Cruiser or roadster? BMW R12 NineT vs R12 back-to-back riding comparison

[@delhiietsunny4100]

One of the best videos I find on KZbin explains the difference

[@timrodierides]

@@delhiietsunny4100 thank you!

[@jvl4832]

Precise, informative and and with humour; thank you Tim for this wonderful comparison of two similar but different bikes. I think there are many prospective buyers considering one or the other and this is the perfect , experience based description they needed. Happy to be a new subscriber! Greetings from Berlin, Jim

[@timrodierides]

Danke Jim!

[@thomasmackenzie5751]

Great review. As a R nineT owner I was wondering what the new suspension setup would ride like, given that this is the most significant change from the original nineT. Thanks for commenting on this as I haven’t seen other reviews mention it.

[@mrcintheuk4641]

I always look forward to your very entertaining and informative review. 👍. It's certainly helped me make my mind up as to my choice, which is neither.

[@dreamcrusher112]

😂

[@timrodierides]

Haha, thank you. Sorry it’s been a bit of an R12 fest this week…

[@inked-96]

Why do people complain about the price of what is one of the top 3 premium branded bike manufacturers. Baffles me.

[@timrodierides]

Because if I didn’t I’d have someone whinging that I didn’t whinge about the price. I called a £10k bike affordable once and it was end of days in the comments 😂

[@Dixie866]

@@timrodieridesjust because people complain, it doesn’t mean they’re right lol. The majority of people who complain about pricing for premium things weren’t going to buy them anyways, regardless of price

[@timrodierides]

@@Dixie866 true!

[@AuxesisHyperbole666]

Because you still don't get a premium bike for the money and have to spend another 5 grand on options like properly damped suspension, a comfortable seat and an exhaust you can fit luggage over.

[@inked-96]

@CaptainSlog999 You get what you pay for with all these big companies. Build quality, service reputation, image... feel good factor. Many criticise bigger brands because they can't actually afford them, or some don't want to pay that amount. If you want something cheap, go buy a Royal Enfield. Bmw, Ducati, Aprilia, MV, Norton are the top brands. Simple.

[@cyclingbikerwholovestotinker]

Hi Tim, I rode the R12nineT today when the GS was in for a service and I have to say your review is spot on, being as tall as you, I was a little but apprehensive about the sizing, but it actually felt fine, although there isn't have wind protection, so mph above the national limits can be challenging, erm em, as we supposed to say that!!! its certainly a challenge to hang on at higher speeds :-) cracking little bike to ride, suspension in dynamic is nice and firm on good surfaces, but not so on our rough uk roads, these are better suited to road mode. brakes are excellent, handling great, overall 8/10, just let down by the price, bit on the high side for a after tea road burner - I'm going to try the Z900 to see how it fairs...or look for an older RnineT...

[@DontPanicDear]

I like the one with the pretty gold forks 😀

[@axelfiraxa]

fact is the r1250r is so good and so overlooked that there are cheap second hand options that will just FLY. And if retro is really the target getting a 10 year old r nine T is now even more of a retro move. With that said the R12 line is a great way to buy a NEW old school bike

[@markpapendieck8386]

Appreciated you taking the time for the walk around of both at the beginning. Great review .

[@timrodierides]

Thank you for the kind comment, and for watching!

[@TheDervMan]

I'm a current 1250GS rider but given the new 1300GS has fallen out the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down I won't be getting another GS until they sort the looks. The good news is these R models look wonderful, they have the nice boxer motor and cruise control so I'll be moving to one of these when mine is up for replacement later this year.

[@MH-xd2nd]

They do look nice, but Tim you make a very good point. There are plenty of mint, low mileage RNineTs for sale around the £6K- £8K mark. Unlike an adv bike or a sporty naked they’re mostly likely to have done tiny mileage on dry, sunny days. These bikes are not £10K better! The rear shock has always been, er, shocking, a real weak point with this model. If I wanted a BMW like this it would be a mint used one and a decent replacement rear shock as the engine is lovely, and I’d have £8K+ in my pocket. There’s really very little difference between a 2015 model and the new R12NineT. Those complaining about the price are not just talking about £17K (and that’s before you start spraying option 719 tat - I managed to get the configurator up to £19,200 with all the tat!) for a sunny days plaything, but are also comparing with the competition all being several grand cheaper - and they’re “premium” brands too (whatever the hell that means).

