I'm not at all sure that 'agricultural' is at all justified, implying as it does unfinished, crude, rough, outmoded, etc. My take on the R9T has been given here before, my belief being that it's "a triumph of styling over practicality", despite which I like - even love - several aspects of the bike. How it fares against others is quite immaterial to me, for as we always say 'YMMV'.
In my hands the ergonomics of my 2017 Option 719 Blueplanet Metallic are all wrong, and for this reason alone I simply cannot 'bond' with the bike, but am throwing time and money and effort at it, while trying very hard not to make a sow's ear out of a silk purse. I'm a pretty standard 5'9"/ 10", in proper proportions (about 176mm). Fully-kitted, I weigh-in at a maybe somewhat lighter-than-average 85kg (187 pounds). But despite a peg lowering kit and handlebar risers I cannot get comfortable on it - there's far too much weight on my forearms and wrists, and I feel not fully in control when muscle-stiffness sets in. The (hopefully) taller 'bar from the F900 XR which is on its way may make an important difference.
I have had many BMW boxer twins with the same engine and gearbox as my R9T, so things like the shove-to-the-right torgue-reaction and slight vibes at most speeds were to be expected- indeed, I may have missed them if somehow they had been dialled-out! This is a great engine, acceleration plentiful and engine-braking outstanding. The engine note was a surprise to me on first acquaintance, as this was the first BMW on which I can actually hear the exhaust note, a deep drone that reminds me of the sound made by those massive rotary aero engines of the past. However, I don't like the ponderous, bulky, out-of-place twin Akra zorst on mine, as I think it detracts from the otherwise simple minimalist lines of the bike. I do have a simpler, neater BOS single pipe zorst on its way - e.t.a. from Europe...??? Again, YMMV.
The seat is dismal, almost unbearable after about an hour, despite my R9T having the so-called premium comfort seat, and complementary well-tuned suspension including an OHLINS rear shock. But the seat was actually what made my choice of this bike a no-brainer, with its low 803mm height (31.6"), and flat design (cowl/ hump removed) making it so easy for me to mount and dismount, as my ageing stiff hip, knee, and ankle joints can no longer cope with the contortions of even slightly taller seat heights. Even if I had been interested in any of the other bikes in this comparo, seat height would have been the key criterion to stimulate further interest, or not.
I like the absence on the R9T of TFTs and all that goes with them, finding just the right degree of electronic information, but not too much - I don't even miss cruise-control.
Fit and finish and attention to detail are typically top-level BMW, dispensing with any thought of the 'agricultural' tag. But I cannot overlook the abominable tubeless-tyres-with-inner-tubes aspect of this model R9T. Yes - I like spoked wheels that make it necessary, but whatever was Motorrad thinking of when putting this tubed-tyre set-up onto this machine? I have a set of KINEO spoke wheels on order - e.t.a. again your guess is as good as mine - but it shouldn't be necessary, though I will appreciate the rather more delicate nature and lighter look of them when they arrive. I'm also told to expect easier steering and turning with the lower mass of the new wheels.
So: 'agricultural'? - certainly not, or maybe only in the tyre/ tubes combo. Needing work to suit me - definitely. A disappointment, yes, but I'm hoping to resolve the outstanding issues. Hopeful - always!