2017 BMW R nineT Scrambler | Favorites & Fails

After nearly a year in the saddle, we’re ready to lay out our favorite features on the R nineT Scrambler, plus a few areas where BMW might have missed the mark.
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Retro bikes are all the rage these days, and BMW has jumped on the bandwagon with a fleet of R nineT-based machines that capture the look of the ’60s and ’70s. The R nineT Scrambler I’ve been riding for the last 10 months is modeled after the on/off-roaders of yesteryear with a high muffler, knobby tires, old-school fork gators, and that classy tan bench seat.
There’s no denying it’s a good-looking piece of equipment, but every rose has its thorns, as they say. In this video we hit the highs and the lows of this model, offering you a snapshot of the things BMW nailed and the areas where it missed the mark.
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SW Motech Skid Plate : www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-mot...
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[@shAdOwstAlkEr945]

I like this new series. Pretty concise and straight to the point. Keep it up guys!!!!

[@BucketWheat]

I appreciate how you Sacrifice yourself for us by riding all those different motorcycles ... We Know you are doing it for US! (Smile) My Brother-in-Law to-be, years ago, had a Honda Scrambler 305... Yes it was heavy and the high pipe on the right side nearly always left a scorched spot on our jeans, and our knee. But it was such a blast to just simply PLAY with! We didn't have to 'race' anyone...we simply road places we wouldn't dream of taking our 'street bikes'... and that is pretty much how I started riding... When I went into the USMC and got a steady -- but Very Small -- paycheck I bought a Yamaha DT250 'Enduro' ...and road that thing nearly to its death, from 400 mile road trips to hours and hours of dirt roads and logging trails, and cow pastures. I really like the versatility of a "scrambler" -- comfortable enough as a 'commuter', smooth enough for a ride in the country, and if your country road turns into a dirt road, that's okay to. And yet -- with good shocks & forks and better 'dual-purpose' tires -- you can still have pretty good fun on a twisty road!

[@Real_MisterSir]

Yes please, more of this! I trust very few other moto journalists to do unbiased, short, to-the-point reviews of bikes. This short video contained so much information that really is all you need to decide whether you are into a bike or not. We all gotta test ride them before buying anyways, so this short review style is fresh and very valuable. Keep it up Ari! - and the rest of the crew :)

[@corujariousa]

Thank you for the down to earth comments. The ones about breaks, shocks and fork are especially important in my opinion. Keep these videos coming. All the best!

[@andrewely4145]

Keep these coming! Short, sweet, certainly informative. Also, it gives guys (like me) who can only dream of these bikes a reality check that they aren’t indeed perfect, yet still have insanely awesome qualities that are worth celebrating.

[@garyshearing5452]

This Favorites & Fails series idea is great. Keep them coming!

[@doxasnob8137]

Great quick to the point video! Its great to see a series where someone dosen't "just love" everything about his or her favorite brand of motorcycle, or gets on a test ride and puts down everything about the bike because its not their favorite. ALSO great you have been riding it for a while, not just a day. Keep them coming! I love my bike but also have a few niggles I wish were better.

[@Dowe78]

This is a great, short and sweet breakdown of a bike. Keep them coming!

[@Drdre11]

Thank you for making a video about this bike in less than 5min. Way too many other out there rambling on saying the same thing for 15-25min. Keep up the good work!

[@sennsir]

I've never seen a "favorites & fails" on your channel...but I definitely enjoyed it! 👍👍

[@AriH211]

It's a new series. Glad you like it!

[@andrewdok]

It's definitely a good idea. Keep 'em comin!

[@Necronox24]

THIS was really informative. LOVE THIS. Please do more!

[@Blabbfrst]

Awesome! Short, relevant and very interesting "honest riding" reflections. Love it.

[@benjamidavid]

This is brilliant show! So informative! Thanks from India!

[@paulthespacemouse7785]

Great vid! Thanks for the top tip about the tyres. Keep up the good work

[@GFClocked]

If i was lookin to buy this bike id love a video like this. Still like it either way, great stuff as always. One of my fav channels

[@iSangreVerde]

Brilliant content as always. Keep the good work guys!

[@HerrStarcraft]

Loving this new series! Keep it up!

