2023 BMW R nineT riding impressions from a GSA and R1200R owner

Brief riding impressions on a BMW R NineT loaner while the GSA was in the shop for annual service. Not a professional review, just an enthusiastic rider sharing my opinions.
00:00 - Overview
01:50 - Startup
02:33 - Riding Impressions
09:42 - R1200R Comparison

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

I rode the scrambler version while my gs1250 was in for service. I thought it was great

[@markb3180]

I ride the BMW R NineT pure and as I'm 6' - 2" altered the ergonomic's with a BMW comfort seat, handle bar riser's and footage lowering kit and it works for me. Enjoyed your review and can relate to all you said.

[@inthewind773]

Spot on, I would do the same. Sensible, easy to install mods that would help us taller riders be more comfortable. I appreciate the comment!

[@kikoy08]

Good impression! What inlove is the rawness, the bulkiness, the attention it gets, and its character itself embodies the whole bike and the rider. Btw i have 2019 option 719 and im loving it.. i have been to motorcycles with more power and technology and i find it, the way i’m riding it, i dont much need it. I just need traction control and abs and the motorcycle and im off.

[@inthewind773]

Thanks! Agreed, it's a wonderfully raw riding experience full of character and an attention-magnet! BMW Motorrad has a history of hit and miss with their visual design, but this is one of their best. Enjoy your 2019, what a fun ride.

[@mrdin5332]

Would dearly swap the R Nine T headlight for the Darth Vader one on the R1200R. But as you stated the vintage costume doesn't outweigh the technological attributes of the R1200R. The electronic suspension on the R convinced me to forgo the Nine T and like your good self haven't regretted my decision.

[@inthewind773]

I agree completely. The R nineT has always been my favorite BMW aesthetically since its release in 2014, but the 1200R/1250R series just has so many practical advantages for touring and taller riders.

[@jeanpequignot80]

Old airplane engine sounds kinda cool to me!

[@wernerschmidt6547]

Downshifting with good old fashioned "Zwischengas" and the Gearbox is your friend. I am a shortlegged 6 footer (32" inseam) and the bike fits perfectly,don't find seating position aggressive at all,but then my previous bikes were a lot more sporty. Agree on the wheels,should be tubeless.All in all I love the bike.

[@inthewind773]

It's an excellent bike and I understood the appeal the more time I spent on it. Definitely agree with you on the "Zwischengas," a bit more time with the gearbox and I'm sure it would become second nature... Just slightly "verwöhnt" with a slipper clutch and auto-blipper. I'm long in leg so that may account for the relative difference in comfort. Enjoy the rest of the season and ride safe!

[@tnth9099]

Nice review of a very desirable BMW! These air-cooled boxers just keep getting better. If only they could have a bit more comfort without complicating everything 😊

[@inthewind773]

Thank you! I'm really curious what improvements the new R12 NineT will bring. I hope to get a chance to test one in the upcoming season.

[@dave8549]

I'm 5'9" and the seating position is fine for me. Can't say the same about the seat though, you're right, it's like a leather covered chopping board. It's possible to tour on it, but again, the seat limits me to about 500km (300 miles) a day. Never had any issues with the clutch. Sounds like maybe your own quick-shifter and slipper clutch bikes are ruining your clutch skills. Nice video.

[@inthewind773]

I think you may be right. Good clutch work and rev matching is a muscle memory skill that's trained by repetition. If you don't use the skill due to quickshifters, auto-blippers and slipper clutches, you tend to get rusty. If I had ridden the bike for an entire week I may not have even mentioned the transmission. Part of the fun of riding is the sense of mastery from smoothly piloting your machine. Thanks for your comment!

[@msims1250]

I have a 28” inseam, and I find the seating position a bit cramped. I just ordered a footpeg lowering kit for mine and I’m considering bar risers as well. I know it will never be as comfortable as my GSA, but that’s ok. It really is a fun bike to ride. Nice video.

[@inthewind773]

Agree 100%, it's a really fun bike to ride and also looks great. From other comments here the footpeg lowering kit should help overall comfort quite a bit. I added small 30mm straight risers to my GSA last season and it made a significant difference for my lower back on 6+ hour rides. If you attempt it with the nineT just make sure you have enough free slack in the brake and clutch lines as I ran into this issue on the GSA and had to get the dealer to fit them. Enjoy your rides and thanks for sharing your experience!

[@lohithreddy6629]

great video

[@inthewind773]

Thanks!

[@andrewthomas6287]

I have a 2021 scrambler and added Sargent twin seat,lowered pegs and 40mm bar risers and a Healtech gear indicator. Now comfy and don`t have my weight on the wrists.Can now do a 6 hour in the saddle day. I am considering a quickshifter kit but waiting for a version with autoblip downshift for the 2021 onwards fly by wire models to be available.I also have an r1250gs and this is a lot more flickable in the corners

[@inthewind773]

Thanks for sharing your experience. The large aftermarket for this line of bikes is a big advantage here.