[@cascarification]

Es caro si , pero que moto es mejor en su segmento ? Se paga exclusividad y que es la mejor . La speed twin 1200 no tiene un motor refrigerado con aire , es una moto moderna con aspecto retro además tiene cadena y no cardan , y eso es un factor muy decisivo para muchos clientes .. nadie más puede intentar competir , el GUZZI v7 se le puede acercar pero no tiene la potencia , cilindrada , amortiguador de dirección , barras invertidas .. son muchas cosas .

[@yahoodlums]

Really stupid naming and the bikes are too similar. R12 roadster and R12 cruiser would be a much easier sell

[@timrodierides]

100% agree. Making this video was mentally taxing 😂

[@Cartsp70]

Yes 🙌🏼 he’s back !

[@timrodierides]

I’ll never leave… at least until KZbin sees the intro I filmed for a video today. It’s definitely getting me put on a watchlist somewhere

[@Cartsp70]

@@timrodierides lol 😂

[@Cartsp70]

@@timrodierides I’ve still not tried the new Nine T or the R12 but I’ve had the older Nine T and for me it’s not stable at speed even though it’s a heavy bike it doesn’t feel balanced imo but obviously it’s not built for motorway miles ( that’s the job of the K1600 ) the most incredible bike I’ve ever ridden. But for style I really like the look of the R12 it’s got so much character I love the design. I’m starting to lean away from sports bikes S1000 etc etc and I think the more I ride the more I prefer high torque/ lower hp more comfort, definitely gonna try that R12 great looking bike 👌🏽

[@SuperWellington1815]

Thanks Tim-bloody excellent 😊👍

[@timrodierides]

Thank you!

[@robertjames3378]

I have a r ninet with a Wilber rear shock with spring rate to my weight and rode the r12 ninet and found the suspension loads better not crashy perhaps it because I’m 70kg not a 100kg !!

[@timrodierides]

I’m not a small bloke haha. I should’ve said some people who were closer to 70kg weren’t decking either bike out as often as my Dad bod was.

[@philelsey7639]

A good humorous review but like my dear father in law used to say if you have to ask the price you probably can't afford it

[@Cartsp70]

Putting all the BMW bikes together from experience I’d have to give 1st prize 🏆 to the R1250R (apart from no wind protection) it’s such an amazing bike but if the weather’s crap then the K1600 … I’ve never ridden a bike that looks after you like the K1600 ! Put a roof on it and you’ve basically got a car !😂👍🏾

[@trophyian]

Enjoyed myK1600 , loved the 6 cylinder growl. I didn't enjoy the stupid 6k service interval and turning circle of the Titanic., (no reverse gear as mine was an early model) which wasnt good for my knees. My 1250RT is easier to live with day today, turns in sahrply and with the same weather protection.

[@pavelgorlachuk1460]

Thanks for the head-to-head comparison! What's the closest cruiser you could compare R12 with? And how does it ride compared to Rebel 1100? Cheers!

[@fredysjafredy1996]

Great review, thanks. What boots is that? Looks nice..

[@BrendanBaxter-md4vk]

Nice comparison Tim, I've got a soft spot for the R9T, a £6k used one though! When the stars align (i.e. when the kids finish uni & stop draining all my money) i would love something to go alongside my R1200RS for a Sunday spin out & odd trackday. This or Monster 1100evo or 1200 though...?

[@timrodierides]

I’d have an R9T over a Monster, purely because I’ve already got a sporty modern naked. I was never a fan of the Monster 1200’s handling either

[@BrendanBaxter-md4vk]

@@timrodierides noted on the handling. The other consideration is the old air cooled lump sounds like God himself is gargling when on the overrun, that's worth a bit of dodgy handling!

