I LOVE the outdoor settings you do on your reviews. I miss the Northern territories when seeing these videos. You're articulate, thoughtful & soft spoken which is delightful as well.
I own a F900 XR and did not use the quick shifter much because it felt hard to engage the gear changes. After a while, I start using it again and it got better with time. Now I have 16.000km on it and use it more often than shifting with a clutch. I would get this feature anytime again on this bike. The increase in fun having it is tremendous. I also encountered faulty upshifts, however, I contributed it to my too-soft or unprecise shifting attempts. Interesting to attribute it to a software glitch as the gear is not shifted via a program, just the power cut-out is.
Your observation and opinion on the quick shifter is spot on. I've had it on 3 BMW's and it's one of those things,, Glad I have it when I want it, but I definitely don't use it every shift. It's just not refined enough. Great review!
all my BMWs have done that.. and its not just BMW quick shifter.. happened on KTM.. and Yamaha if you are on high revs.. then perfect.. normal riding.. sometimes happens
I had the same issue with my quickest shift on my RT. But the issue is only because it’s not being used when it should be. The shift Assist pro is designed to be used under extreme acceleration and extreme deceleration it’s a performance feature. It even tells you that in the owners manual. From my experience if you use it with mid RPM or lower RPM it’s really clunky and it does what is being reported. Next use it under full throttle and stay on the throttle then hit the shifter Higher in the rev range and it’s smooth as butter.
Never have I thought that your videos are too long. This is a subscriber that votes you as the best mootorcycle reviewer I've ever witnessed. Two thumbs way way up. You may not have noticed I paused for a second there to think, and yes I did think you are number one in the three pillars of motorcycle opinions and then some. God bless you Scott and your beautiful family. :-) ride safe, and ride like there's nothing to prove, truce :-)
I just put a Pirelli Angel GT 2 on the rear of my Triumph Speed Twin. Wet and dry grip are both excellent, and it doesn’t feel much different than the stock Rosso 3. I still have the stock Rosso 3 up front, but they seem to play nice together, no weird shimmies or issues. I only have about 500 miles on the rear so I can’t speak to tread life, but so far so good.
I replaced the Angel GT on the front of my GSX 1400 with the new GT 2 and it is just perfect. Will replace the rear with the GT 2 when it's time. Great tyre for all conditions.
The quickshifter on BMW XR 900 or R1250GS needs to be more direct and fast when you are shifting gears (not gently and slowly). If you are shifting up, then only under throttle, if you are shifting down, then absolutelly without throttle. Then it works good...
I would suggest you try the Conti Trail Attack 3. Yea it's a "Adventure" Tire, but performance wise I can scrape the footpegs on my DL650 all day long and they have a very good "wear behavior"(keine Kantenbildung). So far I've got about 3k km on this tires and I think another 5k km are easy doable! Where do I ride? Mostly twisty roads in the "Mühlviertel" in Upper Austria, or the alps 70km away. Greetings from Austria!
I had the Road Attack 3 on my SuperDuke GT and they handled the torque of that 1290 engine with no complaints in all weathers, I loved them. They would be a better bet for the F900XR as it uses a 17" front wheel so doesn't need trail tyres.
I'm happy with the Road 5s. I had them on my Yamaha Super Tenere, and I wasn't any less satisfied than with the previous Pilot Road 4 tires. I'll be putting the Road 5 tires on my Yamaha FJ-09 when the PR4's have worn, and once the OEM Pirelli Scorpion Trail II's burn off on my new KTM 1290 SAS, I'll be going Road 5 on it as well.
Thanks Scott, This is prime time riding season there in Michigan now! How's the weather there? Here it's barely hitting 80° for a high each day and not so nice wind/rain about 4 days a week 😒
@@NothingToProve It's been crazy good the last 2-3 weeks, hot in the '90's (F) and no rain but for once here and there. I cannot complain!!! Keep riding!!
Hey Scott. A true test is what you gave this bike. Man, what a journey. I know what you mean about not having to think about the bike, especially when you are out in more isolated territory and going hard! It's great to have that confidence in your kit. This bike has proven that it is up to the task. It will be most interesting to see what hijinks you decide to get into next! As for tires... For what it's worth I ride the Angel GTs. I have ridden both the GTs and the GT II's and personally I like the GTs better. GT front and GT II rear might be the ticket! I have also ridden Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interacts as well. Great tires, really grippy and have great feel (high Silica content). But when they go they go quickly! They may not deliver the same range as some of the others but I love how they feel. Cheers!
I finally got mine. Only put 400 miles on it so far, but what a delight. Tyres - mine came equipped with Bridgestone Battlaxes. I'll be swapping them out for Michelin Street 5s as soon as one of them wears. I'm a little disappointed that they weren't fitted as standard. Seat - yes, it's firm, but spending all day in the saddle, I prefer a firm seat. I spent all day last Sunday on the bike and felt fine. No complaints on that score. Quickshifter - they seem to have improved over the one fitted to my RT, but still a bit clunky if you don't rev it enough. However, I find it comparable with the Tracer, which only up-shifts. Generally, I change gear manually anyway.
Great review Scott, thanks... Pirelli Angel GT2's, really much sportier than their predecessors (Angel GT's that you had on your 1290SDR), excellent grip in the wet, dirty bumpy roads and more mileage also... To be honest, I don't see the difference with Diablo Rosso 3's on dynamic twistie road ride... Ride Safe. V
Great insights into this bike! I can highly recommend the Continental Road Attack 3 for your bike. Many riders, including me, consider these as the best choice for sporttouring. I have them in "GT-spec." on my big old heavy FJR and they do a fantastic job! The grip is excellent an the handling feels, like the bike has lost 30 kg of weight at the front :-D
Mate iv ridden lots of sports touring bikes ( from Australia 🇦🇺) used all the Michelin Pilot & Road 5 series. They are VERY sticky but believe they have reduced there wear life from the 4,s . Also the front sculps out bad . My recommendation is the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 or 4 ( the rear isn’t quite as sticky as the Road 5 , but I use the Metzler Roadtec 01 rear and Roadsmart front ( perfect combo in grip ) the front will outlast 2 rears but doesn’t sculp .
The 170mm of travel front and rear is actually VERY good for a sports tourer , as a comparison the Suzuki VStrom 650 only has 160mm front and rear ( and it’s an ADV bike ) but let down by 17inch rims - essentially front . Tyre are and easy fix . And weight is pretty good to.
I discovered the F series with the 800R and ST. Having ridden 57 years and owned 60+ bikes sll the way back to the British twins and singles I find these BMWs are gems. I do not want to ride one of these because I will be juggling my bank accounts with my retirement income to get one. Beautiful bike, fantastic region to ride!!!
I just got the comfort seat yesterday, it's wider, softer and higher(more padding I guess). Just rode it home from the dealer but first impressions of it is good, improvements were greatly needed.
I have the BMW 850 adventure and my opinion on the quick shifter (I call semi automatic shifter) is that to work great I need to back off the throttle just for a second to change smoothly, just like when you using the clutch! Works like a dream up shifting and ok on down shifts! This is my first bike with this system so I cannot compare with another bikes but if I buy another bike is a must to have again because it is awesome! I have on my bike on the stock Windshield a spoiler extension that is adjustable! It is cheap and do a great job to create a nice air flow above the helmet! Nice review! Cheers!
Thank you so much for your honest review Scott. A little small for me personally, but seriosly interested in big brother version. Great video brother. Tyres to use? Pirelli Angel GT 2. Perfect for all road and weather conbditions. Take care.
I ride a 1250 GS. Yes, the quick shifter is tricky and often clunky. Best way I have found to be consistent on the up shifts is to be quite decisive with my right foot. Downshifts, at anything other than closed throttle, are still a mystery to me
Hey Scott - Dankeschön für Deine ausführlichen und detaillierten Berichte. 👍👌 Ich habe mich jetzt für die S 1000 XR gekauft - trotzdem ist die F 900 XR ein tolles Moped. Vielen Dank und Grüße aus Hannover 👋
Quick shifter will give the best when the chain is clean and well lubed otherwise it is very agriculutural. Wunderlich seat cures butt burn! Great and accurate review.
stunning looking country.. re quickshifter, would adjusting the gear lever help? if you can ? ..i've heard on 690 smcr lever adjustment helps owners fyi
I really cannot decide which one to chose, between a '17 S1000 XR and this F900 XR.. If I would only be using it for travelling, then no discussion, S1000 XR would be my choice, but for mixed use, summer trips in Greek island and also city commuting I am thinking the 900 would be more suitable. I would love to hear your opinion.
