilst up-and-running, either posing in town or in the twistys. Owned the Thruxton for a while and no contest, this is as near to the 600 Dunstall Dominator I had back in the 60s as it can get ( just wish they'd stop saying cafe racers were from the 70s/80s - it all began in the 50s) . Love it !
Something to be said for the reliability and longevity of the BMW's twin I'd say. It's a forever bike, and a collectors' item now that's it's discontinued IMO. Thanks for the video.
A better comparison would have been to actually use a Classic version of the R nineT instead of the Racer. It has better front forks and a much much more comfortable riding position. I was in the market 18 months ago and ended up purchasing a slightly used R nineT Classic vs Thruxton even though I still love the look of Thruxton. Ironically, the riding position on the R nineT Classic is more comfortable than Thruxton's. Some folks don't like the protruding cylinders of a classic BMW engine - I find them amazing to look at and so many many people stop by to ask about it. And the sound of that engine is absurdly good. I have made the right choice with the R nineT Classic but it's a matter of taste. Both are awesome machines.
Love the look of both bikes - £13K new! Got a fully loaded, year old R Nine T racer this time last year with 600 miles on the clock and two year BMW warranty for £7.5K - dodgy riding position???? i've done 6K miles on it in the last year - love it so much that when i'm in the house i have to get my fix by pretending i'm riding it by watching youtube!
Paul Lewin same here. Got mine last summer, 1 year old, 300 miles for a similar price. Absolute bargain! It’s not the most comfortable at slow speeds/around town, but you get used to it quite quickly and it’s fantastic the rest of the time. Done 3000 miles in the last six months. I can’t get enough of it. Glad to hear I’m not the only one getting my Racer fix on here!
Wow 42% off, that is an amazing discount! None of the dealers in Oz would give such a bargain no matter how long the bike had been sitting on the showroom floor or how little they sold of a particular model! Love the racer, though has to have the wire wheels!
Just brought a 2022 Thruxton RS Ton up and it's fantastic, already have a 2007 Bony love that to but the Thruxton what can I say simply classic stylish and a joy to ride.
The water cooled 2016-on Thruxtons are special bikes. I have a Speed Twin, a Thruxton in sheep's clothing, and it is the best street bike I have ever ridden. I'm sure the BMW is a fine bike but Triumph just knocked it out of the park with the modern retro line and specifically the Thruxton family of bikes.
@bill the biker Well, maybe you're just used to sitting like that. There are some I've met that seem to love it. May help if your taller, but for me, to sit on it makes my face point almost straight down. The angle I have to put my neck just to see down the road requires about a 90 degree bend. I don't find that comfortable. Then again, for 20 minute sessions on a track it may be acceptable, but I tend to go for longer jaunts on road rides. I would need a full body massage after an hour on that Beemer.
@bill the biker Perhaps, but I can ride my Thruxton all day long. Probably could with any of the 9Ts that have handlebars. I develop cramps just looking at the Racer. Based on the local sales, I think I'm probably not alone as it is an attractive bike. Still, dealers around me had to give them away.
For me the best looking r ninet is standard bike without the fairing. I'm sure the triumph is a wonderful bit of kit but things like throttle bodies covered with fake carbs and unnecessary engine cooling fins just aren't my thing. I somehow feel the BMW is the more "honest" bike, what you see is what you get. No rider modes or traction control, just get on and ride. Each to their own.
From my prospective BMW R NINE T is very good looking bike , very easy to handle in almost all conditions of riding plus u can feel the boxer engine character which added a lot for the rider .. Seating position is typical Cafe Racer old school look and fell .. It's like no other in that segment.
The Thruxton is so beautiful and stylish it oozes class, the BMW is a good bike also but it can't match the Trump for looks (and by all the reviews I've seen so far on the newest model) nor for performance either. Triumph have just ~Nailed It~ over the last few years and their competitors are just struggling to catch up, it really is that simple.
Not a fair comparison under my point of view... probably the standard and high top r NineT would have been a better rival, better riding position, better quality such as a super bike fork, akrapovic exhaust as an standard and so on would have changed the result of the match. No surprises with the final veredict, it was decided before the comparison started
If you're a city rider like me the Thruxton is the way to go. The bmw is great to look at as a piece of art but the riding position is not at all suited for any sort of stop and go traffic. Also the Triumph overall has battery quality first release reliability compared to BMW. My friends bmws have had a min of 5 recalls already. Friends moderns triumphs have has 1-2.
The review was spot on I really dig the Bmw profile and the way it looks however the ride isn't at the lease practical I've owned my Thruxton for about a yr and I love it I'm definitely a Triumph guy now looking forward to my next purchase soon.
