Bmw R Nine T /5 Review

Used Buyer Review

The R nineT /5 is BMW's love letter to the '70s /5 series, and honestly it nails the brief. That 1170cc air/oil-cooled boxer thumps out torque from basically idle, and the riding position is upright, relaxed, genuinely comfortable for longer stints than the cafe-racer looks suggest. It turns heads constantly — expect conversations at every fuel stop. Buying used, check the final drive universal joints obsessively. They're a known weak point and replacement isn't cheap. Also inspect the Paralever rear suspension bearings and look for any weeping from the valve covers — not catastrophic but annoying. Service history matters here because owners who skipped oil changes tend to skip everything. Parts availability is excellent, the BMW dealer network is solid, and the aftermarket is enormous for customisation. It's not a sports bike — don't expect razor-sharp handling — but for weekend blasts and head-turning garage presence, few bikes at this price point deliver the same character and quality. Just budget for that first major service if the history looks sketchy.