Nice review! I am new to on-road two wheel riding and plan to get into sport touring as my experience grows. I started with an MT07 but just switched to the Duke 790. Your Duke 790 review helped my decision! Look forward to the updates on your BMW experience.
Changed after 9.500km my worn out Michelin for a set of new Pirelli Angel GT2’s on my 900xr in gold. More stability on higher speeds (also with the original panniers) and more feedback in cornering. Quicker steering and neutral behavior by braking in corners. Did 2.500 with them now. Absolutely improved the Bike!
You got 9.5k out of yours, that is great mileage! Thank you for the real world feed back with the tires. I'm Tallying up the votes and so far the GT & Roadtec 01 are fighting for first place. But I am leaning towards the GT because I had the GT on my 1290SDR and it was not the best for grip (it's a super naked of course not) but it was a good compromise for getting some mileage out of them and still having some performance and if I can get 6,000 km out of them on this bike, I'd be happy with that. On the SDR I only got 4.5k but that eats rear tires...torque monster. 😒😁
Very good reviewe, this gave me lot of info... But in non of the review they talk about the ground clearance of this bike... If possible, can you please let me know the ground clearance for BMW F900XR...
Nice to read a review like this, a review of this bike makes more sense if it is made on a long trip like you did. I would like to know about rear seat comfort.
The passenger experience in this seat is very bad, it has a curve at the top, my wife complained a lot, she got stiff, I am going to make modifications,
Great Video. I'm going to buy this or the Tracer GT and not sure yet. What specifically did you like/want with the XR, over the Tracer ? I"m in San Diego btw.
Have you seen the video "Why I sold my BMW F900XR ? I was set on this bike until I watched that video.That was a 2020 model.Have some of the bugs been worked out on the 2021 model and especially the engine heat issue on the 2020 model? What worries me is that I live 35 miles away from the nearest Bmw dealer and only 5 miles from a Yamaha dealer.I also like the Yamaha Tracer 900.I am currently riding a Yamaha 1982 750 Maxim I kid you not.It still runs great. Indecision is driving me nuts..........Any thoughts would be appreciated......................................
Well, I can only give you my personal experience with the bike. In which I have over 10,000 km on it and have had no problems with it what-so-ever. Believe me I wish I had some problems to report so that I can make a video about them. But to no avail, nothing, no oil leaks, no "heat problems", no nothing 😢 In fact I'm taking it in next week Friday for it's 11,000 km, first BIG service and I will film it and then do a 11k owners update video soon there after. Now I don't want to talk about any other guys and their experience, be it bad or good. And yes I've watched this video, that you refer to, last summer and let me just say it is a "rant" more so about the BMW dealer than the bike itself. Also he says that this bike has several "needless gadgets", one of which is cornering ABS. Now on any bike that costs over 10k, cornering ABS is pretty much standard equipment, or at least should be in this day and age. He continues to state that he has never used cornering ABS, now that is funny to me. I hope I never use it either but the one day that I need it and it's not there, then I'm in the hospital or worse yet, dead. He even makes a claim about a "serious" problem with the engine and then never explains the problem or what the problem is in fact. So this is how I come to the conclusion that this video is an emotional "rant" video and this emotion originates from his relationship with the dealership and not the bike. Sad. Also, he never states in the video as to actually how many km he put on the bike, all that is stated is that he took it in for the first service, which is anywhere between 600-1000km. So experience level on the bike is also in question. And most of his video is complaining about his experience with the BMW dealer and BMWs in general and not the bike. Also he is from the U.K. and has a heavy bias towards Triumphs and Hondas, so needless to say, sure if you want a biased view of a guy that does not like BMWs to begin with, then great video. If you want an un-biased view of this bike, go somewhere else. This is why I approach all my reviews with a Brand-less every bike is different mentality, looking at what the OEM is shooting for and what the competition is doing against the bike, regardless of brand. take care, Scott
@@NothingToProve Thank You so much for your input. May I ask you if you ride your Bmw F900 XR in really warm 80 degree weather, and if so is there any heat issues from the engine then? I'm what you might say a fair weather rider and even in Wisconsin 25 miles north of Milwaukee where I live it still gets warm here.
I think the Michelin GT tyres are more designed for heavier bikes. I have Michelin PR 4 Road tyres for my now NC 750X. I might try the PR4 Trail supposedly for ADV bikes ridden only on the road next.
Great Review. I live in southern France and was in the Alpes a week before you. Incredible views!! I'm looking really closely at the 900xr, that and a Ducati 950 Multistrada. Question- Do you have the ESA suspension? Does that help some with off-road? I'm riding an older sibling of the F models, a F800ST. Yes, the Pirelli Angel GT tires are excellent. Long wearing as well. In many of the tests they have come out first. Thanks again! Ciao!
I clearly like to recommend the Conti Road Attack 3. Almost instant grip from day one and it holds up like forever! Only downside of this tires is a little shimmy on some bikes, but not in every one! Sadly I had this effect on mine, but it didn't bother me. Especially when you consider the performance this tire delivers.
A great, comprehensive and honest review, thank you very much. The “off-tarmac” part was funny and, except cruisers of course, every bike has a degree of off-tarmac capability…we were doing the same thing 40 years ago (with a Yam XJ-600 BTW)…it’s a matter of adjusting the speed and assuming you were going to hit some rocks anyway ;-). Regarding your new set of tyres, you may try Dunlop Sportsmart MK3. Great on-road sporty performance with convenient mileage.
My Pirelli Angel GT tires lasted 12,000 miles on my Triumph Trophy. What about night riding with the bugs out ? Also, I question the different tires pressure on the tires ? I get an uncertain feel on my Trophy with different pressures.
I don't think I've ever had the same tire pressure on both tires, they change like the weather, yes I try to keep them close but it always goes down at different rates. Bugs, with the screen in the up position and below 100 kmh the screen stops most bugs. I've been on a 1200 Trophy before (2 decades ago) great bike.
After watching you XR vid booked a test ride. After 15 mins I returned the bike thought the seating and engine wasn't my cup of tea. I'm a GSLC rider too. Each to their own suppose. Week before took the Tiger 900 rally pro and rated that much higher, great engine and ride position
Yea the stock seat is really hard and thin, I just got the comfort seat yesterday, just rode it home but first impressions is that it is softer and wider and higher, I'll probably do an update video once I get the hard cases & engine spoiler too & new tires too.
I did a test ride yesterday was not impressed how engine worked on low rpms. On 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear without a throttle the engine was choking and made some strange noise. Did you experienced something like that?
Hello my friend. I have a similar XR to yours and I found the wind protection from the stock screen was poor at higher speeds. I fitted the MRA Touring Screen with spoiler and it’s was game changer! Also, I agree the QS is terrible.
Thank you! Yes, I had an MRA wind screen on my 1290SDR and was thinking about the MRA or Givi for this. Now you've given me one vote towards the MRA 👍👍
Buying this bike, definitely.. there is 2-3 months wait for a full option. I use to bring my GS at 137mph, very impressive high speed number with this 900cc.. And it look like the bike hold it pretty well with more vibration I guess. Thank you for those details video, may I ask you, what is the ergonomic while standing up on the off-road? Is the handle bar too low, the tank obstruction on your legs while standing up? Thank you for your time.
Standing up is horribly hard to do. I was only doing it cause it would have been worse on my rear sitting down, so standing up was the lesser of two evils. The handle bar is way too low to stand up, the tank was ok for standing. I would not recommend standing up on this bike at all to anybody except my worst enemy. Ride safe, Scott
NothingToProve thank you for your prompt answer. I am only 5’7”, I will give it a try in my next test drive... But yes compared to the GS, the handlebars feel low ( I was on a normal seat for me test drive ).. With the lower seat it should come to me as more “natural” position.. I tell you what, if Bmw makes an “enduro” version out of this bike it will be huge success, (enduro mode, ESA front and rear and a slightly taller handlebars with trail tires) wow !! And this is not unreachable idea.
