Der erste Test überhaupt, in dem jemand detailiert die Kosten für Wartung und die Intervalle erklärt, dafür ganz klar einen Daumen nach oben, denn das gehört genauso zu einem Motorradtest, wie Aussagen über Motor und Fahrwerk. Vielen Dank dafür.
Honest and well-intentioned review. BMW should learn how to keep its customers. It seems they do not learn much. They have lost me and now I'm riding my 3rd Japanese bike for my greatest happiness without any annoying issues. Service of course could be better at Japanese workshops too, but reliability eases the shortcomings.
Think the TFT and the brake issue should be addressed Scott. I would persevere until the matter was resolved, especially the rear brake. Great honest review. 👍
My service tried to shorten the movement of the pedal whith a screw of regulation, but in a while the oil heat up because just a touch on the pedal pushed the brake and my wheel got almost blocked. I had to stop, wait a while for the oil to cool down, go back to service and set it as it was before. It's quite a pain in the xxx...
I’ve got one of these and I think I’ve gotten really lucky, I’ve got none of the issues that others seem to experience. I completely agree about the engine sound, it’s not pleasant at idle and leaves me really envious of people on Yamahas and Ducatis. And you’re right about the seat, but stopping every couple of hours and having a drink or a little walk mitigates it a lot (and it’s important to stay hydrated so maybe BMW incorporated this as a wellbeing feature?). Is any bike perfect? I don’t know. This one has its flaws but overall I’m very happy with mine. I hope you get some good riding in this summer.
One of the problems that premium brands have is that their customers often have very high expectations, and notice very small issues. That makes the list of problems seem much longer than the list on cheaper bikes, but at least part of that comes down to selling to a very discerning corner of the market. A related problem is that more features means more risk of an issue.
Rear brake issues are NOT a small problem, any brake issue should be resolved period!!!. Someone needs to do due diligence in this process, you wouldn't accept this from your car with family aboard. Major whoa here 😳.
@@stevensullivan5287 To say that very minor issues are more frequently scrutinized with premium brands is not to say that all issues scrutinized with premium brands are very minor.
@@PMitchell106 Agree with you, as a 58 year, million miles under the belt rider (not driver egads), had brake issues only once, rear locked up on my XS11 with my deaf brother on board. Needless to say, I fixed it myself at that time. I do all my services as Im capable of splitting cases and whatever. I'm not the norm, but I've had too many service shops not up to standard minimum and never go back unless it's warranty coverage.
@@stevensullivan5287 Poor braking feel and catastrophic braking failure are dramatically different issues. Of the dozens of bikes I've ridden over the decades, many had mediocre to poor rear brake feel, vanishingly few had ideal rear brake performance, and none have ever had a catastrophic lockup or failure to engage. Of those that had poor rear brakes, most other people who rode the same bikes never noticed any problem.
Fantastic summary of your experience! I've been riding an S1000XR for the past 3 years and have been trying other bikes, including this. I found the F900xr to be a good bike, but coming from its bigger brother, missed the performance and found the suspension a little off when pushing the bike hard in the corners. I enjoyed it more than the gen2 s1000xr however! Crazy that bmw didnt reace your screen and this sort of service is offputting. I stick with bmw because of the dealer network and service I get from my local dealer.
This is interesting. I've not come across the brake problems on my BMWs. My XR only has 4,000 miles so far, but certainly no sign of any issues there. That said, the clutch was grabby shortly after getting it and the dealer replaced the clutch without any quibble. Turned out it was one of a faulty batch. It's been fine since. On the TFT, I'd have got really stroppy. That said, I have an anti-theft bracket fitted, so it's protected and unlikely to be a problem. The quickshifter is the same as the RT - clunky. I think that they are never as smooth with twins as they are with multis. I generally don't use it.
I love the seat of the xr, soft seats hurts me more than hard seats.I don't understand why there is no usb charging port on the cockpit, a 2020 sport tourer bike should have one.
Having owned an 2021 F900XR for 14 months and 18,000 miles (28,900 km), I agree with Scott about the poor rear brake, non-functional quick shifter and the hard seat, I ordered a Sargent replacement during the first week of ownership. But my experience of maintenance cost was much different than Scott's or for that matter compared to other Euro bikes that I have owned, exceptionally expensive at US $3,660 for dealer maintenance, tires and new chain and sprockets that I replaced myself at 10,000 miles (!). But worse yet, three water pumps replaced under warranty in 18,000 miles is unacceptable and so was the oil consumption: 3 quarts consumed in 550 miles (880 km) of moderate riding. Many parts of the bike are brilliant (ESA, instrument display, riding position, ease of handling, front brake performance and the hard bags). I bought my first BMW in 1980, this one will be my last; I replaced F900XR with a Yamaha Tracer 9GT.
I had an issue with getting the gear to Neutral. This problem was always there. I took the bike for the 10K maintenance and explain the problem that it was hard to get the gear to Neutral. BMW called the bike for inspection and decided to replace the gearbox and bowl free of charge. This issue was obviously a fabrication error and BMW makes a free of charge replacement.
Thanks for the feedback, good to know what to watch out for. I find that getting it going if I don't let the engine warm up that I can stall it out leaving in first gear right away, seems the clutch is very temperamental on start.
Interesting video, Scott. After three BMWs, I switched over to a Honda Africa Twin. The purchase price of a new GS Adventure plus my past experience with high BMW service costs drove me away, despite my love for BMW motorcycles. Honda’s reputation is well-deserved and their far more extensive dealer network and 5-year warranty seals the deal. I still think the GSA is a fantastic bike, but not so good that the higher costs are justified. As reluctant as I was to switch, I haven’t looked back.
Thanks for opening up Scott about your pride & joy. Every motorcycle has its shortcomings. But, the dealership is the primary place & the brand is the second. Because unless it’s a recall to save their bacon, it’s the dealership that can try to make changes. Perhaps, the rear master cylinder is too small for the load? The brake fluid boils being near the engine? Maybe the rear pads have glazed on them? Sometimes, if the brand doesn’t help you, then it’s time to help yourself without telling them!😉 The rear brake is very important in a sharp curve to wash off some speed especially in a tightening curve.🙌
You are on point about the exhaust note vs engine sound... not really a nice aural experience from the rider's seat because of the noisier ticking noise. esp when you start to rev it. I hope there is a street legal exhaust (that is louder) solution to this very soon.
in my honest opinion...there is no Perfect motorcycle. but this xr900 would be 9.5/10. this is the only motorcycle that has so much tecnology on it and after all the extra packs i put on it today when i ordered it, the final price was 13.300 euros. i was between tracer 9 vs tiger 900 vs xr900. the yamaha is 810 mm height, to much for me and 14,500euros , the tiger pro 900 is 17.000 in my town, come on, to expensive, but this xr900 with the LOW SUSPENSION (50mm less) was only 13,300 . in my opinion BMW has a great engine, amazing tecnology, impressive TFT, and looks amazing. i know the seat is bad, not the best rear brake, but overall is an almost perfect machine. i am pretty sure that tiger 900 and the yamaha tracer 9gt has other kind of problems ... be happy with what you have in life, the main objective is to get up every morning and when you start the engine of your motorcycle , get a smile on your face.
Agree 100% My Top 3 annoying things on this bike are 1. Engine bells and whistles 2. Seat Comfort 3. Quickshifter But what really bothers me, is that BMW just doesnt give a Sh** about the OEM Seat, that is horrible, specially as a Tourer. After I had that infamous clutch issue, BMW replaced it and now the Quickshifter is little better. Last but not least, the maintenance costs here in Nuremberg are ... All the numbers you told what I payed without Tax. Im not amused.. 1.Service 200€ 2. Service 354€ BTW: That location is great, but you probably already know. I honestly thought that you would sell the bike for the new Tracer 9 GT, but seems not.
wow, here in north of Italy: 1 service for free 2 service 220€ The 1st could be related to the selling price of the bike, i mean maybe in Italy they sell the bike at a slightly superior price and you have the first service for free, but 354€ for the second are really a lot of money.
