Ducati Monster Forum

Every time I see this bike I see so much potential for a beautiful cafe/naked bike. Not sure if there's much after market goodies out there for it and I havent test ridden one yet. Wondering if anyone has any familiarity with this bike?

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/15203346412_81a2da7411_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pat8dh)BMW-RNINE-T (https://flic.kr/p/pat8dh) by ricknieto (https://www.flickr.com/people/65036619@N04/), on Flickr

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/15017151007_fe2bcd8e23_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/oT1PNF)BMW-R9T (https://flic.kr/p/oT1PNF) by ricknieto (https://www.flickr.com/people/65036619@N04/), on Flickr

I got the opportunity to ride one around for a bit. Was a fun ride, good power, nice brakes, seemed to handle decently.. unfortunately i'm so used to my S2R1K and the Brutale that I still prefer my italian ladies to the German wench!


I did get a little kick out of revving her and feeling the torque slightly heave the bike to the side... wasnt noticeable once I started moving though..

Stylewise... If I was in the market for a new bike (to replace Il Mostro), I'd probably buy one..


.... or a Brutale 800 Dragster [evil]

I saw one in person, but didn't ride it.  I was surprised at how big and heavy it is.  I lost interest pretty quickly.

Maybe if I rode it I'd feel differently, but its moot as I don't have that kind of coin.  Plus, for $15k I could buy ~6 used 1200cc Bandits.   [Dolph]

http://r9t.jp/ (http://r9t.jp/)

It's less expensive than a Monster 1200s. And it looks like all the components are high quality. No cheap plastic bits anywhere on this bike. Shaft drive would be a change for me. I kinda feel like a motorcycle should have a chain. Not a belt, not a shaft but a chain.

When BMW makes major changes to their bike, they always throw a bike out there to empty the parts bins and call it "Special" this or that. This might be one of their better attempts to clean the old parts, but my first concern would be the final drive.
I had three of their paralever shaft drive bikes and everyone of them had final drive problems.

For $15k I wish I could have bought that rather than the used VW Jetta I got for the same price.  I's a great looking bike.  Probably not as good for winter driving, grocery getting and transporting me, my wife and the dogs.

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

 [clap]

saw what must have been a pre-ordered one at the BMW shop several month ago.
beautiful bike in terms of fit and finish.  for me, it has the right shape to go with the
protruding cylinders.

It looks cool, but for that price I'd get a Guzzi Griso SE all day long...and have a final drive that isn't prone to failure.

I got a chance to stop in at MotoWheels a month or so ago and they had one inside.  Not sure if it was stock or not but it was the first one I had seen in person.  Beautiful bike - maybe the only BMW I would consider.  I went to our local dealer.  They said they had 4 come through but they were all pre-sold and never made it to the showroom.

On a side note my buddies (2) R1200RT has its new rear shock (that worldwide stop-riding thing) and I guess they are slowly getting back on the road with them.

Why are you saying the R Nine T final drive is prone to failure?

IMO seriously lacking in content for the price; very disappointing based on the concept bike which "could" have evolved into a "modern" R90S which was a bike which could do most anything well and was THE groundbreaking "Gentleman's Express".

(http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/389548-1/1974-R90S-Rt-Rear.jpg)

BMW shaft drives are prone to failure.

In fairly spectacular fashion...

According to the owners on the R Nine T forums these final drive issues for BMW motorcycles have been addressed and resolved.

 [laugh]

Maybe. I hope so...they've been going on for a long time! I doubt anyone has owned an R9T long enough to know though.

He'll know ~ 15,000 - 20,000 miles.  ;)

The older shaft drives lived in 90W and had few issues. Starting with the K's in 1985, 30K or 60K inspections were recommended for spline grease and wear. Wasn't such a huge issue until the mid-90's when failures started to become common.

FWIW, the thick-headed Bavarians decided to use this grease technique on some $$$ vehicles I used to sell and some of those prop shaft splines didn't make it to 30,000 miles. Expensive damn warranty that was... Couldn't WAIT to get the BMW out of those vehicles. NO more failures after 2005...