I changed my oil from the recommended Castrol (R 1200gsa) to Penrite MC4ST (Aus) and found quick shift working better. Continental Trail/Road Attack, expensive but great compound
My selection criteria for my tyres: fast heating time, dry and wet performance, consistent performance despite wear. My personal choices: THE START AND FORGET : Continental Trail Attack 3, THE START AND DRIVE HARD : Metzeler M7RR / M9RR. My opinion on the Michelin ROAD 5: very good, but are not constant against wear. At 50% they are no longer as effective. But it would be necessary to make a comparative between road 5@50% VS the competition. Opinion on the Bridgestone Battlax T41 : wear is not uniform (rear in the middle and front on the sides), unlike Attack 3 and MxRR . I have heard good feedbacks from Angel GT2. Don’t even think about any tyres from the Michelin Anakee series 🤢. Opinion based primarily on my experience on a Vstrom 650, 1200GS and a heavy 1200GSA with a heavy guy upon her. F900XR and the rider are undoubtedly lighter so the wearing and feeling may differ. Otherwise very good reviews, new subscriber from the southern France, thinking of a transition to a F900XR next year✌️
@NothingToProve. I had big Harleys, GS, GSA. I am in my « downsizing time » with a VStom 650. Great bike. But lacks a bit of juice and spice. I’m looking toward the upper category with the V850TT, F900XR or the Tiger 900. I am looking for a bike : 1. with no frustration and not boring ar the legal speed in France (mostly 70 and 80 km/h) (one-bike-do-all, lots of commuting + road trips), 2. that don’t want to push-forward-by-herself. I don’t want those bikes were you have to go fast or you don’t even notice you are at a « vehicule-seizure » speed, 3. with low end torque, enjoy-able even at low speed, 4. flat footed (or so) for my 178cm. So far, the F900XR has my preference. According to your experience, what do you think about the Moto Guzzi vs BMW for my needs ?
Hi, I'm also in the process of downsizing, in power especially by going to the 900XR. Between the V85 & 900XR, there is no comparison, the 900XR has a lot more torque and punch than the V85. Also because of the shaft drive on the V85 and lower torque numbers at the crank, it's really not fair to the V85. The 900XR will walk away from the V85 in just about any gear and any RPM. But the V85 is a "do all" bike but the 900XR just does everything the V85 does but does it better in every way. But the V85 has one thing that the 900XR does not and that is character and has it in spades. The reason that I purchased the 900XR is because I wanted a "do all" bike and does it well and with out having to think...at all. I been on all the middleweights in the last two years and the 900XR beats them all, sure you may have one bike that is better in a certain aspect but I'm talking about over-all and the 900XR wins, hands down, no question in my mind. Take them both out for a test ride and chose the one that suits you! Good luck and ride safe, Scott
NothingToProve, thank you for your answer. I already tested the F900XR, relatively low seat and low weight, nimble and good torque / no need to overplay the gearbox. Indeed, I short-listed the Guzzi for her character and the shaft drive. But, on the paper, the performance 0-100/60-100km/h ... is on par, at most, with the vstrom. So not a big upgrade. I will testdrive her anyway, but I think the die is cast 😁. Thanks again for your help and your complete/relevant reviews ✌️
It will be interesting to see if the quick shifter issues can be resolved with a software update. Agree with the others on the Angel GT II as a tire choice.
Thanks for your videos anb wise comments ! I'm waiting for my F900XR and I wonder if you have the "definitive" prices on the 10 and 20 K services ? Thanks for all again
You're welcome 😁 I've been "quoted" these service prices here in Germany: How accurate they are...only time will tell. 1 k = €160 (My actual was 150 euros but because I'm NTP I think they gave me a 10% discount) 11 k = €225 (the usual & Brake oil then every other year) 21 k = €490 (the usual & air filter, valve adj clearence) 31 k = €??? (the usual & Brake oil & fork fluid) As I do the services, I plan to do video updates to show actual costs and actual problems I've had...if any, so far so good no problems as of yet after 8,500km. Ride safe, Scott
Would adjusting the shift lever down for more positive, deliberate shifts help the quick shifter? I find that I have to adjust the shift levers down on my bikes so that it takes less effort to upshift. Downshifting is rarely a problem because I have to tiptoe on nearly everything. I can only raise my toe so fàr. I still don't understand the need for a quick shifter.
Yea, I'm thinking about doing that but that is really something that one should NOT have to do to get it to work properly 🤔 A QS is really needed for the track but on the street, it's really just for fun 😁
@ Alan - I wanted the QS due to an old injury where my wrist got quite tired in stop/go traffic w/ previous bikes. However, the clutch lever effort is very light on the F900R that so far it's been a non-issue. The QS is fun too for rapid acceleration/deceleration. Love the sound from the downshifts and it works better there. Oh, and I'm in the vertically challenged camp. I can relate.
@@kevind.5246 Best explanation for a quick shifter that I have seen. For now, clutching so natural that I don't even think about it, but I can see that not always being the case.
I bought my F900XR without the quick shifter because I didn't like it when I first tried the bike. I am not sure I regret it. All the rest is overall pretty good and I am really enjoying the bike! Thanks for the video.
Yea, the QS is kind of a luxury item, especially this one because it only works well under certain conditions. So you won't miss it. Most of the time I shift using the clutch simply because I want a smooth shift and I don't get that using the QS :( Thanks for the feed back and ride safe, Scott
Great review of your bike Scott! Loved seeing those beautiful alpine roads you have on your doorstep! We’re back in lockdown again, so riding anywhere is out of the question! Lucky you! With respect to tyres, either Michelin or Pirelli GT tyres. Incredible to see 224km/h on your autobahn. Again, we’d be arrested & bike impounded & or crushed
In 2/3 weeks should have mine. Do you, or does anyone else, know of a large topcase system compatible with the original BMW Touring side cases? I see Shad say there system isn't (I wanted the 59x) and most other manufacturers don't specifically say but from photos it looks like they use the top mounting point for the side cases rendering them unusable....
Fascinating stuff - experience of real usage is always good to see and hear. Tyres - Metz Roadtec 01 SE - see this week's (uk) mcn, group test of the top sports-touring market. Nice if you'd confirm or counter their verdict.
Hi Scott. I´m really happy with my Dunlop qualifier II, double compound with good grip and satisfactory wear. Good video, lots of info. Keep up with the good work.
Great reviews 👌 I ask to BMW to try this one model 2022 ... any differences with 2021 ? Seat (much better confly)..suspetions different tyres ? I need the bike just every day to work 30 miles p day ! Here in London ...I heard that the screen was not blocking the wind enough? What u think? But anyway thanks mate !
Thanks, na, no changes for 22 that I'm aware of...it's a great bike just the way it is. Wind screen is as good as the other two it competes against in this catagory, Tiger 900 and Tracer 9 (Tiger & Tracer seats are a little better for a week long tirp). This is about the best do-everything-everyday bike as one can get. And that is why I bought it, I need a "work bike" to commute back and forth from one dealer to another, I just hop on and ride and don't have to think about the bike at all. ride safe, Scott
@@NothingToProve thanks for you answer mate , Yesterday I went to the dealership and ordered the motorcycle, the seller told me that the seat for 2022 comes, although in the same way it is built internally, another kind of softer foam has been used to deal with the problem of the hardness of the seat in the Previous models, for the moment that is what changes with the 2021 model, although it is not a change to a comfort seat, it is a change in material and that will surely help to be more comfortable, in addition to that it comes in the triple black BMW color that It really is beautiful and looks premium, on the other hand the quickshiffter is improved and even smoother according to the words of this seller, who is here in Central London and is trusted by me as they work directly with BMW from Berlin in Germany and half of the salespeople and managers here in London are German, so that gives me confidence to believe what they are selling me or trying to sell :) 😀anyway, I would be interested to know if it is important to wear the windscreen in the city Beyond sport or normal wind? does the Normal version really make a difference? Or better to opt for the sport version for the aesthetics of the motorcycle? According to your experience, what would you recommend? (London rains a lot during the year and is cold) really the quickshiffter necessary? for the city ... (I'm going to work and come home, just that) Thank you very much for your time and effort from London UK
Just stumbled across your page and I have to commend you on an excellent review!! I currently own a 2019 Honda CB500X and I truly love the bike but am looking at maybe upgrading to a f900XR next year for a bit more grunt !! Could you possibly give a couple of locations for trip as I am hoping to organise a little trip to Europe from Ireland once this pandemic allows!! Once again great review and I will be subscribing !