Sorry for your troubles, Scott. I just came back from test riding the 9xr. Well, I likeed all about it but the engine. Sitting position is excellent thanks to its narrowness and footpegs position is just right. Yes, quick-shift is bit more clunky than when you shift with clutch. And the clutch lever is butter light. It has good pulling power (dynamic mode), not excellent, but good. If you aren't coming from a race bike, or don't need the instant power surge, it won't be a show stopper. Good suspensions and handling in avoidance maneuvers. I don't like the engine. Its sound, the little bit of vibration... but it's just me as I'm coming from 4cyl's engines. Could it grow on me? Maybe. But maybe not. Would I trade the FZ1 for it? Nope. The difference in price is not worth it.
Strange to see this review now (march 2022) knowing you end up again with a BMW (1250 RT) 😅😅😅 Hope, the rear brake on the RT does a better job. Have the same problem on a 2012-1200 GS, front brake well, rear brake just not existing … , the TFT is much bigger, so more place to get broken 🥴… thx for the feed back on the 900 XR 👍🏻
🤣🤣 Yea, true, but also my health in the last year has impacted my choice too. That is just something that is personal and does not belong in a video. So far though, the rear brake seems to be holding up but just wait till it warms up and I give it a proper thrashing in the Alps 😁 then we'll see... take care, Scott
Good video. It clear to see you are some what pissed off with your XR and the response you have had from BMW and the dealer not fixing stuff that should be routine and done under warranty and for the time the servicing has taken. Not good. For a premium bike from a premium manufacturer such as BMW this is bad. I was at one time thinking of buying a BMW S1000R, but not anymore. I heard too many cases of pissed off owners of BMW bikes. Maybe you should lower you expectations Scott? BMW doesn't care. It's a pity the Yamaha Trace 9 GT you tested recently has issues with it's front brakes and awful dash as I feel you would have traded your XR for that as you really wanted to like that bike so much. You loved it's QS and blipper and now we know why! It made me think there is a back story to this with your XR and I was right. The rear brake on your XR sounds awful. Would it even pass an MOT test or TUV test in Germany if there is such a thing? I had same on one of my bikes a Triumph Sprint ST 1050. I replaced the brake fluid, properly bleeding the system and purging it of any air, fitted EBC HH sintered brake pads, adjusted and lubed the linkage and the brake was transformed. Now it is excellent. So it can be done. I guess the BMW dealer isn't really that interested. Those BMW servicing costs are a rip off! 170 Euros just to change the oil. Do they change the oil filter as well? I bet all the other 'checks' they claim they do are a tick box exercise. I think if you buy a new bike or indeed a used approved manufacturer bike then they stiff you on servicing especially if you are a very low mileage owner. I don't ride or indeed drive any where near 10k miles each year which is the typical service interval mileage or one year for servicing which ever is sooner. Some years I just do a couple of hundred miles on some of my bikes and second car and feel totally ripped off by servicing as I know it is just a tick box exercise. There is no way components even consumables need replacing after a few hundred miles even if they are slightly older than 12 months. It is one big rip and con. Back in 2015 I bought a very low mileage one owner Triumph Sprint ST1050 6 years old, one owner, 5k miles with full Triumph Sevice History. On the face of it a lovely clean well looked after bike. However I didn't continue with the Triumph servicing as my local Triumph dealer quoted me an eye watering amount of cash to service it and they didn't have the best rep. So I checked it over and then serviced it myself as I have done all my bikes. The engine oil had not been changed as the Triumph dealer who sold it to me promised, the brake fluid was like coffee and the air filter was like an autumn day with leaves, spiders, insects grit and grime all over it and in the air box. it was amazing the bike even ran. I was shocked. So once the bike was PROPERLY serviced, all fluids, filters, etc replaced it ran and stopped really well. I would never ever trust main dealers or main stealers ever again. I think you have two options. One, keep the bike and persevere with the issues you've highlighted. Maybe continue to try to get BMW to listen about the poor performance of the rear brake and to do something or to find an independent bike garage that can look at the rear brake and try and get it working properly. Continue to notice the defective edge of the TFT screen become worse and put up with BMW's uncomfortable comfort seat. Or two you could just sell the bike. Chop it in for something else, something better. For me these issues coupled with the poor dealer experience and with BMW would mean game over with the XR if it was mine. I'd seriously be looking for a different bike and from a different manufacture. Maybe time to go back to KTM or try Triumph? There is a better bike out there waiting for you. I wish more bike YTers would as transparent as you rather than sucking up to bike manufacturers. I hope you get your XR sorted out or alternatively your next bike sorted out soon and painlessly. ATB and thanks for making this video Scott.
Hi Scott, one thing you didn't mention, would you buy this bike again, knowing all its flaws...? Thnx, and I really love your reviews, find them to be always honest and on the point! Looking forward to the next one! ✌🏼
Think it’s Bmw, not the brembo. My Ktm has brembo and it is set up well, no brake issues. Do you still have improving impressions of the bike or are you getting a bit fed up? Is the quality beginning to agitate? Excellent video, as normal so thank you.
Thanks for the video. Really nice shooting location. When I got my 750gs a year ago (almost), the engine sound/noise hit me right away, too. My hearing is very good and I don’t enjoy standing next to the idling bike. No problem once going, as you mention. How is the boxer engine compared?
great review Scott and thanks for the update, the bike looks the nuts, still have not got mine yet, but god willing next year i will pick up an ex demo model, loving the the look with the luggage and the the colour fairing!! Enjoyed your review of the 900GT but i think that bike is just ugly, especially the dash! although yes it does sound very nice.
Hi Scott! What a pity you have these issues! The rearbrake is a dealbreaker; I know how you always emphasize how important rearbrakes are to you! BMW should have mounted a two-piston Brembo… The seat you can replace, that’s a personal thing. The screen is just badluck, I think. But… a premium brand needs premium dealers and they really should make this right under guarantee. The whole thing puts you in a difficult position. On one hand you should make fuzz about the screen. On the other hand you want to keep on testing their bikes. Although you always said you were’nt a BMW fanboy, I noticed you became more and more enthousiastic about the GS’s and the XR’s lately. Hope you solve the problems with BMW; in the end it’s a fantastic brand. Otherwise I see you go back to KTM or wind up on a Tiger 900!? Good luck with all of this!
Yea, Tiger is probably the next step (love the long travel of the suspension) if BMW does not resolve the TFT for me. But the general manager at that dealership does not know about the TFT (as he was on vacation when I took it in) but he probably does now 🤨
Muchas Gracias¡¡ siento no poder expresarme en Ingles y espero que Google te pueda traducir. Estoy dudando entre esta motocicleta y la Yamaha Tracer 9 GT. La verdad que me aportas mucha información para decidirme. Saludos
Thank you and yes, this is why I do these videos, to help guys decide what to buy and to know just what their money is buying for them. take care, Scott
Hm. I guess now I am not that sad anymore that my Yamaha Tracer 700 has "just " Nissin brakes, whereas my husband's T7 has Brembos...I am starting to hear more and more complaints about Brembo. Maybe they should be careful not to loose their excellent reputation...
I'll post an unpopular opinion but having several bikes in the garage at any time, my experience with Brembo is that they are junk. Sure, they are amazing when new, but require constant bleeding. Same for the Brembo master cylinder on my Multistrada clutch. Nissan brakes can also perform well, but will continue to do so for years with minimal maintenance.
Well, I can only give the personal experience I've had with Brembo. 4.5 yrs on my 1290 Super Duke R and no problems or fade, those were M5.0 and now on my XR I have 16,000 km, M4.32, and no problems with the front at all, in fact I have spent long days on it in blistering heat and beating the crap out of them and no fade what-so-ever. Now the rear sucks but that is a system problem (working with their linked system) that BMW has with rear brakes and it's not the Brembo caliper on the rear that is the problem, it's BMW's system that it has to work in and that is my complaint on the XR. ride safe, Scott
@@NothingToProve Thanks Scott. Experiences vary for sure. On my generation of Multistrada (2010), the rear brakes are nearly impossible to bleed. Part of the issue is the caliper is mounted upside down and another is that the ABS module is a highpoint. Normal dealer action I was told, was to suspend the rear of the bike greater than 45 degrees to allow a proper bleed, but mine were still not working after that. After much research, there is a technique I used that involved snaking the caliper through the wheel and suspending it with the bleed at the highpoint. Then bleed the brakes while holding the caliper at various angles. It worked, but I would still put the rear brake as marginal at best. I'm glad to hear you have had better results.
