I have to agree. When I was moving on my my "First Real Bike", an old Suzuki GS500F with the re-worked suspension, I test rode an F900XR & I was absolutely....unmoved. I tried to like it & I was really impressed with the mouse wheel/screen, but after that I was just bored with it. Apart from the drop in power getting back on my old GS500 was preferable (don't forget, I put in upgraded springs/fork oil & an R6 rear shock so it handled like an absolute weapon) What sealed it was the price, at anything like reasonable spec it was eye wateringly expensive. For A LOT LESS money I ended up with a Tracer 9GT & never looked at BMW again. The Tracer definitely does have the "character" that you often mention is lacking in the BMW & with the tracer it comes from that incredible CP3 engine.
Hi. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I would have either of the bikes that you mention over the N900. I only had it for a day and after only doing about 120 miles (about 80 of them on a motorway or freeway) my ears were still ringing the day after.
Like you I had the 900XR as a loner last year. I liked the engine and handling but the buffeting off that screen was terrible. Speed wise it’s listed, depending where you look 0-60 at 3.2 to 3.6 seconds at the low end faster than the GS 1250. The one I had did feel quite peppy, fun to ride but wouldn’t be for me either.
I turns our that mine had been digitally restricted. It's something they do to all the loner bikes at that dealership apparently because they've had too many instances of people wringing the necks of the loners. Even with that the bike I had needed a new back tyre because the guy that had it before me...let's say....used the handling to its fullest potential. The screen is a disaster though. The noise is worse than many naked bikes I've ridden.
I have to agree. When I was moving on my my "First Real Bike", an old Suzuki GS500F with the re-worked suspension, I test rode an F900XR & I was absolutely....unmoved. I tried to like it & I was really impressed with the mouse wheel/screen, but after that I was just bored with it. Apart from the drop in power getting back on my old GS500 was preferable (don't forget, I put in upgraded springs/fork oil & an R6 rear shock so it handled like an absolute weapon) What sealed it was the price, at anything like reasonable spec it was eye wateringly expensive. For A LOT LESS money I ended up with a Tracer 9GT & never looked at BMW again. The Tracer definitely does have the "character" that you often mention is lacking in the BMW & with the tracer it comes from that incredible CP3 engine.
Hi. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I would have either of the bikes that you mention over the N900. I only had it for a day and after only doing about 120 miles (about 80 of them on a motorway or freeway) my ears were still ringing the day after.
Like you I had the 900XR as a loner last year. I liked the engine and handling but the buffeting off that screen was terrible. Speed wise it’s listed, depending where you look 0-60 at 3.2 to 3.6 seconds at the low end faster than the GS 1250. The one I had did feel quite peppy, fun to ride but wouldn’t be for me either.
I turns our that mine had been digitally restricted. It's something they do to all the loner bikes at that dealership apparently because they've had too many instances of people wringing the necks of the loners. Even with that the bike I had needed a new back tyre because the guy that had it before me...let's say....used the handling to its fullest potential.
The screen is a disaster though. The noise is worse than many naked bikes I've ridden.