BMW F 900 R - a discussion.

BMW's F 900 R is the latest addition to the middleweight naked class. How does it stack up?
Produced by Full Access Media (Pty) Ltd
The Bike Show Website: www.thebikeshow.co.za
The Bike Show Facebook: / thebikeshowt. .
The Bike Show Instagram: / thebikeshowtv
The Bike show Twitter: / thebikeshowtrio
Prices in South African Rands and may differ in other countries.

[@KennethBril]

Own a bmw F 900 R . The quick shift gets better after 2000 km and you need to get used to it . The safety is top notch . Cornering abs , TC , cornering headlight etc . The tft is the best in the business . The front suspension is Ballanced and the seat and comfort are just nice . The twin makes a purring sound . Only it's a little to quit but a after market exhaust fixes this . Lose the mirrors with side mirrors . Tail tidy and it's a complete different look . I just love the bike but that is my opinion. And last but not least the torque is great . The perfect allround comuter

[@keltecdan]

How has the reliability been so far? I really like the f900 but worried about reliability and the weight of the bike.

[@gooodvibez]

@magdump was wondering the same exact thing. I am looking for electronics and safety features over torque and sport, but keep hearing mixed reviews.

[@Win7ermu7e]

@@keltecdan It's got a three warranty. That should say something. Also they did a big update on the shifter which has resolved the issues.

[@gordonhenry7760]

As always, a great review and an entertaining and informative discussion...well done!

[@PMitchell106]

I think to understand this bike there are a few things that get overlooked. 1) *BMW markets this as a roadster, not a sport naked.* Look at the rake and trail and you'll see the difference. It's intended to be more relaxed, lower stakes, more effortless. The lack of excitement comes from tuning for smooth response down low. It's intentionally tuned to work best the way that most people will use it most of the time, at the expense of absolute peak power. 2) *If the electronics package is of no value to you, you won't appreciate this bike.* It costs extra money to get the best TFT in the business, comfort touches like electronically adjustable rear suspension, heated grips, cruise control, in-dash navigation, tire pressure monitoring, integrated anti-theft alarm, self canceling turn signals, keyless ignition/fork lock/fuel cap. 3) *Look at the rest of the lineup* : At Yamaha you have MT-03,07,09,10. At Kawasaki you have Z400, Z650, Z900, ZH2. At BMW there's G310R, F900R, R1250R, and S1000R. This is bike 2 of 4 being compared to bike 3 of 4 from other lineups. In reality this should be seen as the luxury half-step between the MT07 or Z650 and the MT09 or Z900, it's not a direct competitor to either as it far outguns the 650 class and also underperforms the 900 class. For that sacrifice you get much better fit & finish (still not as good as Triumph), 3x the warranty coverage, brembo calipers, and the above mentioned features that make this bike an absolute pleasure of a daily ride. 4) I realize nobody cares about this, but the F900R has the best fuel mileage and cleanest emissions in this class.

[@vfarias]

So in the conclusion: It all depends on what you want the motorcycle for... for me... I tend to go for a ride that doesn't kill me on the first corner... LOOOL

[@mnnic4292]

Interesting as usual. Thanks. Cheers!

[@snowpharoah3839]

Great review and interesting discussion. I really want a nice soft cuddly bike. I am a bit tired of hard core and sporty. And I find it looks great. I understand the Z900, the KTM, the MT-09, etc are more performance oriented. But you know, I just don't race bikes that much anymore... will need to try them and see how I feel. I like the advice to go for the XR. The "versys-like" riding position and I actually want something of a fairing... maybe that is where to go.

[@keltecdan]

The z900 and mt09 will be more trouble free than the KTM and BMW.

[@brucekendall52]

Thanks guys.

[@AlastairT00]

I suppose it comes down to what you want to ride every day .... speed and cost are really not the only two factors you consider when buying a bike … I don’t think you can ride on the edge everyday. I want a bike comfortable enough for every day but still puts a smile on my face when I want to ride a little sportier.

[@keltecdan]

Also a bike that will relatively trouble free. So I guess that leaves the BMW out of the picture.

[@AlastairT00]

@@keltecdan I have had two problems and both were repaired under warranty without any hassle … problems exist with any model

[@keltecdan]

@@AlastairT00 that’s true and I’ve heard that BMW as a brand tends to have more issues than other brands.

[@AlastairT00]

@@keltecdan I had much more issues with my Harley … double the price tag new … so I’ll take a BMW over a Harley

[@stuarthall2523]

Resale value is probably the only thing going for it by the sounds of it. I’ve ridden the 790 duke, cracking bike with a brilliant quick shifter. I have a2015 R12R and between the two it would be the KTM for me. It’s a fun bike, and I am tempted to chop my BM in for one.