After watching your comparison video I leaned toward picking the BMW F900 XR, but now I'm totally convinced to go for the Yamaha 09 Tracer GT. Huge thanks for revealing the specific and systemic flaws! Cheers
XR is a lot lighter (20-30kg) and has more power (newer (bigger capacity) version of the same motor as GS) & looks way better...imho. And this is a big AND, I'm not taking it off-road - Gravel road yes but off, no. ride safe, Scott
Uli "the GS guy" has the same bike you do, same year too, except the Adventure, and he says that when riding aggressively and using the right foot for the rear brake, it fades too, over the day. So there we go, different guys getting different results. 😢
BMW has a long on-going tradition to openly ignore the flaws of their products. Had no bikes from them, but 2 cars, they always denied the most obvious and objective problems reported by thousands of customers. Although I think they have top products, with great appeal, I simply can't stand this attitude anymore.
Great review! Can you recommend this bike for a beginner? I’m considering to buy one as my very first one. Is it going to be a problem for me? I’m 32 years old and want that kind of bike to be my first in my life. I’m also 172 centimetres tall. Should this be a problem? Thanks!
Ride over 30 different bikes a year, at least half of those having QS. Then you'll be "pretty sure" about what you experience and not what you read. Especially in a manual where they are putting the text in a legal form that has one purpose, to NOT get sued by anyone. So the manual is firstly a CYA and secondly instructions for the bike. And BTW, the 9GT QS is way better than this bike and yes between 1st & 2nd too. ride safe, Scott
Sadly it appears that you have had my experience, great bikes but the dealers vary in quality. The dealer I have bought three GSs from have a great salesman but a very poor service department. I have my bikes serviced by another dealer, always found the dealer more important than the brand and I’ve had a lot of different bikes over the years.
Thanks so much for doing this review Scott. Tell, them, at the very LEAST...one potential buyer (ME) is now going with the Tracer 9 GT instead of this XR. They should have taken care of you. I've been on the fence for 9 mths on the Tracer Vs the XR and I think I just decided.
Likewise, considering the Triumph 900GT or the Yamaha 900Tracer, love triples anyway, started with a H1 Mach III when I was 15 years old, GT750 when I was 18. Now have an R18 Classic that needs a friend at night in the garage. How to choose....??? Thanks Scott for your honesty, it can be a little hard to maintain the boundaries as a reviewer from some that I've watched. Keep it safe.
Think you're missing out by not going with the F900XR though, best display in the bunch, great connectivity through the BMW Connected App, the suspension is still great on the rear shock for when you carry a pillion or luggage. I've never had any issues with it. It is a rare gem on the road too! Good luck with your purchase though and hope you can share your experience as well!
@@DJDarkrobe I would opt for the Tracer especially with the F900 having a rear brake problem. You can’t beat the Japanese for reliability & after service. Ride safe
This bike seems to be even worse than I would have expected. A superior quality than Suzuki or Kawasaki? With my Suzuki V Strom 650 I have had no issues at all. Everything works as it is has been designed. I have 12000km on it, two services and I could fetch the bike on the same day. And although I took the full accesory kit including a metal panniers and topcase I saved several thousands of euros to the BMW. All I need is a bullet proofed engine, a good working gear box and chassis and a comfortable seat and seating position. The comfort of the standard seat and even the lower seat option is awesome. I have no need to the features the BMW provides like a quick shifter, TFT-screen, Electronic suspension or keyless go. I think the base items has to work properly before adding such ammenities.
I agree..... I have owned both Suzuki and Kawasaki (and Honda) bikes and have had NONE of the issues that Scott is having.... actually, absolutely zero issues with 4 of the these bikes that I have owned ove the last few year. Maybe I am not as picky and maybe the bikes are not as sophisticated..... but they are very solid bikes that perform "good enough" for the typical rider. Not glamorus.... but they don't do multi-night sleep-overs at the stealership.
exactly, enjoying thorougly my 650 strom, have about 22 000 kms in two years, 0 issues, all of them through Schwarzwald (1st bike, need practice before going longer :) )
Great honest review. This bike is NOT cheap that's for sure, and those issues all seem avoidable or something they should have ironed out over the couple years they've been offering this thing. Especially the rear brake issue. Heard so many people complain about the BMW comfort seat at this point there's no way I'd risk it.
Mystery of engineering: "How good are Brembo brakes if they don't work?' Fortunately BMW has been able to help us tackle this mystery and the conclusion is that they suck, they literally suck!
Sorry, I don’t agree. I had a XT1200ZE and this bike is so plump, heavy with a high center of gravity, really hard to handle. Can’t stand in the shadow of a GS!
It's not the handling that is a problem but the quality issues. I have to concur with NeverDrive55, after two BMWs both having rear brake issues the same as Scott (and corrosion of forks and engine) I bought a Honda VFR1200X, 80,000 km with no issues and it looks as good as new.
BMW car division is also suspect on some of their models. Once upon a time, German engineered or made used to mean quality. Not any more! It’s why I stick to Japanese. My one bike I had a warranty claim on, was European - a KTM. Condensation in the dash. Replaced, and it was even worse then the first one. Buy Japanese. Be happy.
Would love to have been able to afford a Super tenere, and if l could, l was concerned about the extra 20kg it had on my R1150GS. But it certainly seemed like the dream bike.
Despite the shortcomings of the X-R, I just love what I can only describe as it’s ride-ability. I don’t get out on mine much but when I do, it just feels so reassuring and easy to ride.
Thanks for your honesty…. truly much appreciated. I was considering buying this bike based on your videos, but am now really rethinking following upon BMW’s lack of support regarding brake and TFT that are clearly faulty… not owner negligence.
You should ride an old oil head you wanna talk about engine noise at idle lol, it’s just it’s character. My F800ST had some character too. I got to race a new electric Harley they other day, crazy fast and silent.
No bike is perfect, especially the budget ones. My SV650a drives like crap around town; so jerky, even dangerous when applying the throttle in the rain. But!.... it is totally on song at speed, and in 78,000 km it never broke down and left me stranded. So, be grateful for your bike getting you home each time. I'd never buy another SV, though. But i won't sell it, it will outlive me [unfortunately!], the engine sounds like new still.
I feel like the manufacturers don't put their best stuff on their 900cc bikes, so I like the 900cc class only for naked bikes, but not for adv/sport touring. For adv/sport touring I think it's better to go for flagship bikes like the 1250 GS, Multistrada V4s, KTM 1290 SA, and then you don't get irked by the compromises of stuff like non-adjustable front suspension. But that's a higher cost route to go. I just had my KTM 1190 Adv in for it's big 18,600 mile service and the stealership hit me up for $2400 U.S. since I also needed a new front tire and the fork seals replaced. I bought it used for a reasonable price and love the bike, but the service cost sure ain't cheap.
Thanks for the review. Guessing you have the rear brake fixed by now. But if not, Brake pedal or lever sponginess ( it is not fade) is almost always caused by air in the brake system and yours sounds like a classic case. I bet the dealer did a poor job when they changed your brake fluid. In addition, I have seen Brembo rear brakes seem to create their own air which does not make sense, but happens none the less. Sometimes you have to mess with them and even pull the caliper and tilt it around and tap it to get the air out of the bleed screw. Find another dealer, this is common knowledge. As to the engine noise, clicking and ticking of valve train is common on KTM and Ducati as well. It is the sound of high performance haha.
Same thing happened to me with KTM. Condensation in my TFT and under warranty KTM said they’re not replacing it. They lost a customer. I’ll buy a Yamaha in the future.
Scott I have the same issue with my XR, I ride a lot through mountains (home terrain) and sometimes I feel the rear brake petal is touching the pavement…
Great review, thanks for the in depth detail as always. There isn't a lot of content out there on these bikes, so I appreciate your feedback as I'm about 6km behind you (picked mine up Feb of 2021). It helps to know things to keep an eye out for. In general I'm still loving my XR, no issues to note thus far. Stay safe Scott!