[@oringjabegu457]

Great series Ari! Keep up with the good work!

[@charlieryan1736]

Thanks for the great review, looking forward to future episodes

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

good concept. like the longterm rider reviews. thumbs up.

[@nero91]

love this new format!

[@funnyfatrat1167]

Love your feedback on the favorites and fails! Excellent :-)

[@Steve-vm1fi]

This was an excellent video. Straight and to the point

[@sv650nyc7]

Great series! Straight to the point. We need more reviewers that are not afraid to point out a bike's shortcomings. That way everyone can make up their mind what they can expect to modify or upgrade. That doesn't happen on all those manufacturer sponsored test rides. Great that there's more than just the FortNine channel with critical opinions.

[@jacksonhay7718]

Great new series, keep em coming!

[@suraparajulokesh3811]

Always do videos like this

[@AkaAndyKnuckles]

Nice format. Worth watching.

[@anuvav9524]

You guys are awesome.... Love all your videos

[@wallymurray620]

Great new series and hope to see more, with one caveat. I still want to see lots of MC Garage, MC Commute and tons more On Two Wheels. Oh and don't forget all the other Motorcyclist stuff you and Zack do so well. Thanks!!!

[@nguyenminhtri9769]

Please do fav and fails for mid range adventure touring bikes, thanks! I like this new format

[@b5454]

I like this series alot keep doing it Ari.

[@FLHTPGlide]

Very interesting series. Keep it going

[@lipozor]

Great input...Keep it up good work!

[@macro_dynamo]

love your reviews sir thank you

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Lots more of these favs&fails please - and in rapid succession !

[@dustinwellsSA]

Love the video. Nice to hear the good and bad on the bikes. Hoping you do one on the Ducati Scrambler 1100 also.

[@theincrediblesulk5543]

Great informative video keep it up! More of favourite abs fails

[@alexworks9659]

I’ve got 7000 miles on mine and I love it. Agree on needing suspension upgrade. Bar end mirrors, tail rack and engine crash bars are the only thing I’ve done so far.

[@Raez_XL]

Do more videos like this guys! Great content

[@alexworks9659]

Agree with most points! I’ve got 10,000 miles on mine and on crappy roads and commute daily. I like that the suspension is softish to soak up potholes etc.

[@barryroberts2474]

I love that it can imerge from a corner fully leant over and you can open the throttle with complete confidence. Even two up!

[@INNOVVDashCam]

New episode ? Great idea, like it! Hoping more~

[@Zalonka]

YES do more like this good video dude!

[@Siper2]

Great idea for a series!

[@pmdinaz]

Big thumbs up! Mini Long term review highlighting just as the title suggests..by REAL riders..🤘

[@shravan7477]

That bike looks sensational

[@SuperJohn12354]

looks like a scrambler, but look at the reviews, that have rode it off road, you really don't want to, so not really a scrambler, its really just a road bike, so when you realise that and start comparing it to road bikes ..... well then its not that impressive.

[@Mahatma618]

doesn't it No

[@tyroney2]

SuperJohn12354 I didn’t want to hear that. It simply looks too good.

[@shAdOwstAlkEr945]

Its a bike for posers

[@WhiskeyToro]

@@shAdOwstAlkEr945 wtf? A bike for posers? What are you, 13 years old? It's a beautiful bike.. probably something you couldn't afford which is why you're all bitter about it.

[@omkarparab1174]

Nice series

[@johnsaporta4633]

I like your frank attitude. Great video.

[@leamartintorres]

Im in love with this bike

[@motortrend6339]

good job. very informative

[@brent1041]

You should do more of these videos. And I've been looking at that same bike for my next one.

[@GETUPANDGO]

Love the way that bike looks

[@saltandoalvacio5736]

Nice review!!! Hello from Vietnam! :D

[@cuthbertjellyhead]

I agree on the tyres. I took a scrambler out for a test ride in wales and the tyres were shockingly bad. I bought the R NineT pure in the end, awesome machine.

[@thinakaranairsubramaniam]

Guys.. Kudos! With much love from Malaysia.. I'm looking into 2012 CBR1000RR.. I know it's dated but would really appreciate a F&F episode on that.. Again great videos keep it coming

[@tougenomikado]

im digin this new segment 👍

[@Gmac705]

Good video keep it up.