   Picked one up in April.  First heard about it on this forum.  Big birthday came up, and I decided to drop into the local BMW dealer just to see if maybe they had one.  Was right up front, looked gorgeous.  Was smaller looking and feeling than I had anticipated.  Which was great for me because most BMWs seem like behemoths in my eyes.  Rated at 490 lbs wet, which is actually on the light side for a BMW.  Looked at it for a good long while, chatted with the salesman and ended up buying it.  Love it!
   One disappointment that I found out post-purchase is that the bike uses tubed tires.  Love the look of the wire wheels, but using tubed tires seems outdated and unnecessary.  Plus, BMW has spoked rims in their line-up already that don't require tubes.  Looking into some Alpinas, which are currently available, but don't really have the coin for mods after dropping $16 g's.  BSTs are currently available too, though I'd really like to stick with the wire wheel look.
   Bike has plenty of power for me, plenty of torque.  As I understand, BMWs are built fairly tight, and the engine doesn't really break in till around 30,000 miles, so the engine should just get better and better.  Riding it totally stock right now, again, no more money.  But there are after-market headers available, removing the cat.  Several pipes available as well but I don't like the looks or sound of them.  The stock pipes look cool, IMO, and actually have a great sound to them, louder than I would have thought as well.  Actually really great pipes for stock!  After-market ECU reflash available as well. 
   Brakes are great.  First bike I've had with ABS and it's weird when it kicks in on the rear.  Suspension seems great as well for stock.  Uses the same fork tubes as the S1000RR, just not adjustable.
   Fit and finish of the bike is outstanding.  Haven't found a great availability of after-market goodies just yet, at least not readily available in USA.  Would like to switch over to some clip-ons.  Stock bars are pretty wide and feel like motor-cross style.  Would like to relocate plates under my seat, but haven't found that just yet.  Want new mirrors, new pipe eventually, new wheels eventually. 
   In a way the bike is like the Monster that I've always wanted.  Air-cooled twin with smooth power delivery throughout the entire RPM range, aluminum tank, ABS, and no-hassel (so far.)
   Having a shaft drive is a pleasant change, no chain upkeep or mess.  It's actually a beautiful piece of engineering, being single-sided and connecting to a wire-wheel.  I've not heard about issues with failure, but hope they had it figured out by 2014.
   Seen many photos of great mods done to the bike.  There is a lot of potential to make the bike your very own.  Roland Sands already has a bit of EXPENSIVE bling available for it. 

Another Modded R9T

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/15053256298_85641f4728_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/oWcSDG)53782_1478413245744365_5527287530020117504_o (https://flic.kr/p/oWcSDG) by ricknieto (https://www.flickr.com/people/65036619@N04/), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3884/15053258857_67742d26d3_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/oWcTpP)10700529_1478413425744347_2175535617905204106_o (https://flic.kr/p/oWcTpP) by ricknieto (https://www.flickr.com/people/65036619@N04/), on Flickr

The R Nine T looks closer to how I imagined the new Monster should be. Oh well, Ducati will learn one day (hopefully).

 ???

Check out ALL the specs. Boat anchor.   [roll] http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/bmw/BMW%20R%20nineT%2014.htm (http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/bmw/BMW%20R%20nineT%2014.htm)

450# wet with a proper rear fender, nose fairing, bag mounts. "might" be worth more like $15K. Missed opportunity.

Tubes?!  ;D

I mean in the retro concept of round headlight, hunched tank, etc.

So its a fatty?

485# with tank 90% filled. R90S was 465# with 6.3 Gals!!! and nose fairing, etc.

You can hate all you want. Truth is it's a good looking air cooled bike which is what a lot of us want from Ducati. There's definitely a lesson to be learned here for Ducati. Especially since this lesson came right out of their old playbook.

What was the tire/wheel size on the R90S?

What kind of horsepower was the frame having to contend with?

How much heat did the engine generate that had to be dissipated by an oil cooler and lines to feed it?

What sort of ABS system did it have?

Hell, how much does the R9T's catalytic converter weigh?

I don't think 485# ready to go is all that bad...sounds great for a BMW actually!

I'd still take a Griso over it though, despite the Griso weighing even more.

You're ignoring my point entirely. The concept was getting "warm". Had they rationalized that and made it functional rather than a styling exercise, they might have had a worthwhile "retro". Instead, they made a dentist's bike with a bobbed tail for trips to the 7/11. The R90S was good for back to back 500 mile days. Ask Primore. Components and finish were the very best available in the day, especially the double cradle chromoly frame. 40mm pumper Dellortos too.

Rider Safety Film Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THW3mNPNiW4#)

"admiring nature" Hah!

R90S, my all time favorite BMW.  9T?  Meh.  Great video!

I'm sorry. I'm a noob. Please explain "getting warm."

Sold my silver/smoke '74 to my favorite mechanic when I picked up a pre-EPA early 1978 R100RS Motorsport. Same bike, more power, but missed the pumper Dellortos which had to go by '75 in the USA. That bike got the full Primore treatment plus lightened flywheel and fork valving at AMOL Precision who had built Butler & Smith's superbikes. Only traded that in 1985 1/2 for a K100RT to take my large son on long tours. The dealer kept it for himself.  ;) No dummy! Wish I had that today...

Agreed about the video. I give that to a lot of new riders since it's totally relevant today. Traffic is much worse though. And today we have texting!!!  [thumbsdown] (Got cut off three times today on I-64 and I-95 in 40 miles by those blind dopes!!!)

http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/go-news-bmw-celebrates-90-and-40-year-anniversaries-with-concept-ninety (http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/go-news-bmw-celebrates-90-and-40-year-anniversaries-with-concept-ninety)

^This.