I think BMW can be glad that most of your viewers are englisch speaking.... If more German viewers would see this video it would be very expansive for BMW.. 😂 I am looking foreward which Bike you will buy next.. 😂😂
Thanks, Scott for your honest opinion, I have a 1250RS and I will pay more attention to the issues that you mentioned, keep up the good work, disappointed with BMW. if BMW going to behave this way, this would be my last BMW.
Wohoho...Scott, I feel kind of sorry for you. You just simply don't deserve to get a bike that cost that much with issues like that - nobody does. I've heard from my driving instructor that changing to a well-known Austrian brand hasn't been the best decision either he had made concerning motorcycles; and he also baught the flagship model for himself which showed serious quality issues before the clock hit 1.000 km. He'd have rather stayed with his Japanese brand. So I hope you eventually get it all fixed by BMW on their account. By the way...why in the world does everybody seem to go crazy about quickshifters?! Can't understand it; 'cause shifting all by myself with the clutch action makes all the difference to me.
Great review Scott. For me the most significant issue with my 900XR was the front end dive under heavy breaking. At times I felt like I wasn't far off coming unhinged but learnt to feel that point and keep away from it. I did 30,000Km before I traded up to a 2023 R1250RT. Like you I just LUUUV the RT. The telelever front suspension keeps it solid upright under intense braking and that has really amplified what a weakness it was with the XR. Still the XR is a great bike and I miss some of the raw feeling I had when riding compared with the RT.
I've got an S1000XR that I've done 16,000 miles on. Ok, so it has a lot of good points.... But the engine mechanical noise is just awful. On cold mornings it sounds like the cam chain is trying to escape. The rest of the time it sounds like a metal dustbin full of rusty bolts. But it all "normal" according to the dealer. Well, fair enough Mr Dealer, but the XR is my first and will be my last BMW.... I'm going to be buying a Kawasaki in November.
I have to say this is a very sad state of affairs when a brand new bike (and not a budget one, too) has issues like this. No wonder people still buy Suzuki's SVs and V-Stroms.
Nice review, hope this will help a lot of people in their decision. My previous bike was an f800 GT, it also had the "clicking" in idle. I had no major issues with it except that it does not sound as something at the price of BMW should do. The main reason why I did not stay with BMW for my next bike was the over te top maintenance costs (hourly rate and "BMW" parts) charged at the official dealership compared to 3rd party garages and other brands. I never liked the whole "You should be lucky to be allowed to buy from us" atmosphere surrounding my particular dealership at the time.
Hi Scott, As a F900 XR owner I watch your informative contributions with great interest. I share most of your opinions about the bike but having only covered 1700 miles from new it’s been recalled by BMW for a new engine. And to further dampen my enthusiasm for the brand it’s currently back at the dealership with a flat battery fault.
Hi Scott, I would like to ask, if you know, if any of these problems have been fixed in the 2024 models or just the colors changed and everything else is the same. I would also like to ask you if you think a transparent screen protector would protect the TFT from what is happening to you. I have ordered the new model 2024 in blue and would like to preempt any problems I have seen on you.The saddle is the first one I will replace with a hand made one from local shops that make double gel saddles for both driver and passenger. I'm afraid I won't avoid the issue of the brakes, but it may have been an isolated incident. Although, as you mention in the video, it is a general manufacturing error that they do in all models, so I predict that it will happen to me at some point. Thank you very much for your time!
Another great, honest review, thanks Scott. Many of us have been told the engine noise at idle is the clutch box. It's true that pulling in the clutch gets rid of it, but it's rather embarrassing all the same. Had a lot of clutch issues that were mostly sorted at first service. (163 euros here in Spain). The Wunderlich seat is infinitely better. The Givi screen throws wind onto my head shoulders (1m80) so will be swapping that out for something a little wider... Keep up the great work!
Excellent video, really enjoyed that and very informative. Thanks. Just purchased a Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, we'll see how that turns out over time.
Thank you for an honest review. I think we all can relate to dealers not doing what we thought they should. The trick is to find one that takes care of both bike and customer. I've been a BMW customer...never again. And at the back of my head there's a "made in China" chanting...
Wow! I was seriously considering this bike and now its totally off my radar. I don’t think im a BMW type guy anyways but the looks and spec sheet got my attention. Bummer :(
BMW and BRP products have constantly ranked near the bottom on quality and reliability over the past 15 or so years I’ve been keeping track, even lower than HD. Yamaha has had the top spot for years . The Boxer is quite expensive to work on versus the BRP products. I love all motorcycles and don’t have a favorite brand per say all brands have their quirks .😊
Great review Scott, That is why I bought V strom and not BMW. You schould consider to change the bike. 850 GS also sounds sucks at idle like old agriculture machine.🤡
I love your reviews. I bought my Honda VFR800X Crossrunner in 2019, before the F900XR was announced. But even then, for the same price, the Honda seems such a higher quality, not all plasticy looking too. I'm at 24k km and not a single issue so far. But since the model has now been removed, there isn't any touring trail on Honda's catalogue (Africa Twin are oriented off-road)...
Der erste Test überhaupt, in dem jemand detailiert die Kosten für Wartung und die Intervalle erklärt, dafür ganz klar einen Daumen nach oben, denn das gehört genauso zu einem Motorradtest, wie Aussagen über Motor und Fahrwerk. Vielen Dank dafür.
Honest and well-intentioned review. BMW should learn how to keep its customers. It seems they do not learn much. They have lost me and now I'm riding my 3rd Japanese bike for my greatest happiness without any annoying issues. Service of course could be better at Japanese workshops too, but reliability eases the shortcomings.
I think the BMW motorcycle execs are being mentored by their automobile counterparts.
Think the TFT and the brake issue should be addressed Scott. I would persevere until the matter was resolved, especially the rear brake. Great honest review. 👍
My service tried to shorten the movement of the pedal whith a screw of regulation, but in a while the oil heat up because just a touch on the pedal pushed the brake and my wheel got almost blocked. I had to stop, wait a while for the oil to cool down, go back to service and set it as it was before. It's quite a pain in the xxx...
I’ve got one of these and I think I’ve gotten really lucky, I’ve got none of the issues that others seem to experience. I completely agree about the engine sound, it’s not pleasant at idle and leaves me really envious of people on Yamahas and Ducatis. And you’re right about the seat, but stopping every couple of hours and having a drink or a little walk mitigates it a lot (and it’s important to stay hydrated so maybe BMW incorporated this as a wellbeing feature?). Is any bike perfect? I don’t know. This one has its flaws but overall I’m very happy with mine. I hope you get some good riding in this summer.
One of the problems that premium brands have is that their customers often have very high expectations, and notice very small issues. That makes the list of problems seem much longer than the list on cheaper bikes, but at least part of that comes down to selling to a very discerning corner of the market. A related problem is that more features means more risk of an issue.
Agreed. I could not have said it better! 👍
Rear brake issues are NOT a small problem, any brake issue should be resolved period!!!. Someone needs to do due diligence in this process, you wouldn't accept this from your car with family aboard. Major whoa here 😳.
@@stevensullivan5287 To say that very minor issues are more frequently scrutinized with premium brands is not to say that all issues scrutinized with premium brands are very minor.
@@PMitchell106 Agree with you, as a 58 year, million miles under the belt rider (not driver egads), had brake issues only once, rear locked up on my XS11 with my deaf brother on board. Needless to say, I fixed it myself at that time. I do all my services as Im capable of splitting cases and whatever. I'm not the norm, but I've had too many service shops not up to standard minimum and never go back unless it's warranty coverage.
@@stevensullivan5287 Poor braking feel and catastrophic braking failure are dramatically different issues. Of the dozens of bikes I've ridden over the decades, many had mediocre to poor rear brake feel, vanishingly few had ideal rear brake performance, and none have ever had a catastrophic lockup or failure to engage. Of those that had poor rear brakes, most other people who rode the same bikes never noticed any problem.
I’m really surprised that BMW didn’t replace TFT for you, that is not how you create customer loyalty. Great looking motorcycle!
Specially when the client is a well -known RUclipsr specialized in reviewing motorbikes
For this reason it is the final nail in the coffin for BMW, as far as I am concerned!
