Comments on: Riding a BMW R nineT Motorcycle

By: Scooter in the Sticks

Scooter in the Sticks — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 02:23:23 +0000

Gee, I thought the 1992 BMW K75C was the most beautiful BMW ever made???

I suppose we each have our own favorites. It’s the spice that makes life interesting. What a bore if we all liked the same things.

I’ve been out a lot on the scooters. They quickly come into their own when the temperatures plummet!

By: Jeff Stein

Jeff Stein — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 22:41:30 +0000

Nice post and comments, fellows,
so, ok you traditionalists,,,
the RnineT does indeed look the way those of us of a certain age remember how motorcycles should look, here in the post-modern age, when the best we can do is quote from the past, and I think I’d prolly like to own one, but in truth, when we’re talking beauty and BMW motorcycles, actually… the R1100S from around 1999, 2000 is really, pretty-much, the most beautiful motorcycle ever made. Google it….
Then go for a scooter ride, cuz the weather is changing fast…

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:00:08 +0000

Hi Steve. Great write up and snaps.

I’m considering purchasing this fine machine. Just curious why you believe it’s not really suitable for commuting (i’d be using it daily for this – 10km each way in and out of CBD)

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 01:39:15 +0000

In reply to Bikerdoc.

I have to agree with you on your assessment of the R nineT — it’s definitely got a visceral appeal but falls short of universal functionality. But I suppose the designer wasn’t aiming in that direction. There’s probably ways to add more carrying capacity but at the end of the day it would turn the nineT into something awkward and ugly. But for those shorter scenic rides on dry pavement — Wow!

By: Bikerdoc

Bikerdoc — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 04:38:11 +0000

Interesting scribe.

The RnineT reminds me of my previous Dragstar 1100 Classic I sold earlier this year. Unlike the Dragstar though the is a bike of smaller stature. When I walked past several RnineT’s parked in the Barcelona BMW Motorrad showroom among other BMW models in Chiang Mai, Thailand during several visits to the workshop having my 650GS serviced (twice) during my China-northern Thailand-China 22500km ride this past Jan & Feb ’15.

I was enamoured with the aesthetic and visceral appeal of the RnineT styling and design, however aside from sitting low in the saddle – too low to see over a car roof, there was also what seemed like a lack of luggage carrying choices aside from perhaps fitting a tank-bag. It seemed a set of throw-over leather saddle bags able to carry more than a couple of clthing ite,ms or similar wouldn’t fit without a little modification round the rear sub-frame.

I’d agree that the RnineT would make an ideal mount for shorter mountain, scenic rides on a dry day/evening.
YMMV.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 11:52:20 +0000

In reply to Dar.

The Honda NC700 looks like a great bike. Saw one here a few days ago — nice lines and look. I’ve seen pictures of Motorella and that orange accent with the silver is fantastic.

Be safe on the new machine!

By: Dar

Dar — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 19:34:17 +0000

In reply to Steve Williams.

Speaking directly to the NC700 – which is ,y new ride, I love this bike. Mine is a manual 6 speed transmission, Honda didn’t offer the DCT version here. But I can say I adore it for commuting, it may nit be as sexy as the BMW, but it is reliable and agile. I am certainly enjoying the ‘frunk’ storage. Next farkle is side bags and louder horn.

I do think the BMW is quite ‘oh lalala!’ and would love to take that baby for a spin.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 00:15:19 +0000

I’ve thought a lot about adding a motorcycle to my palette — would be interesting to explore things on a different machine. Vintage BMWs are almost always my choice. I’ve looked at R80s and R90s with lust, and have strongly considered some of the mid 90s vintage K75s. I like their look and sound.

Time will tell.

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 03:18:43 +0000

I’ve been riding for 45 years, so far. My favorite ride to date was my R90/6 I bought brand new in 1976. I put a pair of Lester mags on it, and a gigantic German tank bag, and I rode it for tens of thousands of miles through 37 states. I wish I had never sold it. I have another vintage BMW now, a 1982 R100RT, but I never ride it. It just sits, and I always ride a touring motor scooter these days. Like you Steve, I like to go slower and enjoy the scenery, as opposed to covering many hundreds of miles every day, like I used to do. When I first heard that BMW was going to come out with a homage bike harkening back to their airhead twin days, I got excited. The RnineT is quite the bike, but if I was going to ride another BMW, I’d buy an immaculate low mileage R75/6, and then I’d probably be set for the rest of my life. But my scooter works just fine for me now, so there are no plans for any new BMW in my immediate future. And one of these days I’ll sell the BMW I do have, to someone who will appreciate it and use it as it’s intended.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 01:21:23 +0000

In reply to Trobairitz.

It is a pretty subject. Not all motorcycles are easy to photograph but this one doesn’t seem to have a bad angle.

I’ve not seen one in the wild either save for the one I was riding. Don’t expect I’ll see many either…