I took on for test ride yesterday (13/09/20) and, as much as I wanted to, I didn't love it for exactly the reasons mention in this video. The buffeting it awful when there is no wind, and then into a headwind, I was hanging on for dear life. I went from CT - Franschoek and back and nearly emptied the tank, and I was not gunning it most of the time. And the worst is the saddle. 20 minutes in I could not feel my gentleman sausage any longer and my butt was completely numb. The firm, square edge on the saddle, combined with the overall firmness make for a very uncomfortable place to be for any length of time. On the plus side, the motor is great, and it is super nimble, it almost feels like it is reading your mind into the corners. The one I tested was the base model so did not have a quick-shifter so I can't comment on that but the clutch was light and the gear box is super silky. I was riding with a friend on his S1000XR and the difference in comfort levels are huge. The bigger windscreen makes a huge difference and the saddle is like a lazy boy by comparison. So no F900XR for me.
Took delivery of my 900XR yesterday here in the UK. It was the bike I liked the best after recently riding the GS850 and Tiger 900. To me at 69 it’s offering a more manageable bike than the 2016 Africa Twin I had previously owned and feels far more nimble than the 2018 T120 that it’s replacing.
David S Hi David, several things on the T900, that didn’t suit me, the seat felt a little bit squishy so made me fidget after a while, also I found that there was a tingling through the handlebars that together with their position caused discomfort in my shoulders. I can’t say that the “T plane crank” and it’s associated firing order felt that good to me for continued road use. Also I thought the screen height adjustment was a bit crude and difficult to use. On the plus side the suspension and handling was beautiful, very similar to the XR. These are my personal views and I must add that I’m 69, 5’10” and 74 kilos in weight. Handle bar “buzziness “ was also an issue for me on the BMW 850 GS., but not a concern on the XR. If you do get round to trying any of these bikes I’d like to read your take on them. Cheers
Hi! What bike do you think is better for fast corners, f900xr or gs750 or tiger 660 sport? I have k1600gtl and I love it but I need to sell it and change to one bike for city and for medium trips (500Kms per day) Thanks and congrats for your reviews
I still have a BMW F 800 s and I have to disagree with you on the statement that the 800 didn't have character. I will take the rotax bulletproof yet unpleasantly noisy engine, the horrendous sounding transmission, and the terrible shifting of the F 800 s any day over this new poser. I really wish that BMW would have stayed true to their heritage with this bike as the BMW F 800 s was such an amazing yet controversial bike. Even though it sounded like a barnyard filled with animals I still hear many people today reminiscence over how durable and amazing the f 800 was and still is. The BMW f 800 range has a somewhat of a cult following even and I somehow doubt that we will be receiving that same level of satisfaction from this new F 900 XR...
It is a good bike. I had one as a loner for the day when I took the RnineT in. But it doesn’t beat the Triumph 660 trident same spec almost, handles better and cheaper to run and maintain and if you are lucky you can pick them up for 8.5k with luggage.
I rode one yesterday, it was good fun but the rear brake was so terribly mushy I wasn't even sure when I had my foot on it. Strangely I didn't get any buffetting, I had the screen up and it seemed to work perfectly. As for the seat it had an additional gel pad fitted which made it perfectly fine.
It is in fact not the same engine as the 2008 f800 rotax engine. When they switched to the so called crossplane 850, the production went to China. So the only thing they have in common is that they are parallel twins.
You don’t have to wait for full sized panniers on a super slim design. Just check out the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce designed by Adrian Morton which went on sale in 2015 and is basically totally ripped off by the 9cento concept. Wider at the bars than the panniers...😊
I am in the market for one of these and my deal breaker with the tracer is that horrific driver's mask of a tft, along with the ugliest front face in the market. However nothing beats it's ride and reliability and these bimmers do have the best interface with the scroll wheel. This model really ticks all boxes and will probably have first place in my shortlist
Considering one of these. I have the old S1000XR currently and fancy something a little bit lighter. The screen and seat issues are no big deal and can easily be sorted. (I use an Airhawk as it is). I have 2 concerns, needs a slightly bigger tank, maybe 18L. Not having ridden one it also seems like it could do with just a little more power, maybe 115/120hp.....
