One of the group member while on the break of riding suggested he wanted to test ride the R nine T and we made Auto Bavaria our next stop. On the way over we stopped by at a coconut shop and he had to go due to some prior arrangements. Since there was another member who wanted to test the S1000RR, I decided to take the R nineT out for a spin.
We reached Auto Bavaria and took over a coffee table with our helmets before heading up to the Motorrad section to find Gary to register for our ride.
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| Helmets galore: LS2 Valiant, HJC IS-Max II and Icon Airflite |
After registering and waiting for the keys I went around to take some photos of the R nineT in the showroom. BMW produced the R nineT for easy customization and various styling choices for owners.
After getting our keys from Gary, Edwin informed us that he would be taking the S1000RR to find his friends which left me and Barney to go on our own test route. The first experience I got from the R nineT is when starting up the bike. As the R nineT uses the old boxer air-cooled engine, one is able to actually feel the boxer engine push the bike to a side. This also applies when revving the bike while it is stationary. Every time I start the bike, it brings a smile to my face but not because I am happy but more for that unique boxer experience.
On the left side of the handlebar there is the menu button, a on-off ABS button, horn, signal switches, the emergency hazard blinker and the pass/highlight switch. To turn on the highlight push the lever outward. The function for the pass light is the same as any other bikes, push in the lever. It is a weird place for the hazard blinker to be placed so far high up on the panels. Since we are on the topic of functions, let's talk a bit about the horn. Personally it sounds a bit weird. I am not sure how to explain it as I did not take a recording on how it sounds like but it would be the first thing I would change.
On the right side of the handlebar there is only one switch: The electric starter. The bike is very nimble and
easy to lane split. When I first sat on the bike, the first thing I
noticed was that the seating position is very relaxed and the seats are
comfortable for the little saddle time I had. The bike's feature is almost the same as F 900R. As I mainly ride with my left fingers resting on horn and pass light, I find the levers for both a tad out of reach.
The bike has a very simple analog display for the speedometer. It does not have a tachometer and gear indicator but the odometer and trip is in digital. It has no riding modes to choose from. This must be either a new bike to the fleet or no one was interested in test riding this bike as it only has a total of 297km.
The side stand placement is not at the usual side of the bike but a bit further in the front as I had to look for it a few times to put it down. The side stand is also a bit on the short side. Whenever I am parking the bike I get this weird feeling that I will drop the bike even though I know that side stand is down. The bike has to lean lower before the side stand catches it but once it is on the side stand, the bike does not look too low.
The bike comes with steering damper which is located at the below the front lights. I did not have the need or require to adjust the damper. The stock exhaust is very loud. I know this because I forgot to put on earplugs while test riding until after riding at expressway speed.
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| Steering damper on the R nineT |
The bike has a high torque. I might not be used to riding naked bike at high speed as I could feel the wind pushing me back when riding at high speeds. This bike is easy to speed and go fast without even realizing it. At high speed I could feel pressure on the wrist. After returning the bike and getting back on the Vulcan I felt that the throttle on the Vulcan feels more responsive and lighter.
Remember to ride safe, be vigilant and keep the rubber side down
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