Greetings. Thx for the review. Watched it a few times already as well as your long term video on the 1250RS. I commute mostly about 100km per day and once a year I have a 2 week 5000km trip every year. I have the 850GS and has put on it 40 000km in just over 18months. Which of the 2 would you recommend? I’ve ridden the 1000XR but its not my style riding high revs on a bike so the 4cylinder bikes do no appeal to my riding style. Thx
Greetings from Germany! Yea, I had plenty of inline 4 cylinder motors in the past, now I'm always wanting something more, so we agree on that! You know the parallel twin in the 850, so it's basically the same in the 900, just a little more power and yes I can feel the difference and that is why I bought the 900XR over the 850GS, plus the GS is heavier. And the 1000XR just didn't do it for me, too buzzy in both sound and vibration, imho the motor just does not fit the sport touring very well. So now you know my answer 😁 900XR 😊 over the 1000XR! take care, Scott
I've been watching your reviews of this bike and decided to take it for a test ride yesterday, slept on it and today I pulled the trigger on this bike. I'm really happy with my purchase. Thank you for your effort, and your well made videos. I hope BMW send you a gift or something, haha. Also, you remind me of Peter Gallagher in American Beauty. :D
Generally it does everything easy, now recommending a beginner bike is more so the person and what they are capable of vs. what the bike is capable of. Yes, I ride with a guy that started out on a 900R last year and he loves it and is doing well on it. So yes it can be a good bike to learn with as one grows and learns more skills the bike is patient and will wait no problem. take care, Scott
Hi, yes goes straight and even at 230 it does not wobble 👍 but the 1250 RT did wobble a little bit at 230 but that's probably because it has such a big front faring. Ride safe, Scott
10k so far on this bike and she starts every time with out problem, even in January when it's around 0 degrees and even after sitting in garage for 7-8 weeks without being started. 👍
Nice review Scott, beautiful scenery up there in The Alps I have one suggestion: Metzeler Roadtec O1 , great st tires, great on the wet, very confident in the twisties with good life span
My local bmw dealer says better not go with the confort seat, better and a lot cheaper to go to your local shop and for 80 euros get them to reupholster the original with a decent/gel/foam upgrade.
Hello John, No on the motor spoiler but yes on the side and top case. And I got the comfort seat too. So the only thing that is missing is the motor spoiler. Come to think of it, I should inquire about the status of that...thank you for reminding me! Ride safe, Scott
Bridgestone Battlax S22! Best ever! Thank you for a wellmade film. I'm in line for a F900R. I thought service intervalls were 15000km....only 10? Not much.
Very nice review ! I am very interested by the F900XR and intend to buy one. Many people say that the engine sound is unpleasant. What is your opinion ?
Another great review. 😎🏍💨💨💨💨🇨🇦 how’s the maintenance for the valves compared to the boxer? Every 20,000 kms here very expensive in Canada 900. Bucks. Put about 30,000 a year on so not very good. Cheers👍🏻
Wow, I think North America pays a premium there cause here in Germany these are the estimated service costs: - 1,000 km Service - €160 (oil, check-adj: chain, steering head bearings) - 10,000 km Service - €226 (oil, Brake fluid-then every 2yrs. & other check&adj) - 20,000 km Service - €490 (oil, Air filter, Valve Clearance Adj & other check&adj) Then rotate the 10k & 20k service. BUT I will do an update video and give the TRUE cost once I have the service done 👍😁 Thank you for the information, it's always good to hear from actual owners and their personal experience. Ride safe, Scott
Greeeat review, answered a few concerns i had about the bike, Ordered mine 6 weeks ago and it still hasn't come, maybe they are concentrating on making your comfort seat :) Really can't wait for it to arrive. i did order the comfort seat straight off the bat after taking one for a test drive. Those standard seats are hard as hell. Even the comfort seat seemed a little hard as it was on another bike i got to sit on, time will tell. What luggage did you strap to the bike? Guess i will have to wait and see. Looking forward to the epic Alpine footage to come. Keep up the great work Batts XXX ( dont tell the wife) haha Edit: The bike is due for delivery on Saturday, at long last. Whoo Hooo! Look out for my views on the bike soon ;)
I LOVE the outdoor settings you do on your reviews. I miss the Northern territories when seeing these videos. You're articulate, thoughtful & soft spoken which is delightful as well.
Great review... Thanks a lot.
Getting my F900XR in 10 days, can't wait!
I own a F900 XR and did not use the quick shifter much because it felt hard to engage the gear changes. After a while, I start using it again and it got better with time. Now I have 16.000km on it and use it more often than shifting with a clutch. I would get this feature anytime again on this bike. The increase in fun having it is tremendous. I also encountered faulty upshifts, however, I contributed it to my too-soft or unprecise shifting attempts. Interesting to attribute it to a software glitch as the gear is not shifted via a program, just the power cut-out is.
Your observation and opinion on the quick shifter is spot on. I've had it on 3 BMW's and it's one of those things,, Glad I have it when I want it, but I definitely don't use it every shift. It's just not refined enough.
Great review!
all my BMWs have done that.. and its not just BMW quick shifter.. happened on KTM.. and Yamaha
if you are on high revs.. then perfect.. normal riding.. sometimes happens
I had the same issue with my quickest shift on my RT. But the issue is only because it’s not being used when it should be. The shift Assist pro is designed to be used under extreme acceleration and extreme deceleration it’s a performance feature. It even tells you that in the owners manual. From my experience if you use it with mid RPM or lower RPM it’s really clunky and it does what is being reported. Next use it under full throttle and stay on the throttle then hit the shifter Higher in the rev range and it’s smooth as butter.
@@bwkern3 , I have it in my F850GS and agree 100% with your comments.
Never have I thought that your videos are too long. This is a subscriber that votes you as the best mootorcycle reviewer I've ever witnessed. Two thumbs way way up. You may not have noticed I paused for a second there to think, and yes I did think you are number one in the three pillars of motorcycle opinions and then some. God bless you Scott and your beautiful family. :-) ride safe, and ride like there's nothing to prove, truce :-)
I just put a Pirelli Angel GT 2 on the rear of my Triumph Speed Twin. Wet and dry grip are both excellent, and it doesn’t feel much different than the stock Rosso 3.
I still have the stock Rosso 3 up front, but they seem to play nice together, no weird shimmies or issues.
I only have about 500 miles on the rear so I can’t speak to tread life, but so far so good.
I replaced the Angel GT on the front of my GSX 1400 with the new GT 2 and it is just perfect. Will replace the rear with the GT 2 when it's time. Great tyre for all conditions.
Incredible scenery, can’t wait for more videos this fall! I’d recommend Pirelli Angel GT 2’s, good wet and dry grip and decent longevity.
Completely agree. Pirelli Angel GT 2 is amazing.
Fully agree with PistolPete - Pirelli Angel GT 2 in front and GT2A in the back - I usually get 10-12k kms with a heavier bike
The quickshifter on BMW XR 900 or R1250GS needs to be more direct and fast when you are shifting gears (not gently and slowly). If you are shifting up, then only under throttle, if you are shifting down, then absolutelly without throttle. Then it works good...
Please review the new Tracer 900 GT. Thank You in advance. Nice update by the way.
I would suggest you try the Conti Trail Attack 3. Yea it's a "Adventure" Tire, but performance wise I can scrape the footpegs on my DL650 all day long and they have a very good "wear behavior"(keine Kantenbildung). So far I've got about 3k km on this tires and I think another 5k km are easy doable! Where do I ride? Mostly twisty roads in the "Mühlviertel" in Upper Austria, or the alps 70km away.
