[Scooter Paul]

My life is in turmoil. I've seen the NineT in the flesh for the first time yesterday. What is absolutely beyond question this bike is drop dead gorgeous. From which ever angle you look at it it is beyond critisism for it's styling, quality of build and sheer presence. So what's the problem? We tavelled up to Birmingham yesterday for our first view of the new 2014 bikes. My travelling pals are both R1200RT owners and will be buying the new watercooled bike. Both are well sub six footers, probably 5'8". I'm not. I'm 6'2" and well built. We headed straight for the BMW stand. As an interesting side note it was by far the most crowded stand (all the other main manufacturers were there). I went straight to the NineT and sat on it. Second bit of feedback; I didn't feel cramped. Then my world imploded. Both my pals said "you look far to big on that" I then asked two other guys for their thoughts, "yeah, you dwarf it". The rest of the day was filled with banter along the lines of 'what does it matter what I look like' and 'don't worry, no one will laugh at you' (followed by collapsing in heaps of side splitting guffaws). My self confidence well and truly kicked into touch despite one of the publicity girls doing her best to console me. I had to concede my ex friends may have a point. I tried the RT and new Adventure for size and a big part of me now says the NineT would fill a section of my garage reserved for fun bikes (presently occupied by air cooled Boxers and a Triumph Bonneville) but it's not going to replace my do-it-all and now lamented R1200R. So folks, don't be put off at all if you are 'average height', in fact you are going to adore this bike but for me I'm 89.75% sure I'm now switching my deposit for an Adventure. Life is cruel.

Paul

 

[gerry]

Ohooo, that doesn't sound very good for me as I'm 6'2" too...
Sunday the 8th I will sit on it....

 

[Supertramp]

My BMW R80 custom is chopped and lowered and as 6'1" i'm well aware of how gangly I may or may not look on it. HOWEVER! it rides beautifully, is comfortable and because of that I'm not overly fussed how I look on it.

My intention with the R Nine T essentially makes it even smaller!
I refer you back to the Photo of Bose on it at the NEC, maybe you might be of a sturdier build, but I think it looks fine for him

 

[M&M]

Why do you think I sold my Thruxton ? I'm having the same doubts, expressed somewhere else on the forum.
And the worst thing: if I don't buy the Nine-T, I'll keep the R1200R for private use and buy a scooter for office use.
Please don't kill me

 

[Scooter Paul]

My BMW R80 custom is chopped and lowered and as 6'1" i'm well aware of how gangly I may or may not look on it. HOWEVER! it rides beautifully, is comfortable and because of that I'm not overly fussed how I look on it.

My intention with the R Nine T essentially makes it even smaller!
I refer you back to the Photo of Bose on it at the NEC, maybe you might be of a sturdier build, but I think it looks fine for him

I am a bigger build than Bose, but not massively so, how tall is he?.

BTW the seat is comfortable. A very good shape.

Paul

 

[gerry]

...I refer you back to the Photo of Bose on it at the NEC, maybe you might be of a sturdier build, but I think it looks fine for him

I just had a look to that photo, that suits fine. How tall are you @Bose ?

 

[Supertramp]

5'11" he is, knew i'd seen it somewhere!

3" difference, see what your missus reckons Paul

 

[NSX]

You said you didn't feel cramped, and that you thought the bike was beautiful, so what's the problem? Your friends were just having fun with you. To me, all new BMWs look huge, which turns me off, so I'm relieved that this one is smaller in comparison. It looks more like a motorcycle should.

 

[ian]

+1...

 

[ClearwaterBMW]

I am happy that you are able to visualize the bike in person before it just showed up at the dealership. a few bikes from BMW have ever been created for someone of my height, 5'6" with a 27 1/2 inch inseam. The R nineT is an amazing biker but not built for someone of your stature.

I have spent a great deal of my writing on a bike too tall for me as I used to riding adventure and I now have the new 2014 water- cooled GS. I suppose it is easier for the short man to adapt to a taller bike than the other way around. If you truly dwarf like and will be folded up like a pretzel every single time you ride I'm sure the luster of this purchase will wear off fairly quickly.

I appreciate you sharing this information with us and I hope that you will still be an active member of this community even if it is the 2014 GS adventure that eventually finds its way into your garage.

 

[NSX]

He said he didn't feel cramped, so he is not folded up like a pretzel. I think this is bad advice and he would love the bike.

 

[ClearwaterBMW]

He said he didn't feel cramped, so he is not folded up like a pretzel. I think this is bad advice and he would love the bike.

I heard what he said and I agree that if he wants a bike you should buy. however, let's be honest about the following: if he sat on the bike and felt like it was too small, it is very likely to feel cramped after riding it 20 miles let alone 150.

as I've stated elsewhere in this forum and others: please don't let the excitement of many calls you to make a bad decision. There are people who buy motorcycles or other products just because of the stirred up emotions they feel from being members of fine community such as this one. We are all excited about this new bike and that's why this forum has been created for us months before the bike is even available. That, to me, is a very cool thing.

when I road off the lot on my 2011 GS adventure with the "X-LOW" seat from touratech... No one could believe I had the nerve to do such a thing considering my 27.5" inseam. however, I loved every mile bike for I HACKED it.

I hope that he will have an opportunity to have an extended ride on the bike before making a final decision.

 

[NSX]

"...if you set on the bike felt like he was tormenting it he is very likely to feel cramped after riding it 20 miles..."

What does this mean? If he doesn't feel cramped, what's the problem? Do you mean he felt uncomfortable because his friends were having fun at his expense?

 

[phillippeterson]

Uh oh, I'm 5'10" but I AM fat ! Oh well. I won't be looking at me but at the road in front of me so I'll not worry about it.

 

[Bose]

I just had a look to that photo, that suits fine. How tall are you @Bose ?

Yep 5'-11" an spot on for the 9T

 

[Ro.nin]

Yep 5'-11" an spot on for the 9T

The NineT. Making short people happy since 2014.

 

[ClearwaterBMW]

the ninet. Making short people happy since 2014. :d:d:d

lol

 

[ClearwaterBMW]

"...if you set on the bike felt like he was tormenting it he is very likely to feel cramped after riding it 20 miles..."

What does this mean? If he doesn't feel cramped, what's the problem? Do you mean he felt uncomfortable because his friends were having fun at his expense?

sorry that my VOICE ENTERING of my message was SO FAR OFF
HORRIBLE
i apologize

all i meant is that... if the bike is too small for you, don't buy it
it has NOTHING to do with what his friends were and were not saying

motorcycles are expensive
they should ONLY be bought after careful consideration
that's all i meant

 

[rkevwill]

He coulda come back with something like, "Yeah, well you guys look like rap stars, with all that bling on your bikes!" I haven't been attracted to any of the BMW bikes in the last few years, due to all the fairings and additions stuck all over the frames. No offense guys, with some of the big BMW cruisers. Yet, I stuck my deposit down on the R Nine T as soon as possible. (5'9", and the only other bike I was considering since I was contorted on a monster, was a Bonneville)

 

[Scooter Paul]

Well, I've pulled the trigger on an Adventure!. I have other bikes in the garage to satisfy my love of stripped to the bone classics and my new Adventure will suit me well for long distant tours. I will certainly stay on here and cheer you all on from the sidelines because I still love the NineT and all that it promises but my head has ruled my heart and I know that, however reluctantly, I've made the right decision for me.

Happy riding!, Paul.