BMW R NineT BirotarUK Review
Since the R NineT was released in 2014 (a time when café racers could be found on every corner and coffee was cool again), we’ve often wondered what it would be like to ride and own. We’re all too familiar with the 1200cc air-cooled flat twin, but not in what looked to be an agile and awesome looking bike.
 |
| BMW R NineT Side View - Photo by BirotarUK |
On an almost sunny Saturday, we had the opportunity to take this R NineT for a ride and see what it was actually like. We’ll start off by saying that it really is a frisky little number. Almost like that first Tequila shot on a night out, you’re never sure if you want it but once you start you never look back! Or, do you...?
Before you’ve put the key in the ignition you’re addressed with classic looking dials coupled with a modern, switchable digital display that shows everything from engine temp to battery voltage. Keys in, dial, sweep, hit the ignition and the bike purrs into life; classic 1200cc boxer sound. The bike we rode had an Akrapovic end can, giving a beautiful sound in classic Akra style.
 |
| BMW R NineT dials - Photo by BirotarUK |
|
The R NineT has a comfortable riding position, BMW seems to have got the ergonomics just right for us 5ft something’ers. We're not sure a pillion would be comfortable for too long but the option is there.
Whilst enjoying some fine country rides, you quickly notice that whilst the ergonomics are comfortable, the ride is quite firm, often feeling a large bump pass right through you. The suspension is adjustable though, so we’d mostly likely soften it up a bit for day-to-day use.
With 96hp and 74lb of torque, it’s very easy to make progress on this bike. Most of this torque is delivered low down, making for easy town/city riding. Fourth gear is brilliant, bags of torque encouraging a huge smile as you accelerate out of wide sweeping bends or up the slip road onto the motorway! So what’s it like on the motorway we hear you say...? It’s OK. 70mph is comfortable with no screen, much the same as modern naked bikes without a screen. It wouldn’t be the first choice for a long motorway journey when there’s a R1200GS in the garage.
 |
| BMW R NineT side view - Photo by BirotarUK |
|
The R NineT is surprisingly smooth, we’re used to this engine in a thumpy R1200GS but BMW has worked their magic and smoothed things out a bit here. Downshift too abruptly and you’ll still get the obligatory sideways wobble that most 1200cc owners are used to.
 |
| BMW R NineT front side view - Photo by BirotarUK |
|
As you’re cruising around, you can’t help but think: 'if we made space for this in the garage for this bike, what would the running costs be?'. Well, with BMWs arguably reliable shaft drive and super reliable engine, regular servicing would keep you on the road. Even valve clearances are no more than an hours work on this engine. On the motorway, we saw just under 60mpg but returned an average of 49mpg in the six hours we had the bike…not bad when you’re having fun!
The R NineT runs sensible tyre sizes, a 180/55 rear means you could even run super sticky Supercorsas if that’s your thing. The bike we rode came with Metzeler Roadtec Z8’s and we didn’t have any complaints.
 |
| BMW R NineT swingarm - Photo by BirotarUK |
|
Handing the keys back and hopping back on the GS left us wondering if there would be space in the garage for one. Reality is, we’d struggle. Not for lack of room, but it just wouldn’t get used unless it was a sunny Sunday afternoon (or maybe a track-day), an expensive ‘coffee run’ bike, even though it looks SO good.
 |
| BMW R NineT coffee shop stop - Photo by BirotarUK |
|
We can understand the appeal though, it looks great, handles well, really moves and sounds amazing, just doesn’t fit our needs…for now anyway.
No comments:
Post a Comment