Greetings from Austria!
I had the Road Attack 3 on my SuperDuke GT and they handled the torque of that 1290 engine with no complaints in all weathers, I loved them. They would be a better bet for the F900XR as it uses a 17" front wheel so doesn't need trail tyres.
I'm happy with the Road 5s. I had them on my Yamaha Super Tenere, and I wasn't any less satisfied than with the previous Pilot Road 4 tires. I'll be putting the Road 5 tires on my Yamaha FJ-09 when the PR4's have worn, and once the OEM Pirelli Scorpion Trail II's burn off on my new KTM 1290 SAS, I'll be going Road 5 on it as well.
Wow - that's how you do an owner review. Seriously, I learned a ton from this.
Thanks Scott,
This is prime time riding season there in Michigan now! How's the weather there? Here it's barely hitting 80° for a high each day and not so nice wind/rain about 4 days a week 😒
@@NothingToProve It's been crazy good the last 2-3 weeks, hot in the '90's (F) and no rain but for once here and there. I cannot complain!!! Keep riding!!
Hey Scott. A true test is what you gave this bike. Man, what a journey. I know what you mean about not having to think about the bike, especially when you are out in more isolated territory and going hard! It's great to have that confidence in your kit. This bike has proven that it is up to the task. It will be most interesting to see what hijinks you decide to get into next!
As for tires... For what it's worth I ride the Angel GTs. I have ridden both the GTs and the GT II's and personally I like the GTs better. GT front and GT II rear might be the ticket! I have also ridden Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interacts as well. Great tires, really grippy and have great feel (high Silica content). But when they go they go quickly! They may not deliver the same range as some of the others but I love how they feel. Cheers!
I finally got mine. Only put 400 miles on it so far, but what a delight.
Tyres - mine came equipped with Bridgestone Battlaxes. I'll be swapping them out for Michelin Street 5s as soon as one of them wears. I'm a little disappointed that they weren't fitted as standard.
Seat - yes, it's firm, but spending all day in the saddle, I prefer a firm seat. I spent all day last Sunday on the bike and felt fine. No complaints on that score.
Quickshifter - they seem to have improved over the one fitted to my RT, but still a bit clunky if you don't rev it enough. However, I find it comparable with the Tracer, which only up-shifts. Generally, I change gear manually anyway.
My Angel GTs are fantastic on my Versys 650.
Great review Scott, thanks... Pirelli Angel GT2's, really much sportier than their predecessors (Angel GT's that you had on your 1290SDR), excellent grip in the wet, dirty bumpy roads and more mileage also... To be honest, I don't see the difference with Diablo Rosso 3's on dynamic twistie road ride... Ride Safe. V
Came from an rt...then gsa....now 900fxr....and loving it👍
1200RT, then 1200GSA? I would love your comparison between the 2
Sounds like a great holiday. I'd love to see you compare the F900XR to a KTM 890.
Conti roadattack 3 and you can ride it sumo style or conti trail attack 3 nice for touring
Great insights into this bike! I can highly recommend the Continental Road Attack 3 for your bike. Many riders, including me, consider these as the best choice for sporttouring. I have them in "GT-spec." on my big old heavy FJR and they do a fantastic job! The grip is excellent an the handling feels, like the bike has lost 30 kg of weight at the front :-D
Mate iv ridden lots of sports touring bikes ( from Australia 🇦🇺) used all the Michelin Pilot & Road 5 series. They are VERY sticky but believe they have reduced there wear life from the 4,s . Also the front sculps out bad . My recommendation is the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 or 4 ( the rear isn’t quite as sticky as the Road 5 , but I use the Metzler Roadtec 01 rear and Roadsmart front ( perfect combo in grip ) the front will outlast 2 rears but doesn’t sculp .
Trying to find a tank bag that fits the F900xr with the gps mount. Got a Givi tanklocked 5l but it doesn’t fit..
The 170mm of travel front and rear is actually VERY good for a sports tourer , as a comparison the Suzuki VStrom 650 only has 160mm front and rear ( and it’s an ADV bike ) but let down by 17inch rims - essentially front . Tyre are and easy fix . And weight is pretty good to.
I discovered the F series with the 800R and ST. Having ridden 57 years and owned 60+ bikes sll the way back to the British twins and singles I find these BMWs are gems. I do not want to ride one of these because I will be juggling my bank accounts with my retirement income to get one. Beautiful bike, fantastic region to ride!!!
Hey Scott, thank you for such a great review. I should get Continental Road Attack 3, awesome tires, great grip.
Great honest review Scott. Looking forward to the mini series in October. Metzeler roadtec 01 se are great sports tourers.👍
Yes, original seat is like a piece of wood, I'm waiting for comfort version. However I love the machine:-) Thanks for our great reviews!
I just got the comfort seat yesterday, it's wider, softer and higher(more padding I guess). Just rode it home from the dealer but first impressions of it is good, improvements were greatly needed.
@@NothingToProve Yes, it's much better compare to the original one. Thanks!
I have the BMW 850 adventure and my opinion on the quick shifter (I call semi automatic shifter) is that to work great I need to back off the throttle just for a second to change smoothly, just like when you using the clutch! Works like a dream up shifting and ok on down shifts! This is my first bike with this system so I cannot compare with another bikes but if I buy another bike is a must to have again because it is awesome! I have on my bike on the stock Windshield a spoiler extension that is adjustable! It is cheap and do a great job to create a nice air flow above the helmet! Nice review! Cheers!
Thank you so much for your honest review Scott. A little small for me personally, but seriosly interested in big brother version. Great video brother. Tyres to use? Pirelli Angel GT 2. Perfect for all road and weather conbditions. Take care.
I ride a 1250 GS. Yes, the quick shifter is tricky and often clunky. Best way I have found to be consistent on the up shifts is to be quite decisive with my right foot. Downshifts, at anything other than closed throttle, are still a mystery to me
I meant left foot. Sorry.
Any issues with heat from the bike and what temperature were you riding in please?
Thanks for your great review, Scott, I am going to get the F900XR soon and most likely I will not pick the quick shifter option
Great! You will love it. I still love mine, just like I love my wife and she loves me with all our short-comings. :)
Hey Scott - Dankeschön für Deine ausführlichen und detaillierten Berichte. 👍👌
Ich habe mich jetzt für die S 1000 XR gekauft - trotzdem ist die F 900 XR ein tolles Moped.
Vielen Dank und Grüße aus Hannover 👋
Great review. I have a Tracer 700 and put Pirelli MT60RS tyres on it and very happy. They seem to wear about 1mm per 1000.
My F900R arrived a few days ago. I am looking forward to many miles on it.
As far as sport-touring tires, my suggestion would be Metzeler Roadtec 01.
Quick shifter will give the best when the chain is clean and well lubed otherwise it is very agriculutural. Wunderlich seat cures butt burn! Great and accurate review.
stunning looking country.. re quickshifter, would adjusting the gear lever help? if you can ? ..i've heard on 690 smcr lever adjustment helps owners fyi
I really cannot decide which one to chose, between a '17 S1000 XR and this F900 XR.. If I would only be using it for travelling, then no discussion, S1000 XR would be my choice, but for mixed use, summer trips in Greek island and also city commuting I am thinking the 900 would be more suitable. I would love to hear your opinion.
Nice review! I am new to on-road two wheel riding and plan to get into sport touring as my experience grows. I started with an MT07 but just switched to the Duke 790. Your Duke 790 review helped my decision! Look forward to the updates on your BMW experience.
Changed after 9.500km my worn out Michelin for a set of new Pirelli Angel GT2’s on my 900xr in gold. More stability on higher speeds (also with the original panniers) and more feedback in cornering. Quicker steering and neutral behavior by braking in corners.
Did 2.500 with them now. Absolutely improved the Bike!
