Great review, thank you for sharing. Bought an urban gs a few weeks ago. Attached some bits to the bike. Wunderlich tinted front screen, 20 mm handle bar riser blocks & engine cylinder head crash protection bars. Added an oil cooler guard, tank bag , black canvas panier on the right side to carry wet weather gear, tyre puncture repair kit, co2 bottles ,solo seat & carry rack. Head light protector , brake & clutch lever covers on back order from the dealer. A solid well constructed bike. Boxer engine delivers enough power for my needs, sounds great. Bike handles well around town & on the hwy. Not sure how the bike handle on adventure riding. The abs brakes work really well. Been white , better chance other road users see you from a safety aspect. Thankyou, kind regards from Queensland, Australia.
You guys have a great rapport. I enjoy watching you talk about motorcycles. The Urban GS is a styling exercise, but also a phenomenal everyday bike. Ride the r nine t racer to wrap your head around a true style over substance bike. Or maybe an Indian Scout Bobber. Both great motorcycles, but comprised in the name of style
Just watched this now as I have an interest on buying one.I usually love bike show tests however this one tells me nothing.what was the bike like to ride? Handling? Power delivery?
Really lovely styling, and I don’t mind having decade old technology in the form of an oil air cooled 1200...but it’s $2k over priced for what it offers. It has a good basis for an off road bike if you change the forks and add good knobbies, as I’ve seen a few do well off road, but obviously not in an MX way
Would the urban G/S with knobbies be that bad off road though? As long as conditions weren't too tough and we had the knobbies/bash plate fitted. Wish you guys had tried it regardless. We're not talking motocross or anything, just some light dual track stuff maybe...where people take their regular G/Ses
Ride The Track It seems to have far too short suspension travel, and it is not exactly nimble. Also, the boxer engine is easily hurt if you tip over. Not uncommon to crack the valve cover causing a major oil leak. So I guess this is more of a stylish commuter, although I do find it to look less good than other R Nine T models.
Bike Show seems to have missed the point. Was the bike fun? Did it handle? How was the seating position? Could you jump a curb? Kinda crappy review trashing the retro-concept for the entire viddy. If you didn't make the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin this year, that style was all the rage. And I'ma guess none performed as well as this one probably does.
Have been riding for 25 + years now, and my BMW R nine T is the best bike for me right now, where most of my driving is back roads and some gravel. I might be able to get a more efficient from another brand, but not one I would enjoy as much as I do the BMW R nine T. It's more about opinion than facts - and we live in a world where we have many choices - so I cant complain
I disagree with so much of this. a) I've crashed and bounced down the road about 50 yards in an open faced helmet. Destroyed the lid, my head and face were fine. b) Short people like adventure bikes too. This looks to be a great little bike to tame the gravel roads connecting the asphalt jungle. c) It's got a low maintenance shaft, a single hole for oil, no radiator, and heads that stick right at you for their occasional maintenance. Brilliant! I find the Bike Show entertaining, but it would be nice if you actually reviewed aspects of the bike a little more and opined about style and power a little less. One thing that drives me crazy about this line from BMW is no fuel gauge. I suppose BMW is hoping most owners won't notice until they get it home. But that's the kinda thing reviewers should be pointing out to their audience. Others might be does it have cruise control? Heated Grips? What's the suspension travel? Are the tires tubeless? and so on...
A month ago I was torn between the Urban GS and Desert Sled. I eventually went with the Sled (I found a used one) but there isn't a ride that goes by where I think about that boxer/shaft drive character. I spend most my time on country roads (both paved/unpaved) and I think with the knobbier tires and a skid plate, I would have been fine with the UGS.
Last great GS they built was the 1986 Paris DAKAR. Stupidly sold mine to get a 1990 1000GS.. what a POS. My biggest complaint about BMW's newer off road bikes is excessive weight and winky little fuel tanks. I ride bikes; I ride them long distances. Small fuel tanks are ridiculous. This 800 is an "urban" bike in wolf's clothing.
Hi Nigel. Not at the moment but we are working on an online subscription channel where you will be able to watch full episodes. I know, I know, why should you pay for it when you could watch it for free on TH-cam but, sadly we are not millionaires who can afford to bankroll the whole thing. Initial thoughts are to charge $1 or $2 for a month's content, which would be four or five episodes, depending on the month, as well as some extra stuff you won't see n the episodes. Quick straw poll; would that be something you would be interested in? In SA we have to rely on programme sponsors to make the show and that doesn't begin to cover the costs. We'll be ready to make an announcement fairly soon so watch this space.