I've ridden both and was super impressed with the Thruxton. But the Triumph Dealer I talked to couldn't assure me that the fairing would fit the standard bars. The faired version had lower bars. I didn't want the lower bars due to back issues and the R9T Racer was agony after 40 minutes riding. I accept others find it more comfortable than I did. But then I met a BMW dealer who offered a customised R9T so that it looked like a cafe racer, but with more comfortably placed bars. So I ended up with a modified R9T which is super comfortable, with new Rizoma bars, a lovely fairing, seat hump, custom paint job, etc, etc. It has the looks of an R9T Racer, but with a far more comfortable riding position. I did visit the Triumph Stand at Motorcycle Live a year ago ... and they told me the fairing COULD fit the higher bars. Ah, if only the dealer had given me the same answer! I'd have both if I could ...
@@nigels6246 - yes, that's what the Triumph guy said at Motorcycle Live. Pity his own dealer didn't have a clue, otherwise, I probably would have gone for the Thruxton R twelve months earlier. Nevermind, my modified R9T is a lovely ride.
I have ridden the Thruxton and loved it but I have a BMW K1300s and I think if BMW has a fantastic feather in it's cap, it is reliability. I have friends with some Triumph horror stories but my beemer seems to be bullet proof. Seven years old with 110,00 kms on the clock.
I was very interested in the BMW Racer until I sat on it. Extraordinarily uncomfortable reach to the bars for a man of average height. (Ultimately, I opted for the Speed Twin.)
Great reviews, keen and accurate. Keep on rolling. Greetings from Ukraine! Thruxton sells different from BMW emotions, the latter trying to play Ducatish)..and both being way no one knows why so ridiculously expensive.
pretty simple!! rode the BMW comfort over long distance is poor!! nice looking. Rode the Thruxton RS, put simply !! another level !! amazing bike!! dont believe me?? try them both, you will come away thinking BMW have a lot of work to do to catch Triumph in this segment!! Thruxton hands down winner!!
I had a 2018 R9T Racer, but the riding position in stop and go Traffic was dreadful, Such a turn off. Standing still, Parked it drew a crowd, people loved the look, but the ride home, was nothing to look forward to🙄👎
FXDR-S1000R Eli C. To each their own. I’ve owned several bikes both touring and cafe alike and find the r nine T racer quite easy to live with. Much more comfortable than most people think. Definitely more comfortable than a traditional sport bike.
I’ve ridden and admire both; still can’t decide which I’d buy. Pushed for an opinion, I’d want neither as an only bike and if I wanted one to ride just a few hours a week . . . I still wouldn’t know. If I wanted to just look at it, the BMW would be my choice.
@@kevinhamilton9920 For a few reasons, didn’t buy either. Product availability is a big one; the models I wanted weren’t available and the models available I didn’t want. Layer on top of that, new bikes (that also aren’t available) are being released (hopefully) that may be worth the wait. And, I have to sell a bike or two before I can add another. Fortunately these are all first-world-problems, but until the supply chain issues have settled down, I’m not sure it’s wise to buy anything bundled with a lot of technical hardware.
I can notice that this review is totally pro Triumph, you guys don't even try to hide it 😂 although I agree the Triumph looks somehow refined its still no match to the Nine T, not on styling, engine or optionals, its just not there. But in the end of the day its all about what kind of bike do you prefer and what's your riding style and that's that.
really?? go and ride both.. I drive BMW's and I ride them.. In this class i couldn't buy it, because of long distance riding its a shocker!! I was so ready to buy one. its not a great riding position over 100kms.. going down the shops, or for a coffee sure.. But thats about it!! i can see why Triumph in this segment win all the time!!
I bought an R9T Racer new in 2018... owned it less than a year as the riding position was excruciating. It had more in common with a 1982 Suzuki Katana for ergonomics (or lack-thereof) than any café racer. Gorgeous to look at though.
I enjoy both bikes but the bmw is the one for me. I really dont mi d the riding position and ive had lo g hours on traffic . I also own a 1200 xe scrambler so both of best worlds. Great review. Stop fighting both are great bikes , both are amazing pices of art and most people out there would love to yave either one one . Great review by the way !
Both lovely bikes. I think I'd be proud to own either. Looks alone I prefer the R Nine T but the riding position is a little too bent over for my liking. I've ridden r nine t and it's a brilliant machine. I'd probably go the Thruxton over it though due to the riding position and tech included is better. If BMW had bar risers as an accessory I would probably go the BMW, maybe...
Have the Thruxton 1200 ,think it has really captured the look of the 60's Triumph twins , also like the look of the R NineT , never ridden one though , think both bikes are great but quite different , really need both in my garage along with a Norton 961
Having a Nine T urban GS i have no complains wathsover but looking at the Thruxon RS although I didn't drive it yet the look it's gorgeous and it reminds me of old british bikes of the 60´s i was used to drive
I tried both and the Thruxton is very intuitive in its handling and very planted in corners. The R9T had very strange feeling handling and too much engine brake
I have Rnine T 2019 roadster - much better than the triumph - once you decat it and add an ohlins in it - it’s truly amazing - plus and most importantly it’s air /oil cooled - Proper proper old school ! And quicker
BMW is also made in Germany and Triumph is made in Thailand, so there’s that. And while you might construe that as a Triumph put down, it’s probably also the reason why the Triumph has better spec suspension than the Beemer. I’m also not so sure that a bike like the Triumph RS, which is bang up-to-date is a fair comparison with a 4 year old BMW...