You got 9.5k out of yours, that is great mileage! Thank you for the real world feed back with the tires. I'm Tallying up the votes and so far the GT & Roadtec 01 are fighting for first place. But I am leaning towards the GT because I had the GT on my 1290SDR and it was not the best for grip (it's a super naked of course not) but it was a good compromise for getting some mileage out of them and still having some performance and if I can get 6,000 km out of them on this bike, I'd be happy with that. On the SDR I only got 4.5k but that eats rear tires...torque monster. 😒😁
Very good reviewe, this gave me lot of info... But in non of the review they talk about the ground clearance of this bike...
If possible, can you please let me know the ground clearance for BMW F900XR...
Nice to read a review like this, a review of this bike makes more sense if it is made on a long trip like you did.
I would like to know about rear seat comfort.
The passenger experience in this seat is very bad, it has a curve at the top, my wife complained a lot, she got stiff, I am going to make modifications,
Great Video. I'm going to buy this or the Tracer GT and not sure yet. What specifically did you like/want with the XR, over the Tracer ? I"m in San Diego btw.
Great review and keep these coming. Will you notify BMW about the quick shifter issues? Kind of a big deal and they need to fix that. Cheers!
False up-shifts is not unusual, they just happen more often on this than other bikes, imho.
Great review thanks. I am about to test ride one and make a decision on buying one. Good insights.
I would suggest you a Metzeler roadtec 01, excellent set of tires, also you can look for the Michelin Road 5 which are definitely fresher ( 2020 )
Thank you, I just made an appt. today to get the roadtec 01 SE put on next week!
Have you seen the video "Why I sold my BMW F900XR ? I was set on this bike until I watched that video.That was a 2020 model.Have some of the bugs been worked out on the 2021 model and especially the engine heat issue on the 2020 model? What worries me is that I live 35 miles away from the nearest Bmw dealer and only 5 miles from a Yamaha dealer.I also like the Yamaha Tracer 900.I am currently riding a Yamaha 1982 750 Maxim I kid you not.It still runs great. Indecision is driving me nuts..........Any thoughts would be appreciated......................................
Well, I can only give you my personal experience with the bike. In which I have over 10,000 km on it and have had no problems with it what-so-ever. Believe me I wish I had some problems to report so that I can make a video about them. But to no avail, nothing, no oil leaks, no "heat problems", no nothing 😢 In fact I'm taking it in next week Friday for it's 11,000 km, first BIG service and I will film it and then do a 11k owners update video soon there after.
Now I don't want to talk about any other guys and their experience, be it bad or good. And yes I've watched this video, that you refer to, last summer and let me just say it is a "rant" more so about the BMW dealer than the bike itself. Also he says that this bike has several "needless gadgets", one of which is cornering ABS. Now on any bike that costs over 10k, cornering ABS is pretty much standard equipment, or at least should be in this day and age. He continues to state that he has never used cornering ABS, now that is funny to me. I hope I never use it either but the one day that I need it and it's not there, then I'm in the hospital or worse yet, dead. He even makes a claim about a "serious" problem with the engine and then never explains the problem or what the problem is in fact. So this is how I come to the conclusion that this video is an emotional "rant" video and this emotion originates from his relationship with the dealership and not the bike. Sad. Also, he never states in the video as to actually how many km he put on the bike, all that is stated is that he took it in for the first service, which is anywhere between 600-1000km. So experience level on the bike is also in question. And most of his video is complaining about his experience with the BMW dealer and BMWs in general and not the bike. Also he is from the U.K. and has a heavy bias towards Triumphs and Hondas, so needless to say, sure if you want a biased view of a guy that does not like BMWs to begin with, then great video. If you want an un-biased view of this bike, go somewhere else.
This is why I approach all my reviews with a Brand-less every bike is different mentality, looking at what the OEM is shooting for and what the competition is doing against the bike, regardless of brand.
take care,
Scott
@@NothingToProve Thank You so much for your input. May I ask you if you ride your Bmw F900 XR in really warm 80 degree weather, and if so is there any heat issues from the engine then? I'm what you might say a fair weather rider and even in Wisconsin 25 miles north of Milwaukee where I live it still gets warm here.
I think the Michelin GT tyres are more designed for heavier bikes. I have Michelin PR 4 Road tyres for my now NC 750X. I might try the PR4 Trail supposedly for ADV bikes ridden only on the road next.
Yea, I've heard that too but why on earth would BMW put them on the stock bike, I don't get it.
Great Review. I live in southern France and was in the Alpes a week before you. Incredible views!! I'm looking really closely at the 900xr, that and a Ducati 950 Multistrada. Question- Do you have the ESA suspension? Does that help some with off-road? I'm riding an older sibling of the F models, a F800ST. Yes, the Pirelli Angel GT tires are excellent. Long wearing as well. In many of the tests they have come out first. Thanks again! Ciao!
Great review like always Scott. Enjoy your bike nothing in this world Is perfect,,
I clearly like to recommend the Conti Road Attack 3. Almost instant grip from day one and it holds up like forever!
Only downside of this tires is a little shimmy on some bikes, but not in every one! Sadly I had this effect on mine, but it didn't bother me. Especially when you consider the performance this tire delivers.
A great, comprehensive and honest review, thank you very much. The “off-tarmac” part was
funny and, except cruisers of course, every bike has a degree of off-tarmac
capability…we were doing the same thing 40 years ago (with a Yam XJ-600 BTW)…it’s
a matter of adjusting the speed and assuming you were going to hit some rocks anyway ;-). Regarding your new set of tyres, you may try Dunlop Sportsmart MK3. Great on-road sporty performance with convenient mileage.
My Pirelli Angel GT tires lasted 12,000 miles on my Triumph Trophy. What about night riding with the bugs out ? Also, I question the different tires pressure on the tires ? I get an uncertain feel on my Trophy with different pressures.
I don't think I've ever had the same tire pressure on both tires, they change like the weather, yes I try to keep them close but it always goes down at different rates.
Bugs, with the screen in the up position and below 100 kmh the screen stops most bugs.
I've been on a 1200 Trophy before (2 decades ago) great bike.
Danke für den ehrlichen und aussagefähigen Test 👍
After watching you XR vid booked a test ride. After 15 mins I returned the bike thought the seating and engine wasn't my cup of tea. I'm a GSLC rider too. Each to their own suppose. Week before took the Tiger 900 rally pro and rated that much higher, great engine and ride position
Yea the stock seat is really hard and thin, I just got the comfort seat yesterday, just rode it home but first impressions is that it is softer and wider and higher, I'll probably do an update video once I get the hard cases & engine spoiler too & new tires too.
I did a test ride yesterday was not impressed how engine worked on low rpms. On 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear without a throttle the engine was choking and made some strange noise. Did you experienced something like that?
Good review 👍
Need a info about the phone charger used in the bike
Just a battery pack in the tank bag, that's all. 😁
Hello my friend. I have a similar XR to yours and I found the wind protection from the stock screen was poor at higher speeds. I fitted the MRA Touring Screen with spoiler and it’s was game changer! Also, I agree the QS is terrible.
Thank you! Yes, I had an MRA wind screen on my 1290SDR and was thinking about the MRA or Givi for this. Now you've given me one vote towards the MRA 👍👍
NothingToProve I also have the MRA Vario on my F900XR and it makes a world of difference
Buying this bike, definitely.. there is 2-3 months wait for a full option. I use to bring my GS at 137mph, very impressive high speed number with this 900cc.. And it look like the bike hold it pretty well with more vibration I guess. Thank you for those details video, may I ask you, what is the ergonomic while standing up on the off-road? Is the handle bar too low, the tank obstruction on your legs while standing up? Thank you for your time.
Standing up is horribly hard to do. I was only doing it cause it would have been worse on my rear sitting down, so standing up was the lesser of two evils. The handle bar is way too low to stand up, the tank was ok for standing. I would not recommend standing up on this bike at all to anybody except my worst enemy.
Ride safe,
Scott
NothingToProve thank you for your prompt answer. I am only 5’7”, I will give it a try in my next test drive... But yes compared to the GS, the handlebars feel low ( I was on a normal seat for me test drive ).. With the lower seat it should come to me as more “natural” position.. I tell you what, if Bmw makes an “enduro” version out of this bike it will be huge success, (enduro mode, ESA front and rear and a slightly taller handlebars with trail tires) wow !! And this is not unreachable idea.