Yes, I'd sign-up in an instant and would also be ok with ads in it too. In the UK there's nothing even remotely close to what you guys do. We get oddball stuff like Henry Cole etc but that is, at best, esoteric and ok if you like open faced biking shenanigans and rusty old nails (I'd best leave that one there!) Your show is very good guys and deserves a global audience. Oh and if you need UK based tests and reviews...well let's just say I have my own GoPro (*proud*) and can speak to camera without coming over all stage struck. No fortune needed, just ever lasting fame is all. :-D
And yes .. I'd sign up for it as well .. also in Oz. Nothing like this show here on commercial TV or Foxtel. Bring it on .. or perhaps try and negotiate with Foxtel for pay TV subscribers .. and good luck with that :)
But For an URBAN bike Isn't too heavy, wide making difficult for filtering and more power than ever needed for commuting? might aswell they raised a bit the suspension travel, added engine and sumpguards and make it like a mini GS with less specs but still usable offroad. kinda like a more budget gsa. but still admit the bike looks great.
Considering that the modern GS series (and the majority of "adventure" bikes) are now the bike equivalent of the SUV craze, there's a fair bit of style over substance with the off road pretensions anyway. So... I guess a modern retro, street only version of the R80GS should fit right in.
Cracks me up he said the seat is good. I do wish the seat was more comfy. After a couple hours the ole tailbone starts crying and you start shifting. Want to upgrade with the wunderlich but $800 too much to justify for now. Its not *that* bad.
BMW lost it's way in styling in the mid 1990s with all the sharp angles and pieces that look tacked on. I for one appreciate the styling of this bike. You can't link performance only to retro bikes even inside of BMW. The GS is a great bike but a poser in terms of road ability. There is absolutely nothing wrong and much to be appreciated about a great looking bike that is simple and fun to do most any kind of riding an average rider would want. I don't want BMW to go back to their old arrogant we know better than you what you should want days.
Faisal AL-Maiman you mean the worst of the bunch. The racer is easily the most artistic rendition. The standard R Nine T comes second, Pure comes third, scrambler, then this monstrosity.
Gets rather wide after you put Engin bars on. The "R NineT" also has better suspension whey they downgraded it for the GS and Scrambler is a question not answered
Three bikes exist today: hipster bikes, Power Ranger bikes, and Transformer bikes. I prefer the good looks of the late 90's early 2000's sports bikes. Too bad manufacturers don't see it that way anymore.
I have one, the most retro part of the bike is the truly horrible and deficient "retro" suspension, much like the bone jarring crap on a 70's ducati ss. On australian roads the bike is borderline dangerous. New aftermarket suspension on it's way, but why don't BMW put even just ok suspension on it? A serious case of style over substance gone wrong.
180k rand..?`? that´s how much in normal currency? and why is the guy in the midle trying to look like some 20 year old boyband member? There´s so much noncence here that it takes my focus away from the actual bikereview itself.
My Urban GS would destroy an R80 on road or off. No substance, lol. All these guys crying about the stock performance offroad must not ride very well. I grew up on kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda bikes in middle of Africa in the 80's and this bike would destroy those pitiful little bangers going anywhere they could and many places it can't for lack of power. What kinda bikes you think people on 3rd world roads ride? Certainly not off road machines. Straight up stock road bikes less capable than my gs. Technique gets you wherever you need to go on just about any bike, but I have an easy time of it with the urban gs. Its certainly never going to compete with its modern gs cousins, but to claim it has no substance is laughable. If BMQ hadn't called it a GS folks would be raving how good it is off road. Not to mention these things are made to customize. So, much like the original R80 if you want to do Paris /Dakar best to modify a bit. But this bike can do it all stock and with a capable rider its that hard.
So to sum it up for me...I don't like the styling of new bikes and I also don't like the performance of the old bikes who's styling I love. Substance matters very much. Its not the only thing though and happy to be riding something that doesn't look too sporty and can still rip! Not to mention it is reliable as hell and built like a tank. The motor is proven to be one of the best ever, the components and fixtures are all grade A. After 3 years not a lick of rust anywhere. Hope I never have to get rid of it.