[@harleysrule2176]

Nice review format... Keep doing these please. But I also like Zack's commute reviews too.

[@AriH211]

Expect to see Zack on here giving his Faves & Fails on bikes as well. Everyone that makes this show rides (a lot), and we all have (a lot of) opinions.

[@pieroo900ng]

I had the pleasure to ride this bike for a couple of days and I fully concur to what Ari said - the tyres are crap, they don't provide any confidence while driving. The looks are awesome and the boxer engine is just amazing... the sound, that boxer engine vibration and performance. I highly recommend to try one if you have the possibility.

[@Smightification]

they look beast that's for sure.. I thought about getting one a time or two...

[@BritishBikerPhilippines]

Good job Ari, as always! When will you show us what it can do on the dirt? You and Zack totally rock the KZbin Motorcycle world :-)

[@AlfonsoSantiago]

I like this new thing. Keep with it. And don't forget about MC garage! It's the reason why i subscribed to your channel!

[@AriH211]

No worries, MC Garage will be back on schedule in a couple of weeks. We're renovating the set, so we're taking a bit of a break.

[@johnbmj5981]

😍😍😍... Love the honest and facts.

[@jamesdefrange]

I have the cafe version.. would love to hear your opinion. Thanks for the vid. You guys are great!

[@fahadkhalid6944]

Beautiful machine :)

[@alejandrodg82]

Beautiful bike!

[@corbelius6]

Great new segment, Keep them up! The first thing I thought was, This could be a new platform for a sidecar bike. A better more modern Ural, it's shaft driven, air cooled and sexy and modern. DO it Bavarians!

[@billiondollardan]

BMW showed off the R nineTs at the Cleveland show last weekend and man do they look good!

[@INNOVVDashCam]

A great series.Hoping to other videos.

[@MrKromy67]

Greta idea! Keep going

[@JimmyHamAnp]

Nice job!

[@K113-A]

More like this, please !

[@JeffMisa]

Thanks for the review Ari. I love mine and I just rode it from Portland, OR to Orlando, FL this January 2018. I don't have too many qualms with the tires, but I'm also not trying to take the corners like I'm on my Triumph Daytona either. The Michelin Anakee Wilds have been talked up quite a bit, so I would like to try them when the front gets worn. My rear Karoo 3 lasted the whole trip and even did a run to GA before I changed it at 6750 miles, when I got my service done. I even got to do a bit of scramblin in AZ on the Apache Trail, though I felt I should have been on a horse with a sombrero going a lot slower 😁 What suspension did you install, and what do think of it's adjustability and handling now?

[@aj9515]

amazing video guys!! a small request tho!! can you guys do a full on review about ROYAL ENFIELD bike?? if possible would really love your take on that motorcycle! much appreciated!

[@stevelawrie9115]

Yeah, you're probably right. I recently rode the "R nine T" and it has totally adjustable suspension, 2 dials and fantastic Metzeler road tyres. I currently own a K1300S that I have had for more than 5 years and if I was going to change, I'm pretty sure that I'd go the R nine T.

[@AZGeek520]

Nicely done. I've owned a 2017 for more than 6 months as well and it is one of my favorite bikes to ride. Totally agree on the stock tires, which I ditched after a couple of weeks for some Pilot Road 4 Trails. While I like the rugged look of the Karoos, the Pilot 4 Road Trails look good on the bike with much better handling. Previous owner put on Ohlins shocks front and rear so I can't relate to the OEM suckiness. Very solid performance with the Ohlins suspension. I'm surprised you didn't mention the Akra exhaust at all. Definitely a win from my perspective. Also, I'm not going to say the mirrors are a total fail, but they are fugly. The bike looks much better with bar end mirrors IMHO.

[@mircowirz2909]

got mine since october. 1st month i did 1500 miles haha. just cannot get off of it - love it.finally found a steel rear and plate holder in italy which perfectly fits with the end of the frame. now it´s perfect!!

[@hammersteve8]

hans wurz Hi. I'm currently looking at getting the same. They say they're both an easy fit. Are they?