Fantastic summary of your experience! I've been riding an S1000XR for the past 3 years and have been trying other bikes, including this. I found the F900xr to be a good bike, but coming from its bigger brother, missed the performance and found the suspension a little off when pushing the bike hard in the corners. I enjoyed it more than the gen2 s1000xr however! Crazy that bmw didnt reace your screen and this sort of service is offputting. I stick with bmw because of the dealer network and service I get from my local dealer.
Thanks, I was seriously considering this bike but have decided to look elsewhere. I appreciate the owner viewpoint and headaches.
This is interesting. I've not come across the brake problems on my BMWs. My XR only has 4,000 miles so far, but certainly no sign of any issues there. That said, the clutch was grabby shortly after getting it and the dealer replaced the clutch without any quibble. Turned out it was one of a faulty batch. It's been fine since.
On the TFT, I'd have got really stroppy. That said, I have an anti-theft bracket fitted, so it's protected and unlikely to be a problem.
The quickshifter is the same as the RT - clunky. I think that they are never as smooth with twins as they are with multis. I generally don't use it.
I love the seat of the xr, soft seats hurts me more than hard seats.I don't understand why there is no usb charging port on the cockpit, a 2020 sport tourer bike should have one.
cheap miserly infidels, constantly cutting cost :-|
Having owned an 2021 F900XR for 14 months and 18,000 miles (28,900 km), I agree with Scott about the poor rear brake, non-functional quick shifter and the hard seat, I ordered a Sargent replacement during the first week of ownership. But my experience of maintenance cost was much different than Scott's or for that matter compared to other Euro bikes that I have owned, exceptionally expensive at US $3,660 for dealer maintenance, tires and new chain and sprockets that I replaced myself at 10,000 miles (!). But worse yet, three water pumps replaced under warranty in 18,000 miles is unacceptable and so was the oil consumption: 3 quarts consumed in 550 miles (880 km) of moderate riding. Many parts of the bike are brilliant (ESA, instrument display, riding position, ease of handling, front brake performance and the hard bags). I bought my first BMW in 1980, this one will be my last; I replaced F900XR with a Yamaha Tracer 9GT.
I had an issue with getting the gear to Neutral. This problem was always there. I took the bike for the 10K maintenance and explain the problem that it was hard to get the gear to Neutral. BMW called the bike for inspection and decided to replace the gearbox and bowl free of charge. This issue was obviously a fabrication error and BMW makes a free of charge replacement.
Thanks for the feedback, good to know what to watch out for. I find that getting it going if I don't let the engine warm up that I can stall it out leaving in first gear right away, seems the clutch is very temperamental on start.
Interesting video, Scott. After three BMWs, I switched over to a Honda Africa Twin. The purchase price of a new GS Adventure plus my past experience with high BMW service costs drove me away, despite my love for BMW motorcycles. Honda’s reputation is well-deserved and their far more extensive dealer network and 5-year warranty seals the deal. I still think the GSA is a fantastic bike, but not so good that the higher costs are justified. As reluctant as I was to switch, I haven’t looked back.
Thank you. Yea, I've owed 4 Honda's before and this is my first BMW. So, like they say, I'll try anything at least once!
Thanks for opening up Scott about your pride & joy. Every motorcycle has its shortcomings. But, the dealership is the primary place & the brand is the second. Because unless it’s a recall to save their bacon, it’s the dealership that can try to make changes. Perhaps, the rear master cylinder is too small for the load? The brake fluid boils being near the engine? Maybe the rear pads have glazed on them? Sometimes, if the brand doesn’t help you, then it’s time to help yourself without telling them!😉 The rear brake is very important in a sharp curve to wash off some speed especially in a tightening curve.🙌
You are on point about the exhaust note vs engine sound... not really a nice aural experience from the rider's seat because of the noisier ticking noise. esp when you start to rev it. I hope there is a street legal exhaust (that is louder) solution to this very soon.
in my honest opinion...there is no Perfect motorcycle. but this xr900 would be 9.5/10.
this is the only motorcycle that has so much tecnology on it and after all the extra packs i put on it today when i ordered it, the final price was 13.300 euros. i was between tracer 9 vs tiger 900 vs xr900. the yamaha is 810 mm height, to much for me and 14,500euros , the tiger pro 900 is 17.000 in my town, come on, to expensive, but this xr900 with the LOW SUSPENSION (50mm less) was only 13,300 . in my opinion BMW has a great engine, amazing tecnology, impressive TFT, and looks amazing. i know the seat is bad, not the best rear brake, but overall is an almost perfect machine. i am pretty sure that tiger 900 and the yamaha tracer 9gt has other kind of problems ... be happy with what you have in life, the main objective is to get up every morning and when you start the engine of your motorcycle , get a smile on your face.
Agree 100%
My Top 3 annoying things on this bike are
1. Engine bells and whistles
2. Seat Comfort
3. Quickshifter
But what really bothers me, is that BMW just doesnt give a Sh** about the OEM Seat, that is horrible, specially as a Tourer.
After I had that infamous clutch issue, BMW replaced it and now the Quickshifter is little better.
Last but not least, the maintenance costs here in Nuremberg are ... All the numbers you told what I payed without Tax. Im not amused..
1.Service 200€
2. Service 354€
BTW: That location is great, but you probably already know.
I honestly thought that you would sell the bike for the new Tracer 9 GT, but seems not.
wow, here in north of Italy:
1 service for free
2 service 220€
The 1st could be related to the selling price of the bike, i mean maybe in Italy they sell the bike at a slightly superior price and you have the first service for free, but 354€ for the second are really a lot of money.
thanks for your honesty, BMW did not do the right thing by you re TFT, not a good look for them
How you described the rear brake is pretty much every Harley I’ve ridden including my current FLHTP. they work, just gotta PUSH! Lol
Harley: ruclips.net/video/XeuXShFIgyc/видео.html
Sorry for your troubles, Scott.
I just came back from test riding the 9xr.
Well, I likeed all about it but the engine.
Sitting position is excellent thanks to its narrowness and footpegs position is just right.
Yes, quick-shift is bit more clunky than when you shift with clutch. And the clutch lever is butter light.
It has good pulling power (dynamic mode), not excellent, but good. If you aren't coming from a race bike, or don't need the instant power surge, it won't be a show stopper.
Good suspensions and handling in avoidance maneuvers.
I don't like the engine. Its sound, the little bit of vibration... but it's just me as I'm coming from 4cyl's engines. Could it grow on me? Maybe. But maybe not.
Would I trade the FZ1 for it? Nope. The difference in price is not worth it.
MRA all the way! I've had it on my Ninja 1000, my Ninja 650. I put it on after buying the touring windscreens. It's a godsend.
I had same issue on a RT1200 GSA. Its needed to blead the lines but apperantly is a issue that BMW has not address yet
Strange to see this review now (march 2022) knowing you end up again with a BMW (1250 RT) 😅😅😅
Hope, the rear brake on the RT does a better job. Have the same problem on a 2012-1200 GS, front brake well, rear brake just not existing … , the TFT is much bigger, so more place to get broken 🥴… thx for the feed back on the 900 XR 👍🏻
🤣🤣 Yea, true, but also my health in the last year has impacted my choice too. That is just something that is personal and does not belong in a video. So far though, the rear brake seems to be holding up but just wait till it warms up and I give it a proper thrashing in the Alps 😁 then we'll see...
take care,
Scott
@@NothingToProve belongs to the driver too, so the Alps is a perfect playground to know the bike better, ride safe too & ☝🏻 like … prove 😂👋🏻 Peter
Good video. It clear to see you are some what pissed off with your XR and the response you have had from BMW and the dealer not fixing stuff that should be routine and done under warranty and for the time the servicing has taken. Not good. For a premium bike from a premium manufacturer such as BMW this is bad. I was at one time thinking of buying a BMW S1000R, but not anymore. I heard too many cases of pissed off owners of BMW bikes. Maybe you should lower you expectations Scott? BMW doesn't care.
It's a pity the Yamaha Trace 9 GT you tested recently has issues with it's front brakes and awful dash as I feel you would have traded your XR for that as you really wanted to like that bike so much. You loved it's QS and blipper and now we know why! It made me think there is a back story to this with your XR and I was right.