[@1MrBryn]

Spent a solid month test riding every naked on the market before deciding on one of these. It's the best city bike by a mile and is just easier to live with than the competition. The KTM was just too much hard work, the Triumph too expensive and the Z900 was a close second only pipped by the fact it makes you ride like a dickhead all the time. Beemer is just such a good all rounder. (I agree with the criticisms of the quickshifter, I still use the clutch on the way up. It's great in the down shifts though)

[@thepsychicpeach8425]

How's the MT 09?

[@1MrBryn]

@@thepsychicpeach8425 same issue as the KTM. Just constantly rowdy. Which is great if that's what you like, but I'm now 40 and want something that isn't constantly trying to kick my teeth in.

[@thepsychicpeach8425]

@@1MrBryn 😄thanks dude! I really want the MT 09 for that very same reason. I'm a hooligan🤷🏽‍♂️

[@fyorbane]

Be careful. The engine is chinese built and there have already been grumbling issues with quality and reliability. For me the Z900 trumps every one including the KTM 890R. For the money it just cannot be beat.

[@1MrBryn]

@Rod Rebman the triumph street triple is a blast, but in Australia it was nearly 3 grand more expensive and simply doesn't have anywhere near the amount of features as the BMW. Lack of an IMU being the big one.

[@jamesfisher1827]

I’m a BMW fan and somebody will buy it, but I think the Z900 is probably a better bet overall.

[@kugangles9860]

The I4 Z900 engine is definitely the better if the two.

[@a.s.5280]

were in germany are you ?

[@marcelcoenen1437]

A KTM 790 Duke was too wild for me, I ordered a BMW F 900 R full options but I’m thinking over a switch to a young R9T with the bulletproof Boxer. Which one would you buy?

[@miteor]

Boxer 👍

[@hrlarsen574]

BMW

[@petewebb6952]

Soft and cuddly?

[@BMRTV]

Did they just build the 2020 version of the rockster....guys guys guys, we got one too

[@dasp125]

I bought a f900r second hand with only 300 miles on the clock. It’s nice to ride, but it just feels under powered. I don’t know whether BMW restrict it until it has its 600 mile service. I will have to wait and see.

[@keltecdan]

How’s it going with the f900? Any difference in power?

[@vincents8165]

I've had mine since November. I use it for commuting through central London but also for driving in the countryside. Sadly, we have been in lockdown for most of the time I have had it so I haven't been able to do more than 1500 miles. I largely agree with the analysis from the guys here, in particular the quickshifter is a bit clunky at low speed and revs but I don't think you really need it there, I don't mind using the clutch at low speeds (but then again I never had a quickshifter before so I am not able to compare with an alternative). I went with BMW over Kawasaki partly because I have had a good experience with BMW aftercare in London which is obviously a factor specific to me and my location, but I also found BMW bikes to be generally pretty good. I guess we bikers are just lucky to have so much good stuff to choose from!

[@vincents8165]

For clarity, I really like the F900R! My favourite bike yet

[@keltecdan]

I like the f900r but I’m nervous about long term reliability issues. I know the Japanese bikes are relatively more trouble free than the euro bikes.

[@maheshy1]

I see soft and cuddly Trevor Noah behind Don sitting on a table (I think).

[@Supernova12034]

Doesnt sound particularly exciting, there is tough competition in the middle weight class now

[@rzu7120]

Donovan, you need to introduce your pets!

[@mujtabakamal]

Z900 will eat this Beemer for breakfast 😋

[@siraff4461]

Non adjustable forks on a 900 twin? What is going on with bikes? We're going backwards quickly boys.

[@slider3215]

Top price..clattery Chinese engine

[@apexxxx10]

Macau Communist, Red 🇨🇳

[@LanceLumbanPHI]

This will not hold a candle against the 790 Duke how much more with the 890 Duke R. This engine is also plagued with failure issues, the quickshifter is a piece of trash. I dont even know why they call it a quick shifter.

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

This or a Kawasaki Z900? No contest. This beemer is very boring.

[@Szlejer]

Chinese designed and manufactured Loncin engine, unadjustable forks, priced as a BMW... no thanks!

[@apexxxx10]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIK9f4KsfqqBbZo

[@apexxxx10]

🇨🇳

[@Supernova12034]

"bmw badge" on a made in china engine XD

[@AlanTrades]

Just like your nike shoes and metro phone you used to type that 🤣

[@apexxxx10]

Macau Red Communist CHINA 🇨🇳 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIK9f4KsfqqBbZo

[@quidestnunc9238]

Mat, Please slow down (and also write/read a Script rather than ad libbing/winging it...even though you may be using prompter notes). Thanks in advance.

[@davidelizabeth4933]

Parallel twin👎 They should have made it a triple. 👨‍👩‍👧❤

[@splodge5714]

Jeez what a mess. Why can't BMW make a nice looking bike? Sure not for me.