@Georgi Petkov Well you're probably right there. I guess it's mostly personal preference - how much power, where in the rev range, etc. I've an XSR 900 at the moment and am happy, but would like more bottom end without sacrificing the mid/top end power. Also twins sound cool.
@@vinjofin1972 Out here in the southwestern US everyone is going 85+ on the highways. A more powerful engine makes a less frantic bike at those higher speeds.
It is vitally important to sit on and test ride any motorcycle that you are considering buying, I have fallen in love with hundreds of motorcycles, only to find out that when I sit on them they don't fit me at all.
Yamaha TDM 900, been doing this for decades? A tripple would have made sense nowadays. Heat transfer is apparently awful. Seems it was rushed to market
This is a very nice bike! I think after spending the summer on it, I would say that the seat and screen definitely need an upgrade and the bike is a bit down on power compared to other offerings. However, that really is a small complaint - not sure you get an F900xr to hooligan around... it is a wonderful sport tourer. Power places it nicely between, say, the Versys 650 and Versys 1000, better than the Triumph Tiger 660, less power than the Yamaha Tracer 9.
@@roythompson2632 In the U.S. the 900XR is about $2500 more than the Tracer, apples to apples (but doesn't have the lean angle or as nice and large TFT . I love both but am deciding on the additional $ for the XR.
@Georgi Petkov TRacer TFT is poor compared to XR's which is why I said that. Tracer has drive modes which adjusts the suspension or changes it rather. XR doesn't need adjustment I"m told often. Correct Tracer has no down quick shifting an does come with luggage but has ABS. NOt sure what you mean about "cornering ABS".
It's funny isn't it? Here in the UK the Tracer GT and an equivalently-specced F900XR are almost exactly the same price (£11,197 vs £11,785 respectively)
@@roythompson2632 hi yes here is Finland and here are the prices: F900XR 16000€ base model: TFT display ABS ASC two drive mode rain/road led lights heated grips 17600€ comfort pack adds: Headlight pro keyless ride RDC Center stand Alarm 182670€ Touring pack adds: Dynamics Esa Cruise Sidecase stands (no cases) 19830€ Performance pack adds: DEBC DTC Drive modes rain/road/dynamic quick shifter up and down navigation stand (no nav) ABS pro Hand guards Yamaha Tracer 900GT 16871€ A&S D-MODE TCS ABS 18l tank Cruise control Heated grips TFT display Center stand Side cases QSS
In my opinion the problem with the new 900xr and F900r is that you're paying a premium price but getting a very dull engine. i mean common just a vanilla parallel twin? it sounds bad stock and it'll continue to sound like a ninja 300 even with an aftermarket exhaust ... if i wanted a middle weight adv i would go for tracer 900gt , 790adv or multistrada 950s
Matt being very careful selecting proper words reminds me with his bad experience with bmw and his s1000xr review with vibrations/buzz ness of handlebars issue. I used to have s1000xr 2017 model and buzz on the handlebars was a lesser issue, then in 2015, when it first came into the production. It was a great bike with one solvable issue ( heavy on gas and heavy bar-end weights). This one is a pure poser bike : bmw badge, leds, serious look. Full outside and empty inside.
I suggest the BMW app is a no no for most riders in the UK. UK police are allowed to confiscate phones to view/download data so any excess speeding (30mph above limit), speed-dangerous, wheelies, etc, is an automatic 12 month ban (or imprisonment), a retest for both car and motorcycle, and 5 years of financial insurance hell. All for the sake of an app.
@Georgi Petkov Nice to know for historic data but I don't think a copper is going to wait for you to delete the data when he's just pulled you over or you're laying in the road after an accident.
The 1000 has that pathetic buzzing thing going on, and this bike, if it at least doesn't have that would be the better bike. But like others mentioned here, tiny tank, price, and the rest of it just doesn't say VALUE to people looking to maximize the money they're spending. I think the Triumphs, Yamaha's and other bikes are still the better buy. BMW is letting everybody down.
What are you talking about? I've owned this bike for a year now and it can easily do 180+ miles, even though it only holds 15.5 liters of fuel. That's more miles than my 18 liter Tracer 900 can do.
