BMW NineT Forum banner
1 - 6 of 6 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
11 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hello all,

I am new to the forum and new to motorcycles. I just got my motorcycle license about two months ago. Thus far, my riding has been limited to a 50cc Honda Ruckus that I use at race tracks as a pit bike and a 1982 Honda XL185S that I bought a few months ago as a learner bike. Even though I've been riding the Ruckus for a couple years and the 185 for only a few months, I feel surprising comfortable on actual roads and with the shifting that's involved with the 185.

For years I wanted to get a motorcycle and now that I've learned to ride, it's time to trade in the training bike and get a real motorcycle. I've been looking at bikes for a couple years now and have seriously considered the Honda CB500X and CB1100, the Ducati Moster, and the Harley Davidson Iron 883, 1200 Custom, and Forty-Eight. I've read a ton of info and watched almost every youtube video known to man on all of these bikes and they all seem like pretty good options for a novice rider. Until last week when I saw the NineT for the first time, I had never given BMW bikes much consideration. Of course all that changed as soon as I saw the NineT.

I absolutely love the looks of this bike. I don't know a whole lot about the engine and am wondering if this is too much bike for a new rider. I want something that I can manage and that won't kill me if I twist the throttle too hard or mis-shift. I am not new to powerful machines. I have a 500+ HP mustang, but I realize things are very different with two wheels vs. four. If anyone knows a bit more about how this engines performs I'd love to hear it.

Also, because these engines stick out on the sides of the bike quite a bit more than V-twins or even the inline four of the Honda, is there more risk of damaging the engine if the bike gets dropped? I've never dropped the Ruckus or 185, but these are about 210 lbs and 260 lbs, respectively. Are there bars or pegs that can be installed that would protect the engine?

Thanks for the info.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
890 Posts
When I was 20, I went from a DT125MX to a 900 Fire Blade without any problems.
It's not the bike that is dangerous, it's the driver.

There are a lot of protections possible on a boxer, so don't mind.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
497 Posts
The NineT will be a power upgrade from your 185 no doubt.

But it still comes down to how you handle that extra power that determines if its "too much" for you

I dont really believe in the "too much cc/hp" thing. I know some guys who have started off riding 1000cc supersports and they have been fine.

I also know some who have started on 250s and 150s who have gotten hurt really bad.

Have good training, the right techniques and safety precautions and giving yourself boundaries on the street. Thats what I always tell myself.

I think the NineT would be an awesome upgrade.

Welcome to the forum.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
136 Posts
I wouldn't say the nineT is a beginner bike, but I also wouldn't say it too powerful to start on. There are other bikes that are more powerful that I would advise against for beginners, but the nineT is fine for a beginner. Just be careful and safe and things should be fine.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
439 Posts
Power vs power delivery

I absolutely love the looks of this bike. I don't know a whole lot about the engine and am wondering if this is too much bike for a new rider. I want something that I can manage and that won't kill me if I twist the throttle too hard or mis-shift. I am not new to powerful machines. I have a 500+ HP mustang, but I realize things are very different with two wheels vs. four. If anyone knows a bit more about how this engines performs I'd love to hear it.
My first experience with the new DOHC Boxers was after coming off an R850C boxer and going to the R1200R. While the power felt exponentially stronger, the boxer remained a well mannered engine that delivers this power smoothly and offers tons of torque - useful if you don't get that gear shift just right - she'll happily pull from a coast through an intersection in third. That being said, if you want it to go, it will go, and keep going all the way up to its 120mph top speed so you do have to know when to kick it and when to use restraint. It is also a big bike, no getting around that, but the center of gravity is kept low by using the engine as a load bearing component of the frame and chassis so it handles like a much lighter bike. So in summary, worry not my friend but, be aware that while its not a fire breathing, parallel 4 cylinder, dragon, if you say giddy up, it'll go.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
11 Posts
Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Thank you all for your input. I feel better about this bike after hearing your comments. I'll be taking it easy on this bike for quite awhile. All I was looking for was something to cruise around on and take in the environment. I'm not looking to drag race anyone, but it is nice to know that it has the power. I'm sure once I learn to handle it better I'll be taking advantage of it. Thanks again!
 
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top