OK firstly, I'm not really sure that owners reviews are the best source of impartial un biased opinions.
I bought it, with my hard earned, so it's bloody brilliant Goddamit
Well it is bloody brilliant actually, but there are a few observations I have made that may be of interest to fellow BMW riders.
Engine.
It's hard to believe that this is the same engine that's used in the last air cooled ultra plush R1200RT / GS tourers.
It feels harsh and revvy, which suits the nature of the 9T, perfectly and I love it, but I don't think I'd be over the moon to have the same engine characteristics in my long haul super tourer.
I think I might find it a bit tedious, and yearn for something a bit smoother that doesn't make such a song and dance about it all.
I'd be really interested to ride the RT, to see how the identical engine feels in that bike.
Ergonomics.
Much is made in the press of the 9T Racers riding position, and most of it is correct.
The best appraisal I have read so far was in this Months Bike magazine, where they commented that the bike feels better as the roads get quicker.
They said out of the three bikes they had on test (others being the Thruxton and CB1100RS), the 9T was the most fun to ride over the mountain section of the TT.
Things only start to become uncomfortable at low speeds, particularly in town.
Again, totally agree.
Thing is, does anyone likely to choose this sort of bike, have touring and commuting abilities high on their list of priorities ?
I don't think I could have it as my only bike, and I suspect most buyers feel the same.
Oh and there is nothing you can do to adjust that position.
The bars fit into the top yoke casting, and so are not clip ons in the true sense.
Even If you could raise the them, just a few mm, would have the master cylinders collidimg with the fairing but you can't and unless BMW change the design of the top yoke and fairing, this will never be an option.
Doesn't matter.
This is a bike built purely for fun, in an authentic retro sort of way, and is all the better for it.
Funny thing is, I generally hate sports bikes, but I love this, and of course the R1100/1200S.
I think there's something rather wonderful about the Boxer twin engine in a sporting format.
Handling
OK I'm no riding guru with super sharp skills, able to make comments like "the front end never let me down" and "I was regularly able to get the back end out" etc.
What I can say is that it feels beautifully neutral, relatively slow to steer (it's no lightweight), but stable.
If like me you're not fast, but not slow either and sit somewhere in between, this bike is made for the likes of us.
It feels planted and composed in the turns, and rock stable on the higher speed straights, motorways etc.
I own a Telelever BMW too, and this feels just as stable.
I usually struggle with the racing crouch riding position.
I find it easier to string a series of tight bends together sitting more upright, like on my 1100RS, LT etc, but luckily the 9T feels just as natural.
That really surprised me initially.
Quality.
Seems pretty good.
I particularly like the way BMW have made the inside of the fairing so clean and tidy.
All you see is the elegant fairing mounting frame and even that is beautifully executed and aesthetically pleasing, without a single cable in sight
Nice.
Also, those graphics are not just stuck on top of the paint work.
They are under the clear coat.
Elegant castings abound.
No doubt about it, this is a well thought out bike.
I've read quite a few people complain about lack of USD forks on this bike, which mystifies me.
They work fine for general road riding, and don't feel at all soft.
OK so non USD forks are old fashioned, but so are the twin shocks found on the Thruxton, as opposed to single sided swingarm monoshock suspension, and no one complains about that.
Go figure
Use of conventional forks of course keeps the cost down as well, speaking of which, I opted for the solid cast wheels as opposed to the wire spokes which are actually the cheaper option.
Two reasons.
Ease of cleaning, and, my passion for old school design does not extend to returning to inner tube tyres.
Owning it
Too early to comment on running costs, servicing, tyres etc but I have measured the fuel consumption a couple of times and averaged 45mpg, which is acceptable.
I read everywhere that the 9T bikes were designed to be customised, but that's not my bag at all.
I don't think the bike can be improved upon cosmetically, but I will be buying a rear hugger before Winter, and have already added a crud catcher.
That's pretty much all I have planned for the bike.
Sorry BMW
Not really a lot else to say, except it needs a really good long ride to fully appreciate.
I didn't go much on it on my test ride.
Trouble was I kept seeing it in the showroom and thought, I just have to have it.
So for the first time ever, I bought a bike that I actually didn't enjoy riding first time, and I'm glad I did.
Now, every time I go out on it, I just want the ride to go on longer.
