Brilliant video, love to see london from the bikers seat! I do think that a lot of the things you mention about weight and nimbleness are due to your specific context. (and the poor choice of the name 'Urban' GS) Yes it's heavier than a 650 but coming from a Honda Crosstourer (285kgs) it's a properly light(er) experience. Also the temperature... It's a known fact that Oil Cooled BMW boxers prefer some airflow over stand still traffic while running. These are not the kind of bikes you want to have warm up on the stand in your driveway. Start it and go... I've had an 1150 rockster and that had the same issue. And the turning circle of that thing was that of a freight barge! Anyways, loved the video and ride safe!
My urban gs handling and nimbleness was transformed when I changed from the stock metzler tourance tires to Bridgestone battlax ax41s, all of a sudden it felt like a big motard, huge improvement. I'm now running mitas terraforce R and love those aswell, lasts quite a lot longer than the Bridgestones😅
The oil burning could be caused by the oil running past the pistons whilst on the side stand and then burning off. It was shown with the r1200gs that owners that kept their bike on the centre stand burned less oil than ones that used the side stand over night or for longer periods.
220kg is not heavy for a 1200cc motorbike. Turning circle is much better than my sports bike. My Urban GS doesn't run hotter than 120C in an Australian summer. No issues with oil use. It seems we have different bikes.
So true. I’ve had two BMW bikes - one an 800 and one a 1250. I rode the R9T and it felt…just sort of fat and lopsided. I LOVE the boxer, but for bouncing around downtown, it’s just overkill.
Any average 650cc naked bike (SV, V7, M7, Bonneville etc) weights around 180 Kg dry. The GS is 40kg heavier but with an engine nearly twice the size and 40 bhp more. Big bikes, are big bikes.
Heavy: it's all low down which makes it more stable. 220 kg is not a very heavy weight for a motorbike. I thought my R1100GS felt light. The oil consumption gets better. My 1100 used to use 500 ml in less than 1,000 miles but was consuming 300 ml or so in 5,000 miles when I sold it at 95,000 miles. Great engines. Nick J
Sorry but i fully disagree, first of all the boxer engine got the lowest center of gravity wich makes the bike very easy to manoeuvre and reduce the feel of the weight i found triumph to feel heavier and mine doesn’t necessarily use lots of oil i just top up after 5000kms. I daily mine i have zero issues
Got the scrambler dropped the pegs and raised the bar 20mm. Also got the unit garage gel seat and now it’s perfect for both in the city and truly fun in the long distance. Did a 2k trip recently and I was almost just as comfortable as my old Gs. (Installed a cheap puig universal windshield before the trip)
I have the roadster, somewhat modified with a narrower handle bar and a fly screen, and I found it way more nimble than the Scramber (which I think has the same ergo as the Urban?). Swapping for sport touring tires made it even more nimble, but I guess that's not an option on the Urban (aestethically). I still wouldn't call it nimble compared to some of the options, probably has to do with it carrying its weight so low, which is a double egded sword. On one hand it's easy to pick up and handle in low speeds, not to mention stability. On the other hand there's a huge chunk of weight to transfer when the front tire wants to change direction. The oil leakage might be solved by changing to more premium oil - I had some leakage (few drops after each ride) until my first service when my mechanic advised me to change to Motul 300V 15W50 (confirm this before changing), and this made a huge difference. I think I had some luck in the engine lottery too though.
Quite agree about the weight! I had a GS1250 and have tried the Rnine t and they are beasts. Now I have a little Fantic 500 scrambler and it's amazing fun, light, great handling and perfect for traffic and commutes, as long as they aren't too long.
Did you ever think you may have bought the wrong bike for commuting.... Try riding an RT around central London... After that The RnineT is a breeze..!!!!
I have three more if you want touring, fuel consumption, drive position and seat comfort. At the end, it`s a bike for everything but always with problems in every situation.
I'm looking at 2018 Urban GS with 7,000k's for $11K Canadian. It seems like a good price and I love the aesthetic. I also like that I could potentially work on the engine and service the bike like I do on my 2018 Sportster 48. I am torn between the Urban GS and a Triumph T120. Any thoughts? I ride a lot of country roads and a little highway. I love to put in lots of time on the saddle too.
I would tend to agree for city traffic. I love my scrambler esentially the same as ugs for open road riding. The seat ergonomics. i hate every time i jump on it after my other bikes, but within 15km im back in love with the whole vibe of the bike. It can be hustled along very well, its a lot more capable than it looks very planted and predictable even around the race track on ax41s bridgestone rubber. Its a bike that has grown on me every ride. From the 1st test ride i thought... a heavy whale of a bike that just doesn't want to turn.. By the end of that ride chasing a golf gti ( actually that test ride bike was a ugs) through some tight twisties learning to set up the corner early and get on thr throttle early i had a blast and its been like that ever since.