[@gooondie]

Continue this series! Please please please do a video on the Africa Twin! I know Zack has been riding one for a while now, that would be awesome! I’m still on the fence about upgrading to one- I’m currently on my trusty V Strom 650

[@AriH211]

Right on. Zack-and even Spenser, the guys that's usually behind the camera-will all be contributing to this series. We've had the AT in the fleet for over a year, so Z should definitely be able to do a F&F with it.

[@gooondie]

Ari Henning 😎

[@gvdl7569]

Got one.Love it. No issues with the karoo 3's.Do not drive off road. May try road tires next,but after 100 miles or so, no tire complaints.

[@TylerG7777]

I love my 2017 BMW Scrambler, but you are SO right about the Karoo 3 tires. They look awesome, but they suck. Loud, vibrate, poor grip. I rode with them for 3 years. Then, I decided to forget about the appearance and I put on Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 tires. Cannot believe the difference! It’s like a completely different bike! The handling and confidence is amazing. Try them.

[@operoverlord]

So much better when y'all mention fails.

[@mbtfp]

Yeah! "Wasserboxer Engine" I like the way you said this! :)

[@gbfrederico]

Do more of these, for sure

[@Uliio]

Really like this bike. Thinking about replacing my 1150 GS with the R nineT GS. Thanks for the review

[@jmedic8373]

Love this bike

[@gregk.1831]

Spot on!

[@planetgrom7149]

I’ve got a Grom and love it - even made a channel about learning the world of motorcycling and trying to see as much as I can on it because it’s a fun challenge and I really like the lack of history and prestige of the Grom. But I must say this bike gets me all hot and bothered. It’s absolutely gorgeous and looks like (from an untrained eye) something I could keep for decades and pass down and it would STILL be cool.

[@stevehofmann9525]

Yes there is something very appealing about the BMW boxers farm tractor like smell and sound and gritty power. My 1974 R90/6 always felt confident, safe, reliable and powerful and stylish.....in a 70’s sort of way.

[@fzlsalim]

Good one!

[@matejj668]

Beautiful

[@Speedytrip]

Great review, to the point as always. Surprising how bmw chose those tires. All journalists complained about them. Many saying the urban gs handled much better with th tkc80, and they even look better too.

[@AriH211]

TKC 80s are so much better. They squirm a bit but the steering and feel are consistent and the grip is surprisingly good on the street. Frustratingly, you CAN'T get the Contis on the Scrambler as a factory option.

[@Speedytrip]

Ari Henning glad I ordered the urban gs instead :)

[@marciotpb]

Content approved!

[@alwynmcmath]

Spot on.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Saw one of these on Craigslist. Cool looking scooter

[@noskillrequired8287]

im glad ari got a new series. now if we can only have those locks back !!!!

[@reinistraidas]

Switched out the Karoo's right after taking the bike home, they are terrible. Not as much as traction is concerned, but the way they make the bike handle is just off - they are lazy to lean and when you do lean, the sudden onset of fall-in is a bit scary. It's like the bike loses stability and then suddenly regains it mid-turn. Ugh. Put the Anakee 3's on and no problems, bike now handles neutrally and predictably. Overall, very happy with it. Just the sound it makes when you start it, the rumble & sway of the boxer, the popping and low gurgling of the Akra cans when you roll off the throttle, the look of it, the way the shaft drive compresses the shock on acceleration, the dry clutch. Some people complain about the lack of a tacho, but it doesn't need it. It simply doesn't care what gear you are in, it just pulls like a train. Love it to bits.

[@hammersteve8]

I agree, tachometer not needed neither is gear info, and I love the look of one dial. Bought mine with the offered option of road tyres as that's where I ride it. I have this and Bonnie T120 Black which is more comfortable but I adore the 'shake rattle and roll' of this bike. Reinis Traidās

[@westcountryhomesonline8934]

Love the road trips with you and your buddy. Is that a different channel, haven’t seen any for a while.

[@Seanype]

Nice video dude, can you do one on the xsr900 ?

[@bikerseychelles]

👌🏽 cool bike

[@diyducati8252]

loved this, do you have tire recommendations aside from the second factory options?

[@sirtooby]

Tourance next for the street anakee adventure for a little more gravel.

[@ringsting]

When I was looking for a bike, i toyed for a while on the idea of the r9t but settled for the CBR 1000 rr