Consistently surprised at how few people know anything about the RnineT...

1232 Views 33 Replies 27 Participants Last post by j.alexhiggins, 10 d ago

JustABill

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago

My local BMW owners group has weekly "hotdog rides" where we meet up at various hot dog joints in Chicagoland. If you've never been to the area, I would guess that we have as many Greek / hotdog / Italian Beef joints as we do Dunkin' Donuts. They are all pretty much the same with a mix of Vienna brand hot dogs, cheap roast beef, and the Restaurant Depot variety of Gyro meat cone fare, so mediocre at best but folks here seem to love this stuff...

I've been to about a dozen of these over the past year and am amazed at how many BMW riders have never even seen an RnineT. Yesterday, only two of the 20 or so who made it knew what it was. I've also never seen another one at any of these events, but I know that my local dealer moves dozens of them each year. It's just weird that I rarely see another one on the road.

Besides the typical American cruisers from HD & Indian (80% of what I see on the road), I run into plenty of GS/GSA/GTL/RT models, but I don't think Ive ever run into one of our clan on the road.

There's always plenty of interest in my bike and I often find myself explaining what it is to salty older guys who usually like it until the realize it's not stock and not old.

Curious what you all experience in your areas.

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BMWMG

· #2 · 15 d ago (Edited)

To my surprise I do meet folks riding other motorcycle brands that know of the R9T. I get a lot of positive feedback as in smiles or comments like, "beautiful bike". Still it is a rarity that I see or meet another R9T. I’ve met on the road other BMW riders but none of them are riding what I have.

The only negative I get is Harley riders who generally don't talk to me because it's not a "real motorcycle". But that crowd is for the most part clueless about other brands. When I had my Ducati Monster or when I'm riding my Moto Guzzi some of them are amazed that motorcycles are made in Italy.

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alegerlotz

· #3 · 15 d ago

BMWMG said:
The only negative I get is Harley riders who generally don't talk to me because it's not a "real motorcycle".

Those folks would have to catch you first to have the conversation.

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TimC

· #4 · 15 d ago

I don't think I've seen another R9T on the road yet, but I've seen a couple during the local BMW dealer's open houses and demo days. I've also seen one parked on campus recently. (I work at a large state university.) But I know they aren't exactly rare, so I'm surprised I've not seen one on the street.

As for recognition, non-riders just walk by it like they do most bikes, while some riders will take a look and might ask what it is. A few know, but not many. And you know what? That's okay with me. I like having an uncommon motorcycle. The non-conformist in me loves having something different!

As for the 'not a real motorcycle,' thing, I notice I get more waves from Harley riders now than I used to. I rode a Honda VFR800 for years, and its dual headlights, fairing, and windshield made it very clear it wasn't a cruiser. But the R9T's single round headlight looks traditional, so I think more HD riders wave to me now because they aren't sure what the bike is, but it sure ain't a sportbike, so they'll give a wave.

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Big DL

· #5 · 15 d ago

Same. I never see another R9T on the road. RT, GS only. Even when I bought mine, I seemed to know more about it than the sales person, because their focus and the bulk of their sales are RT and GS($$$). I get a lot of Interest and “what’s that” comments. I don’t mind being in the minority though, never liked running with the heard. I got a lot of the same type of response when I rode an r1100s and r1200r. I love my beemers, but in the US it’s a sliver of the moto market. I am riding to the National rally in Virginia in a couple weeks, I am interested to see how many R9Ts show up there.

Vectorbug

· #6 · 15 d ago

but I know that my local dealer moves dozens of them each year. It's just weird that I rarely see another one on the road.

There are dozens of us! Dozens!

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Chris.

· #7 · 15 d ago

Rarely seen (i think once) another R nine T; or even a Urban GS on the road here..

Going specific on my bike;
If i look at the register; there's total of 97 urban GS's on plate in the entire Netherlands (of those around 30-ish are in the showroom/for sale).. so that means only 60-ish are on the road.

60 Urban GS's for 1,5 million people that got their motorcycle licence.. so that means i have a chance of 1:25.000 to see another Urban GS. (If they are active riders).