I changed my oil from the recommended Castrol (R 1200gsa) to Penrite MC4ST (Aus) and found quick shift working better. Continental Trail/Road Attack, expensive but great compound
Hmm...interesting. Cause my QS is not getting better after 16,000 km and I have not tried those tires as of yet either, maybe on my next set 😊
XR is a little bit of everything. Now im leaning towards more on it Vs R
go with bridgestone batlax bt23 or something,solid sport touring tires
Hi, whats the ground clearance on this bike plz can't find the info on the BMW motard India website as well, strange though.
My selection criteria for my tyres: fast heating time, dry and wet performance, consistent performance despite wear. My personal choices: THE START AND FORGET : Continental Trail Attack 3, THE START AND DRIVE HARD : Metzeler M7RR / M9RR. My opinion on the Michelin ROAD 5: very good, but are not constant against wear. At 50% they are no longer as effective. But it would be necessary to make a comparative between road 5@50% VS the competition. Opinion on the Bridgestone Battlax T41 : wear is not uniform (rear in the middle and front on the sides), unlike Attack 3 and MxRR . I have heard good feedbacks from Angel GT2. Don’t even think about any tyres from the Michelin Anakee series 🤢. Opinion based primarily on my experience on a Vstrom 650, 1200GS and a heavy 1200GSA with a heavy guy upon her. F900XR and the rider are undoubtedly lighter so the wearing and feeling may differ. Otherwise very good reviews, new subscriber from the southern France, thinking of a transition to a F900XR next year✌️
the way you said"buongiorno" to the hikers ahahah (I'm italian).
It does seem a nice bike.. I'm considering it
@NothingToProve. I had big Harleys, GS, GSA. I am in my « downsizing time » with a VStom 650. Great bike. But lacks a bit of juice and spice. I’m looking toward the upper category with the V850TT, F900XR or the Tiger 900. I am looking for a bike : 1. with no frustration and not boring ar the legal speed in France (mostly 70 and 80 km/h) (one-bike-do-all, lots of commuting + road trips), 2. that don’t want to push-forward-by-herself. I don’t want those bikes were you have to go fast or you don’t even notice you are at a « vehicule-seizure » speed, 3. with low end torque, enjoy-able even at low speed, 4. flat footed (or so) for my 178cm. So far, the F900XR has my preference. According to your experience, what do you think about the Moto Guzzi vs BMW for my needs ?
Hi, I'm also in the process of downsizing, in power especially by going to the 900XR. Between the V85 & 900XR, there is no comparison, the 900XR has a lot more torque and punch than the V85. Also because of the shaft drive on the V85 and lower torque numbers at the crank, it's really not fair to the V85. The 900XR will walk away from the V85 in just about any gear and any RPM. But the V85 is a "do all" bike but the 900XR just does everything the V85 does but does it better in every way. But the V85 has one thing that the 900XR does not and that is character and has it in spades.
The reason that I purchased the 900XR is because I wanted a "do all" bike and does it well and with out having to think...at all.
I been on all the middleweights in the last two years and the 900XR beats them all, sure you may have one bike that is better in a certain aspect but I'm talking about over-all and the 900XR wins, hands down, no question in my mind.
Take them both out for a test ride and chose the one that suits you! Good luck and ride safe,
Scott
NothingToProve, thank you for your answer.
I already tested the F900XR, relatively low seat and low weight, nimble and good torque / no need to overplay the gearbox.
Indeed, I short-listed the Guzzi for her character and the shaft drive. But, on the paper, the performance 0-100/60-100km/h ... is on par, at most, with the vstrom. So not a big upgrade.
I will testdrive her anyway, but I think the die is cast 😁.
Thanks again for your help and your complete/relevant reviews ✌️
It will be interesting to see if the quick shifter issues can be resolved with a software update. Agree with the others on the Angel GT II as a tire choice.
Thanks for your videos anb wise comments ! I'm waiting for my F900XR and I wonder if you have the "definitive" prices on the 10 and 20 K services ? Thanks for all again
You're welcome 😁
I've been "quoted" these service prices here in Germany: How accurate they are...only time will tell.
1 k = €160 (My actual was 150 euros but because I'm NTP I think they gave me a 10% discount)
11 k = €225 (the usual & Brake oil then every other year)
21 k = €490 (the usual & air filter, valve adj clearence)
31 k = €??? (the usual & Brake oil & fork fluid)
As I do the services, I plan to do video updates to show actual costs and actual problems I've had...if any, so far so good no problems as of yet after 8,500km.
Ride safe,
Scott
Would adjusting the shift lever down for more positive, deliberate shifts help the quick shifter? I find that I have to adjust the shift levers down on my bikes so that it takes less effort to upshift. Downshifting is rarely a problem because I have to tiptoe on nearly everything. I can only raise my toe so fàr. I still don't understand the need for a quick shifter.
Yea, I'm thinking about doing that but that is really something that one should NOT have to do to get it to work properly 🤔
A QS is really needed for the track but on the street, it's really just for fun 😁
@@NothingToProve As a rider with a shorter inseam, I have to adjust a lot of things to get my bikes to work right. I hope adjustment helps.
@ Alan - I wanted the QS due to an old injury where my wrist got quite tired in stop/go traffic w/ previous bikes. However, the clutch lever effort is very light on the F900R that so far it's been a non-issue. The QS is fun too for rapid acceleration/deceleration. Love the sound from the downshifts and it works better there. Oh, and I'm in the vertically challenged camp. I can relate.
@@kevind.5246 Best explanation for a quick shifter that I have seen. For now, clutching so natural that I don't even think about it, but I can see that not always being the case.
I bought my F900XR without the quick shifter because I didn't like it when I first tried the bike. I am not sure I regret it. All the rest is overall pretty good and I am really enjoying the bike! Thanks for the video.
Yea, the QS is kind of a luxury item, especially this one because it only works well under certain conditions. So you won't miss it. Most of the time I shift using the clutch simply because I want a smooth shift and I don't get that using the QS :(
Thanks for the feed back and ride safe,
Scott
@@NothingToProve I forgot to mention you are completely right about the seat. Too hard!
Yea, I just got the comfort seat right after this video and it is softer but I think it could be a little more soft but it's close enough.
Great review of your bike Scott! Loved seeing those beautiful alpine roads you have on your doorstep! We’re back in lockdown again, so riding anywhere is out of the question! Lucky you! With respect to tyres, either Michelin or Pirelli GT tyres. Incredible to see 224km/h on your autobahn. Again, we’d be arrested & bike impounded & or crushed
In 2/3 weeks should have mine. Do you, or does anyone else, know of a large topcase system compatible with the original BMW Touring side cases? I see Shad say there system isn't (I wanted the 59x) and most other manufacturers don't specifically say but from photos it looks like they use the top mounting point for the side cases rendering them unusable....
Dear Scott, can you please share the location of your offroad part of the trip? Like your videos!
Colle Valcavera, Sambuco, Province of Cuneo, Italy
Sure, just copy and paste the above into google maps :)
@@NothingToProve thank you Scott!
Fascinating stuff - experience of real usage is always good to see and hear. Tyres - Metz Roadtec 01 SE - see this week's (uk) mcn, group test of the top sports-touring market. Nice if you'd confirm or counter their verdict.
Very nice 6000km review. For the tyres try the Bridgestone T31
Hi Scott. I´m really happy with my Dunlop qualifier II, double compound with good grip and satisfactory wear. Good video, lots of info. Keep up with the good work.
I really love your reviews. Thinking about stepping down from a GSA to the XR900. Just go on like this mate.
Suzuki gsa?
@@alexadrossotoglou1413 Well, no, like a different kind of bike, I realize. But: Made up my mind already. Bought a new GSA 1250!
What do you think about the headlights? Do they provide good lighting at night, or would you say that it needs auxiliary lights too?
Can you carry a passenger in relative comfort on longer trips?
Thanks for the vid this AM. It inspired me to ride to the Blue Ridge Parkway NC/VA which is about an hour way this AM.
I've been up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway a few times, love it there, enjoy the ride!
