BMW R nineT Urban GS

Aaron

Lieutenant
Nov 3, 2016
544
200
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Colorado
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Silver 2013 335is 6MT
I've got a bunch of issues with this bike, and basically all of BMW's offerings under the R9T name.

They all use the old air cooled motor. I don't get why, when they've got the improved water cooled unit running quite successfully. Oh, they'd have to add s radiator. Like big deal, even dirt bikes have them. I can't help but think it was for the same reason that BMW made the 35is cars, they had an excess of the motors sitting around, and the rest of the design work isn't very expensive.

To piggyback off using the old motors, BMW compromises on features that have become almost standard across the board for BMW Motorrad, but can't be offered here. Now I may not be 100% accurate here, but I know for sure a lot of options aren't available. Traction control, cruise control, heated grips, and the quick shifters. While these are luxuries that one doesn't need, that's what BMW is all about in their Motorrad division. I've got their S1000RR, a full on race bike. It's a hell of a machine, able to run laps with the fastest bikes made. Yet I can settle back fairly comfortably, get 48mpg, activate the electronic cruise control, and flip on the heater grips while I pass the miles. I've got 21,000 miles on it and love it.

The R9T has the heritage and old school look and feel, but it falls short on the BMW lineup. That's why I don't own one.
 

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
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E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
I believe there are more Iron Butt riders have achieved that honor on BMW GS's than any other motorcycle.

Filippo
 

Aaron

Lieutenant
Nov 3, 2016
544
200
0
Colorado
Ride
Silver 2013 335is 6MT
I'd believe it, the GS is an awesome machine. Very few bikes on this planet can match the GS in every category.

Personally they aren't my favorite, but what I want in a bike isn't what the GS is made for. But my Dad has one that I ride frequently, and I can't really complain about anything it does.
 

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
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I was an early-mid eighties airhead guy ... which isn't anything like the GS ... just have always been in awe of what they were, but wasn't my thing.

Filippo
 

ajpagosa

Specialist
Feb 10, 2017
51
30
0
Ride
e92 335xi
It's a retro bike, lots of other manuf are doing the same thing. People who own these things love them, many BECAUSE it has none (or fewer) of the electronic gizmos. Keeps the price down too, go out an shop a new liquid cooled GS adventure, it's pushing $30k loaded.

Personally I prefer owning the actual older bike vs a retro, have had an '02 R1150GSA for 10 years and currently four other bikes. But I can see the appeal to other riders of this retro niche. If you don't like it don't buy it.

Partial list of modern retro bikes

https://www.thecoolist.com/best-retro-motorcycles/

Oh and not to nitpick but I think this is the more recent R1200GS "old" oil cooled motor (oil head) and not a true "airhead". It has fuel injection, ABS, and so forth, plus modern USD forks but no telelever front suspension. At $16k or so it is no bargain but compared to a full up WC GS it maybe is a decent alternative. A little like the HP2 enduro but not as rare.

I'm curious to ride a big modern BMW without the telelever suspension.
 
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