RnineT: anything I need to know?
Discussion
I'm on the hunt for a second bike (actually as I've signed up for the malle rally next year)
I test rode an RnineT on Saturday (scrambler) - I really liked it, loved the character of the engine. If I'm honest, it didn't feel 30bhp more than my triumph, but perhaps that was the cats/exhaust. I found the bike super comfortable and easy to ride and I quite like the idea of owning two bikes of different brands.
Does anyone have one of these? - anything that's likely to appear after a few months of owning or other nuggets of information from experience.
I test rode an RnineT on Saturday (scrambler) - I really liked it, loved the character of the engine. If I'm honest, it didn't feel 30bhp more than my triumph, but perhaps that was the cats/exhaust. I found the bike super comfortable and easy to ride and I quite like the idea of owning two bikes of different brands.
Does anyone have one of these? - anything that's likely to appear after a few months of owning or other nuggets of information from experience.
No information on the R9T but just read up on the Malle Rally. Wow, that's quite an event!
Which package are you doing?
I've done similar things on vintage bikes in Ireland but based in one place with runs out each day from the base, which was around 600 miles in 4 days. Wasn't quite as pricey as the Malle though!
Which package are you doing?
I've done similar things on vintage bikes in Ireland but based in one place with runs out each day from the base, which was around 600 miles in 4 days. Wasn't quite as pricey as the Malle though!
Had one a few years ago, loved it and I never noticed any finish or clutch issues and I’m a very fussy bugger. However, it is smaller than I initially thought, fine on a test ride but I started to struggle with it for more than a couple of hours. I’m 6’ 2” if that helps but it really is a great piece of kit in my view
srob said:
No information on the R9T but just read up on the Malle Rally. Wow, that's quite an event!
Which package are you doing?
I've done similar things on vintage bikes in Ireland but based in one place with runs out each day from the base, which was around 600 miles in 4 days. Wasn't quite as pricey as the Malle though!
I signed up for the second most expensive package... The one where they ship you bike back from Scotland on a lorry and you fly.Which package are you doing?
I've done similar things on vintage bikes in Ireland but based in one place with runs out each day from the base, which was around 600 miles in 4 days. Wasn't quite as pricey as the Malle though!
My family are going skiing in Feb in Austria (well, maybe...) and I can't go as my knees are shot, so this is my treat! Although malle is pricey, it's probably less than skiing....
Fanboy alert, but I'm on my second R9T and love it (first was a well used 2014 model, current one is a brand spankers 2021). The boxer twin doesn't sound the best objectively, but it's under my skin now. Torque for days.
They aren't huge bikes but I find mine fits me pretty well (6'4" with 34" inseam) - if you want to spend more than 1.5hrs in the saddle at a time without losing communication with your a*se then it's worth getting a Sargent seat. Suspension is "fine" on the full fat model with the S1000R forks, but the shock is a little bargain basement - £500 gets you a Nitron/Maxton unit set up for your weight, which is on the shopping list for me.
The clutch - it's fine, with caveats. You won't notice it massively in normal riding, but if you spend a lot of time slipping the clutch riding at slow speed then expect to replace it in a few years. If you get it really hot it can get a little grabby (but nothing terrible), and because it's a dry clutch there's no drag with it disengaged - so if you sit stationary with the clutch in for too long it may not want to go into first if the gearbox has stopped in the wrong place. Nothing to worry about, they all to that sir. They also burn a little oil, especially when new, but that comes with the territory of a 1200cc air cooled boxer twin.
My first R9T was treated to a decat Remus exhaust and a remap by Hilltop and that resulted in the clutch slipping in 5th/6th at full chat - although how much of that was down to the numerous previous owners I don't know. Given the prospect of splitting the bike in half to change it I elected to chop it in for something else, and as it stands still wish I had just done the clutch and kept it (if the new one's clutch goes I'll split the bike myself and change it). The new one goes like the remapped one already thanks to the new heads/engine management for Euro 5, a fair amount more midrange (and it wasn't lacking on the old ones).