[@gerryryan2302]

I’ve been looking at these in my local BMW dealer they are very nice ..the old R9T had an awkward riding position of upright body and sports like leg position I found massively uncomfortable ..I might try and snag a new one for a test ride when my bike goes in for its service

[@charliestoybox2099]

R12nineT is the one I’m interested in. Unfortunately my dealer hasn’t received theirs yet.

[@mattmutane5502]

Tim, hopefully, you can get hold of a R12nineT for UK review, as that's the one that I find FAR more interesting! :) I'd have that with the digital dash and not much else as options.... (as a 4th or 5th bike, obvs, that Monkey/Grom and SuperMoto would be ahead in the list... ;) (in my dreams I'll ever have that many! ;) :D )). I'm not a fan of anything "cruiser" or "bobber" or "bagger" of any of those silly names, TBH ;) Nice peg deckage, let's see the same out of the R12nineT please ;) :) :D P.S. Those BMW indicator based rear lights both look crap, and are dangerous!! (especially in bright sunlight... ask me how I know...? ;) :( ) (even in 1250GS guise with the extra "proper" rear light!!)

[@specialcircs]

Meine Wurst ist geplatzt - also, those road surfaces look horrendous, as bad as ours in the UK. Why did they take you there, Tim?

[@timrodierides]

Cheap hotel, probably ;)

[@johngreen3510]

Think you went past the Spar shop in Bognor near the beginning of your ride out….

[@timrodierides]

All the people there sounded like they were from Bognor

[@georgekamunya1648]

Mahn i love this channel

[@AsphaltKobold]

Good Comparison, now we know there is more space for a beer belly on the Cruiser. 🤣 It remains, the R 12 Cruiser is what i want. 👍

[@ewganhoff]

Love your fast paced delivery. Adam Waheed would have a brain aneurysm just trying to listen to you. 😅 I have to watch Adam on 1.5 x playback speed😂

[@timrodierides]

😂 I often talk too fast but I just don’t want to linger on the specs too long. And I don’t love the sound of my own voice (despite what it looks like 😂)

[@paulwalker797]

Go and buy and orginal R9T model at a good price while they are still available. I rode an R12nineT for the day while my old R9T scrambler had a service. It was a disappointment. At first I liked the R12 , its nippy and small. and light..but after a while it starts to feel insubstantial and parts of the body, even the sidestand, feel tinny and cheap in comparison with the original model. It feels overall, plastic-ky and not worth the money. back at BMw the sales guy looked at my old scrambler and said " Its a lot more motorbike than the new one" He is correct. I was glad to be going home on the old R9T model with all its rough edges.

[@nigelfisher3756]

Also, good bike that the R Nine T is, it’s very expensive and the options list, if abused, would bring the price beyond £17K, methinks.

[@stephenscott6570]

you said you were on the R12nineT on the second ride, but the bike you are on has digital TFT and not the two gauges like you were showing in the intro.

[@honeyyeti5292]

At last a reviewer over 6 foot!!! 😂 makes it much easier for me to see how the bike fits

[@johnp-h8896]

Hope the R12 is more reliable than the 12 nine t, as I haven’t seen mine for 6 weeks.

[@cigarsandstripesbbq]

Are you telling me that you scrapped the peg on that slightly twisted road? They almost had me sold I'm out.

[@wirgiukass]

Awesome video, I am considering switching my F900R to R12. Have a test ride booked in a few days, hopefully it will suit me. The only thing I'm worried about is dragging foot pegs.

[@Arlekineo]

Hi, I'm on an actual F900 XR, and I'm hesitating between the R12 and the Bonneville T120, how was your test ride on the R12 ? Thanks in advance.

[@Cartsp70]

Peg down with a 20 degrees lean angle 📐 😂lol that was funny 🤣 👍🏾

[@brianpeterson9290]

So basically it’s the same engine in the R12, just with the top end amputated in the ECU?

[@timrodierides]

I believe so!

[@churchofbrap876]

Im trying to like this bike, but damn i prefer the looks of the previous version!

