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.
A few months ago Metzeler sent us an email inviting us to a VIP event, with no more information other than a 'please hold the date' - such teases. A few months of back and forth emails trying to tease out some more information the 'final plan' was released a week before the event. Metzeler invited us to join them and James Hillier at the FIM Speedway British Grand Prix with all the trimmings! We've been to a few speedway events before but nothing of this scale and certainly not with the pleasure of meeting an IOM TT Racer in the flesh! @Birotar_Jonjo was gleaming with joy with one question on his mind - 'James, please tell me how to not crash a Ninja!' So that was Saturday planned, on Sunday they organised an EPIC ride through what was promised to be some fabulous scenery. They also mentioned there would be some other surprises along the way but we'd have to wait to see what these entailed. Saturday 22nd June 2017. With an alarm ringing at 7AM and a meet-up point set (McDonalds at 8AM) it was time for us to convene for our usual pre-trip B-conference (with breakfast) before our 160-something mile ride to the rendezvous point.
@Birotar_Jonjo's R1200GS & @Birotar_Max's GSXR1000 chilling for breakfast
Did we say 8AM? Someone was a bit late but not to worry we
always factor in a bit of faff time…
The weather forecast wasn’t certain but it did say 40-60% chance of heavy rain,
basically it was going to rain, it is the UK after all. A uneventful ‘cruise’ round the M25 and across the M4 saw us
approaching Wales. Have you ever crossed the Severn bridge? It’s quite
spectacular.
We arrived at the meeting point on time (for a change) to
meet Simon, Barry and Jim from Metzeler, shortly after the others from the social
media world arrived. Great to finally put some faces to names after months and
in some cases years exchanging comments, likes and stories across social media.
We had a short ride to the hotel and just enough time to
freshen up and prepare for the evening’s entertainment, the FIM Speedway GP
held at the Principality stadium – Cardiff. It was at the Hotel Metzeler rider
and TT extraordinaire, James Hillier joined the group. Previously our experience of
Speedway is about 300 people, a tin shed and some ropey old tractor to re-level
the track. Well, we were in for a real treat because the 2016 GP hosted some
60,000 spectators and this year was to be no different.
We had a half hour taxi ride with Jim (Metzeler UK Boss) and James
to enjoy before the entertainment kicked off. It’s always a bit strange at
first... rubbing shoulders (literally) with a professional racer and proclaiming
you can’t find the hole (the seat belt – come on now!) but we all got on well.
The Streets of Cardiff as we entered the Stadium.
The streets of Cardiff were alive with air horns, flags and
people having a great time. From that point on the atmosphere was set and it
was clear this event was attracting a huge crowd.
Earlier on we mentioned Metzeler would provide all the trimmings, here we found
out that meant a VIP package including drinks and a three course meal,
nice! Pleasantries out the way it was time to take our seats with a great view of the
whole circuit, in particular we were sat on the start/finish line. The build-up
was incredible – fireworks, fire, flames, fire breathers, music, you get the
idea. It was a show before the show.
If you’ve not seen Speedway before it’s basically four people on motorbikes
with no brakes that race/drift around an oval circuit. It’s so simple yet so
addictive, the skill needed to hustle these lightweight machines around is
incredible. The smell, is something that will stick in your memory. The 500cc
single gear bikes run on pure methanol and vegetable based oil, the smell is
addictive, as is the noise!
The format of the Speedway means you get a good couple of
hours racing. Sixteen riders take part in each Grand Prix and over the course
of twenty heats each rider will race against every other rider once. The top
eight scorers advance to a semi-final and from each semi-final the 1st and 2nd
placed riders will advance to the GP final.
The evening concluded with a huge firework show, the crowd
had been fully immersed from start to finish. After a few (more) beers it was
time to head back to the hotel. Once again we were with Jim and James, now this
taxi ride is something we really wish we could have got on camera although we don’t
think it’s something we could have gone live with…pure comedy, a reminder that
even the most professional of riders/businessmen are just normal (and very
funny) people. If you ever get to meet
James, ask him if there’s a McDonalds in the Punjab, guaranteed it’ll bring a
smile.
To conclude Saturday we all shared a drink or two at the
hotel before calling it a night at some time past midnight.
Sunday 23rd July. Metzeler had put us up in a very nice hotel and it would be rude not to take advantage of this, with the alarms ringing early and being told we had to be ready to ride at 10am we made sure we had enough time for a morning swim and sauna, got to keep fit and healthy, right? Not wanting to be too healthy we enjoyed a nice cooked breakfast knowing the weather wasn’t going to be on our side today.
James Hillier's Kawasaki Z1000S fitted with Metzeler Road Tech 01s
With everyone suited up and ready to ride the heavy rain continued, no problem though we’re used to riding in any weather. To follow was some amazing Welsh roads with stunning views. The rain had eased off by now to all but a drizzle so we all stopped off for an ice cream and to enjoy the views. It was at this point we managed to get a few words from James on camera after the wild sheep had stopped playing chicken with the passing cars!
Interview with Jame Hillier! Coming soon
Welsh Sheep
Ice creams finished, interview done it was time to head back into the valleys
and enjoy more of what Wales could offer. We enjoyed a good couple hours of
wide open roads to tight woodland twistys, but then the Bthou started playing up,
cue loss of power, cutting ignition and generally being a pain. Initially it
looked like an electrical problem so we taped up some connections under the
seat and the bike seemed fine again, good because it was a long way home!
James Hillier's AGV!
We finished the ride for the day around 2pm, we all stopped for a drink and chin
wag before packing up to head home as yet again the rain clouds rolled in. From
where we stopped it was about 170 mile ride home, James joined us for part of
the journey and for the first and only time we can say we were ahead of a TT
rider on the open road! On the way back we had torrential rain and hail, yes
hail, in July. We managed to get our heads down and power on though making some
good progress through the traffic.
Bthou playing silly buggers and the GS coming to the rescue!
About 60 miles from home the Bthou started playing up again, certainly not fun
when you’re on the outside lane of the M4, we managed to nurse her to the
services but couldn’t find anything obvious contributing to the problem. We’d
left the heavy rain behind us but it was soon catching up so with nothing
obvious wrong with the bike and the clouds getting darker there was only one
option – get back on, heads down and hope for the best! Never simple is it, we
had to stop 3 or 4 times on the hard shoulder but the bike would always sort it’s
self out. We’re thinking a blocked/dodgy fuel filter…
Anyway, we made it home safe and sound in the end after what
was an amazing weekend. Being side-by-side with tyre industry professionals and world class racer James Hillier opened our eyes to the true science that goes into tyre production and development. We're not experts because of it but we've certainly discovered that the knowledge and experience in Metzeler/Pirelli is what makes their tyres market leaders. We highly recommend you take the time to find out more about Metzeler & Pirelli tyres when you're next due to change your tyres. You will not be disappointed! And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us - we'd be happy to help.
Metzeler Road Tech 01 Rear Tyre
We’d like to thank Metzeler for inviting us, providing the hospitality, guiding
us around some amazing roads and providing some great laughs along the way!