The rear brake on your XR sounds awful. Would it even pass an MOT test or TUV test in Germany if there is such a thing? I had same on one of my bikes a Triumph Sprint ST 1050. I replaced the brake fluid, properly bleeding the system and purging it of any air, fitted EBC HH sintered brake pads, adjusted and lubed the linkage and the brake was transformed. Now it is excellent. So it can be done. I guess the BMW dealer isn't really that interested.
Those BMW servicing costs are a rip off! 170 Euros just to change the oil. Do they change the oil filter as well? I bet all the other 'checks' they claim they do are a tick box exercise. I think if you buy a new bike or indeed a used approved manufacturer bike then they stiff you on servicing especially if you are a very low mileage owner. I don't ride or indeed drive any where near 10k miles each year which is the typical service interval mileage or one year for servicing which ever is sooner. Some years I just do a couple of hundred miles on some of my bikes and second car and feel totally ripped off by servicing as I know it is just a tick box exercise. There is no way components even consumables need replacing after a few hundred miles even if they are slightly older than 12 months. It is one big rip and con.
Back in 2015 I bought a very low mileage one owner Triumph Sprint ST1050 6 years old, one owner, 5k miles with full Triumph Sevice History. On the face of it a lovely clean well looked after bike. However I didn't continue with the Triumph servicing as my local Triumph dealer quoted me an eye watering amount of cash to service it and they didn't have the best rep. So I checked it over and then serviced it myself as I have done all my bikes. The engine oil had not been changed as the Triumph dealer who sold it to me promised, the brake fluid was like coffee and the air filter was like an autumn day with leaves, spiders, insects grit and grime all over it and in the air box. it was amazing the bike even ran. I was shocked. So once the bike was PROPERLY serviced, all fluids, filters, etc replaced it ran and stopped really well. I would never ever trust main dealers or main stealers ever again.
I think you have two options. One, keep the bike and persevere with the issues you've highlighted. Maybe continue to try to get BMW to listen about the poor performance of the rear brake and to do something or to find an independent bike garage that can look at the rear brake and try and get it working properly. Continue to notice the defective edge of the TFT screen become worse and put up with BMW's uncomfortable comfort seat. Or two you could just sell the bike. Chop it in for something else, something better. For me these issues coupled with the poor dealer experience and with BMW would mean game over with the XR if it was mine. I'd seriously be looking for a different bike and from a different manufacture. Maybe time to go back to KTM or try Triumph? There is a better bike out there waiting for you.
I wish more bike YTers would as transparent as you rather than sucking up to bike manufacturers.
I hope you get your XR sorted out or alternatively your next bike sorted out soon and painlessly.
ATB and thanks for making this video Scott.
Hi Scott, one thing you didn't mention, would you buy this bike again, knowing all its flaws...? Thnx, and I really love your reviews, find them to be always honest and on the point! Looking forward to the next one! ✌🏼
Yea, I'd buy it again. I'm nitpicking and any bike can be nitpicked to death. :)
Think it’s Bmw, not the brembo. My Ktm has brembo and it is set up well, no brake issues. Do you still have improving impressions of the bike or are you getting a bit fed up? Is the quality beginning to agitate? Excellent video, as normal so thank you.
Thanks for the video. Really nice shooting location. When I got my 750gs a year ago (almost), the engine sound/noise hit me right away, too. My hearing is very good and I don’t enjoy standing next to the idling bike. No problem once going, as you mention. How is the boxer engine compared?
In regards to the noise - The s1000xr had issues with cams wear as the hardening process failed…
great review Scott and thanks for the update, the bike looks the nuts, still have not got mine yet, but god willing next year i will pick up an ex demo model, loving the the look with the luggage and the the colour fairing!! Enjoyed your review of the 900GT but i think that bike is just ugly, especially the dash! although yes it does sound very nice.
Good luck with your rear breaking.
Hi Scott! What a pity you have these issues! The rearbrake is a dealbreaker; I know how you always emphasize how important rearbrakes are to you! BMW should have mounted a two-piston Brembo… The seat you can replace, that’s a personal thing. The screen is just badluck, I think. But… a premium brand needs premium dealers and they really should make this right under guarantee. The whole thing puts you in a difficult position. On one hand you should make fuzz about the screen. On the other hand you want to keep on testing their bikes. Although you always said you were’nt a BMW fanboy, I noticed you became more and more enthousiastic about the GS’s and the XR’s lately. Hope you solve the problems with BMW; in the end it’s a fantastic brand. Otherwise I see you go back to KTM or wind up on a Tiger 900!? Good luck with all of this!
Yea, Tiger is probably the next step (love the long travel of the suspension) if BMW does not resolve the TFT for me. But the general manager at that dealership does not know about the TFT (as he was on vacation when I took it in) but he probably does now 🤨
@@NothingToProve I hope for you they take their chance!
How did you know that front callipers were broken?
Muchas Gracias¡¡ siento no poder expresarme en Ingles y espero que Google te pueda traducir. Estoy dudando entre esta motocicleta y la Yamaha Tracer 9 GT. La verdad que me aportas mucha información para decidirme.
Saludos
Thank you and yes, this is why I do these videos, to help guys decide what to buy and to know just what their money is buying for them.
take care,
Scott
I love honesty.
Yeah. No excuses for bad brakes and tha engine noise is pretty sad.
Hm. I guess now I am not that sad anymore that my Yamaha Tracer 700 has "just " Nissin brakes, whereas my husband's T7 has Brembos...I am starting to hear more and more complaints about Brembo. Maybe they should be careful not to loose their excellent reputation...
I'll post an unpopular opinion but having several bikes in the garage at any time, my experience with Brembo is that they are junk. Sure, they are amazing when new, but require constant bleeding. Same for the Brembo master cylinder on my Multistrada clutch. Nissan brakes can also perform well, but will continue to do so for years with minimal maintenance.
Well, I can only give the personal experience I've had with Brembo. 4.5 yrs on my 1290 Super Duke R and no problems or fade, those were M5.0 and now on my XR I have 16,000 km, M4.32, and no problems with the front at all, in fact I have spent long days on it in blistering heat and beating the crap out of them and no fade what-so-ever. Now the rear sucks but that is a system problem (working with their linked system) that BMW has with rear brakes and it's not the Brembo caliper on the rear that is the problem, it's BMW's system that it has to work in and that is my complaint on the XR.
ride safe,
Scott
@@NothingToProve Thanks Scott. Experiences vary for sure. On my generation of Multistrada (2010), the rear brakes are nearly impossible to bleed. Part of the issue is the caliper is mounted upside down and another is that the ABS module is a highpoint. Normal dealer action I was told, was to suspend the rear of the bike greater than 45 degrees to allow a proper bleed, but mine were still not working after that. After much research, there is a technique I used that involved snaking the caliper through the wheel and suspending it with the bleed at the highpoint. Then bleed the brakes while holding the caliper at various angles. It worked, but I would still put the rear brake as marginal at best. I'm glad to hear you have had better results.
i started my new one but still can hear clicking. Not the manly deep rumble of the F800r
So it's about like a KTM reliability-wise without the thrills, playfulness, punch, responsiveness and wheelies. ;)
and KTM dealers have never been problematic in my experience.
You lost me at the wheelies…
After watching your comparison video I leaned toward picking the BMW F900 XR, but now I'm totally convinced to go for the Yamaha 09 Tracer GT. Huge thanks for revealing the specific and systemic flaws! Cheers
Hope you went with Yamaha. Superior reliability over BMW.
Why did you buy F900XR and not the F850GS (or GSA)? I’m currently torn between both..
XR is a lot lighter (20-30kg) and has more power (newer (bigger capacity) version of the same motor as GS) & looks way better...imho. And this is a big AND, I'm not taking it off-road - Gravel road yes but off, no.
ride safe,
Scott
The engine sounds like the valves are to loose, maybe they need to be adjusted.
The wire is a cosmetic detail that speaks of the manufacturing quality,, really sad on BMW
On my 2020 GS1250 HP style the rear brake is excellent as the rest of the bike :-)
Uli "the GS guy" has the same bike you do, same year too, except the Adventure, and he says that when riding aggressively and using the right foot for the rear brake, it fades too, over the day. So there we go, different guys getting different results. 😢
@@NothingToProve I am pretty sure that Uli is a more skilled rider than me and rides harder than me :-)
BMW has a long on-going tradition to openly ignore the flaws of their products. Had no bikes from them, but 2 cars, they always denied the most obvious and objective problems reported by thousands of customers. Although I think they have top products, with great appeal, I simply can't stand this attitude anymore.