@@gregt7927 So stopping to fill up at 200 miles is "always stopping for gas", is it? The F900 is comparable to any other bike in it's class, the tank may be smaller but it's better on fuel economy. To correct my earlier comment my current trip says 157 miles with a range of 69 miles left. So that's roughly 225+ to a tank of fuel.
@@applecorp I don’t know what your problem is with my personal choice , maybe you think if everyone was like you the world would be a better place, I didn’t speak on other peoples behalf but my own personal preference if you don’t like you can fark off
Many high quality electronics are made in China and a Chinese made anything can be as good as anything else as long as the design is QC is good. Harley's Street Series for the US are built in the US and they are of terrible quality. They aren't Fenders are they?
Even though it’s a European design with good QC, wherever possible I won’t buy or support a communist economy. Japanese only and I do check where my Japanese products are built
@@andrewshore262 Its not so much communism or communist economies we should rail against. Its the god damned CCP. The CCP is a modern-day assembly of a large collection of expansionist fanatics not too different from how the Nazi youth parties used to educate their young. That said, many first world countries use variants of the same socialist policies used by communist countries too. The world today is as much influenced by communism/socialism as it is by American Democracy and Capitalism.
Lots of stuff is made in China, other bike manufacturers have components assembled there, your iPhone is made there, your PS5 is made there, that is the world today. The F900 engine is assembled in China under BMW quality control, no problem with that. Then it is shipped to Berlin in Germany where it is checked and the rest of the bike is assembled.
@@robertp457 What's your problem with him having a problem with a Chinese built engine? Anyone is entitled to like or not like Chinese made products, whether you approve or not.
Nope. Dull, Chinese engine. Nonadjustable front forks. Tiny tank. Uncomfortable seat. Tiny pillion seat. Crazy expensive extras. This bike would make sense if it was about half the price. Until then, Ducati, Triumph, Yamaha, and Kawasaki's much better offerings in this class will continue to rule. But remember, this is BMW and they have this tattooed on their chests: "No one has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the average person"
That engine is designed and built in china by Loncin, known for copying Honda engines for years. 👎 Not worth buying that bike when you have Japanese bikes with engines still made in Japan for the same amount of money. 🤷♂
Been watching Mat's bike reviews for years. He is super knowledgeable. Keep it coming!
I took on for test ride yesterday (13/09/20) and, as much as I wanted to, I didn't love it for exactly the reasons mention in this video. The buffeting it awful when there is no wind, and then into a headwind, I was hanging on for dear life. I went from CT - Franschoek and back and nearly emptied the tank, and I was not gunning it most of the time. And the worst is the saddle. 20 minutes in I could not feel my gentleman sausage any longer and my butt was completely numb. The firm, square edge on the saddle, combined with the overall firmness make for a very uncomfortable place to be for any length of time.
On the plus side, the motor is great, and it is super nimble, it almost feels like it is reading your mind into the corners. The one I tested was the base model so did not have a quick-shifter so I can't comment on that but the clutch was light and the gear box is super silky.
I was riding with a friend on his S1000XR and the difference in comfort levels are huge. The bigger windscreen makes a huge difference and the saddle is like a lazy boy by comparison.
So no F900XR for me.
these are the best comments
Great review! And even better word invention
I totally agree with you about the fuel tank and the seat! Otherwise, a real joy to ride and plenty of power for the roadways.
I specifically liked that you ride the bikes in a fun speed rithm which means a lot.
If you press the SOS button in Poland or France, will they send the Panzer divisions?
I remember every detail, the Germans wore gray and you wore blue.
🤣🤣🤣
You made my day 😂
Took delivery of my 900XR yesterday here in the UK. It was the bike I liked the best after recently riding the GS850 and Tiger 900. To me at 69 it’s offering a more manageable bike than the 2016 Africa Twin I had previously owned and feels far more nimble than the 2018 T120 that it’s replacing.
I'm interested in Tiger 900 and BMW 900XR. curious, what pushed you toward the BMW vs the Triumph?