Test rode it twice ... Didn't want to give it back either time ....so I bought one ... and I bloody love it ....
This styling excercise is a homage to the R80GS... Good channel guys...
Great review, thank you for sharing. Bought an urban gs a few weeks ago. Attached some bits to the bike. Wunderlich tinted front screen, 20 mm handle bar riser blocks & engine cylinder head crash protection bars. Added an oil cooler guard, tank bag , black canvas panier on the right side to carry wet weather gear, tyre puncture repair kit, co2 bottles ,solo seat & carry rack. Head light protector , brake & clutch lever covers on back order from the dealer. A solid well constructed bike. Boxer engine delivers enough power for my needs, sounds great. Bike handles well around town & on the hwy. Not sure how the bike handle on adventure riding. The abs brakes work really well. Been white , better chance other road users see you from a safety aspect. Thankyou, kind regards from Queensland, Australia.
You guys look like top gear for motorcycles
You guys have a great rapport. I enjoy watching you talk about motorcycles. The Urban GS is a styling exercise, but also a phenomenal everyday bike. Ride the r nine t racer to wrap your head around a true style over substance bike. Or maybe an Indian Scout Bobber. Both great motorcycles, but comprised in the name of style
Just watched this now as I have an interest on buying one.I usually love bike show tests however this one tells me nothing.what was the bike like to ride? Handling? Power delivery?
Really lovely styling, and I don’t mind having decade old technology in the form of an oil air cooled 1200...but it’s $2k over priced for what it offers. It has a good basis for an off road bike if you change the forks and add good knobbies, as I’ve seen a few do well off road, but obviously not in an MX way
Would the urban G/S with knobbies be that bad off road though? As long as conditions weren't too tough and we had the knobbies/bash plate fitted. Wish you guys had tried it regardless. We're not talking motocross or anything, just some light dual track stuff maybe...where people take their regular G/Ses
Ride The Track It seems to have far too short suspension travel, and it is not exactly nimble. Also, the boxer engine is easily hurt if you tip over. Not uncommon to crack the valve cover causing a major oil leak. So I guess this is more of a stylish commuter, although I do find it to look less good than other R Nine T models.
Motorcycle(dot)com ran this Urban GS in a recent 3-way bike semi-off-road comparison on their channel. Check it out.
@@AkaAndyKnuckles It is nimble.
@T Ogden It is only 220 kilos tanked up.
@T Ogden It is only 220 kilos tanked up.
Bike Show seems to have missed the point. Was the bike fun? Did it handle? How was the seating position? Could you jump a curb? Kinda crappy review trashing the retro-concept for the entire viddy. If you didn't make the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin this year, that style was all the rage. And I'ma guess none performed as well as this one probably does.
Have been riding for 25 + years now, and my BMW R nine T is the best bike for me right now, where most of my driving is back roads and some gravel. I might be able to get a more efficient from another brand, but not one I would enjoy as much as I do the BMW R nine T. It's more about opinion than facts - and we live in a world where we have many choices - so I cant complain
Thank you for good vid. the bike, same as mine
Harry's squint is priceless 0:25
WT?- did the bike come off the line with bluing pipes?
I disagree with so much of this.
a) I've crashed and bounced down the road about 50 yards in an open faced helmet. Destroyed the lid, my head and face were fine.
b) Short people like adventure bikes too. This looks to be a great little bike to tame the gravel roads connecting the asphalt jungle.
c) It's got a low maintenance shaft, a single hole for oil, no radiator, and heads that stick right at you for their occasional maintenance. Brilliant!
I find the Bike Show entertaining, but it would be nice if you actually reviewed aspects of the bike a little more and opined about style and power a little less. One thing that drives me crazy about this line from BMW is no fuel gauge. I suppose BMW is hoping most owners won't notice until they get it home. But that's the kinda thing reviewers should be pointing out to their audience.
Others might be does it have cruise control? Heated Grips? What's the suspension travel? Are the tires tubeless? and so on...
A month ago I was torn between the Urban GS and Desert Sled. I eventually went with the Sled (I found a used one) but there isn't a ride that goes by where I think about that boxer/shaft drive character. I spend most my time on country roads (both paved/unpaved) and I think with the knobbier tires and a skid plate, I would have been fine with the UGS.