How can a liquid cooled bike with fake carburettors be the most authentic? It might well be better, but for me the more authentic is the BMW hands down
"...we think the Thruxton has edged it on this one. It's the more authentic..." How so? I'd say the BMW is the more authentic in that it's still air cooled.
Not into cafe racers much but that similar engine is on the R nineT (retro naked) and I absolutely love that bike but then there's that gorgeous Speed Twin as well.....dilemma 😕
2015 Nine T owner here - the "good" one, I might add; the one that doesn't have an extra name like "Racer" (uncomfortable), "Pure" (cheap) or "Scrambler" (the one you'll dump in the rain because the blocky tire treads are useless).... Anyway, this head to head is laughable. The Thruxton outshines and out-classes the BMW *AT THAT PRICE POINT* without breaking a sweat. Showa + Ohlins? Come on. The only thing that screams at me when I look at the Thruxton are the fake carbs. I can't believe Triumph is STILL selling this with the fake carbs. I'm always going to point them out. Fake. Carbs. Knock it off with that.
Sorry for bad English, I'm German... And a true boxer fan... BUT... compared to the Thruxton, the Ninet looks like a kid's plastic toy... No way looks like a retro bike. Don't understand the positive reactions on this bike at all. Riding BMW's for over 25 years (boxers as well as 'bricks') one may call me a true BMW fan. Handling may be oke but reliability? Shaft drive? I seem to have had more troubles with the shaft drives than my mates were changing their chain drives. Electronics ? Sucks... Sorry folks.. But I want to keep honest, the Thtuxton is THE retro bike at the moment. Consider a swap seriously!
None of these reviews seem to mention the shaft drive on the Beema or the difficulty in cutting thru traffic with that boxer engine. The new Thruxton RS is the definite winner.
The BMW IMHO is one of the best looking machines out there & has the edge on the Triumph. But it’s also the most uncomfortable bike I’ve ever ridden too & so would go for the Thruxton.
I'm a bit surprised by this and similar reactions. I'm 48 at the time of this writing, and I've ridden an Aprilia RSV Mille for 20 years before getting the Nine-T Racer. Even on the Aprilia I sat pretty comfortable (could easily do trips from Holland to Germany in long stretches), and the BMW is even more comfortable seat-wise and riding-position wise. I honestly do not understand how people feel it's such a pain to ride on the Racer. Seat is more comfy (Aprilia's seat was basically a plank with some upholstery), weight on your wrists is much lower (Aprilia became uncomfortable like that in stop-and-go traffic, and had a fairly heavy clutch). But maybe my body is just healthy and accustomed to riding like that, I don't know...
Both very retro-Cool, pick your flavour. Aesthetically, it's the BMW for me. Dynamically, it the Triumph. Wow, flip a coin as they're both awesome...unfortunately, whatever you choose, you'll both 'win' and 'lose'...ha!!
I own the R Nine T Racer. I could live with either as I'm a Trump fan. But I was able to get it for new for $10,000 freedom dollars, so I won't be looking back! Its super-cool and people are always coming up to me to ask about the bike on every ride. I hope to get a track day or two on it and I can tell you it's a knee draggers dream. Triple.
I agree that the Thruxton wins but in my opinion it isn't even close. After riding both, the silky smooth suspension on the Thruxton and even power delivery had me sold. The torque steer from the boxter engine on the BMW was annoying when pulling out of the twisty's and it just didn't have the balance. Shame because I think the BMW is gorgeous.
b/s people love a vincent because there is all sorts of things going on ..oil tubes . cables , wiring , fuel lines , carbs , filters .... thats a true retro .. not the tucked away . clean honda style .. funny triumph just could not think where and how to do the horn '' oh ya just hang it off that , it will do ''
I have seen both bikes in person, and think the r9t is way better looking. And the fairing means it probably has a higher top speed, considering the similar hp
No brainer me with the shaft driven BMW coming out in front as I just can’t be bothered messing about with oiling, adjusting chains, checking on cog wear and tear, replacement.
A few minutes into the video, i thought you had Verne Troyer riding the BMW. It looked more like the German was praying to Mecca than riding a motorcycle. No doubt the Triumph is the one, unless you're a collector, or a days ride is 10 minutes, followed by two hours at the coffee shop.
Diavel vs Rocket 3 is here Triumph vs Ducati - Triumph Rocket 3 VS Ducati Diavel | Visordown.comru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-l5N6puY5ogc.html
it is completely normal that you sit with your chin against the gas tank with a caferacer, it is a racer man! take the r ninet roadster then the comparison will be a completely different story!😜