David S
Hi David, several things on the T900, that didn’t suit me, the seat felt a little bit squishy so made me fidget after a while, also I found that there was a tingling through the handlebars that together with their position caused discomfort in my shoulders. I can’t say that the “T plane crank” and it’s associated firing order felt that good to me for continued road use. Also I thought the screen height adjustment was a bit crude and difficult to use. On the plus side the suspension and handling was beautiful, very similar to the XR. These are my personal views and I must add that I’m 69, 5’10” and 74 kilos in weight.
Handle bar “buzziness “ was also an issue for me on the BMW 850 GS., but not a concern on the XR.
If you do get round to trying any of these bikes I’d like to read your take on them. Cheers
Hi! What bike do you think is better for fast corners, f900xr or gs750 or tiger 660 sport? I have k1600gtl and I love it but I need to sell it and change to one bike for city and for medium trips (500Kms per day) Thanks and congrats for your reviews
Great review, bought mine on the back of this review. MRA Vario screen added now its perfect :)
What is the real fuel consumption ? How many km per tank? Thanks
@@thanasisthanos2505 it did about 55-60mpg. I sold it after 6 months as a bit boring. I now ride a KTM Superduke GT. Much much better 😀😀
@@thanasisthanos2505 300km
I heard that the rear brake is not good enough! Does anybody know anything about that?
Nice bike exept of the the motor
R is for naked bike class, XR is for sport tourer / adv class?
I still have a BMW F 800 s and I have to disagree with you on the statement that the 800 didn't have character. I will take the rotax bulletproof yet unpleasantly noisy engine, the horrendous sounding transmission, and the terrible shifting of the F 800 s any day over this new poser. I really wish that BMW would have stayed true to their heritage with this bike as the BMW F 800 s was such an amazing yet controversial bike. Even though it sounded like a barnyard filled with animals I still hear many people today reminiscence over how durable and amazing the f 800 was and still is. The BMW f 800 range has a somewhat of a cult following even and I somehow doubt that we will be receiving that same level of satisfaction from this new F 900 XR...
900cc = Middleweight?
It is a good bike.
I had one as a loner for the day when I took the RnineT in. But it doesn’t beat the Triumph 660 trident same spec almost, handles better and cheaper to run and maintain and if you are lucky you can pick them up for 8.5k with luggage.
Why is this video re-uploaded`?
I rode one yesterday, it was good fun but the rear brake was so terribly mushy I wasn't even sure when I had my foot on it.
Strangely I didn't get any buffetting, I had the screen up and it seemed to work perfectly.
As for the seat it had an additional gel pad fitted which made it perfectly fine.
It is in fact not the same engine as the 2008 f800 rotax engine. When they switched to the so called crossplane 850, the production went to China. So the only thing they have in common is that they are parallel twins.
No ambulance on the SOS response?
Jabardast 😊😊😊😊
You don’t have to wait for full sized panniers on a super slim design. Just check out the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce designed by Adrian Morton which went on sale in 2015 and is basically totally ripped off by the 9cento concept. Wider at the bars than the panniers...😊
I just realised that having the throttle on the right side may make learning to ride a bike for a left hander a bit harder.
I am in the market for one of these and my deal breaker with the tracer is that horrific driver's mask of a tft, along with the ugliest front face in the market. However nothing beats it's ride and reliability and these bimmers do have the best interface with the scroll wheel. This model really ticks all boxes and will probably have first place in my shortlist
Considering one of these. I have the old S1000XR currently and fancy something a little bit lighter. The screen and seat issues are no big deal and can easily be sorted. (I use an Airhawk as it is). I have 2 concerns, needs a slightly bigger tank, maybe 18L. Not having ridden one it also seems like it could do with just a little more power, maybe 115/120hp.....
Great review. I wish it had another 15 or so hp...
@Georgi Petkov Well you're probably right there. I guess it's mostly personal preference - how much power, where in the rev range, etc. I've an XSR 900 at the moment and am happy, but would like more bottom end without sacrificing the mid/top end power.
Also twins sound cool.
Ask yourself. How many times you use all of the 105 bhp? Only if you ride like a lunatic you probably do. For commuting you never will.
@@vinjofin1972 Out here in the southwestern US everyone is going 85+ on the highways. A more powerful engine makes a less frantic bike at those higher speeds.
I guess that with an exhaust and remapping you can get it
the bike of resident evil the final chapter
It is vitally important to sit on and test ride any motorcycle that you are considering buying, I have fallen in love with hundreds of motorcycles, only to find out that when I sit on them they don't fit me at all.