Seriously? You bought a nineT for commuting..in London?. Not a very wise decision, son. I love my NineT, but I'd find 100 things to hate about it if my riding was like yours. These types of reviews are not helpful to anyone
Watched 2.5mins of this and can see what a shithole London really is...only left with about 1/3 of the roads that were built! I just do not go there,shows,concerts,nothing,if it was removed from the map,it wouldn't be missed...a hellish place(as is NYC).
Remove the shitty steering damper, and transform the nimble-Ness of the bike. Put a real rear damper on it, and it becomes real GS comfy. Change the Oil in the forks to a 5w, and it`s suddenly plush. Dont buy an Oil cooled bike for city commuting.
Watched this again. Correct: London is the best city in the world. Now let's get rid of ULEZ. As I said last time, 220 kg is not heavy. Has the oil consumption improved yet? Nick J
I just love this kind of London sightseeing whilst listening about the bike
Brilliant video, love to see london from the bikers seat! I do think that a lot of the things you mention about weight and nimbleness are due to your specific context. (and the poor choice of the name 'Urban' GS) Yes it's heavier than a 650 but coming from a Honda Crosstourer (285kgs) it's a properly light(er) experience. Also the temperature... It's a known fact that Oil Cooled BMW boxers prefer some airflow over stand still traffic while running. These are not the kind of bikes you want to have warm up on the stand in your driveway. Start it and go... I've had an 1150 rockster and that had the same issue. And the turning circle of that thing was that of a freight barge! Anyways, loved the video and ride safe!
My urban gs handling and nimbleness was transformed when I changed from the stock metzler tourance tires to Bridgestone battlax ax41s, all of a sudden it felt like a big motard, huge improvement. I'm now running mitas terraforce R and love those aswell, lasts quite a lot longer than the Bridgestones😅
The oil burning could be caused by the oil running past the pistons whilst on the side stand and then burning off. It was shown with the r1200gs that owners that kept their bike on the centre stand burned less oil than ones that used the side stand over night or for longer periods.
220kg is not heavy for a 1200cc motorbike. Turning circle is much better than my sports bike. My Urban GS doesn't run hotter than 120C in an Australian summer. No issues with oil use. It seems we have different bikes.
800DE is 230kg/505lbs.
I think they should've kept it more in spirit with the 80s 800GS. 1250cc is overkill. Less weight, more suspension.
So true. I’ve had two BMW bikes - one an 800 and one a 1250. I rode the R9T and it felt…just sort of fat and lopsided. I LOVE the boxer, but for bouncing around downtown, it’s just overkill.
Any average 650cc naked bike (SV, V7, M7, Bonneville etc) weights around 180 Kg dry.
The GS is 40kg heavier but with an engine nearly twice the size and 40 bhp more.
Big bikes, are big bikes.
Yes its not heavy for what it is
Heavy: it's all low down which makes it more stable. 220 kg is not a very heavy weight for a motorbike. I thought my R1100GS felt light. The oil consumption gets better. My 1100 used to use 500 ml in less than 1,000 miles but was consuming 300 ml or so in 5,000 miles when I sold it at 95,000 miles. Great engines. Nick J
My thoughts exactly. Someone needs to hit the gym….
Sorry but i fully disagree, first of all the boxer engine got the lowest center of gravity wich makes the bike very easy to manoeuvre and reduce the feel of the weight i found triumph to feel heavier and mine doesn’t necessarily use lots of oil i just top up after 5000kms. I daily mine i have zero issues
I have the pure and the urban gs. Love them both. I use them everyday in city traffic. No problem. Zero issues.
I'm glad I read this as I want to swap my Speed Triple for this BMW but the video deflated me
Got the scrambler dropped the pegs and raised the bar 20mm. Also got the unit garage gel seat and now it’s perfect for both in the city and truly fun in the long distance. Did a 2k trip recently and I was almost just as comfortable as my old Gs. (Installed a cheap puig universal windshield before the trip)
@@MrEkin03Hope the gel saddle doesn't get a pin hole in it.
If it does your R NineT will be covered in snot-like stuff and is a nightmare to clean.😂
@@pappy9473 I hope not. Never thought about it.
I have the roadster, somewhat modified with a narrower handle bar and a fly screen, and I found it way more nimble than the Scramber (which I think has the same ergo as the Urban?). Swapping for sport touring tires made it even more nimble, but I guess that's not an option on the Urban (aestethically). I still wouldn't call it nimble compared to some of the options, probably has to do with it carrying its weight so low, which is a double egded sword. On one hand it's easy to pick up and handle in low speeds, not to mention stability. On the other hand there's a huge chunk of weight to transfer when the front tire wants to change direction.
