Had mine three and a half years and travelled 30,000 km. Positives - a great all-round bike. If, like me, you can only have one bike, this one ticks a lot of boxes. It is narrow and light enough to commute on daily. It handles very well, especially in dynamic mode, for having fun in the twisties at the weekend. Loaded up with factory panniers and top box it performs most admirably as a tourer. I’m happy to do an 800 km day on it. Negatives - the standard windscreen is very average. Replaced mine straight away with a tinted MRA vario touring screen. Much better protection, less turbulence and looks better. There has been a bit of talk about quick-shifters. IMO, people expect too much from them, especially using them for a 1-2 and even a 2-3 shift at slower speeds, and I don’t use mine in those circumstances. I occasionally use it on 4-5-6 shifts at higher revs and wider throttle openings. It is OK but I find the shift action a bit heavy compared to the S1000XR. Finally, the seat. Yes, it is firm but I find it supportive enough for my body shape and I haven’t been inclined to change it for an aftermarket item. Overall, I’m very happy with my F900XR. I will probably keep it to the 5 year/50,000 km mark, but I'm in no hurry to trade-up at this point.
Hey there, I'm watching tons of reviews, but I'm currently getting my license. I'm 185 cm tall. Would you say, the 900 XR is a good bike for a beginner? My list for potential alternatives is quite long.. Honda 750 Hornet or Transalp, KTM 790/890 Adventure, Suzuki 800DE, Triumph Tiger 900, or maybe even straight to a 1300 GS, as every reviewer says it's even easier to handle than the smaller ones.. argh! Haha! I'd really appreciate your input.
@@fluttershy77x I am 179cm short and found it to be very easy to put it where I wanted it. I think it would be a good bike for a 'sensible' beginner and left in rain mode for a good few miles to get used to it. :-) I Think your list of options is awesome and that you will love whichever one you go for :-) Thanks for reaching out! 😀
I have an F900XR on order. I currently have the “R” version. The seat is horrible so I had mine reupholstered - huge improvement, managed Inverness to Nürnberg and back 6 days. I have bought a low Wünderlich seat for the new bike (2nd hand) as I am short. More upright riding position that the F900R. My top box and panniers will fit, of course. Triple Black. I hope it comes with decent tyres.
This is a vastly under-rated motorcycle. It is a decent tourer, not to be compared (as some have) with adventure tourers. Handles amazingly well for its height and size and really does many things very well. It is an ideal commuter with the occasional longer trips. Agreed the seat is horrible.
Good review! I have owned the F900XR for nearly 2 years, use it for touring spending hours on that hard seat, but wouldnt change it as it doesnt kill my bum! I have changed the screen & added a Givi top box, but thats it! Its fast enough for A roads and torqy enough to be fun on the twisties. Enjoy you trip to Iceland
I am in a similar position to yourself and was looking at an F900XR. Was the insurance extortionate. For reference I am mid forties clean drivers licence, North east based.
@@kieron8776insurance on my F900XR is IMO very inexpensive. $650 annually for full coverage @ max limits. in Las Vegas. Not a commuter bike, weekend fun only.
Had my F900XR around 2 months now, and for the riding I do it's spot on. I must have a different seat on mine as it's not really caused me any problems? So far the bike has been cheap to run, fun in the Twistys and over all I'm fairly happy with it, but I am going to change the screen if your like me and taller than average the screen is useless!
Couldn't stand it. Hard seat, impossibly noisy screen, both in the up and down position and not nearly as fast as the figures indicate. Sore arse after only about half an hour of riding. But man that screen! I think the wind tunnel tester must have been off that day
Phew :-) thought it was me being a muppet. Lol My K16 is the same with the need to be on power up and off power down but it has a quite big sweet spot.
Had mine three and a half years and travelled 30,000 km.
Positives - a great all-round bike. If, like me, you can only have one bike, this one ticks a lot of boxes. It is narrow and light enough to commute on daily. It handles very well, especially in dynamic mode, for having fun in the twisties at the weekend. Loaded up with factory panniers and top box it performs most admirably as a tourer. I’m happy to do an 800 km day on it.
Negatives - the standard windscreen is very average. Replaced mine straight away with a tinted MRA vario touring screen. Much better protection, less turbulence and looks better. There has been a bit of talk about quick-shifters. IMO, people expect too much from them, especially using them for a 1-2 and even a 2-3 shift at slower speeds, and I don’t use mine in those circumstances. I occasionally use it on 4-5-6 shifts at higher revs and wider throttle openings. It is OK but I find the shift action a bit heavy compared to the S1000XR. Finally, the seat. Yes, it is firm but I find it supportive enough for my body shape and I haven’t been inclined to change it for an aftermarket item.
Overall, I’m very happy with my F900XR. I will probably keep it to the 5 year/50,000 km mark, but I'm in no hurry to trade-up at this point.
