[vagueout]

"Is she expensive"? not compared to ownership of a Ducati, they are the two wheeled version of a Kardashion when it comes to high maintenance.

 

[Uli Kunkel]

Easy to service as well!

 

[Jonnydee]

"Is she expensive"? not compared to ownership of a Ducati, they are the two wheeled version of a Kardashion when it comes to high maintenance.

It's why I got rid of the Multistrada 1100S that I loved otherwise. $900 service every 10,000 km to do a valve check was just too much.

 

[Lelc2]

Best thing of this bike is that it isn´t necessary ride fast to enjoy...Since you switch on key and revs a bit. It is orgasmic!!!. Others bike even faster are much more boring...You can have some Bikes, but Ninet will be conserved forever. Nowadays there is nothing similar (neither will be in future).

 

[Jonnydee]

Best thing of this bike is that it isn´t necessary ride fast to enjoy...Since you switch on key and revs a bit. It is orgasmic!!!. Others bike even faster are much more boring...You can have some Bikes, but Ninet will be conserved forever. Nowadays there is nothing similar (neither will be in future).

But getting back to the original idea of this conversation - it is quite fast compared to other bikes in this category! One of the things I really appreciate about the RnineT - you can ride it quite quickly. The gobs of torque make it real-world quick on the street (regardless of the specs which are somewhat meaningless).

 

[simontan]

I have or have had a couple of the other bikes in the 'modern retro' space, so I'll throw in my two cents. Before the 9T, I had two Ducati Sport 1000s and a Triumph Thruxton R.

Out of the box, I think the Triumph needs the least tinkering aesthetically or mechanically to suit most riders, but it seemed strangely soulless like a Japanese bike --maybe because it also has the most electronics (ABS, traction control, rider modes) and is the only liquid cooled one of the bunch.

The Duc needs at least a few mandatory mods to bring it up to snuff. Once set up though, it's easily the rawest and most visceral of the three to ride despite the lowest power numbers on paper. The sound of the dry clutch and exhaust note are second to none and make you feel fast even if you aren't 😅. The Duc isn't necessarily unreliable, but it has the shortest service intervals and most owners won't be able to do their own Desmo services, which are not cheap.

I just got the 9T so am still forming my opinion on it, but I've always loved boxers and have had two others including an old R1200S which is my daily rider and favorite overall bike to date. By design, the 9T seems to be more intended for individualization than the Triumph or Ducati. I bought mine used with upgraded suspension already installed, so I can't say what the stock bike is like compared to the Triumph, which comes equipped with pretty good suspension even stock. As much of a boxer fan as I am, I would have to say the 9T's engine is the least exciting and has the most mundane exhaust note of the bunch despite being the most powerful. From my experience with the R12S though, I know a full exhaust and fuel controller can perk things up quite a bit. But ease of maintenance and dependability are where the boxer really shines. Where else can you do a valve adjustment in 20-minutes? Where else can you find a proven engine design with countless examples with hundreds of thousands of miles on them?

One real world factor that I haven't seen mentioned is resale value. From my three examples, the Thruxton seems to be worst, the R9T is not far behind (picked mine up for a relative song given what it cost originally with all the upgrades), but the Sport Classics are actually appreciating or at least holding their value.

All this to say there's something to love about all of them, and it's much better to sample a couple of used examples of each than to buy any single one new (I got all three of these bikes with less than 10k combined miles on them for about the cost of what the 9T originally would have cost with all the add-ons).

 

[TimC]

I'm always amazed how many R9T owners also own (or have owned) Ducatis and Triumphs - and Thruxton Rs in particular. In the VFR scene I came from, many folks had owned multiple VFRs, plus some other makes, but definitely more Big 4 bikes (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha) than European brands.

Part of it might be geography, as there are more European members here than in the VFR crowd, and the VFR is maybe more common to North America (though there are plenty in Europe and elsewhere, too). But I'm guessing the real reason is R9T owners (and maybe BMW owners in general) prefer bikes with more character, and many European bikes have more of that than their Big 4 counterparts. "Character" was certainly high on my wish list while bike shopping over the last year, and I passed up a few bikes I liked, but which lacked it. I might want a more mundane bike someday, but my R9T really fit the bill this time around.

 

[simontan]

I'm always amazed how many R9T owners also own (or have owned) Ducatis and Triumphs - and Thruxton Rs in particular. In the VFR scene I came from, many folks had owned multiple VFRs, plus some other makes, but definitely more Big 4 bikes (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha) than European brands.

Part of it might be geography, as there are more European members here than in the VFR crowd, and the VFR is maybe more common to North America (though there are plenty in Europe and elsewhere, too). But I'm guessing the real reason is R9T owners (and maybe BMW owners in general) prefer bikes with more character, and many European bikes have more of that than their Big 4 counterparts. "Character" was certainly high on my wish list while bike shopping over the last year, and I passed up a few bikes I liked, but which lacked it. I might want a more mundane bike someday, but my R9T really fit the bill this time around.

Funny you mention the VFR, another of my favorite overall bikes. I had a 4th gen 1994 model that I wish I still had. I bought it instead of the Ducati SS that I really wanted at the time. Even back then I knew the VFR was the objectively better, more responsible choice, but the Duc was the one I fantasized about. Couldn't really afford either at the time, but knowing what I know now, I really, really couldn't have afforded the Ducati back then. The VFR was flawless, and there was nothing to do other than ride it. After finally getting a couple of Euro bikes with "character", I've come to realize that term is really just a way of euphemizing design quirks and shortcomings that need to be worked around or addressed. None of the Hondas I've had really needed much improvement, so they never occupied my thoughts when I had them the way some of these Euro bikes do. But when you finally get things sorted out on a flawed bike, you develop a personal connection that makes that bike yours and yours alone.

