how did you end up on a r9t

I started riding later in life than most people, at age 36 -- in fact, just over17 years ago now. My first bike was a Kawasaki ZR-7S. It was really too big a bike to start on, but I did okay. After a few months I wanted something sportier and more modern, so I sold the Kaw. to a friend and bought a 6th gen. Honda VFR 800, aka Interceptor. That was my only bike for the next 14 years, and I did everything on it. I rode less much less than usual a couple years, as I got busy with other things, but once I got my mojo back I decided I was ready for something different.

Fast forward through a year of bike shopping, and the R9T was the last new bike I considered. I wasn't interested in the R9T when it came out, and only rarely saw them sitting on BMW dealers' sales floors, but now it was really speaking to me. I made a deal over the phone for a demo Pure in Grand Rapids, MI, and my wife and I drove up on a Saturday morning. Within half a mile I knew this was the bike for me. The character, the rawness of it (while still having modern things like ABS and traction control), and the huge grin it put on my face. I bought the bike that day and rode it home the next.

I ended up selling my VFR a couple months after buying my R9T Pure, but there were a couple other reasons for that. Suffice to say my Beemer is my only bike and probably will be for a while, so its versatility is very important to me.

Love old threads that get revived b/c they're timeless!

This is a recycling of my pre-purchase inquiry post, but a bit more detail in case you are suffering from light insomnia . . . .

I have had many BMWs and loved them all. My latest was a 2017 R1200 GS loaded with everything, and more added by me.

The GS was dialed in exactly as I wanted it. It was comfortable, easy to ride, versatile . . . nearly perfect. Even pulling up the front wheel required nothing other than a quick choice to do so, and never felt like it required any real rider skill. Problem is that (even with the front wheel off the ground) it felt like an evening stroll. That has huge advantages on long touring rides, of course. But (despite my intentions), I wasn't doing any of that. And its off-road capabilities were also wasted on me as I was only getting as deep as an occasional fire road or gravel stretch. Bottom line is it did everything well and capably, but just wasn't fun. I always enjoyed riding it, but just didn't find myself with that ass-eating grin that my favorite motorcycles spawn. Finally, a couple of forays lifting it off the side stand on a slope and I realized that despite being very balanced and effortless when rolling, that weight is . . . something. So I started thinking about selling it.

The NineT always appealed to me - I even demoed a few and loved the feel (tons of grins/mile). But the look didn't quite speak to me - beautiful, but they just weren't quite it for me. Then, while scrolling through some used bike ads, I stumbled across a 2021 Urban G/S 40 Years Edition. I somehow missed it in 2021 (and since), but when I saw the pic in the listing, it was love at first sight - there was no question it was exactly what I wanted. Started shopping used and found a few brand new still at dealers at what I felt were very appropriate and attractive prices. So one is now on its way, and I've shopped a bunch of additions (crash bars, rear rack, DK Designs/Koso meter, skid plate). Can't wait!

BTW - I'm noticing a lot of references to "grins." Much like the hokey-pokey, that's what it's all about!

Another fantastic thread I never spotted!
After owning an ugly r1150r that was bought for a single trip Austria and back I got hooked on the cream of the boxer engine characteristics, I didn’t do that actual trip until the year after then sold the ugly turd to buy a newish Triumph Bonneville for my 50th birthday present and to keep for at least a decade. Fast forward….. kept the Bonneville but always had second and third bikes so bought a Chinese CF Moto (ER6 clothed in a pan European suit) to do another European trip and hell that rode well and was seriously impressed with the everyday living of it but it was lacking the soul and torque of the boxer. So, bought another r1150r but a Rockster this time. Still ran the bonneville although every time I went to get the bonneville out it seem to be the shape of the BMW 😅😂. That told me something!!
Fast forward…….
I was getting a bit cluttered as at that time to which I didn’t say I actually had a dozen or so bikes in total including restoration ones.
I then decided the Rockster was a too heavy lump of iron that was far too thirsty at 35mpg and wasn’t as good as the first ugly 1150r so that went in storage and then an F800gt was ‘tried out’ like one does, well that was a refined version of the ever so economical CFMOTO and I liked it a lot.
The F800 was high mileage and bought cheap as it really was only a ‘tester’ bike for every day use and cheap touring.
Fast forward again to now…..
I needed a spring clean to down size and I wanted just one daily bike that did everything ( never happens!) so after researching all I came up with the 9T! It’s the ‘classic’ and low seat of the Bonneville, the usability and similar economy of the F800 and the power, torque and soul of the 1150 Rockster but more. I just had to have it and 18 months on it still makes me feel soooo good!

How I came to my R9T…bought a R1150R in 2015 for a great price it had 40K and rode it until last year when at 120K it needed major work…decided to get the R9T…but back in 2015 just after the purchase of the R1150 I came upon this new BMW model the R9T and went WOW what a cool bike but brand new expensive … so I just rode the R1150 until the price of a used R9T came down a bit…bought a 16, classic, 8,200Km , silver tank, alarm, first owner for $11,750 CAN. .. so much enjoyment so far and come on warm weather

This story was from my intro thread.