The oil leakage might be solved by changing to more premium oil - I had some leakage (few drops after each ride) until my first service when my mechanic advised me to change to Motul 300V 15W50 (confirm this before changing), and this made a huge difference. I think I had some luck in the engine lottery too though.
Quite agree about the weight! I had a GS1250 and have tried the Rnine t and they are beasts. Now I have a little Fantic 500 scrambler and it's amazing fun, light, great handling and perfect for traffic and commutes, as long as they aren't too long.
I love the style of those little Fantic's, I'd love to give one a go. I bet it's brilliant in town, so light and agile.
Did you ever think you may have bought the wrong bike for commuting.... Try riding an RT around central London... After that The RnineT is a breeze..!!!!
would this be an okay everyday bike?
deciding if i go w this urban gs first before a 1200gs
I have three more if you want touring, fuel consumption, drive position and seat comfort. At the end, it`s a bike for everything but always with problems in every situation.
Fuel consumption can be terrible if you are pressing on. But it's pretty good if you take it easy. Handle bar raisers help with touring comfort!
I'm looking at 2018 Urban GS with 7,000k's for $11K Canadian. It seems like a good price and I love the aesthetic. I also like that I could potentially work on the engine and service the bike like I do on my 2018 Sportster 48. I am torn between the Urban GS and a Triumph T120. Any thoughts? I ride a lot of country roads and a little highway. I love to put in lots of time on the saddle too.
I would tend to agree for city traffic.
I love my scrambler esentially the same as ugs for open road riding.
The seat ergonomics. i hate every time i jump on it after my other bikes, but within 15km im back in love with the whole vibe of the bike.
It can be hustled along very well, its a lot more capable than it looks very planted and predictable even around the race track on ax41s bridgestone rubber. Its a bike that has grown on me every ride. From the 1st test ride i thought... a heavy whale of a bike that just doesn't want to turn.. By the end of that ride chasing a golf gti ( actually that test ride bike was a ugs) through some tight twisties learning to set up the corner early and get on thr throttle early i had a blast and its been like that ever since.
Sorry I have a 2007 r1200gs “air cooled” I’ve toured on and off road in ridiculous temps and never had a problem.
...get a scooter.
Bicycle please. And all traffic in the city should be electric only, maybe with the exception of motorbikers getting out of the city.
I wouldn’t ride a bike of that engine (or anything above 400) in that kind of traffic. I would never want to test my patience using a fast bike slow.
In dense city traffic nothing beats a Vespa GTS 300 😜
You are welcome - hit subscribe for more videos :)
Quick one: What stopped you to get the scrambler version on the R NineT ?
Cheers !
Same bike, different look.
220 is a really heavy bike? Ohh boy my Harley is 315 and that not even a heavy Harley
Your audio sounds better with your visor open.
You bought the wrong bike for your needs.
But my primary need is to look f£$king awesome 😂
@@jacquesmotoclub769 ✅ Accomplished
@@jacquesmotoclub769 🙌🙌✊✊
It's not the bikes fault you find it difficult to filter through traffic.
Very informative thanks
Maybe the R9T was never meant to be used as a commuter bike.
To be perfectly honest you are probably right!
Yes, OBVIOUSLY.
It is a 1200 cc Boxer. 232 Kilo. Seat height 870mm.
NOT for the city.
Try/you need a scooter. - NOT joking.
I had a vespa for a few year, and loved it. But I missed the engagement of having gears!
@@jacquesmotoclub769
I have a scooter, and 3 other bikes.
Thanks.
Seriously? You bought a nineT for commuting..in London?. Not a very wise decision, son. I love my NineT, but I'd find 100 things to hate about it if my riding was like yours. These types of reviews are not helpful to anyone
Watched 2.5mins of this and can see what a shithole London really is...only left with about 1/3 of the roads that were built!
I just do not go there,shows,concerts,nothing,if it was removed from the map,it wouldn't be missed...a hellish place(as is NYC).
Take the bus or metro 😎
Remove the shitty steering damper, and transform the nimble-Ness of the bike. Put a real rear damper on it, and it becomes real GS comfy. Change the Oil in the forks to a 5w, and it`s suddenly plush. Dont buy an Oil cooled bike for city commuting.
I appeciate and agree your opinion about the bike but please dont' say London is the best city in the world because it's not even under the sun.
sounds like you either need to learn to ride a big boy bike or get a scooter.
Watched this again. Correct: London is the best city in the world. Now let's get rid of ULEZ. As I said last time, 220 kg is not heavy. Has the oil consumption improved yet? Nick J
If you hate it that much, don't ride the bloody thing