But yeah; no one knows what bike i have.. what the model is. Everyone likes it though.

If i look at other models:
894 R nine T's (i dont know or this number includes all below numbers already).
210 Scramblers
101 Pures
76 Racers

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tarby

· #8 · 15 d ago

I did the DGR last Sunday. They was a sport and two classics. I've got to say that was the most I have seen in one place, at the same time. The good thing is, that none of the bikes looked the same. Even the two classics, although same colour had differences. Who needs another ADV bike lookalike's.

Robin90

· #9 · 15 d ago

Since I'm a rookie rider of this type of bike, I didn't actively notice other NineTees on the road before. I think, in general, one is more attentive for 'own' brand/type bikes. I fel in love with the RnineT when I was looking at the website of my local BMW dealer just a couple of months ago 🤩 As of now I will whitout doubt see more of them around.

@Chris. where can I find that register you mentioned?

Baloo

· #10 · 15 d ago

What is this R9T thing you speak of?

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BlitzSchnell

· #11 · 15 d ago

BMWMG said:
To my surprise I do meet folks riding other motorcycle brands that know of the R9T. I get a lot of positive feedback as in smiles or comments like, "beautiful bike". Still it is a rarity that I see or meet another R9T. I met on the road other BMW riders but none of them are riding what I have.

The only negative I get is Harley riders who generally don't talk to me because it's not a "real motorcycle". But that crowd is for the most part clueless about other brands. When I had my Ducati Monster or when I'm riding my Moto Guzzi some of them are amazed that motorcycles are made in Italy.

Here in the South @BMWMG the HD crowd is pretty snotty too…. But it’s because I think it’s because I consistently kick there asses in race after race, and most of the time it’s pretty easy to do. HD is so overblown here from commercial saturation and Hollywood BS in the movies. BMW’s are about twice as much money as a HD …and they know it too … They resent the fact they are the inferior brand and will in my opinion never recover and regain the position they once held. ……
The R9T’s are here in Dallas but it’s rare that I see one on the boulevard but then a bike night will pull 8 to 10 right out of the blue …. Among real moto heads here they get respect, admiration and nods. 👍🏻
……………..Blitz

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Chris.

· #12 · 15 d ago

Robin90 said:
Since I'm a rookie rider of this type of bike, I didn't actively notice other NineTees on the road before. I think, in general, one is more attentive for 'own' brand/type bikes. I fel in love with the RnineT when I was looking at the website of my local BMW dealer just a couple of months ago 🤩 As of now I will whitout doubt see more of them around.

@Chris. where can I find that register you mentioned?

www.kenteken.tv

Kenteken.TV - Hoeveel zijn er nog

Kenteken.TV - Hoeveel staan er nog geregistreerd van bepaalde voertuigsoort, merk of type

www.kenteken.tv

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DomNineT

· #13 · 15 d ago

I don't see many 9Ts on the road, but there are currently a huge number of 9Ts for sale on our primary online sales website in Aus - which makes them seem very common by comparison to what you see on the road. For example, there are currently 14x Triumph Thruxton 1200R's listed for sale, while there are 84x R9T's - which is the same number as all the Gs1200 variants of all years for sale.

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9.5isCanadian

· #14 · 15 d ago

Well I'm north of the 49th in the Canadian Tropics.
I've only seen one other 9T at a gas pump. That's it.
Our local dealer has plenty on the floor so they must be moving.
I suppose I just spend too much time off pavement to run into another.

Additionally I've noticed my U GS is afflicted with Old Codger syndrome, same as my 06 Air Cooled Triumph was.

The grey beards totter up and wax poetic about their 80's something GS (or 60's Scrambler).
Looking on admiringly as mine is "so well restored and in such great shape."
Depending on how they come across I let them enjoy the nostalgia or burst their bubble pointing out the year of the bike is 2018.
Other BM riders generally disregard the bike when I park up. I assume its not a real GS or some stupid shit like that.
-- sigh -- classic humans.