Adrian Wisernig I’m torn between the same two bikes. I would love to test ride em both.
@@jimmytheshark86 Buy the Beemer.
I would love to see BMW produce a retro Paris Dakar replica version of this bike.
Last great GS they built was the 1986 Paris DAKAR. Stupidly sold mine to get a 1990 1000GS.. what a POS. My biggest complaint about BMW's newer off road bikes is excessive weight and winky little fuel tanks. I ride bikes; I ride them long distances. Small fuel tanks are ridiculous. This 800 is an "urban" bike in wolf's clothing.
@@melindamanthey2757 she's 1170 cc's not 800...no wonder you think its heavy.
Love this bike show, wish we could get the whole show in the UK.
Be patient. News coming soon. Not on TV but via an online channel.
R ninet is potentially a great platform for a retro off-road bike: long travel suspension, longer swingarm and perhaps an adjusted rake.
this time my eyes hurt seeing same 4 turns looping over and over together with a music sampling :)
'Style over substance' say the chaps drinking milky coffees out of Kilner Jars...
Is the whole show available to view anywhere outside SA chaps?
Nigel Tabb I asked this question & never got an answer 🙄
I think is an upload from a channel local to SA only.
Hi Nigel. Not at the moment but we are working on an online subscription channel where you will be able to watch full episodes. I know, I know, why should you pay for it when you could watch it for free on TH-cam but, sadly we are not millionaires who can afford to bankroll the whole thing. Initial thoughts are to charge $1 or $2 for a month's content, which would be four or five episodes, depending on the month, as well as some extra stuff you won't see n the episodes. Quick straw poll; would that be something you would be interested in? In SA we have to rely on programme sponsors to make the show and that doesn't begin to cover the costs. We'll be ready to make an announcement fairly soon so watch this space.
Yes, I'd sign-up in an instant and would also be ok with ads in it too.
In the UK there's nothing even remotely close to what you guys do.
We get oddball stuff like Henry Cole etc but that is, at best, esoteric and ok if you like open faced biking shenanigans and rusty old nails (I'd best leave that one there!)
Your show is very good guys and deserves a global audience.
Oh and if you need UK based tests and reviews...well let's just say I have my own GoPro (*proud*) and can speak to camera without coming over all stage struck.
No fortune needed, just ever lasting fame is all. :-D
And yes .. I'd sign up for it as well .. also in Oz. Nothing like this show here on commercial TV or Foxtel. Bring it on .. or perhaps try and negotiate with Foxtel for pay TV subscribers .. and good luck with that :)
The RNineT I'd buy.
Is a lovely bike to ride!! Great review.gr
But For an URBAN bike Isn't too heavy, wide making difficult for filtering and more power than ever needed for commuting? might aswell they raised a bit the suspension travel, added engine and sumpguards and make it like a mini GS with less specs but still usable offroad. kinda like a more budget gsa. but still admit the bike looks great.
Considering that the modern GS series (and the majority of "adventure" bikes) are now the bike equivalent of the SUV craze, there's a fair bit of style over substance with the off road pretensions anyway. So... I guess a modern retro, street only version of the R80GS should fit right in.
Joric78 7m
It can somewhat go off road.
(After a little mods)
I read the bike name as turban GS.
Everything out of GER is islamified these days
I think I ticked the oil leak box on my 9t without noticing because I had 2 within 3 weeks of getting it!
Would have been good to see a proper review versus just a pointless discussion about style over substance?
Liked the opening shots, very Great Escape... but Steve McQueen was on a Triumph!
Looks pretty cool fo sho
Nice discussion....but don't knock the 'scrambler ' bikes ....they are brilliant to ride and as they say the best bike is the one you're riding! Steve
Looks like they brought back the R80GS. I like it, except the look of the seat. I wish BMW were still making simple air-cooled bikes like the R80.
Looks nice, but so uncomfortable for OEM setup.
Cracks me up he said the seat is good. I do wish the seat was more comfy. After a couple hours the ole tailbone starts crying and you start shifting. Want to upgrade with the wunderlich but $800 too much to justify for now. Its not *that* bad.
Thks.
It's just a naked bike. Can't do much off road with the exhaust going under the frame. It IS good looking though. Wish it came in other colors.
