BMW RNineT Scrambler while I was sleeping...

[jhwalker]

http://www.cycleworld.com/bmw-r-ninet-s ... first-ride

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/inde ... &notrack=1

Not sure that Cycle World could find a way to pack more ads into a review.

Interesting, since I've spent a little time on a RnineT. No urge to go swap bikes.

[Tetge]

I am personally not interested in any street scramblers, as they are mostly styling exercises when it comes to real dirt usefulness, as weight it the enemy of all dirt bikes, and the street scrambler tend to be way heavy, since even 300 pounds makes for a portly dirt machine. And, dirt is slippery, so drop a BMW and potentially face a big cost, even if you are not hurt. In fact, I also am not into dirt bikes, especially for older, more brittle, folks. I know of far too many that have been injured in the dirt, and, at some point, injuries do not heal up very quickly, or heal ever, for that matter. Somewhat extreme athletic activities are best let to the young and to those that are fit physically, and, even they succumb to unexpected injuries (see Griffin stubs toe and is out for the remainder of the playoffs). And, some extremely fit baseball player, who was having a great year, just crashed on a dirt bike and removed himself from playing due to a nice, often happens in the dirt, shoulder injury. Stay away from the dirt in all its guises.

The links were interesting however as they led me to the RNine model site and I found that BMW make an entry level 1200 boxer (Nune?) with proper 17" rubber all around, but, it is still listed for $13600, or more, on Cycle Trader, and, that is before freight and setup and taxes and tags. For $15K+, OTD, BMW stripped the "entry" level bike of the good advanced suspension and its ride was criticized soundly in reviews. But, it is said to weigh 482 curb, and it has lots of torque, so it is also said to run well. It also has a fairly standard seating position and, I'll say again, proper sized 17" tires, which means all the cutting edge rubber will fit it. But, for $15K+, it should roll on great suspension, and it doesn't because, in typical BMW fashion, the good stuff is far from entry level price wise.

[jhwalker]

I am personally not interested in any street scramblers, as they are mostly styling exercises when it comes to real dirt usefulness, as weight it the enemy of all dirt bikes, and the street scrambler tend to be way heavy, since even 300 pounds makes for a portly dirt machine. And, dirt is slippery, so drop a BMW and potentially face a big cost, even if you are not hurt. In fact, I also am not into dirt bikes, especially for older, more brittle, folks. I know of far too many that have been injured in the dirt, and, at some point, injuries do not heal up very quickly, or heal ever, for that matter. Somewhat extreme athletic activities are best let to the young and to those that are fit physically, and, even they succumb to unexpected injuries (see Griffin stubs toe and is out for the remainder of the playoffs). And, some extremely fit baseball player, who was having a great year, just crashed on a dirt bike and removed himself from playing due to a nice, often happens in the dirt, shoulder injury. Stay away from the dirt in all its guises.

The links were interesting however as they led me to the RNine model site and I found that BMW make an entry level 1200 boxer (Nune?) with proper 17" rubber all around, but, it is still listed for $13600, or more, on Cycle Trader, and, that is before freight and setup and taxes and tags. For $15K+, OTD, BMW stripped the "entry" level bike of the good advanced suspension and its ride was criticized soundly in reviews. But, it is said to weigh 482 curb, and it has lots of torque, so it is also said to run well. It also has a fairly standard seating position and, I'll say again, proper sized 17" tires, which means all the cutting edge rubber will fit it. But, for $15K+, it should roll on great suspension, and it doesn't because, in typical BMW fashion, the good stuff is far from entry level price wise.

thank you, Mr. Happy

[Tetge]

[thank you, Mr. Happy

Happy? Clipper fans are seldom happy at this time of the year. And, to boot, I have some flu like symptoms that are lasting weeks and weeks. Happy? Don't make me laugh!

[Tetge]

The entry level ) for BMW, boxer is called the "Pure" and it is a nice looking piece of kit. But, no advanced suspension at all

.

[jhwalker]

The entry level ) for BMW, boxer is called the "Pure" and it is a nice looking piece of kit. But, no advanced suspension at all

Pure.jpg

.

Riging thw RnineT I felt the 'good' suspension was suspect...

[jhwalker]

The entry level ) for BMW, boxer is called the "Pure" and it is a nice looking piece of kit. But, no advanced suspension at all

Pure.jpg

.

Riging thw RnineT I felt the 'good' suspension was suspect...

nice typing... Riding the... Jeesh

[Tetge]

I sort of understood what you meant, but, it is good to correct yourself, since the countless viewers of this site might have laughed at you and snickered and told their friends. Nothing worse than having a mistake go viral.

As for big heavy bikes, such as all BMW's, I always feel that the bigger and heavier that machine is, the more one has to treat it as a vehicle that will handle what is thrown at it using its suspension and anti lock and electronic nannies and that does not respond as sharply, or directly, to rider input. I know that riders still hang off and push things, but, the heavier, and bigger, the machine, the less effect a rider can have on it. So, excellent suspension and superior ground control are necessary at some point if one wants to hustle right along, or serious run off pavement.

But, some crave the wind protection and the luggage capacity and the extended range of a big fuel tank, and the convenience of shaft drive, etc. And, 99% of the time, the big touring type iron can hang right in there on a ride on public streets, especially when the rider is an expert big bike handler, as some of the motor cops are. But, when you flick a KTM 690 Duke around and feel the almost telepathic instant response to your input, you can appreciate the 350 all up fueled curb weight, and the engine vibes fade into the distance when you crank the throttle open and the approx 62 RWHP snap you forward. It still reminds me of another big single that I rode years ago in the dirt, which was a Bultaco El Bandito motocross model. Big dual plug 360 two stroke single that had serious attitude as a desert sled, as cubes is cubes, and the 690cc's of the KTM are a lot for its curb weight.

So, yesterday's ride was both fun and productive, as it erased all thoughts of getting a replacement for the KTM, since I would definitely miss all its positive merits, and there are not other 350 pound curb weight bikes out there that can match or equal the KTM, other than in the area of controlling the shakes. I figured all this out when I researched a replacement for my beloved DR-Z SM, and, nothing has changed.

[jhwalker]

Ah yes, a cowboy and his trusty (if shaky) steed