Anyway. Fantastic ride with little to complain about.

Good times ahead.
Owen

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LastInTheRace

· #15 · 15 d ago

I’ve noticed way more 9T’s in urban centers than anywhere else. Which would make sense to me because they aren’t exactly fantastic on the highways. There were I want to say four total including mine at the Boston DGR while everyone else is on Triumphs. It’s very interesting how the latest Triumph heritage model refresh seemed to take so many styling cues from the 9T roadster look with large gold inverted forks and a streamlined tail section.

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Big DL

· #16 · 15 d ago

Earlier I wrote I never see any other 9Ts then riding home from work today a beautiful aluminum tank classic pulled right beside me at a red light. We road side by side a couple miles then split off. Freaky coincidence.

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BlitzSchnell

· #17 · 15 d ago

LastInTheRace said:
I’ve noticed way more 9T’s in urban centers than anywhere else. Which would make sense to me because they aren’t exactly fantastic on the highways. There were I want to say four total including mine at the Boston DGR while everyone else is on Triumphs. It’s very interesting how the latest Triumph heritage model refresh seemed to take so many styling cues from the 9T roadster look with large gold inverted forks and a streamlined tail section.

“the latest Triumph heritage model refresh seemed to take so many styling cues from the 9T roadster look”…… (Why?) Smart marketing and a willingness to embrace what’s a beautiful line even when the competition got there first ….. Smart marketing wins ! IMO … TR’s are the cleanest, sharpest, finest looking vertical twin machines (TriumphBrand in general) that have ever been built on earth. Its basic two-wheeled beauty by sheer simplicity at its finest ….. and no one would argue has the finest set of exhaust notes ever heard …. So distinct, so easily identifiable. ( I know… I’m biased ) I just love (most all) iterations of the TR … including the automobile too. I owned a 1958 TR3, 1971 GT6 Over here in Texas TR is a Major sponsor of the DGR each year and donates many valuable prizes for people who compete for total donations received. They give away many motorcycles. Smart marketing. Long and colorful heritage. Beautiful Bike. ……………. IMO …………… Blitz

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IslandFalconer

· #18 · 15 d ago

I live on the east coast of Canada, I’ve never seen another in person out here. I know there must be some, but I’m Pretty sure here on my island I have the only 9T and I have a Racer, and have never seen one out in the wild when I travel. I guess the 9T isn’t as popular as we think? I have a GSA as well and there must be 5 or 6 of them on the island. Oh well, I’ll enjoy my pair. And truly love the Racer

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vagueout

· #19 · 15 d ago

I can only speak for here in Sydney Australia, I get out of town for rides and see one or two, probably more so around closer to the city. A telling tale is that when I have peek into the bike classifieds there are quite a few R9T's for sale, mostly with very low milage , usually under 20,000klm (12,000 mls). I bought my u g s almost 5 years ago with a mere 1500klm on it, the owner hated it, I didnt much like riding it until suspension and seat changed, fun bike now!

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BlitzSchnell

· #20 · 15 d ago

vagueout said:
I can only speak for here in Sydney Australia, I get out of town for rides and see one or two, probably more so around closer to the city. A telling tale is that when I have peek into the bike classifieds there are quite a few R9T's for sale, mostly with very low milage , usually under 20,000klm (12,000 mls). I bought my u g s almost 5 years ago with a mere 1500klm on it, the owner hated it, I didnt much like riding it until suspension and seat changed, fun bike now!

It would seem to me unless you’ve been riding motorcycles for a while it would be difficult to judge how much different the R9T is from most large displacement motorbikes. It’s not a beginners machine. It’s also not a specific bike … it will go in the direction you decide to modify it. That’s part of its unique design and ALL the after market accessories available for it. You have to know what you want to develop the finished machine. The basics are there but the fit is all up to you. BMW gives you a big handful of beautiful bully torque, a beautifully styled finished bike and what you do with it is up 2you. …………… Enjoy the ability to be unique among the masses of rubber-stamp bikes that are out there. Make it you own ! ……………………………. Blitz

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