Approx. a year ago, I first saw publicity photo’s of the R9T/5, a version of the R9T Pure, but with styling to emulate the 1969 R75/5, & I decided I wanted one.
My local dealer had several on order, & promised me that I could see the first one to arrive, & then make my mind up. As it happened, they only received one, but they were as good as their word, & I decided I did indeed want it.
Before delivery I opted to spend a few bob on styling, by paying for the optional tacho. to give the twin-clocks look, & I also opted for the retro rocker box covers, reminiscent of the old R69 etc.
I also purchased a Wunderlich colour-matched mudguard or hugger, & a Monza styled petrol filler cap, to complete the /5 look.
I totally accept that none of these were a necessary purchase, but they pleased me.
Thanks to the March “lock-down” it took a while to get some miles on the clock, but I soon decided that to be comfortable, I’d need handle-bar raisers, & a footrest lowering kit, again from Wunderlich.
This was a big improvement for me, as it been on my old R1150R, & my current R1200R, so it was no surprise, & I totally accept that some people find the bike comfortable out of the crate.
As I grew used to the bike, two things still niggled me.
Firstly, the lack of the centre-stand, which makes cleaning the wheels & getting the valves into the correct position for a tyre-pressure check, a real PITA, & make checking the oil-level sight glass a two man job !
Secondly, the rear shock. As was posted most eloquently on another thread, I too never thought I was buying a Fireblade or any sort of track-day missile, but even on a mild country “bimble” it all felt rather crude in the rear suspension department. I also acknowledge that I weigh more than the standard purchaser BMW may have had in mind…….
To correct these two points I opened my wallet again, & bought a Wunderlich after-market centre-stand, & a Wilbers rear shock.
The stand is a big improvement, although it does take more effort than most BMW centre stands I’ve used - but I’ve also had worse on a factory fit. I can see me using it to park the bike in the garage, but maybe for parking by the side of the road mid-journey, the side stand will prove to be the easiest option.
As for the Wilbers, chalk & cheese. Much more compliant, & I don’t regret buying it.
So now, after spending quite a few quid, most of it arguably unnecessary, but which i happily chose to spend, I’ve now got the bike set-up for me.
Roll on the spring………..
My local dealer had several on order, & promised me that I could see the first one to arrive, & then make my mind up. As it happened, they only received one, but they were as good as their word, & I decided I did indeed want it.
Before delivery I opted to spend a few bob on styling, by paying for the optional tacho. to give the twin-clocks look, & I also opted for the retro rocker box covers, reminiscent of the old R69 etc.
I also purchased a Wunderlich colour-matched mudguard or hugger, & a Monza styled petrol filler cap, to complete the /5 look.
I totally accept that none of these were a necessary purchase, but they pleased me.
Thanks to the March “lock-down” it took a while to get some miles on the clock, but I soon decided that to be comfortable, I’d need handle-bar raisers, & a footrest lowering kit, again from Wunderlich.
This was a big improvement for me, as it been on my old R1150R, & my current R1200R, so it was no surprise, & I totally accept that some people find the bike comfortable out of the crate.
As I grew used to the bike, two things still niggled me.
Firstly, the lack of the centre-stand, which makes cleaning the wheels & getting the valves into the correct position for a tyre-pressure check, a real PITA, & make checking the oil-level sight glass a two man job !
Secondly, the rear shock. As was posted most eloquently on another thread, I too never thought I was buying a Fireblade or any sort of track-day missile, but even on a mild country “bimble” it all felt rather crude in the rear suspension department. I also acknowledge that I weigh more than the standard purchaser BMW may have had in mind…….
To correct these two points I opened my wallet again, & bought a Wunderlich after-market centre-stand, & a Wilbers rear shock.
The stand is a big improvement, although it does take more effort than most BMW centre stands I’ve used - but I’ve also had worse on a factory fit. I can see me using it to park the bike in the garage, but maybe for parking by the side of the road mid-journey, the side stand will prove to be the easiest option.
As for the Wilbers, chalk & cheese. Much more compliant, & I don’t regret buying it.
So now, after spending quite a few quid, most of it arguably unnecessary, but which i happily chose to spend, I’ve now got the bike set-up for me.
Roll on the spring………..
