BMW R Nine T ... anyone?

[The ModFather]

According to the owners on the R Nine T forums these final drive issues for BMW motorcycles have been addressed and resolved.

[Triple J]

According to the owners on the R Nine T forums these final drive issues for BMW motorcycles have been addressed and resolved.

Maybe. I hope so...they've been going on for a long time! I doubt anyone has owned an R9T long enough to know though.

[Curmudgeon]

Maybe. I hope so...they've been going on for a long time! I doubt anyone has owned an R9T long enough to know though.

He'll know ~ 15,000 - 20,000 miles. 

The older shaft drives lived in 90W and had few issues. Starting with the K's in 1985, 30K or 60K inspections were recommended for spline grease and wear. Wasn't such a huge issue until the mid-90's when failures started to become common.

FWIW, the thick-headed Bavarians decided to use this grease technique on some $$$ vehicles I used to sell and some of those prop shaft splines didn't make it to 30,000 miles. Expensive damn warranty that was... Couldn't WAIT to get the BMW out of those vehicles. NO more failures after 2005...

[Grappa]

   Picked one up in April.  First heard about it on this forum.  Big birthday came up, and I decided to drop into the local BMW dealer just to see if maybe they had one.  Was right up front, looked gorgeous.  Was smaller looking and feeling than I had anticipated.  Which was great for me because most BMWs seem like behemoths in my eyes.  Rated at 490 lbs wet, which is actually on the light side for a BMW.  Looked at it for a good long while, chatted with the salesman and ended up buying it.  Love it!
   One disappointment that I found out post-purchase is that the bike uses tubed tires.  Love the look of the wire wheels, but using tubed tires seems outdated and unnecessary.  Plus, BMW has spoked rims in their line-up already that don't require tubes.  Looking into some Alpinas, which are currently available, but don't really have the coin for mods after dropping $16 g's.  BSTs are currently available too, though I'd really like to stick with the wire wheel look.
   Bike has plenty of power for me, plenty of torque.  As I understand, BMWs are built fairly tight, and the engine doesn't really break in till around 30,000 miles, so the engine should just get better and better.  Riding it totally stock right now, again, no more money.  But there are after-market headers available, removing the cat.  Several pipes available as well but I don't like the looks or sound of them.  The stock pipes look cool, IMO, and actually have a great sound to them, louder than I would have thought as well.  Actually really great pipes for stock!  After-market ECU reflash available as well. 
   Brakes are great.  First bike I've had with ABS and it's weird when it kicks in on the rear.  Suspension seems great as well for stock.  Uses the same fork tubes as the S1000RR, just not adjustable.
   Fit and finish of the bike is outstanding.  Haven't found a great availability of after-market goodies just yet, at least not readily available in USA.  Would like to switch over to some clip-ons.  Stock bars are pretty wide and feel like motor-cross style.  Would like to relocate plates under my seat, but haven't found that just yet.  Want new mirrors, new pipe eventually, new wheels eventually. 
   In a way the bike is like the Monster that I've always wanted.  Air-cooled twin with smooth power delivery throughout the entire RPM range, aluminum tank, ABS, and no-hassel (so far.)
   Having a shaft drive is a pleasant change, no chain upkeep or mess.  It's actually a beautiful piece of engineering, being single-sided and connecting to a wire-wheel.  I've not heard about issues with failure, but hope they had it figured out by 2014.
   Seen many photos of great mods done to the bike.  There is a lot of potential to make the bike your very own.  Roland Sands already has a bit of EXPENSIVE bling available for it. 

[The ModFather]

Another Modded R9T

53782_1478413245744365_5527287530020117504_o by ricknieto, on Flickr

10700529_1478413425744347_2175535617905204106_o by ricknieto, on Flickr

[koko64]

The R Nine T looks closer to how I imagined the new Monster should be. Oh well, Ducati will learn one day (hopefully).

[Curmudgeon]

The R Nine T looks closer to how I imagined the new Monster should be. Oh well, Ducati will learn one day (hopefully).

Check out ALL the specs. Boat anchor.    http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/bmw/BMW%20R%20nineT%2014.htm

450# wet with a proper rear fender, nose fairing, bag mounts. "might" be worth more like $15K. Missed opportunity.

Tubes?! 

[koko64]

I mean in the retro concept of round headlight, hunched tank, etc.

So its a fatty?

[Curmudgeon]

I mean in the retro concept of round headlight, hunched tank, etc.

So its a fatty?

485# with tank 90% filled. R90S was 465# with 6.3 Gals!!! and nose fairing, etc.

[The ModFather]

You can hate all you want. Truth is it's a good looking air cooled bike which is what a lot of us want from Ducati. There's definitely a lesson to be learned here for Ducati. Especially since this lesson came right out of their old playbook.

[Buckethead]

485# with tank 90% filled. R90S was 465# with 6.3 Gals!!! and nose fairing, etc.

What was the tire/wheel size on the R90S?

What kind of horsepower was the frame having to contend with?

How much heat did the engine generate that had to be dissipated by an oil cooler and lines to feed it?

What sort of ABS system did it have?

Hell, how much does the R9T's catalytic converter weigh?

[Triple J]

I don't think 485# ready to go is all that bad...sounds great for a BMW actually!

I'd still take a Griso over it though, despite the Griso weighing even more.

[Curmudgeon]

You're ignoring my point entirely. The concept was getting "warm". Had they rationalized that and made it functional rather than a styling exercise, they might have had a worthwhile "retro". Instead, they made a dentist's bike with a bobbed tail for trips to the 7/11. The R90S was good for back to back 500 mile days. Ask Primore. Components and finish were the very best available in the day, especially the double cradle chromoly frame. 40mm pumper Dellortos too.

Rider Safety Film Part 1

[Dirty Duc]

"admiring nature" Hah!

[Howie]

R90S, my all time favorite BMW.  9T?  Meh.  Great video!