Brakes are great, especially the big ones on the full fat "classic". I didn't notice them lacking on the Pure or Scrambler I've ridden either, just a little less bite on the front (smaller 2-piece calipers vs. big monoblocks on the classic) - back brake is the same across the models.
The finish is standard BMW. Everything feels expensive (except maybe the switchgear), but if you don't keep the salt off it then the paint will begin to flake off the engine casings/gearbox/final drive - thanks to BMW's apparent insistence on painting the casings and then machining the faces afterwards, so you get a lot of nice sharp edges for the muck to get under the paint. Keep on top of cleaning it in the grubby months and treat it to a little ACF50/XCP in the sensitive areas and you won't have much to worry about. It's a good telltale on how a used bike has been cared for.
Only other grumble is the wheels, the pre-2021 models and even some of the cheaper specs in the new ones come with spoked wheels that require tubes. These are a complete ballache for a road bike, as you can't plug them if you get a flat, and they add a reasonable amount of unsprung rotating mass. Fortunately you can spec tubeless spoked wheels from new on the 2021 bikes, they look great and save a good chunk of weight over the standard ones whilst also meaning you can use tubeless tyres as nature intended. You can also do a DIY tubeless conversion on the normal wheels but I couldn't be bothered.
They aren't huge bikes but I find mine fits me pretty well (6'4" with 34" inseam) - if you want to spend more than 1.5hrs in the saddle at a time without losing communication with your a*se then it's worth getting a Sargent seat. Suspension is "fine" on the full fat model with the S1000R forks, but the shock is a little bargain basement - £500 gets you a Nitron/Maxton unit set up for your weight, which is on the shopping list for me.
The clutch - it's fine, with caveats. You won't notice it massively in normal riding, but if you spend a lot of time slipping the clutch riding at slow speed then expect to replace it in a few years. If you get it really hot it can get a little grabby (but nothing terrible), and because it's a dry clutch there's no drag with it disengaged - so if you sit stationary with the clutch in for too long it may not want to go into first if the gearbox has stopped in the wrong place. Nothing to worry about, they all to that sir. They also burn a little oil, especially when new, but that comes with the territory of a 1200cc air cooled boxer twin.
My first R9T was treated to a decat Remus exhaust and a remap by Hilltop and that resulted in the clutch slipping in 5th/6th at full chat - although how much of that was down to the numerous previous owners I don't know. Given the prospect of splitting the bike in half to change it I elected to chop it in for something else, and as it stands still wish I had just done the clutch and kept it (if the new one's clutch goes I'll split the bike myself and change it). The new one goes like the remapped one already thanks to the new heads/engine management for Euro 5, a fair amount more midrange (and it wasn't lacking on the old ones).
Brakes are great, especially the big ones on the full fat "classic". I didn't notice them lacking on the Pure or Scrambler I've ridden either, just a little less bite on the front (smaller 2-piece calipers vs. big monoblocks on the classic) - back brake is the same across the models.
The finish is standard BMW. Everything feels expensive (except maybe the switchgear), but if you don't keep the salt off it then the paint will begin to flake off the engine casings/gearbox/final drive - thanks to BMW's apparent insistence on painting the casings and then machining the faces afterwards, so you get a lot of nice sharp edges for the muck to get under the paint. Keep on top of cleaning it in the grubby months and treat it to a little ACF50/XCP in the sensitive areas and you won't have much to worry about. It's a good telltale on how a used bike has been cared for.
Only other grumble is the wheels, the pre-2021 models and even some of the cheaper specs in the new ones come with spoked wheels that require tubes. These are a complete ballache for a road bike, as you can't plug them if you get a flat, and they add a reasonable amount of unsprung rotating mass. Fortunately you can spec tubeless spoked wheels from new on the 2021 bikes, they look great and save a good chunk of weight over the standard ones whilst also meaning you can use tubeless tyres as nature intended. You can also do a DIY tubeless conversion on the normal wheels but I couldn't be bothered.