I raced my Ducati, on the track we never used our rear brakes.
Great review! Can you recommend this bike for a beginner? I’m considering to buy one as my very first one. Is it going to be a problem for me? I’m 32 years old and want that kind of bike to be my first in my life. I’m also 172 centimetres tall. Should this be a problem? Thanks!
Thanks! Na, shouldn't be a problem for you. Have fun!
Somehow I think Scott that this bike is not quite there yet where it should be considering it is BMW Brand..
Ride like there is nothing to prove!!!
could be the rear brake pump insides..rubber seal or the rod worn out..
What brand of pants do you wear?
guter bericht. mit dem tft ist ein witz, wenn der bmwhändler erklärt ,man müße eine schutzfolie extra kaufen weil es sonst verkratzt.
Pretty sure QS isnt advised to be used between 1-2 and 2-1. At least thats why my Yamaha tracer 9gt manual says.
Ride over 30 different bikes a year, at least half of those having QS. Then you'll be "pretty sure" about what you experience and not what you read. Especially in a manual where they are putting the text in a legal form that has one purpose, to NOT get sued by anyone. So the manual is firstly a CYA and secondly instructions for the bike.
And BTW, the 9GT QS is way better than this bike and yes between 1st & 2nd too.
ride safe,
Scott
@@NothingToProve good to know. The tracer is easier to ride with QS than the clutching bizarrely enough
So if you had a spare 14k would you buy it again?
Nope, I'd buy the Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro instead. But that is really because of the suspension travel is better and smoother.
I agree with Mr Chapman below. Come on BMW your customers deserve to be treated better or what does the badge represent?
Congrats! Hard to find an honest review…
does the rear brake have braided hose on the rear if not a new one will sort it out . no problem
Really hope so all the bmw f800 models had braided line if the new models don't that's disappointing
Great video Scott, nice to have a real honest opinion from an owner rather than a journalist's hype after a 2 hour ride.
Sadly it appears that you have had my experience, great bikes but the dealers vary in quality. The dealer I have bought three GSs from have a great salesman but a very poor service department. I have my bikes serviced by another dealer, always found the dealer more important than the brand and I’ve had a lot of different bikes over the years.
Thanks so much for doing this review Scott. Tell, them, at the very LEAST...one potential buyer (ME) is now going with the Tracer 9 GT instead of this XR. They should have taken care of you. I've been on the fence for 9 mths on the Tracer Vs the XR and I think I just decided.
Likewise, considering the Triumph 900GT or the Yamaha 900Tracer, love triples anyway, started with a H1 Mach III when I was 15 years old, GT750 when I was 18. Now have an R18 Classic that needs a friend at night in the garage. How to choose....??? Thanks Scott for your honesty, it can be a little hard to maintain the boundaries as a reviewer from some that I've watched. Keep it safe.
Think you're missing out by not going with the F900XR though, best display in the bunch, great connectivity through the BMW Connected App, the suspension is still great on the rear shock for when you carry a pillion or luggage. I've never had any issues with it. It is a rare gem on the road too! Good luck with your purchase though and hope you can share your experience as well!
I bought the Tracer 900 GT also because of maintenance costs vs the XR, for example i paid 70€ for the 1000km maintenance vs 160€ for the XR.
same by me . I have just decided , after that video .
@@DJDarkrobe I would opt for the Tracer especially with the F900 having a rear brake problem. You can’t beat the Japanese for reliability & after service. Ride safe
This bike seems to be even worse than I would have expected.
A superior quality than Suzuki or Kawasaki? With my Suzuki V Strom 650 I have had no issues at all. Everything works as it is has been designed.
I have 12000km on it, two services and I could fetch the bike on the same day.
And although I took the full accesory kit including a metal panniers and topcase I saved several thousands of euros to the BMW.
All I need is a bullet proofed engine, a good working gear box and chassis and a comfortable seat and seating position. The comfort of the standard seat and even the lower seat option is awesome.
I have no need to the features the BMW provides like a quick shifter, TFT-screen, Electronic suspension or keyless go. I think the base items has to work properly before adding such ammenities.
Even the shift-cam technology BMW brags about was first and foremost pioneered by Suzuki!
I agree..... I have owned both Suzuki and Kawasaki (and Honda) bikes and have had NONE of the issues that Scott is having.... actually, absolutely zero issues with 4 of the these bikes that I have owned ove the last few year. Maybe I am not as picky and maybe the bikes are not as sophisticated..... but they are very solid bikes that perform "good enough" for the typical rider. Not glamorus.... but they don't do multi-night sleep-overs at the stealership.
exactly, enjoying thorougly my 650 strom, have about 22 000 kms in two years, 0 issues, all of them through Schwarzwald (1st bike, need practice before going longer :) )
Thank you for your honest review. BMW HQ should contact you and fix everything to your satisfaction. We are watching BMW.
Great honest review. This bike is NOT cheap that's for sure, and those issues all seem avoidable or something they should have ironed out over the couple years they've been offering this thing. Especially the rear brake issue. Heard so many people complain about the BMW comfort seat at this point there's no way I'd risk it.
Mystery of engineering: "How good are Brembo brakes if they don't work?' Fortunately BMW has been able to help us tackle this mystery and the conclusion is that they suck, they literally suck!
The brakes on my f700gs and now my 40th Anniversary 750 work GREAT. Brembos
BMW should know better. Customers always come first. BMW, you have now lost a potential buyer. I’ll stick with Honda.
Problems like this in relation to what one pays for a Bmw, is the reason why I switched from R1200gs to Yamaha xt1200zsuper tenere
Sorry, I don’t agree. I had a XT1200ZE and this bike is so plump, heavy with a high center of gravity, really hard to handle. Can’t stand in the shadow of a GS!
It's not the handling that is a problem but the quality issues. I have to concur with NeverDrive55, after two BMWs both having rear brake issues the same as Scott (and corrosion of forks and engine) I bought a Honda VFR1200X, 80,000 km with no issues and it looks as good as new.
BMW car division is also suspect on some of their models. Once upon a time, German engineered or made used to mean quality. Not any more! It’s why I stick to Japanese. My one bike I had a warranty claim on, was European - a KTM. Condensation in the dash. Replaced, and it was even worse then the first one. Buy Japanese. Be happy.
Would love to have been able to afford a Super tenere, and if l could, l was concerned about the extra 20kg it had on my R1150GS. But it certainly seemed like the dream bike.
Did you finally think the rear brake line was not rigid enough? I fixed my BMW brake problems with braided lines.
Despite the shortcomings of the X-R, I just love what I can only describe as it’s ride-ability.
I don’t get out on mine much but when I do, it just feels so reassuring and easy to ride.
Same with my multistrada 1200 !!!!! 😃😃😃😃😃😃
Thanks for your honesty…. truly much appreciated. I was considering buying this bike based on your videos, but am now really rethinking following upon BMW’s lack of support regarding brake and TFT that are clearly faulty… not owner negligence.
Service in asia on screen , techy stuff is non existent . All parts, spares are 3 months, from germany !
You should ride an old oil head you wanna talk about engine noise at idle lol, it’s just it’s character. My F800ST had some character too. I got to race a new electric Harley they other day, crazy fast and silent.
No bike is perfect, especially the budget ones. My SV650a drives like crap around town; so jerky, even dangerous when applying the throttle in the rain. But!.... it is totally on song at speed, and in 78,000 km it never broke down and left me stranded. So, be grateful for your bike getting you home each time. I'd never buy another SV, though. But i won't sell it, it will outlive me [unfortunately!], the engine sounds like new still.