Great reviews 👌 I ask to BMW to try this one model 2022 ... any differences with 2021 ? Seat (much better confly)..suspetions different tyres ? I need the bike just every day to work 30 miles p day ! Here in London ...I heard that the screen was not blocking the wind enough? What u think? But anyway thanks mate !
Thanks, na, no changes for 22 that I'm aware of...it's a great bike just the way it is. Wind screen is as good as the other two it competes against in this catagory, Tiger 900 and Tracer 9 (Tiger & Tracer seats are a little better for a week long tirp). This is about the best do-everything-everyday bike as one can get. And that is why I bought it, I need a "work bike" to commute back and forth from one dealer to another, I just hop on and ride and don't have to think about the bike at all.
ride safe,
Scott
@@NothingToProve thanks for you answer mate , Yesterday I went to the dealership and ordered the motorcycle, the seller told me that the seat for 2022 comes, although in the same way it is built internally, another kind of softer foam has been used to deal with the problem of the hardness of the seat in the Previous models, for the moment that is what changes with the 2021 model, although it is not a change to a comfort seat, it is a change in material and that will surely help to be more comfortable, in addition to that it comes in the triple black BMW color that It really is beautiful and looks premium, on the other hand the quickshiffter is improved and even smoother according to the words of this seller, who is here in Central London and is trusted by me as they work directly with BMW from Berlin in Germany and half of the salespeople and managers here in London are German, so that gives me confidence to believe what they are selling me or trying to sell :) 😀anyway, I would be interested to know if it is important to wear the windscreen in the city Beyond sport or normal wind? does the Normal version really make a difference? Or better to opt for the sport version for the aesthetics of the motorcycle? According to your experience, what would you recommend? (London rains a lot during the year and is cold) really the quickshiffter necessary? for the city ... (I'm going to work and come home, just that) Thank you very much for your time and effort from London UK
Pirelli angel gt2 s are excellent however if your doing some light off road continue trail attack or Michelin road 5 trails
Just stumbled across your page and I have to commend you on an excellent review!! I currently own a 2019 Honda CB500X and I truly love the bike but am looking at maybe upgrading to a f900XR next year for a bit more grunt !! Could you possibly give a couple of locations for trip as I am hoping to organise a little trip to Europe from Ireland once this pandemic allows!! Once again great review and I will be subscribing !
Greetings. Thx for the review. Watched it a few times already as well as your long term video on the 1250RS. I commute mostly about 100km per day and once a year I have a 2 week 5000km trip every year.
I have the 850GS and has put on it 40 000km in just over 18months. Which of the 2 would you recommend? I’ve ridden the 1000XR but its not my style riding high revs on a bike so the 4cylinder bikes do no appeal to my riding style.
Thx
Greetings from Germany!
Yea, I had plenty of inline 4 cylinder motors in the past, now I'm always wanting something more, so we agree on that! You know the parallel twin in the 850, so it's basically the same in the 900, just a little more power and yes I can feel the difference and that is why I bought the 900XR over the 850GS, plus the GS is heavier. And the 1000XR just didn't do it for me, too buzzy in both sound and vibration, imho the motor just does not fit the sport touring very well. So now you know my answer 😁 900XR 😊 over the 1000XR!
take care,
Scott
@@NothingToProve Greetings from Cape Town, SA. Yes definitely agree on the 4 cylinder bikes. So would you pick the 900xr or the 1250rs?
Well I bought the 900XR so that says it all :)
Thanks for great review. When we will see Ducati Multistrada 1260 GT?
I've been watching your reviews of this bike and decided to take it for a test ride yesterday, slept on it and today I pulled the trigger on this bike. I'm really happy with my purchase. Thank you for your effort, and your well made videos. I hope BMW send you a gift or something, haha. Also, you remind me of Peter Gallagher in American Beauty. :D
Is it okay as a beginnerbike?
Generally it does everything easy, now recommending a beginner bike is more so the person and what they are capable of vs. what the bike is capable of. Yes, I ride with a guy that started out on a 900R last year and he loves it and is doing well on it. So yes it can be a good bike to learn with as one grows and learns more skills the bike is patient and will wait no problem.
take care,
Scott
Hello Scott,
does your xr go straight when you let go of the bars while riding?
And does it wobble at Autobahn speed above 150 kmh.
Danke im voraus.
Hi, yes goes straight and even at 230 it does not wobble 👍 but the 1250 RT did wobble a little bit at 230 but that's probably because it has such a big front faring.
Ride safe,
Scott
Another nice review. Thanks!
How about cold start engine isues for this model? Did You experienced this?
10k so far on this bike and she starts every time with out problem, even in January when it's around 0 degrees and even after sitting in garage for 7-8 weeks without being started. 👍
Nice review Scott, beautiful scenery up there in The Alps
I have one suggestion: Metzeler Roadtec O1 , great st tires, great on the wet, very confident in the twisties with good life span
Ditto on the Roadtec 01s.
Forgot to say thanks for the good review. Like your reviews, cheers.
My local bmw dealer says better not go with the confort seat, better and a lot cheaper to go to your local shop and for 80 euros get them to reupholster the original with a decent/gel/foam upgrade.
On my BMW r1200r went from a Metz to Road5 and love them. My next set? Staying with Michelin.
Whyndomyounprefer the road 5?
Tiger 900 GT Pro is silky smooth. Much better than my GS.
That's no achievement! Most bikes are smooth compared to a GS! 🤔
Morning scott, did you ever get your fairing and panniers?
Hello John,
No on the motor spoiler but yes on the side and top case. And I got the comfort seat too. So the only thing that is missing is the motor spoiler. Come to think of it, I should inquire about the status of that...thank you for reminding me!
Ride safe,
Scott
Are they shipping your lower fairing as well as that seat Scott?..another good review thanks Scott.
Yes, they are supposed to ship that and the 2 side hard cases and top case too. But this Corona thing screwed up everything 😢
Bridgestone Battlax S22! Best ever! Thank you for a wellmade film. I'm in line for a F900R. I thought service intervalls were 15000km....only 10? Not much.
KTM is 15k 👍
BMW is 10k 😢
Other OEMs go 15k too
@@NothingToProve Ok thank you 👍
Very nice review ! I am very interested by the F900XR and intend to buy one. Many people say that the engine sound is unpleasant. What is your opinion ?
Yea, I really don't care for the engine noise. 🙁😒
Another great review. 😎🏍💨💨💨💨🇨🇦 how’s the maintenance for the valves compared to the boxer? Every 20,000 kms here very expensive in Canada 900. Bucks. Put about 30,000 a year on so not very good. Cheers👍🏻
Wow, I think North America pays a premium there cause here in Germany these are the estimated service costs:
- 1,000 km Service - €160 (oil, check-adj: chain, steering head bearings)
- 10,000 km Service - €226 (oil, Brake fluid-then every 2yrs. & other check&adj)
- 20,000 km Service - €490 (oil, Air filter, Valve Clearance Adj & other check&adj)
Then rotate the 10k & 20k service.
BUT I will do an update video and give the TRUE cost once I have the service done 👍😁
Thank you for the information, it's always good to hear from actual owners and their personal experience.
Ride safe,
Scott
Greeeat review, answered a few concerns i had about the bike,
Ordered mine 6 weeks ago and it still hasn't come, maybe they are concentrating on making your comfort seat :)
Really can't wait for it to arrive. i did order the comfort seat straight off the bat after taking one for a test drive. Those standard seats are hard as hell. Even the comfort seat seemed a little hard as it was on another bike i got to sit on, time will tell.
What luggage did you strap to the bike? Guess i will have to wait and see.
Looking forward to the epic Alpine footage to come.
Keep up the great work
Batts
XXX ( dont tell the wife) haha
Edit:
The bike is due for delivery on Saturday, at long last. Whoo Hooo!
Look out for my views on the bike soon ;)
Hey!
Did you received the bike with the comfort seat yet?
Very interested to know if it makes it good enough.
@@vandred87yt Still not arrived yet, due on the 24th of August, feels like christmas was put back a couple months. Will let you know.
I would think the Metzeler Roadtec 01 tires would do very well on this bike and in that environment.