BMW R NineT /5

[LongRanger_imp]

I'm not a huge fan of the R NineT but I was really drawn to this bike and wanted to like it, but I just can't. The more I stare at it, the more weird styling cues I notice. Is the front fender on backwards? And why is the tank so huge? Looks like a beluga. And why can't you buy a classic-design bike with a real rear fender?

Oh well, it's a nice shade of blue, and the hand-applied pin stripes are cool.

[DBXXX_imp]

IMO most of the appeal of the R9T is the engine. The big boxer is such a cool piece of machinery, and the only other way to get one is on a big, expensive R bike. I agree with you on the styling; I think this model year is a big step backward in looks.

[peterbaron]

Its engine appeals to me, tank, head lamp and handle bar are OK too.
Hate: front & rear mini fenders, big gap between r/fender and wheel and lacking of rear shocks = do not like mono type, too skinny seat.
This is MHO.

[the Ferret]

I can't believe no one dislikes the erector set arms under the seat. lol

I guess that is supposed to resemble a late 70's R100/7, but by making it "modern" with the stubby front fender and the gaping rear end, It just ruins it for me. The R100/7 was a much better looking bike imo

[Richard_imp]

I like the R9T but I always feel the tank is too big for the rest of the bike. I also struggle with "retro" bikes that use a monoshock rear end.

[Houtman_imp]

Many designers for bikes AND cars often make the next generation worse than the previous one . All SUV's look so similar these days that you do not know what make it is un till you get close to it

[Frulk_imp]

Agree with everything that's been said so far except for the tank size. I like it. Anything which extends range and keeps my trips to the pump down is something I support. However, I think the exterior treatment on this tanks is a big step backwards from the previous versions clean lines.

[Crazyirv_imp]

It's just part of a long tradition at BMW of making the ugliest bikes on the road.

[misterprofessionality]

I'm not a huge fan of the R NineT but I was really drawn to this bike and wanted to like it, but I just can't. The more I stare at it, the more weird styling cues I notice. Is the front fender on backwards? And why is the tank so huge? Looks like a beluga. And why can't you buy a classic-design bike with a real rear fender?

Oh well, it's a nice shade of blue, and the hand-applied pin stripes are cool.

Dont' feel bad. I've test ridden more than one iteration of the R9T. I just can't get behind it. on paper it's better than our CB in every way and i will concede that it's certainly faster, but it's just not....as good? i don't know. it seems to fall short in so many ways when actually being ridden. the handling. the feeling of the acceleration, the smoothness. Add to that the aesthetics don't jive with necessarily everybody and I never could understand the hype around R9ts.

[Stichill_imp]

It's just part of a long tradition at BMW of making the ugliest bikes on the road.

It's hit or miss with them. R NineT is a miss. I did think my F 800 GT was handsome, even though it had functionality flaws that, over time, I could not abide.