Thanks very much for such a detailed reply!! :)
Hey there, I'm watching tons of reviews, but I'm currently getting my license. I'm 185 cm tall. Would you say, the 900 XR is a good bike for a beginner? My list for potential alternatives is quite long.. Honda 750 Hornet or Transalp, KTM 790/890 Adventure, Suzuki 800DE, Triumph Tiger 900, or maybe even straight to a 1300 GS, as every reviewer says it's even easier to handle than the smaller ones.. argh! Haha! I'd really appreciate your input.
@@fluttershy77x I am 179cm short and found it to be very easy to put it where I wanted it. I think it would be a good bike for a 'sensible' beginner and left in rain mode for a good few miles to get used to it. :-) I Think your list of options is awesome and that you will love whichever one you go for :-) Thanks for reaching out! 😀
I have an F900XR on order. I currently have the “R” version. The seat is horrible so I had mine reupholstered - huge improvement, managed Inverness to Nürnberg and back 6 days.
I have bought a low Wünderlich seat for the new bike (2nd hand) as I am short. More upright riding position that the F900R. My top box and panniers will fit, of course. Triple Black. I hope it comes with decent tyres.
Im glad it's not just me lol 'Although I know I could do with a bit more fat on arse so in part, my fault. :-)
This is a vastly under-rated motorcycle. It is a decent tourer, not to be compared (as some have) with adventure tourers. Handles amazingly well for its height and size and really does many things very well. It is an ideal commuter with the occasional longer trips. Agreed the seat is horrible.
Thanks for sharing your thought’s :)
Good review! I have owned the F900XR for nearly 2 years, use it for touring spending hours on that hard seat, but wouldnt change it as it doesnt kill my bum! I have changed the screen & added a Givi top box, but thats it! Its fast enough for A roads and torqy enough to be fun on the twisties. Enjoy you trip to Iceland
Thanks for commenting :) I know I need to get more fat on my arse lol :)
Collecting mine tomorrow, first bike! Only passed 16 days ago, training concluded with with BMW Rookie to Rider :)
A very very nice first bike indeed!!! :) I’m sure you’re going to love it!! :)
Congrats!! Mine is my first bike also. Been 1.5years now. If you get a chance, take it to a track day, they are a blast on the track!!
@@diyeveryday67 My first bike was an RD50!! lolol
I am in a similar position to yourself and was looking at an F900XR. Was the insurance extortionate. For reference I am mid forties clean drivers licence, North east based.
@@kieron8776insurance on my F900XR is IMO very inexpensive. $650 annually for full coverage @ max limits. in Las Vegas. Not a commuter bike, weekend fun only.
Love the growl on my k1600, I know what you mean dude. Interesting vlog.👍😁
I do love the growl also but it’s a pain around the horses when restarting…. :)
Had my F900XR around 2 months now, and for the riding I do it's spot on. I must have a different seat on mine as it's not really caused me any problems? So far the bike has been cheap to run, fun in the Twistys and over all I'm fairly happy with it, but I am going to change the screen if your like me and taller than average the screen is useless!
Thanks for your comment :) it is a fantastic bike and yes a bigger screen for sure if you’re using it daily!! :)
Couldn't stand it. Hard seat, impossibly noisy screen, both in the up and down position and not nearly as fast as the figures indicate. Sore arse after only about half an hour of riding. But man that screen! I think the wind tunnel tester must have been off that day
The seat is deffo designed for someone with more meat on their arse than me that's for sure!! lol
Awesome video. I can't wait for the Iceland trip!
Less than 2 weeks away now :) :-) mega excited!! And thanks for subscribing / following :)
You had me at 'Iceland'.
I know right!! I’m super excited!! And less than 1 month away!!!! :) :)
13:06 😂 5 years indeed!! 🤦♂️
A nightmare when trying to learn to fly a paramotor 🥺…
You in Iceland yet mate? Looking forward to the first video 🤙
Not quite matey… currently south Denmark. Ferry early tomorrow
‘Takes 2 days’ :)
@@50adventures safe travels my man!!
Great bike. Perfect size and power. Put a Corbin seat on it. 18:52
38k miles
I think your bang on with that + chunky grips and a bigger screen for me but yep… a fantastic bike! :)
❤️🙏 love from Scotland 🙏❤️
Many thanks!
Yep lower gears are clunky. When changing up defo on throttle. down shifts need closed throttle
Phew :-) thought it was me being a muppet. Lol My K16 is the same with the need to be on power up and off power down but it has a quite big sweet spot.
I read somewhere that the quick shifter is designed to use in 3rd gear up
@thomasbell9026 thanks, that’s interesting and worth a google :)
10:28 gs1150 niceeee
This is the F900 XR :-)
I just spotted it!! lol Well spotted!! lol