[@barneymanningtree497]

Good honest comparison. The fat rider in the blue "Guide" jacket needs to keep his hands and feet off the brakes. It would drive me mad being behind that constant brake jumping.

[@JoseJCanto]

The nineT is amazing… I would trade my MT-09 for the bimmer

[@TheRealYorkshireman]

I never want to hear you say you are “a naked bike rider” it’s a phrase that is the stuff of nightmares.

[@twist_of_the_wrist]

Bmw need to get rid of them rear lights.

[@timrodierides]

Yup! It’s just needlessly hard to spot when your mate is indicating. Had a few such moments riding F900s today

[@twist_of_the_wrist]

@@timrodierides that would make an interesting watch.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Good stuff. Subbed .

[@timrodierides]

Thank you!

[@seansixfive]

Mmmmm, looks like the nineT might be stuck in no mans land between the more retro cool R12 and the more mean street R1250R.

[@rubo1964]

It's 27lb heavier then R9T and power tourque numbers are lower too and question begs to ask why then charge thousands more for ugly heavy less powerful version?

[@bobbyuykim]

Hi does the r12ninety have fuel gauge?

[@humanbeing1675]

The R 12 is not a single seater... it depends on which option you order. (1 or 2 seater).

[@timrodierides]

And the one I was standing with in this video? 😂

[@humanbeing1675]

​@@timrodierides THE R12 or THIS R 12...😊

[@timrodierides]

@@humanbeing1675 it doesn’t come with two seats as standard though…

[@TomTom-oe3de]

They are produced in Berlin. Berlin is not in Baveria

[@timrodierides]

@@TomTom-oe3de good point

[@alanprice9938]

So…..imagine yer walking into BMW with 20 grand burning a hole in yer pocket, and yer determined to buy a boxer twin…….are you gonna buy a 719 R12nineT, or an R1250R

[@jonathantrice7614]

A basic R1250R every time for me. That would leave a lot of change for petrol, ferries and hotels.

[@timrodierides]

I fit the R1250R better… so that.

[@alanprice9938]

@@timrodierides I’m a similarly perfect, healthy example of a man as you….. so I guess that means the same.

[@timrodierides]

@@alanprice9938 it’s hard being such an Adonis, isn’t it?!

[@alanprice9938]

@@timrodierides true dat. I often ask the Mrs what’s it’s like being married to a Greek god. She doesn’t always spit her tea. Have you seen the Jimmy Kimmel sketch of Trump cutting his toenails in bed next to Melania. If you have then you get the mental image 😃

[@peter.hernandez]

Meine wurst ist gespalten.

[@timrodierides]

Schade!

[@Bryan-lg3fn]

So’ne Leberwurst 😊

[@LooxJJ]

When it comes to retro / cafe styled bikes (new ones) Kawasaki > Triumph > Moto Guzzi > BMW.

[@cascarification]

Na , kawa y Triumph no tienen moteres retros , son motores modernos de refrigeración líquida , solo les han dado un lavado de cara . Además no tienen transmisión por cardan y eso es muy importante para mucha gente . La GUZZI v7 si es más del estilo , pero va mucho peor equipada , no tiene amortiguador de dirección , suspensión invertida , tiene menos potencia y cubicaje ..

[@barrybarnes96]

those oil coolers aren't pretty

[@timrodierides]

Show me a pretty oil cooler tbh

[@aaliyahpayten3486]

Promo>SM ❤️

[@nigelfisher3756]

Still nowhere near as stylish as a 1200 Guzzi Griso.

[@cigarsandstripesbbq]

I just watched that again I can't believe you scraped your peg that's the exact reason the Indian bobber is absolutely useless I can't believe BMW allowed that to be,, HOT GARBAGE. NO WAY.

[@davelikesbikes7868]

Why all the arm flapping while riding? Quite distracting. Set a good example for new riders and keep your hands on the bars.

[@timrodierides]

No

[@davelikesbikes7868]

@@timrodierides Kermit the Frog it is then.

[@briancarswell9781]

Another reviewer that can't talk with both hands on the bars or wheel.

[@timrodierides]

Great, another whinging old man called Brian