 Don't forget to watch part 2!:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kiNLaV1QUck

Strikes me as a feeble German attempt to copy a Griso.  Great (but somewhat soulless) engineering, but just a little short on design.  I was pretty excited when I saw the first pictures as another naked R bike has been on my 'bucket list' for a while.  For some reason the R Nine T didn't do anything for me when I saw it in the showroom.  Hard to beat Italian design...

Pretty much this.

Knowing this would be the last of the air cooled twins from BMW, I was interested to say the least.  Seeing how clunky and heavy handed it was executed made me happier to still have my S2R.  Even with less hp, the S2R has less weight making it more fun.

The huge missed opportunity is that this is BMW ending the run of air cooled motors with a 'customizable' bike.  Does that mean the R Nine T is a one model only run?  If so, that's not a long term strategy for growing a cult following like the Monster has (with all the aftermarket bits etc).

If BMW continues with the R Nine T as a stripped / naked they could do well.  But please make it look bettah.

You mean like this?
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/616/18531/Motorcycle-Article/BMW-Concept-Roadster-First-Look.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/616/18531/Motorcycle-Article/BMW-Concept-Roadster-First-Look.aspx)
http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/bmws-new-concept-roadster/25039.html (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/bmws-new-concept-roadster/25039.html)
http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/02/bmw-roadster-concept-first-look-review-photos/ (http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/02/bmw-roadster-concept-first-look-review-photos/)

Trust Ducaudi to replace their Airhead Monsters with the japanesed Diavel-for-pussies 1200S (and two posers; the 1200 & 821) when they were ideally positioned to b!tch-slap BMW with a twenty-year Headstart.  The R Nine T Orderbook for 2014/5 is spoken for in several countries.

I have lusted after a Guzzi Griso for quite some time.

The R Nine T is a machine in a similar vein, so naturally it caught my attention.  I like it.

A lot.

But yet not enough.

The Griso remains the one for whom I drool.

Love the Griso & the Brutale Dragster for that matter. I think all 3 bikes are stunning. I would need to ride all 3 to really be able to decide which one I like best. Based purely on looks I prefer the R Nine T as I dig the retro look. Thats also why I think the Sport Classic line was the best looking Ducati in the past 10 years.

I’ve been close to putting dosh down on Beemers several times the last forty years – new as well as used.  Never succeeded to; there is forever something that will spoil the deal, either amiss or too much of a muchness.  The Boxer is a great Motor but it is too heavy, too wide, shaft-driven and my Lawn Mover sounds better at tick-over.  The latest Air/Liquid-cooled variant produces 125 HP – it features on the new R1200R, R1200GS as well as the Concept Roadster.  The additional Horses are welcome but the Liquid-cooling Complexity and Clutter is not.

The Griso looks the business but I doubt whether you will be impressed with it after having owned an 1100S.  It is big, heavy and sports a shaft.  I owned an 850 Le Mans for a while in the late seventies.  It had a good Motor but was held back by the shaft, IMHO anyway.  I owned a XS1100 not too long after that – also a shaft-drive.  The Yamaha did not have much Cornering Clearance, exacerbated by the Shaft heaving and dropping under the slightest Throttle changes.  I loved the Motor but hated the Shaft.  And Shafts are not nearly as reliable as BMW Fan Boys would let you believe.  It is more a question of out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

Whaddya mean after?  [evil]

I'll never part with my M1100S.

Good man! [thumbsup]

     Ive been living with my nineT for close to 8 months now  [evil] and its been a fun 8 months. No problems so far. my only gripe with it is the tubed tires. Planning on replacing them with kineo's when the wallet recovers. And that may take a long time  [bang]. Only thing ive changed are the mirrors, removed the passenger seat and pegs and put on the tail hump. Im waiting on a tail tidy from motobox so i can get rid of the unsightly diving board in the back and i belive theyll start shipping in 3 weeks time  ;D.
     I ride it to work almost everyday and ive been on 2 trips to the mountains so far. 1 of those days i was riding for nine hours, 3 stops just to gas up and have some food/coffee  [Dolph]. The bike is really confidence inspiring on the twisties, its pretty stable while your leaned over. on one of my trips i went to tail of the dragon  and it performed really well. I scrape my footpegs more on the nineT compared to my 796. The nineTs pegs are lower than the 796 though  :-X.  
     Before i got the nineT i was looking at the Griso and the Sport1000. There was no Guzzi dealership close by and i coudnt find a preowned sport1000 in the price and condition that i wanted. When they unveilled the nineT i was smitten. It was what i was looking for.

Impractical?  ;D Peg-dragging, sketchy ABS? And only a rich loon would buy that Speedster with shit gearbox and no windscreen. FWIW, I couldn't afford a round of rubber on a DECENT Aero 8.  ;) http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/2510-2/LUG242.jpg (http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/2510-2/LUG242.jpg)

Morgan Plus 8 Speedster v BMW R Nine T | evo CAR v BIKE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya3x4-NUAmg#)

Modern shafts don't jack like that anymore.

I've put 100k+ miles on BMW and Guzzi shaft bikes without ever needing a single repair on either.

I hate chains... To each his own though.