I haven't had a bike in 25 years, and like many came from riding sport bikes. I spent the last 2 years testing, renting and borrowing various motorcycles. I was convinced I wanted an ADV since they are like magic carpets that do anything?? and my wife and daughter would like an occasional day tour. So I tested the GS (4 times), a KTM 1290 SAS, and eventually a Tiger 900, but non of them made me want to put on all my gear and go riding (let alone commute to work 15min). It felt like I needed a mission for those bikes and I wanted a mission. Then came the BMW 1000SXR which was very different and felt just like my old ZX9R, but comfy yet not the style I was hoping for. Oh yes style, which brings me to the Ducati MSV4 that I nearly bought it every time I walked into the dealer, but no test rides.....I'm not rolling the dice on $27k.

While looking at ADV bikes I had a few chances to ride nakeds like a Duke 790, SuperDuke R, an Indian Scout, and Boneville T120 and was amazed at how exciting it was to just see the road in front of me. That sensation got burned into my brain! Nope, they just don't make sense I told myself. Stick with the 1000SXR or MSv4.

So another demo day came and while waiting for my second test of the 1000SXR, there was an 9T pure in need of a test rider . The second I left the driveway I said "what is this?!?!" This rides nothing like a retro bike, smooth 2cyl but really quick reving, nimble, sporty, and feels like you could ride it to the max and not be bored and not die or go to jail. And look at the design ! Ok, so now it was down to the Ducati MSv4 or RnineT classic? They are not even in the same category, but no matter I'm sure I will want the Ducati once I ride it and I can forget about this naked bike stuff....

Ducati dealer demo day came and the holy grail was in front of me, sport mode on, test route layer out, permission to NOT ride with the control group, and $3k discount on new 2022 models! Fastest motorcycle I've ever ridden! Engine wasn't as smooth I as expected, great precise turn-in, but like all ADVs the tilt up back to vertical is a little slow (just tall and heavy). Definitely the ADV I wanted, but somehow I didn't want it. I finally realized as much as I want an ADV and especially that Ducati, I just don't get excited about riding one. Too much out front blocking my view and getting in my way I guess.

So my love affair with the RnineT begins and I have no idea if it will last! At 53 my body may get tired of wind blast and stiff suspension but that's all part of the journey.

This forum has been a big help. Thank you!

My first bike to ride was my dad's go work bike - a Honda C70 step through. I then rode his Honda XL185 until I left home. My first bike that I owned was a Suzuki GS450S that I had for many years - a great commuter bike in the city & also handled my trips back to the country well. Wish I still had this bike to restore as a classic.
I upgraded to a Honda CBR600 F4 - this bike was heaps of fun. It was nimble enough for city riding but was a extemely good on the open road - it was fast. The only downside was long distance touring was painful on my wrists & neck so started looking around for alternatives. Had a bike hiatus for a few years until my daughter decided to start riding, she bought a Yamaha MT03, I started to borrow bike to go riding with her.
After some test rides on different bikes such as the Ducati Diavel I ended up seriously looking at the Ducati Monster & Indian FTR. It was only after a fellow volunteer came one night on a BMW Scrambler that I ended up falling in love. I bought a second hand one not long after & now love to take it out.

I started riding a 50cc Aprilia scooter at 17y/o in college for years. Periodically rode my roommate's KLR dirtbike and dabbled riding his CB900 Hornet. Took a study abroad trip to Italy for a year at 18, rode all over Elba Island on 150cc scooters, all over Firenze. Basically lived on scooters in Italy. Was absolutely hooked on riding two wheels. Tore it up on those scooters 😅 Took in some powerful memories motoring into the middle of nowhere on that island...no map, no gps, no phones. Just 4 college buddies and a lot of fun getting lost.

Came back to the states and took the MSF, went off to dental school in Philly and bought my first real bike. I love riding twisty roads and exploring B roads, seeing the sights....taking it slow and taking it fast. Riding a bike is my favorite way to really take in the world from place to place. There really is nothing like it.

I've owned a variety of bikes: Triumphs/street triple R, Triumph Scrambler, Ducati Panigale 899, BMW airheads/R90, and now a BMW RnineT....Most motorcycles are a compromise of some sort. Finding this bike was like finding the right woman...took a while to figure it out. Nina is a great all arounder and hits all the high points, hasn't let me down yet, and thrills. Torque for days on this bike such good usability and agility. I'd swear she handles better than my Panigale did ...no lie, and with a lot of confidence. Just a fun ride all around. I live about 15 minutes from Ohlins USA factory store, Wunderlich, and Andreani USA ....all in the same place. I've had the bike for a year, but rear shock and front end are going to be getting changed out here soon...

Ah yes..



The original Nina..