I feel like the manufacturers don't put their best stuff on their 900cc bikes, so I like the 900cc class only for naked bikes, but not for adv/sport touring. For adv/sport touring I think it's better to go for flagship bikes like the 1250 GS, Multistrada V4s, KTM 1290 SA, and then you don't get irked by the compromises of stuff like non-adjustable front suspension. But that's a higher cost route to go. I just had my KTM 1190 Adv in for it's big 18,600 mile service and the stealership hit me up for $2400 U.S. since I also needed a new front tire and the fork seals replaced. I bought it used for a reasonable price and love the bike, but the service cost sure ain't cheap.
Wow. That's outrageous. I know KTM's parts and servicing are pricey but that is taking the mick.
Thanks for the review. Guessing you have the rear brake fixed by now. But if not, Brake pedal or lever sponginess ( it is not fade) is almost always caused by air in the brake system and yours sounds like a classic case. I bet the dealer did a poor job when they changed your brake fluid. In addition, I have seen Brembo rear brakes seem to create their own air which does not make sense, but happens none the less. Sometimes you have to mess with them and even pull the caliper and tilt it around and tap it to get the air out of the bleed screw. Find another dealer, this is common knowledge. As to the engine noise, clicking and ticking of valve train is common on KTM and Ducati as well. It is the sound of high performance haha.
Same thing happened to me with KTM. Condensation in my TFT and under warranty KTM said they’re not replacing it. They lost a customer. I’ll buy a Yamaha in the future.
Scott I have the same issue with my XR, I ride a lot through mountains (home terrain) and sometimes I feel the rear brake petal is touching the pavement…
Quick shifter only after 3rd gear from my experience
Great review, thanks for the in depth detail as always. There isn't a lot of content out there on these bikes, so I appreciate your feedback as I'm about 6km behind you (picked mine up Feb of 2021). It helps to know things to keep an eye out for. In general I'm still loving my XR, no issues to note thus far. Stay safe Scott!
So how's your experience so far?
I think BMW can be glad that most of your viewers are englisch speaking....
If more German viewers would see this video it would be very expansive for BMW.. 😂 I am looking foreward which Bike you will buy next.. 😂😂
you don't understand Germans. I think they would most likely blame Scott for improper use :)
@@ioandragulescu6063 Didn't you see that i am a german guy??? But i am no Bavarian...
They may blame him for licking too hard at the screen... 😂😂
@@siegfriedfischer7876 apologies and yes you are definetly German, inserting a slight jab there towards Bavarians :)
Thanks, Scott for your honest opinion, I have a 1250RS and I will pay more attention to the issues that you mentioned, keep up the good work, disappointed with BMW. if BMW going to behave this way, this would be my last BMW.
Thanks for your honest and relaxed review. Relaxed even when remembering the coments of the dealer regarding your TFT screen 😆 👍
Wohoho...Scott, I feel kind of sorry for you. You just simply don't deserve to get a bike that cost that much with issues like that - nobody does. I've heard from my driving instructor that changing to a well-known Austrian brand hasn't been the best decision either he had made concerning motorcycles; and he also baught the flagship model for himself which showed serious quality issues before the clock hit 1.000 km. He'd have rather stayed with his Japanese brand. So I hope you eventually get it all fixed by BMW on their account.
By the way...why in the world does everybody seem to go crazy about quickshifters?! Can't understand it; 'cause shifting all by myself with the clutch action makes all the difference to me.
Great review Scott. For me the most significant issue with my 900XR was the front end dive under heavy breaking. At times I felt like I wasn't far off coming unhinged but learnt to feel that point and keep away from it. I did 30,000Km before I traded up to a 2023 R1250RT. Like you I just LUUUV the RT. The telelever front suspension keeps it solid upright under intense braking and that has really amplified what a weakness it was with the XR. Still the XR is a great bike and I miss some of the raw feeling I had when riding compared with the RT.
I've got an S1000XR that I've done 16,000 miles on. Ok, so it has a lot of good points.... But the engine mechanical noise is just awful. On cold mornings it sounds like the cam chain is trying to escape. The rest of the time it sounds like a metal dustbin full of rusty bolts. But it all "normal" according to the dealer.
Well, fair enough Mr Dealer, but the XR is my first and will be my last BMW.... I'm going to be buying a Kawasaki in November.
🤣 metal dustbin and rusty bolts - that’s the classic sound of an early 90’s Triumph!
I have to say this is a very sad state of affairs when a brand new bike (and not a budget one, too) has issues like this. No wonder people still buy Suzuki's SVs and V-Stroms.
hear hear, happy with my v strom 650, chuging nicely over 20k kms in two years with 0 issues. At almost half the price as this F900
Nice review, hope this will help a lot of people in their decision. My previous bike was an f800 GT, it also had the "clicking" in idle. I had no major issues with it except that it does not sound as something at the price of BMW should do. The main reason why I did not stay with BMW for my next bike was the over te top maintenance costs (hourly rate and "BMW" parts) charged at the official dealership compared to 3rd party garages and other brands. I never liked the whole "You should be lucky to be allowed to buy from us" atmosphere surrounding my particular dealership at the time.
Hi Scott, As a F900 XR owner I watch your informative contributions with great interest. I share most of your opinions about the bike but having only covered 1700 miles from new it’s been recalled by BMW for a new engine. And to further dampen my enthusiasm for the brand it’s currently back at the dealership with a flat battery fault.
Hi Scott, I would like to ask, if you know, if any of these problems have been fixed in the 2024 models or just the colors changed and everything else is the same.
I would also like to ask you if you think a transparent screen protector would protect the TFT from what is happening to you.
I have ordered the new model 2024 in blue and would like to preempt any problems I have seen on you.The saddle is the first one I will replace with a hand made one from local shops that make double gel saddles for both driver and passenger.
I'm afraid I won't avoid the issue of the brakes, but it may have been an isolated incident. Although, as you mention in the video, it is a general manufacturing error that they do in all models, so I predict that it will happen to me at some point.
Thank you very much for your time!
Another great, honest review, thanks Scott. Many of us have been told the engine noise at idle is the clutch box. It's true that pulling in the clutch gets rid of it, but it's rather embarrassing all the same. Had a lot of clutch issues that were mostly sorted at first service. (163 euros here in Spain). The Wunderlich seat is infinitely better. The Givi screen throws wind onto my head shoulders (1m80) so will be swapping that out for something a little wider...
Keep up the great work!
We want perfection in bikes and this is far beyond impossible. Enjoy the ride while you can!
Hey brother, what mic and video equipment are you using? Your video is very good quality as well as being entertaining.
Mic is a zoom & just a smart phone camera. Simple is sometimes the best answer 😌
nice windshield. I'd get crashbars just from all the non drivers around !
Excellent video, really enjoyed that and very informative. Thanks. Just purchased a Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, we'll see how that turns out over time.
You are 👌🏾 awesome. You are calm even when you are mad... lol. Great reviews keep it up.Liked and subscribed all the way from South Africa.
Thank you for an honest review. I think we all can relate to dealers not doing what we thought they should. The trick is to find one that takes care of both bike and customer. I've been a BMW customer...never again.
And at the back of my head there's a "made in China" chanting...
Engine noise = Loncin (Chinese engine factory)
You should listen to my GS made in Germany, I think you need to address your race issues🙄
@@IanTed He probably sent that message on his mobile phone or PC. Which was made in China! :)
@@IanTed my rotax 800 twin sounds great.
Wow! I was seriously considering this bike and now its totally off my radar. I don’t think im a BMW type guy anyways but the looks and spec sheet got my attention. Bummer :(
Looks like you finally have all the parts you ordered with the bike.
BMW and BRP products have constantly ranked near the bottom on quality and reliability over the past 15 or so years I’ve been keeping track, even lower than HD. Yamaha has had the top spot for years . The Boxer is quite expensive to work on versus the BRP products. I love all motorcycles and don’t have a favorite brand per say all brands have their quirks .😊
That rear brake only is dead handy when riding with pillion, that’s a great shame.
Great review Scott,
That is why I bought V strom and not BMW. You schould consider to change the bike. 850 GS also sounds sucks at idle like old agriculture machine.🤡
I love your reviews. I bought my Honda VFR800X Crossrunner in 2019, before the F900XR was announced. But even then, for the same price, the Honda seems such a higher quality, not all plasticy looking too. I'm at 24k km and not a single issue so far. But since the model has now been removed, there isn't any touring trail on Honda's catalogue (Africa Twin are oriented off-road)...