Yamaha TDM 900, been doing this for decades? A tripple would have made sense nowadays. Heat transfer is apparently awful. Seems it was rushed to market
Trippple*
This is a very nice bike! I think after spending the summer on it, I would say that the seat and screen definitely need an upgrade and the bike is a bit down on power compared to other offerings. However, that really is a small complaint - not sure you get an F900xr to hooligan around... it is a wonderful sport tourer. Power places it nicely between, say, the Versys 650 and Versys 1000, better than the Triumph Tiger 660, less power than the Yamaha Tracer 9.
Hi, in here 900XR is 2000€ more that Tracer 900 GT, so that is that.
Where is 'here'? In Spain a full spec f900xr is almost the same price as the tracer 900 but the BMW has loads more gadgets.
@@roythompson2632 In the U.S. the 900XR is about $2500 more than the Tracer, apples to apples (but doesn't have the lean angle or as nice and large TFT . I love both but am deciding on the additional $ for the XR.
@Georgi Petkov TRacer TFT is poor compared to XR's which is why I said that. Tracer has drive modes which adjusts the suspension or changes it rather. XR doesn't need adjustment I"m told often. Correct Tracer has no down quick shifting an does come with luggage but has ABS. NOt sure what you mean about "cornering ABS".
It's funny isn't it? Here in the UK the Tracer GT and an equivalently-specced F900XR are almost exactly the same price (£11,197 vs £11,785 respectively)
@@roythompson2632 hi yes here is Finland and here are the prices:
F900XR 16000€ base model:
TFT display
ABS
ASC
two drive mode rain/road
led lights
heated grips
17600€ comfort pack adds:
Headlight pro
keyless ride
RDC
Center stand
Alarm
182670€ Touring pack adds:
Dynamics Esa
Cruise
Sidecase stands (no cases)
19830€ Performance pack adds:
DEBC
DTC
Drive modes rain/road/dynamic
quick shifter up and down
navigation stand (no nav)
ABS pro
Hand guards
Yamaha Tracer 900GT 16871€
A&S
D-MODE
TCS
ABS
18l tank
Cruise control
Heated grips
TFT display
Center stand
Side cases
QSS
It's the radiator grills, just too small. If it had two big kidney lungs, one on each side like BMW's new 3 and 4 series it would look so much better.
In my opinion the problem with the new 900xr and F900r is that you're paying a premium price but getting a very dull engine. i mean common just a vanilla parallel twin? it sounds bad stock and it'll continue to sound like a ninja 300 even with an aftermarket exhaust ... if i wanted a middle weight adv i would go for tracer 900gt , 790adv or multistrada 950s
Have you ridden any of the 900's? They seemed to like it. Who needs a loud motorcycle?
790 has (almost) the same engine configuration. It's not a parallel twin in the strictest sense because of the offset firing order.
Missing from these comments is the vibrations at 6000 rpm’s. Once the bike hits 6000 rpm’s my hands and feet are buzzing so bad you have to shift.
I watched this video 900 XR times
The seat, tank and screen are a deal breaker for me. And the SOS button calling out emergency services unnecessarily, who pays for that?
Matt being very careful selecting proper words reminds me with his bad experience with bmw and his s1000xr review with vibrations/buzz ness of handlebars issue. I used to have s1000xr 2017 model and buzz on the handlebars was a lesser issue, then in 2015, when it first came into the production. It was a great bike with one solvable issue ( heavy on gas and heavy bar-end weights). This one is a pure poser bike : bmw badge, leds, serious look. Full outside and empty inside.
I suggest the BMW app is a no no for most riders in the UK. UK police are allowed to confiscate phones to view/download data so any excess speeding (30mph above limit), speed-dangerous, wheelies, etc, is an automatic 12 month ban (or imprisonment), a retest for both car and motorcycle, and 5 years of financial insurance hell. All for the sake of an app.
@Georgi Petkov Nice to know for historic data but I don't think a copper is going to wait for you to delete the data when he's just pulled you over or you're laying in the road after an accident.
@Georgi Petkov The developers must ride motorbikes! 😁👍
So the police can go through your tracking and see you were speeding...