[@MrEkin03]

I’ve got the same bike. I bought the unit garage gel seat along with 20mm each riders and peg lowers. Got the second dial from BMW as well. I use the grip puppies and when doing distance I quickly install a cheap screen(puig universal) and remove it when I’m in town. It truly is a do it all bike for me at the moment. It’s fast, nimble, robust and looks great. I did ride it more than 8 hours a day multiple times with great comfort. I’m 6.0 220lbs. I use the unit garage quick connect waterproof saddle bags when traveling.

[@theonlyredspecial]

interesting to watch thanks. ive had a lot of GS/GSA bikes over the years - I saw one RNineT 100 years limited edition in our dealer lately (only one came in here in Northern Ireland) and thought it looked beautiful especially with the chrome paintwork and all the extrras. Was even considering it for a sunny weekend ride - as its such a lovely looking cafe racer. Always wanted a Triumph Thruxton but do like the boxer engines. Dont think these are a bike I would have as my 'main' bike - just as a second option for a lovely day along the coast for a gentle but spirited ride. im 6ft 3 so likely id feel very compressed on it. but still interested !

[@inthewind773]

The R nineT would make a great 2nd bike and that 100 years edition is stunning. Based on your height, I'm guessing you'll feel a bit cramped on it too, especially if you're used to the supreme comfort of the GS/GSA, but as in the other comment you can make it work with some pretty simple mods. Appreciate the comment!

[@johngoodlass]

I'm 6ft 4 and its not too bad riding position, but for sure its a beautiful motorcycle and such a delight to ride kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJqqlIJjodVsnac

[@Jason_US]

these bikes have an option for MSR (Dynamic Engine Brake Control); no slipper clutch needed. it's all done electronically.

[@inthewind773]

Great point and this demo had it (part of the optional comfort pack); MSR will indeed save rear wheel slippage on abrupt downshifts. A slipper clutch would likely be impossible due to the single plate dry clutch. Dry clutches do have a bit of a "bite" to them that takes some getting used to, compared to the wonderfully smooth wet plates with slipper in the modern LC boxers.

[@TalkieMedia]

"Only" 109 Horsepower lol

[@inthewind773]

...just in relative terms compared to the LC Boxers @125hp or the shift-cams @136hp. It's still plenty fast! :)

[@rickc007]

What location ? Those are nice roads

[@inthewind773]

Prechtal area in Germany. Popular road for local riders in the Black Forest, just off the B500.

[@TheShagans]

Pro tip - don’t drop your bike. No need for ugly crash bars if you just look after your bike.

[@inthewind773]

Absolutely, but sh!t happens and that's just where it's most vulnerable. Luckily there are many more subtle and stylish options than crash bars to protect those exposed cylinder heads. It's all a matter of personal preference of course.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox4574]

Anyone that 'needs' a quick shifter (read semi-automatic) is admitting that they have not mastered how to change gears properly.

[@inthewind773]

Sure, nobody "needs" a quick shifter, but many would argue it's very nice to have. I suppose that's why BMW now offers it on the new R12 NineT.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox4574]

@@inthewind773 I would suggest that they are offering it to simply remain 'current' with other manufacturers and for new(ish) riders that haven't mastered the art of riding. As for it being "nice to have" that is equivalent to a confessed sports car driver saying that an automatic gearbox in his Porsche 911 is nice to have ... maybe for him ... but it shows that he is just posing and not really a sports car diver. Even paddle shifts are contentious. Most die hard sports car drivers insist on 5/6 speed manual boxes and would prefer a Mazda Miata with same before a 911 with an automatic. Are you a bike rider or a two wheeled transportation 'enthusiast' ??.

[@inthewind773]

@@zaphodbeeblebrox4574 I understand what you're trying to say, but it's a bit of a false analogy. It sounds like you're a car guy, and about the closest thing to an automatic transmission in our world is Honda's DCT transmission, which does all the shifting for you (no manual clutch). Quickshifters have their roots in racing, about the farthest thing away from beginner technology you can get. They allow you to accelerate much faster when banging up the gears out of a corner as well as downshifting far quicker and more smoothly before entering one. If you do ride (my apologies) and have never tried one, I suggest you do, It'll put a huge smile on your face! 👍

[@Cowdog1]

A circus tricycle??? 🙄

[@inthewind773]

A bit exaggerated of course, but yes it felt small and slightly cramped, probably amplified by the fact that I was used to riding my GS adventure. Most bikes feel small in comparison.