BMW lost it's way in styling in the mid 1990s with all the sharp angles and pieces that look tacked on. I for one appreciate the styling of this bike. You can't link performance only to retro bikes even inside of BMW. The GS is a great bike but a poser in terms of road ability.
There is absolutely nothing wrong and much to be appreciated about a great looking bike that is simple and fun to do most any kind of riding an average rider would want.
I don't want BMW to go back to their old arrogant we know better than you what you should want days.
Harry reminds me of Frank Zappa. I wonder if he can play the guitar...
Yes, Frank Zappa was quite good at it! :-)
Sadly, I wasn't a musician, just a drummer.....
Drummer? media.giphy.com/media/szNltKux0qpxe/giphy.gif
Is that james corden
The best looking R NINE T of the whole collection.
Faisal AL-Maiman you mean the worst of the bunch. The racer is easily the most artistic rendition. The standard R Nine T comes second, Pure comes third, scrambler, then this monstrosity.
Bruno Oliveira It depends on the taste. And taste vary widely from person to person. I respect your opinion. The racer looks amazing also.
I completely disagree.
That's not saying much though is it? It looks less like a European Bullhead fish than the rest for sure mind.
With the oldest engine/transmission/clutch setup.
Bet this bike is very popular in India
Plenty of retro style scrambler helmets with a chin bar (& peak) if open face ain’t your thing...
Could you kindly name some ...thanks
Gets rather wide after you put Engin bars on. The "R NineT" also has better suspension whey they downgraded it for the GS and Scrambler is a question not answered
Hello Harry!! 😂😂😂 xxx
かっけー！オフロード
I love the look of this bike but the weedy little fork at the front lets it down in my opinion..
All show no go???
Every single RnineT I see at meets (every variation) has about 25mm of chicken strips and is spotless. Make of that what you will.
a) not true b) who cares about chicken strips? are you 14?
"They lead others follow?" What a really stupid attempt at going over the top.
Damn hipsters
Three bikes exist today: hipster bikes, Power Ranger bikes, and Transformer bikes.
I prefer the good looks of the late 90's early 2000's sports bikes. Too bad manufacturers don't see it that way anymore.
Nice but perfer the Racer :)
My God this one was a wank. Big time.
?
I have one, the most retro part of the bike is the truly horrible and deficient "retro" suspension, much like the bone jarring crap on a 70's ducati ss. On australian roads the bike is borderline dangerous. New aftermarket suspension on it's way, but why don't BMW put even just ok suspension on it? A serious case of style over substance gone wrong.
Maybe that's the "oil leak" from factory they were after.
180k rand..?`? that´s how much in normal currency? and why is the guy in the midle trying to look like some 20 year old boyband member? There´s so much noncence here that it takes my focus away from the actual bikereview itself.
Made in Germany,what else !
My Urban GS would destroy an R80 on road or off. No substance, lol. All these guys crying about the stock performance offroad must not ride very well. I grew up on kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda bikes in middle of Africa in the 80's and this bike would destroy those pitiful little bangers going anywhere they could and many places it can't for lack of power. What kinda bikes you think people on 3rd world roads ride? Certainly not off road machines. Straight up stock road bikes less capable than my gs. Technique gets you wherever you need to go on just about any bike, but I have an easy time of it with the urban gs. Its certainly never going to compete with its modern gs cousins, but to claim it has no substance is laughable. If BMQ hadn't called it a GS folks would be raving how good it is off road. Not to mention these things are made to customize. So, much like the original R80 if you want to do Paris
/Dakar best to modify a bit. But this bike can do it all stock and with a capable rider its that hard.
So to sum it up for me...I don't like the styling of new bikes and I also don't like the performance of the old bikes who's styling I love. Substance matters very much. Its not the only thing though and happy to be riding something that doesn't look too sporty and can still rip! Not to mention it is reliable as hell and built like a tank. The motor is proven to be one of the best ever, the components and fixtures are all grade A. After 3 years not a lick of rust anywhere. Hope I never have to get rid of it.
But Sorry BMW, never gonna be a fan of your engines with tumours protruding laterally. What the fuck is that I will never know. Yikes!
slagging off style and they are all drinking out of pickle jars with screw thread lip with handles - ahahahhha