The 1000 has that pathetic buzzing thing going on, and this bike, if it at least doesn't have that would be the better bike. But like others mentioned here, tiny tank, price, and the rest of it just doesn't say VALUE to people looking to maximize the money they're spending. I think the Triumphs, Yamaha's and other bikes are still the better buy. BMW is letting everybody down.
Cant really understand what youre saying.
nah one thing i hate is always stopping for gas its a no for me
What are you talking about? I've owned this bike for a year now and it can easily do 180+ miles, even though it only holds 15.5 liters of fuel. That's more miles than my 18 liter Tracer 900 can do.
@@applecorp it’s a touring bike you Wally 15 litres your far Ken kidding GSA 850 I can get 560 clicks & same engine
@@gregt7927 So stopping to fill up at 200 miles is "always stopping for gas", is it? The F900 is comparable to any other bike in it's class, the tank may be smaller but it's better on fuel economy. To correct my earlier comment my current trip says 157 miles with a range of 69 miles left. So that's roughly 225+ to a tank of fuel.
@@applecorp I don’t know what your problem is with my personal choice , maybe you think if everyone was like you the world would be a better place, I didn’t speak on other peoples behalf but my own personal preference if you don’t like you can fark off
Usually, I would prefer a Japanese made bike over a Chinese one. Just based on my previous experiences with Japanese manufacturing quality .
Many high quality electronics are made in China and a Chinese made anything can be as good as anything else as long as the design is QC is good. Harley's Street Series for the US are built in the US and they are of terrible quality. They aren't Fenders are they?
Even though it’s a European design with good QC, wherever possible I won’t buy or support a communist economy. Japanese only and I do check where my Japanese products are built
@@robertp457 I know nothing about Harley’s. Don’t even care. Wouldn’t buy one, ever.
@@andrewshore262 Its not so much communism or communist economies we should rail against. Its the god damned CCP.
The CCP is a modern-day assembly of a large collection of expansionist fanatics not too different from how the Nazi youth parties used to educate their young.
That said, many first world countries use variants of the same socialist policies used by communist countries too. The world today is as much influenced by communism/socialism as it is by American Democracy and Capitalism.
Daryle Goh You’ve put that far more eloquently than myself 👍
The Multi V2 looks more practical and reliable but this thing looks gorgeous. Funny when a Ducati seems like a smarter choice compared to a BMW.
Why is this motor made in China. It is a BMW?
Lots of stuff is made in China, other bike manufacturers have components assembled there, your iPhone is made there, your PS5 is made there, that is the world today. The F900 engine is assembled in China under BMW quality control, no problem with that. Then it is shipped to Berlin in Germany where it is checked and the rest of the bike is assembled.
Chinese made engine - BMW price
What's your specific problem with the Engine? Most of your electronics are made in China.
@@robertp457 What's your problem with him having a problem with a Chinese built engine? Anyone is entitled to like or not like Chinese made products, whether you approve or not.
miteor your kidding, bmw engine made in China. If so it’s bye bye from me
Wrong!
Engine Designed and made in Germany
But assembled in China.
Like the rest of the world
@@aussiesam01 mate what’s your problem with him having a problem with the other lad having a problem with Chinese engines?
Nope. Dull, Chinese engine. Nonadjustable front forks. Tiny tank. Uncomfortable seat. Tiny pillion seat. Crazy expensive extras. This bike would make sense if it was about half the price. Until then, Ducati, Triumph, Yamaha, and Kawasaki's much better offerings in this class will continue to rule. But remember, this is BMW and they have this tattooed on their chests: "No one has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the average person"
Please get a better helmet..... so we can understand what you are saying!!!! Audio is important man.
Chinese built engine to short a seat and to hard.weird thing is the f900 r has a lot softer seat BMW missed the target with this bike.
@David Miatke short as in length not height is the problem very little room for pillion.
That engine is designed and built in china by Loncin, known for copying Honda engines for years. 👎
Not worth buying that bike when you have Japanese bikes with engines still made in Japan for the same amount of money. 🤷♂
Nobody wants to watch a video of guy talking while he's riding a motorcycle, it's too difficult to hear and annoying.