 

[Jonnydee]

Also a former serial VFR owner here, having had a 1st, 2nd and 6th gen. Great bikes.

 

[CerealOwner]

But getting back to the original idea of this conversation - it is quite fast compared to other bikes in this category! One of the things I really appreciate about the RnineT - you can ride it quite quickly. The gobs of torque make it real-world quick on the street (regardless of the specs which are somewhat meaningless).

My riding buddy told me I’m faster through the canyons on the nineT than I was on the FZ-09 I had before it...

 

[JohanH]

No competition from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki?

 

[BlitzSchnell]

Funny you mention the VFR, another of my favorite overall bikes. I had a 4th gen 1994 model that I wish I still had. I bought it instead of the Ducati SS that I really wanted at the time. Even back then I knew the VFR was the objectively better, more responsible choice, but the Duc was the one I fantasized about. Couldn't really afford either at the time, but knowing what I know now, I really, really couldn't have afforded the Ducati back then. The VFR was flawless, and there was nothing to do other than ride it. After finally getting a couple of Euro bikes with "character", I've come to realize that term is really just a way of euphemizing design quirks and shortcomings that need to be worked around or addressed. None of the Hondas I've had really needed much improvement, so they never occupied my thoughts when I had them the way some of these Euro bikes do. But when you finally get things sorted out on a flawed bike, you develop a personal connection that makes that bike yours and yours alone.

You nailed it Simon, that personal connection with an inanimate object that only certain people feel for what ever reason .... it’s personal ! It’s awesome ! Unrequited love ......until you twist her wrist and she carry’s you to the edge with ease and says, “OK Big boy let’s see how well you can handle me” .... that’s how she returns your devotion and brings you home with a smile on your face ...so you can do it all over again tomorrow, you lucky man ! StayUpOn2 ........Blitz

 

[TimC]

No competition from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki?

I think there are a few Big 4 bikes that compete with the R9T, but in my opinion they are more similar to each other than to the R9T. Not to say they're better or worse, but different, starting with the engines, most of which are inline 4s. While bike shopping the last couple years I looked at a couple of the standards/naked sportbikes from the Big 4, but none really fit the bill for me. Of the bikes in this segment, the only one I liked enough to buy was an R9T.

 

[SD85]

I think there are a few Big 4 bikes that compete with the R9T, but in my opinion they are more similar to each other than to the R9T. Not to say they're better or worse, but different, starting with the engines, most of which are inline 4s. While bike shopping the last couple years I looked at a couple of the standards/naked sportbikes from the Big 4, but none really fit the bill for me. Of the bikes in this segment, the only one I liked enough to buy was an R9T.

I agree that nothing from the Big 4 hits the same notes as the 9T. Kawi has the closest, but it's an inline 4 and just didn't give me the same visceral riding experience. Yamaha has the XSR900, which I actually enjoy quite a lot, but it's not the same either...lots of plastic bits, way lighter, a triple, etc.

In fact, I'm sort of surprised that one of them hasn't taken a more direct run at the 9T (or Triumph for that matter). Even Royal Enfield showed there's a market for retro looking/feeling twins. Suzuki even has an engine for it in the SV.

 

[Dauphinais]

I agree that nothing from the Big 4 hits the same notes as the 9T. Kawi has the closest, but it's an inline 4 and just didn't give me the same visceral riding experience. Yamaha has the XSR900, which I actually enjoy quite a lot, but it's not the same either...lots of plastic bits, way lighter, a triple, etc.

In fact, I'm sort of surprised that one of them hasn't taken a more direct run at the 9T (or Triumph for that matter). Even Royal Enfield showed there's a market for retro looking/feeling twins. Suzuki even has an engine for it in the SV.

I think Kawasaki takes a run at that target here, but probably aimed more at the Triumph market with what is basically a retro styled 750.

 

[Lelc2]

I only Like Bi-Cylinders. 4 in Line it's not my cup of tea.

It's a pity Suzuki don't take his 1000cc V By-cilinder engine (Vstrom) to create a big Naked (neo-classic).

 

[Lelc2]

Also it is a pity Honda don't resurrect his old CX500 engine. It would be similar concept yo Bmw. Bi-cylinder, shaft Drive etc

 

[Norbi]

I have always compared motorcycles to women in that regard, justification of what or who you are attracted to can never be achieved in pragmatic terms.

... is she expensive ? Some would say yes ... I however got exactly what I paid for. No regrets at all.

‘nuf said there...
+1

 

[simontan]

Also it is a pity Honda don't resurrect his old CX500 engine. It would be similar concept yo Bmw. Bi-cylinder, shaft Drive etc

The Honda Guzzi! That one looks a little loud...

 

[Redbird457]

The Griso is a hot-looking bike and has plenty of character — I owned one, past tense. But not nearly as spirited as the nineT, not as quick or as agile. I do wish my new 9T would engage first gear with a nice solid clunk, but otherwise I’m hard-pressed to imagine a better bike being made currently.

That said, I’m not sure it bests the Ducati Monster S4RS, which I also have — still — and is arguably a lot more fun with a similar, slightly racier vibe. I’ve never had a problem with chains.

Monster1100EVO here. Love it and the 9T. Only Monster problem was a bad starter that cost me $750!