I have a 2014 R9T. I also had the Hilltop software update and it made a massive difference. BMW have to sell the boxers meeting new bike emissions and that means lean and lumpy, especially for an air cooled boxer with big pistons, Hilltop just adjust the software to make it run were the engine is supposed to run and it's much smoother and much faster as a result. It's the best upgrade I did. I also swapped the final drive from stock to the drive from the R1200R which is slightly longer because with the additional power, 1st gear was way too short. Fitting the cast wheels from the R1200R also make a difference as the spoked wheels are surprisingly heavy and also need a tube, so you can't fix a puncture at the roadside like you can with a tubeless tyre.
I also fitted a Nitron R3 shock and Nitron fork cartridges as BMW don't fit anything of quality in this regard to the R9T, again made a massive difference. I don't know what they fit to the scrambler version but the earlier models had really cheap and nasty suspension that ruined the bike.
As mentioned above it is a small bike, the seat is low and the distance from the pegs to seat is quite small so it feels cramped to me for long distance, but having said that I did take it to the Alps and Pyrenees where it performed very well.
The best bit of it is the engine, the boxer is a lovely engine but as a package, I got bored quite quickly. Then I rode a KTM 1290 and bought one and the R9T hasn't been sued since. The R9T is a basic bike with a primitive feel to it - which is one of its strengths but also a weakness long term. It's not special enough to keep for years like a classic bike, but it is nice for the occasional weekend ride.
I also fitted a Nitron R3 shock and Nitron fork cartridges as BMW don't fit anything of quality in this regard to the R9T, again made a massive difference. I don't know what they fit to the scrambler version but the earlier models had really cheap and nasty suspension that ruined the bike.
As mentioned above it is a small bike, the seat is low and the distance from the pegs to seat is quite small so it feels cramped to me for long distance, but having said that I did take it to the Alps and Pyrenees where it performed very well.
The best bit of it is the engine, the boxer is a lovely engine but as a package, I got bored quite quickly. Then I rode a KTM 1290 and bought one and the R9T hasn't been sued since. The R9T is a basic bike with a primitive feel to it - which is one of its strengths but also a weakness long term. It's not special enough to keep for years like a classic bike, but it is nice for the occasional weekend ride.
SteveKTMer said:
I don't know what they fit to the scrambler version but the earlier models had really cheap and nasty suspension that ruined the bike.
As mentioned above it is a small bike, the seat is low and the distance from the pegs to seat is quite small so it feels cramped to me for long distance, but having said that I did take it to the Alps and Pyrenees where it performed very well.
The best bit of it is the engine, the boxer is a lovely engine but as a package, I got bored quite quickly. Then I rode a KTM 1290 and bought one and the R9T hasn't been sued since. The R9T is a basic bike with a primitive feel to it - which is one of its strengths but also a weakness long term. It's not special enough to keep for years like a classic bike, but it is nice for the occasional weekend ride.
Agree with this. Suspension poor on my 2015 R9T and I always chose to use my KTM, on which suspension is like a magic carpet ride. Engine more exciting on too. Haven’t missed the BMW to be honest.As mentioned above it is a small bike, the seat is low and the distance from the pegs to seat is quite small so it feels cramped to me for long distance, but having said that I did take it to the Alps and Pyrenees where it performed very well.
The best bit of it is the engine, the boxer is a lovely engine but as a package, I got bored quite quickly. Then I rode a KTM 1290 and bought one and the R9T hasn't been sued since. The R9T is a basic bike with a primitive feel to it - which is one of its strengths but also a weakness long term. It's not special enough to keep for years like a classic bike, but it is nice for the occasional weekend ride.
I have a 2020 Urban G/S. As a second bike they are great - not particularly practical, but great for B roads, town work and flying about in an open face helmet, jeans and a jacket. Really enjoy mine. It's an old school riding experience with modern brakes.
They have great torque and more than enough power for the chassis, suspension and 19" front wheel on Scrambler and Urban GS models. The Racer is very uncomfortable which is a shame as was my first choice in the range until trying it.
Not the fastest steering and feels long, but think mid 90s superbike performance with more comfort and torque. Bags of character.
I wouldn't be too scared by the clutch - it's not like it needs slipping with short gearing, tonnes of torque and silky delivery. Splitting the bike in half sounds drastic, but there's nothing to the back end of these. It would be time, but not hard, to change it.
As far as retros go, I think it's a step up. Quality I think is good, but there are lots of places for water ingress and the style is ahead of function, so things like mudguards are too short etc. Definitely a bike that you enjoy for what it is - Objectively there are loads of better bikes out there, but these make you feel ace. If looking for all weather and practical bike, buy an R1250R. Compliments my modified MT10 well which I use more as a headbanger machine and tourer. Certainly keeps your license a lot safer
They have great torque and more than enough power for the chassis, suspension and 19" front wheel on Scrambler and Urban GS models. The Racer is very uncomfortable which is a shame as was my first choice in the range until trying it.
Not the fastest steering and feels long, but think mid 90s superbike performance with more comfort and torque. Bags of character.
I wouldn't be too scared by the clutch - it's not like it needs slipping with short gearing, tonnes of torque and silky delivery. Splitting the bike in half sounds drastic, but there's nothing to the back end of these. It would be time, but not hard, to change it.
As far as retros go, I think it's a step up. Quality I think is good, but there are lots of places for water ingress and the style is ahead of function, so things like mudguards are too short etc. Definitely a bike that you enjoy for what it is - Objectively there are loads of better bikes out there, but these make you feel ace. If looking for all weather and practical bike, buy an R1250R. Compliments my modified MT10 well which I use more as a headbanger machine and tourer. Certainly keeps your license a lot safer
I’m in exactly the same position as the OP: signed up for 2022 Malle Rally, rather taken by the R Nine T Scrambler.
I’ve had GSA’s for years so already a huge fan of the boxer engine. I test ride a scrambler last weekend and was surprised how asthmatic it felt compared to my old 2009 GSA. I’ve either got rose tinted memories of that bike, the water cooled engines they now fit to GSA’s is a lot more torquey or the latest oil cooled engines fitted to the R Nine T really are lacking any low down grunt. If I buy one I’ll want to de-cat / remap to restore some character.
I’m interested to know if anybody has compared the R Nine T to the Triumph 1200 scrambler? I haven’t ridden one yet so would be glad to hear of somebody with first hand experience of both.
Any other suggestions on retro bikes that would fit with the Malle vibe? I tested the Royal Enfield and thought it was too small / lacked power.
I’ve had GSA’s for years so already a huge fan of the boxer engine. I test ride a scrambler last weekend and was surprised how asthmatic it felt compared to my old 2009 GSA. I’ve either got rose tinted memories of that bike, the water cooled engines they now fit to GSA’s is a lot more torquey or the latest oil cooled engines fitted to the R Nine T really are lacking any low down grunt. If I buy one I’ll want to de-cat / remap to restore some character.
I’m interested to know if anybody has compared the R Nine T to the Triumph 1200 scrambler? I haven’t ridden one yet so would be glad to hear of somebody with first hand experience of both.
Any other suggestions on retro bikes that would fit with the Malle vibe? I tested the Royal Enfield and thought it was too small / lacked power.
Whatsmyname said:
I’ve just got rid of my Racer, if your looking for a paddock stand and canbus charger I have them pretty much new.
Any particular reason for getting rid of it? I had a test ride of one a few years back and found it just too cramped so didn't buy at the time but still have a hankering. Would it be a mistake?
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